Brotherly Love

"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" is an awesome song that describes the relationship between siblings. It can also describe the way people feel when they help others. Many people take time each day to do good deeds for others. How many times a day do we actually do small things for others without even thinking about it? What kinds of things can we all do to show brotherly love? When and where do we help others? Helping others is one of the best ways to help ourselves feel good and be fulfilled.

There are formal ways to help people who need help. Many organizations have been set up ways that people can receive help. One of those organizations is United Way. When I was in college, the store where I worked asked its employees to join United Way with a small contribution. 30 years ago, that organization picked various charities to give your contributions to, but now you choose you which charities you want your money to go. If you want to help animals, you can choose ASPCA or any number of agencies that work on health problems. There are charities for cancer, alzheimers, diabetes, heart and lung diseases, as well as many others. There are hundreds of charities that you can pick from to help people.

Some formal organizations allow people to actually donate time as well as money. Habitat for Humanity is one example where you can help the group build houses for the homeless. My son worked with Habitat for Humanity for two years during high school and really learned a lot while he was helping building a home for a stranger in need. Some groups are more informal in the way that you can use your talents to help people and show your brotherly love. Libraries and schools are great examples of places that want and love volunteers. Young people who are learning to read can have mentors who read to them and with them. Older people who are illiterate can go to these places and learn to read and write.

Most of us participate in some of these activities and organizations and give our time and money to help others. We are showing our brotherly love for others when we do, but it is not quite the same as giving the love in person. Ways that we can share brotherly love in person are varied. When I see young people holding the door for an elderly person, or someone helping a lady put her groceries in the car, or even a scout who helps a woman across the street, I realize that they are taking their time to show brotherly love. Many churches and schools collect food and clothing for the poor. Other people participate in Adopt a Family programs where Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners are provided for those in need, as well as Christmas presents for the less fortunate.

This famous quote "Though we can give without loving, it is almost impossible to love without giving" was said by the French philosopher, V. Jankelevicht. When we do good deeds that help our fellow man, we are showing love. In the Bible we are told to "love our neighbors". We should neither feel indifferent to those who need help not let our egos stand in the way of helping them. There are many occasions when we can sympathise with those less fortunate and we are capable of giving them our generosity. Philadelphia, Pa. is known as the city of brotherly love but every town that has people who care and help those less fortunate are also "cities of brotherly love".

Mother Teresa, 1910-1997, Roman Catholic missionary, Guardian 6/9/97 said, "At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by 'I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.' Hungry not only for bread - but hungry for love." Tis the season of giving, remember to spread good cheer with those less fortunate with you and show brotherly love. How can you make a difference? "He ain't heavy, he's my brother".