I have always enjoyed helping others with what I can and what I have. I believe that two valuable things in this world are time and knowledge, which are more valuable than money.
The feeling of doing something for someone who really needs it, or who is lost in various ways, or perhaps contributing something you have with the sole aim of bringing smiles and happiness to the other person... that feeling is the most wonderful thing in the world.
Every time I have had the opportunity to help many people with simple things such as words, encouragement, and support, I have felt the need to do so. I have been like this all my life; my heart simply rejoices on those occasions. But there are two moments that I remember right now, two moments close together in time, when I loved being able to give what the other person needed without further ado. I never called myself altruistic; in fact, I never use that word, but simply support, help.
When I arrived in Spain, everything was too hard. I was so lost, alone, overwhelmed, stressed; everything was a world unto itself, but I managed to learn and get through the first difficult months. Two months after arriving, when I had everything more or less in order, my papers and so on, an acquaintance of my brother's arrived from Argentina with the same goal and in the same circumstances as me, a young man of 25, but the difference was that I was already here and I offered to help him with everything. I didn't want him to go through what I had gone through; I knew how it felt.
I found him a room to rent, I cooked for him because he didn't know how to cook, I accompanied him to every appointment he had to make for his papers. I gave him all my time and knowledge about the first steps. And when he began to feel uprooted, something that all of us who leave the land where we were born go through, when he cried, I was there to accompany him and offer words of comfort.
He couldn't take it and went back to Argentina, he missed his family too much, but that last goodbye hug was very emotional. When he arrived, I didn't know him, and when he left, after a month, I knew more about him than his friends did, and I felt that I had given my all.
The other occasion, which took place in March 2018, I remember because it was a specific date. It was a party to celebrate the 45th anniversary of my mother's graduation and her schoolmates. At first, it was going to be a simple affair, where one of the classmates said he could bring music recorded on a pen drive, but none of them knew how to use it.
I think it was actually a joint altruistic effort between my brother and me, as we offered to organise everything without asking for anything in return. And the party went from being music on a pen drive to a super party with the right equipment, music of our choice, karaoke, and not only that, but I also offered to make a video with photographs from that time of all my mother's classmates.
It was a two-month job. I went to my mother's school at the time, made an appointment to visit and take photographs of it for the video. I organised a step-by-step schedule for the party. I felt like an event organiser. My brother was in charge of getting the music equipment and playing it on the day.
I also offered to make souvenirs, which consisted of a photograph of the whole group from that time and one taken at the party, which I would print on the spot. I took all my graphic design equipment to the hall, including my computer, printer and photographic paper. I took the photographs, filmed videos and used all the material to make a CD for each of my mother's classmates. My brother and I covered all the costs. I also organised the tables, bought tablecloths, and everything else needed to set up the venue.
At that time, they were all 65 years old, and seeing their happy faces, how they smiled, sang, and danced was so meaningful to me. They were unable to celebrate their 50th anniversary, so this party was the last one of their lives, all together.
I believe that what you do with your heart, putting your soul into it, is very valuable, and I do it whenever I can. Thank you, @galenkp, for these weekend topics, which are always excellent.
Thank you all very much for reading today. I wish you a very good weekend. See you soon.
Amonet.
Used translator Deepl.com free version.
it can be a culture shock leaving your country and end-up somewhere on the other side of the world , to try and build a new future.
each with his / her own reasons and motivation . I had my experience in 1993 moving from Holland to The Gambia , setting up computer repair bussines , until militairy coup took place , then i had to abandon everything and move back to Holland .
I was a computer science teacher for older adults... over 60 years old, and my brother was a computer and telephone technician. It was a big change, but it was for the best. Thank you so much for always supporting me. Life always takes many twists and turns. Thank you!
i'm almost 60 but i'm glad i know my way arround in ICT most of the time, running my own servers here at home and still building my own pc's , still playing in vm's on my own homelab . still learning everyday .
You don't know how happy it makes me to read that. Learning every day and staying active is what I always expected from my students, and it filled me with joy. My oldest student was 84 years old! And he wanted to learn! That's wonderful! Let's keep going!
!HUG
!HOPE
!INDEED
and i still need to educate my wife every now and then on how to change things in Windows and / or Linux , but that is ok she has other skills .
One can help the other, and that's fine, they collaborate with each other. I still teach my mother, who is 72 years old! Hugs!
Being helpful to others is a good thing
It always is, thank you!
Hello dear friend @avdesing, good morning.
I'm so glad you and your brother took on the responsibility of organizing everything for your mother's graduation anniversary. Seeing the happy faces of her classmates must have been very rewarding.
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful experience.
Have a wonderful weekend.
That party was great, I worked in the hall for 12 hours, it was worth it! Thank you very much!
How are you, Amonet? Good afternoon.
My parents and grandparents say we have to be supportive of people, and if we can lend a hand, let's do it.
It's a shame your brother's friend didn't get used to living in another country and returned home. But the visit wasn't in vain, as they formed a beautiful bond.
If one can help, it is always good for the soul, that's right. Thank you very much, beautiful!
Good afternoon @avdesing, I'll start with something unrelated to the topic. The photographs are very good. My congratulations... they are the result of talent and hard work.
Now to the topic at hand. I am a direct witness to your generosity, so it comes as no surprise to me to read how you have helped other people.
There is a certain satisfaction that comes from caring for others and having that care recognized by the very people you have helped. Really, there is no need for thanks when things are done as you do them... from the heart.
But I am very happy that you have found grateful people. I suppose that is not always the case.
A big hug.
It's true that it hasn't always been that way; in many cases, I've even experienced the opposite, but that's also a source of personal learning and knowing when to give and to whom is important. Giving thanks is a very powerful energy that multiplies; it's a good energy. Thank you very much for your words!
So, I'll contribute a little more positive energy to your blog: THANK YOU!!
Same here!!!🤣
Thank you very much... 💫 🪷⚛🦋🧿♾️🕉😎🫂
Good evening! See you tomorrow!🤗👋
👏🤗👋
Thinking of others and acting accordingly is one of the things that makes us better human beings.
Whenever I see, hear or read stories like those of the person you helped so that he would not have to work, you cooked for him, you were there when he was lonely, you show your vocation to do good.
The fact that he returned to Argentina is not your fault, it was a personal decision in which many things weighed. But, your way of acting was very good.
Thank you for sharing.
Happy weekend.
Cheers and greetings.
Both sides learned something, and that's what matters. Perhaps he only came here for one reason, and that reason happened inside him. That alone makes it worthwhile. Thank you very much!
Sigh, Yes you are also a giver!
Being a giver can be very draining, I have experienced. When you yourself need help, no one is home, everyone is busy. I have never said no to those who want help. But lately I can't take it anymore, my body says no. The best thing is to help complete strangers who don't ask for anything from me. These are just some thoughts on your text.
Yes, it's often very, very exhausting, and most of the time, those closest to you don't even say thank you. It's happened to me so many times! You're absolutely right! Thank you!