The economy of the world today is not friendly. People are going through a lot. Some struggle to afford three square meals a day, while others eat simply to survive rather than to nourish their bodies. Some cannot even afford to take care of their own health, let alone that of their sick loved ones.
Indeed, many people are suffering in silence while putting on smiles for the world to see.
I understand that giving from the little we have is not always easy. When you are struggling to survive yourself, extending a helping hand to someone else can feel like an additional burden. However, I strongly believe that giving, even from the little we have, can make a significant difference in someone's life. That little assistance you offer might be all someone needs to get through a difficult day, and in some circumstances, it could even save a life.
I remember one fateful day when I was still in the university. As a student, I experienced days when things were really difficult. There was a particular hostel mate of mine who was naturally jovial and always full of life. However, on this particular day, he was unusually quiet. Unlike his usual self, he barely spoke.
I asked him what was wrong, but he insisted that he was fine. Still, something told me that he wasn't.
Later that evening, we gathered in the open field of my hostel to have our usual discussions. Throughout the conversation, he barely contributed. As a fellow student who had experienced similar struggles, I could almost tell what was happening. I suspected he was hungry because I knew that feeling very well. There were days when I also struggled to get something decent to eat.
When I returned to my room, I had just one small pack of noodles and two slices of bread. I knew the food wasn't enough to satisfy me, but I decided to prepare it anyway. After cooking, I went to his room and invited him to come and help me fix something.
When he arrived, I told him we should eat together. He smiled and said he wasn't hungry, then tried to leave. But I insisted, telling him that although the food wasn't much, we could manage it together for the night. I also let him know that I knew he was hungry.
He took a deep breath and eventually agreed to join me.
We ate together.
Were we satisfied by the food? No.
Was I happy? Absolutely, yes!
That experience taught me something important: sometimes, the joy of giving is not necessarily in how much you give but in knowing that you have made someone's difficult moment a little easier.
I strongly believe that supporting others does not always have to involve something big. You don't need to be wealthy or have an abundance of resources before you can make a difference. Sometimes, sharing a meal, offering a listening ear, showing kindness, or giving someone a little financial assistance can mean more than you can imagine.
A giver is not necessarily someone who has everything; sometimes, a giver is simply someone who understands what it means to have nothing and still chooses to share.
However, this does not mean we should neglect our own needs or put ourselves in a position where we can no longer take care of ourselves. We must also learn to recognise our limits.
But I believe that as long as we have something we can comfortably share, no matter how little, we should not allow our personal struggles to take away our humanity.
If we cannot learn to support one another when we have little, what makes us think we will automatically become generous when we have plenty?
The world is already difficult enough. Let us not make it harder for one another.
Sometimes, the little you have is exactly what someone else needs to survive. Image is mine.
Thanks for reading
Posted Using INLEO
