Dear friends,
The other day, while walking in the tourist center of an European town, I saw something that I had seen millions of times: a couple asking a passer-by, who was wearing a suit and walking hurriedly towards his home, to stop and take a picture of them. This common request somehow made me think about the following: why did the passer-by stop? Had the couple asked him 5 cents he would have never stopped, but asking him his precious time he agreed.
What makes people give their time but not their money?
What makes people give their time but not their money?
Previous post: Hitchhiker
Next post: Who is the teacher?
Previous post: Hitchhiker
Next post: Who is the teacher?
{ 64 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
someone asked me for 10 cents yesterday, i did not have it, i found 20 in my bag so that’s what i gave
rkwood,
recetly I read a sufi story, probably at this site. crux was that – in the end god is not going to ask us if we were true to the opinion of others, views of others, had god wanted us to be them, he would have made us them. in the end the all imporatnt question would be whether we could become ourselves, whether we could remain true to ourselves. does not mean our views/ opinions become rigid, yet at a given point of time, based on all that I have expereinced thus far, this is what i feel is right,
u have rightly pointed out, helping those in need, is an activity which can take quite a toll on oneself, unless …….
regards
Hola!El dinero es solamente una energia. Todo es energia en el Universo. Si la gente no se quiere, quiere controlar la situacion.(dinero) sinceramente Marie-Christine
Lo que el mundo necesita es una Revolución de Amor.
Y se ama o no se ama. Amar a medias, no sirve de nada.
¿Por qué algunas personas, prefieren dar su tiempo antes que su dinero?
- Tal vez, porque no tienen dinero y sólo pueden dar su tiempo, que ya es mucho: un gran regalo.
-Tal vez, porque crean que dar dinero no es mucha ayuda y quieran ayudarlos de otra manera, como por ejemplo, dandoles fuerza para que sigan luchando, ofreciendoles un puesto de trabajo, etc.
-De no ser así, sólo se me ocurre una cosa:
No aman:
El dinero es material
El tiempo espiritual
El dinero aquí se queda, lo vivido te lo llevas.
For Mara: I think you shouldn’t work for money, but for realizing your dreams. Try working for your life goals, instead of money (this is practically the same thing as a result, but it will come much faster because of your positive thinking and open mind). And I also think when you gave time to somebody, you already gave part of your money, because with this part of your life time you can atteint your objectives (money) to realize your goals. May I suggest you not to apply this in love?… :) Friendly, Mihai
I’m happy givingmy time and effort to help anyone, because it’s something that was given to me for free, and I can use it the way I want.
Money, I have to work hard to earn it, and as it doesn’t fall out from the skies for me,then should not fall for anyone!! Selfish? Insensible? Maybe
I will give you bread to eat,I will give you a coat to warm up, I will buy a matchstickman drawing made by you in a piece of toilet paper, but I’m not happy giving you money.
xx
we have taken time for granted coz we never realise that it is precious and each breath we r going close to the end.we dont work hard for time …mostly people dont …so this carelessness
Is compassion an indulgence or does it buy one?
Quite possibly, I am a lunatic. Those who know my predispositions and seem to care about me have told me so.
Two people were and remain in desperate straits. An effort tempt has been made to keep them afloat while they await the tides of their lives to change. I have been told my actions are are criminal; that helping those who are apparently indolent and seemingly unwilling to get their lives in gear is a waste of hard earned money; it shows no self respect, no respect for money and no respect for the recipient. But perhaps I am privy to too much information; details of their lives and how they arrived in their chasms. It all preys on, and haunts the mind and heart.
I have been asked about my motivation. First, by dint of good luck, I am able to help. This is not empowering as some people would presume; it is nerve-wracking. Nor does it give all that much peace of heart – in the scheme of things, particularly in the wide sea of suffering this is hardly a ripple. One lives with the constant doubt of whether one has been taken for a fool, or if, in the long run, the help will amount to any good at all.
Another presumption is that there is an underlying agenda, a sheme for personal gain. No – the only hope is to be repaid when circumstance allows. Self aggrandizing congratulations are deplorable -there is no glory.
Perhaps, upon encountering a person with a destitute individual or individuals, someone has wondered what his or her would be like if fate had dealt a different hand. Would anyone ever step up to the plate to help if he or she were in the same despair?
Pray that we will be allowed to continue to speculate and wonder – and not have to experience it first hand.
This is such an interesting question.I can only say how it is for me.
I find it easier to give of myself and my time rather than money because I have not discovered the secret of making lots of money.
I fear not having enough money and I suppose this fear means I am more reluctant to part with my money that I have.
Helping and giving of my time is easy. All it takes is will ” am I willing to do this or not ?”
In this situation I would take the photo – I like to help – it makes me feel good.
After reading many of these comments, I am so shocked that such importance is placed on money! It is almost as if these unnatural, man made coins, have more meaning for some than fellow humans!
it is such a shame that we conduct our entire lives through money, that we are unable to obtain food (something that the earth provides not man) if we lack this money.
In a world where young children are witnessing the horrific deaths of their parents and siblings in the midst of war, where hundres are being tortured in state led camps, and where oppression, discrimation and violence are an everday occurance, what value does money really have?
Surely in this world all basic needs of food, shelter and warmth are natural rights. They should be offered without the need for money… however, as trade seems to rule our lives, it follows that those of us who have money should use it always to at least help to ensure that those around us are having their needs met.
Which is why I cannot comprehend the comments stating that ‘money is so important because I have earnt it’! Or that, ‘I lose control of how money should be spent if I offer it to a beggar!’
I offer money all the time, because it is NOT important to me, and because money is made to pass through hands. For the person who said I would not give money as I do not believe it would be passed forward, I ask how did the money get to you? And does it matter if it is not passed forward, your deeds do not always have to be repaid, simply that you did them is enough.
Time, understanding and compassion are priceless and cannot be bought. Those who understand this are surely far richer than the wealthiest on earth.
I am one of these persons: I always say yes and take a photo of a happy couple or a group of people, or a single person in front of – anything, if asked. But I almost never give money to people begging in city corners or where ever.
Why?
Because it is embarrassing to give money to people just standing and asking for it! Often I have thought what I would do if I needed to do the same, stand there in the corner, maybe with a sick child or a puppy, asking for money…. I do not know. I would rather die, that is what I think now.
But talking to happy people from different parts of the world gives good spirits. It is such a pleasure to meet new people, feel the sense of foreign countries, hear a foreign language and see a smiling face: that is nice! Even during the few seconds it takes to take a photo.
It is always easier to see a happy face and meet happy people. Meeting misery and unhappiness is not nice.
Most of us appreciate memories and happy moments , may be we like to give time if we know that it would contribute to the creation of such memories , if we appreciate their value , and we also await the same from the others.
← Previous Comments