Shards of Consciousness

The word charity has several meanings, but I want to focus on two here

• Provision of help or relief to the poor; almsgiving.
• Benevolence or generosity toward others or toward humanity.

I don't much like the first meaning. It denotes a divisive, unequal relationship in which you, as the provider of help, out of the goodness of your heart, give of your largesse to those who are less fortunate than you.

Gaagh! No wonder charity ends up being a waste of time, money, and resources and often makes situations worse than they were before the disbursement of the charity. The charity has little to do with charity, and everything to do with power. It is more often guilt-based than it is love-based.

The second meaning, though, the second meaning is another story. The word charity is derived from the Latin word caritus, meaning love. Love is not possible between two people who are not equals. Charity becomes, not an expression of power, but an expression of love. It is an act of positive selfishness that (hopefully) improves your life and the life of the recipient.

Alex Shalman has started a writing project in which he asks what we care enough to perform acts of charity. Along with Aaron Potts at Today is That Day, he has asked me to write about a charity that moves me.

One charity that I've talked about a lot here, contributed to, and intend to keep talking about, is Share a Square, being run by Shelly Tucker at This Eclectic Life. This project revolves around people from all over the world making granny squares to be crotcheted together into afghans for children with cancer and blood diseases who attend Camp Sanguinity in Texas. We don't have to make a lot of squares, because no more than one square from each participant goes in each afghan. If you have an afghan at home, especially if you know who made it, you know the emotions that can get tied up in that simple bit of yarn. It covers you and keeps you warm in more ways than one.

Another charity I've been involved in is Habitat for Humanity. Habitat's mission is to provide decent, affordable housing for people all over the world. Houses are built by volunteers. Much of the materials used are donated. The houses are appropriate for the area of the world in which they are located.

Receiving a Habitat house can change your life. I know. My wife and I live in a Habitat house. We raised our family in a Habitat house. At the time we were living in a two bedroom apartment with four young children. The framing was bad. The roof leaked. The wiring was bad. I worked two jobs at minimum wage to make ends meet.

My wife, in large part without my cooperation, applied to Habitat. I was operating under the first definition of charity and didn't want it. She wanted a decent place to raise our children, something she couldn't see happening from where we were at that point.

We were accepted. We had to put in 500 hours labor on our house and those of other people, and pay for all costs of construction that weren't donated or volunteered. It was one of the best things we ever did.

I don't think I would have much of anything if it weren't for my wife. It's her vision that has guided most of the large decisions of our lives.

With a place to call home, a safe place to stand, we were able to raise our children. We had the confidence to make our way ahead. Without that house, I don't think we would have owned our business. Without that involvement, I don't think I would be a social worker in senior housing now. In some ways, I don't think I would be here writing on this blog without the change in attitude that gaining a place to call home helped to form.

Habitat has local branches all over the world. You too can volunteer and donate, knowing that your contribution will largely stay close to you, helping to improve the lives of your neighbors, those that you love, and helping to improve your life, too.

What kind of charities make your hearts beat a little faster? Karen, Nneka, Joe?


Technorati Tags: charity, love, Caring Compassion Charity, Habitat for Humanity, Share a Square