Era Of Mercy - Society

Charity - what is meant by this concept in everyday life? It would seem that the meaning is already embedded in the word itself - "to do good", while it is often assumed that disinterested performance of good deeds, quiet and sincere, without looking back, without waiting for compensation of any kind, is often assumed. But who does the benefactor actually help - the needy or himself?

Of good will

There are different kinds of charity, and not always money. Of course, most often we mean donations - from the smallest, feasible to a poor person, to large contributions from organizations and wealthy people. But even if it is not possible to help financially, those who wish can donate blood or hand over things to poor families, go to the store to buy groceries for an elderly neighbor, repair something free of charge, and bring up patients with limited mobility. In recent years, the modern "Timurov movement" - volunteering - has been developing very actively, and more and more people are uniting in order to help those in need in action. What is behind our desire to help?

Perhaps, the origins of the desire to provide assistance should be sought in history, and the motives for charity have been inherited by us along with the encompassing concepts of the special spiritual path of the Russian person? Indeed, many people sincerely believe that faith is more important for a Russian person than deep reflection, morality with a capital letter than the letter of the law, vivid emotions rather than gray indifference (even if these emotions are suffering and sadness). And such qualities presuppose empathy, compassion, mercy and effective, heart-based help to others.

Why is this, at first glance, strange, from the point of view of egoism, an impulse to tear off a part of oneself from oneself and voluntarily give it to another? Why does one help and the other not? Is it true that happy people are more likely to give someone else their time, money, and attention? Or is it only those who have no one else to give a piece of themselves to strangers?

Providing help, a person often solves his own psychological problems or uses charity as a tool to achieve his own goals, for example, “pumping” his image, connections, skills. What motivates a person - a rational "must" or an emotional "want"?

Survivors

Those who have gone through painful trials in life (death of a loved one, poverty, military action, serious illness, betrayal) may feel the need to help those who find themselves in a similar situation. They seem to save themselves in the past, thereby dulling the pain and compensating for the negative experience received in the past.

I understand you

People with a high ability for empathy or with a good imagination can easily associate themselves with those in need of help, imagine "what it is like". Such philanthropists relieve their own anxiety caused by strong emotions of empathy by trying to do "at least something" to alleviate the situation. They seem to create a relatively safe environment of support and mutual assistance, reassuring themselves with the thought that if something like this happened to them, they would not be left without help either.

Better than others

Helping those in need, such people seem to compare their lives with the lives of those who are being helped. They explain to themselves: "I help, so I am stronger, my life is not so bad, and I cope with it better." Such a view allows you to preserve your perfectionism, the illusion of an ideal life and close your eyes to your impotence and imperfection.

I am a benefactor

Some of us are so pleased to say to ourselves: "I am generous, I am good, I am significant, big person." By helping those in need, such people increase their self-esteem and social significance. Only by hearing words of gratitude (best spoken publicly) does the benefactor feel satisfaction and himself often mentions his good deeds.

Be in trend

The true motives of this category of philanthropists are to join the fashion trend and gain the approval of a significant community. For example, the Ice Bucket Challenge recently swept across social media helped raise nearly $ 94 million to fight amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This became a reality thanks to the participation of the stars and their followers.

It's profitable

A purely functional approach. In many countries, companies that donate money to charitable or community organizations and foundations are partially exempt from paying taxes. In addition, the mere mention of the fact that a company or famous person is engaged in charity, improves the image and increases the loyalty of consumers, followers, fans. Participation in charity events helps to establish useful contacts. Sometimes, representatives of big business view the assistance provided as a profitable investment in the future of the country in which their descendants will live. This is how educational institutions are opened or money is invested in non-profit publishing houses, scientific research, inventions, libraries, etc.

Indulgence

There are benefactors who act out of fear of the highest retribution for sins, bad deeds, thus agreeing with their conscience, as if paying off with good deeds. Or they perceive charity as a kind of insurance against failure, paying the modern equivalent of tithe.

So it is necessary

By following a certain routine of life once and for all, observing certain rituals, you can ensure yourself a sense of security both during life and after death, relieving anxiety when thinking about the finiteness of existence. For example, in the Christian paradigm, charity is one of the necessary conditions for going to heaven. At the same time, a feeling of guilt and shame imposed from the outside is often the driving motive. A person helps, fearing condemnation and rejection from the unconditional authority in the person of a spiritual leader or the whole society.

Altruism

And finally, true altruists who selflessly help those in need out of compassion and generosity. It is a deeply conscious moral duty when the demands of public morality, based on the idea of justice, are transformed into personal conviction.

Psychologist Ben-Shahar Tal writes in his book "Learning to be happy": "When we care about the happiness of others, it is a source of meaning and pleasure for us, which is why helping people is one of the essential components of a happy life." This is corroborated by a study from Yale University, which showed that being altruistic and helping others can help you cope with stress and also feel much happier. The results of the study, published in Clinical Psychological Science, show that on the days when the participants in the experiment helped someone, their mood improved and in response to stress, there was less emotional negativity.

Therefore, if you want to make your life more joyful and brighter, help others. Sincerely and unselfishly.