Altruism

Altruism is an adjective describing the act of being unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others.  It is a traditional virtue in many cultures and in English defined as the Golden Rule of ethics.  It is when people are motivated to help others without financial reward or recognition. 


The history of altruism in the US is rich and highly valued.  Some historians believe that the colonists had to form support systems in order to survive.  In 1736, Benjamin Franklin founded the first volunteer firehouse. During the 19th century, religion played a big role in rejuvenating acts of reaching out to help others and today there are thousands of volunteer or giving opportunities.  


Many of us have difficulty finding time to volunteer and elect to make financial donations instead, but being altruistic can be as simple as donating blood, visiting with a home bound person or simply putting away the grocery cart for someone.  As Mother Teresa put it   "We can do no great things--only small things with great love."


During times when we are riddled with worries and challenges, one of the best things that we can do for ourselves is to reach out to help someone else.  When we focus on the needs of someone else, not only is it a great gift to the receiver, but we benefit as well by putting our own problems into proper perspective.  


Is Altruism selfless or self-serving?   What do you think?


If you want information on volunteering in America, check out these sites. http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/  or  http://www.voa.org/  or  http://www.serve.gov/


Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.  Martin Luther King, Jr.


There is no better exercise for your heart than reaching down and helping to lift someone up.  Bernard Meltzer

Lastly - the words of the JFK (January 20 1961) The Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You speech by John F. Kennedy And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.  My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.

Confabulate

Confabulate (kən-ˈfa-byə-ˌlāt) is the word for this week.  It is Latin in origin (1600-1605) and it means to talk together, converse or chat.  An informal conversation between two people. It also means fabricating information and details shared in a conversation in an attempt to fill in memory gaps.  A long, yet wonderful poem follows.  Have a joyful week. 

Pairing Time Anticipated

A Fable by William Cowper

I shall not ask Jean Jaques Rousseau
If birds confabulate or no;
'Tis clear, that they were always able
To hold discourse, at least in fable;
And e'en the child who knows no better
Than to interpret, by the letter,
A story of a cock and bull,
Must have a most uncommon skull.
It chanced then on a winter's day,
But warm, and bright, and calm as May,
The birds, conceiving a design
To forestall sweet St. Valentine,
In many an orchard, copse, and grove,
Assembled on affairs of love,
And with much twitter and much chatter
Began to agitate the matter.
At length a Bullfinch, who could boast
More years and wisdom than the most,
Entreated, opening wide his beak,
A moment's liberty to speak;
And, silence publicly enjoin'd,
Deliver'd briefly thus his mind:
My friends! be cautious how ye treat
The subject upon which we meet;
I fear we shall have winter yet.
A Finch, whose tongue knew no control,
With golden wing and satin poll,
A last year's bird, who ne'er had tried
What marriage means, thus pert replied:
Methinks the gentleman, quoth she,
Opposite in the apple tree,
By his good will would keep us single
Till yonder heaven and earth shall mingle,
Or (which is likelier to befall)
Till death exterminate us all.
I marry without more ado;
My dear Dick Redcap, what say you?
Dick heard, and tweedling, ogling, bridling,
Turning short round, strutting, and sideling,
Attested, glad, his approbation
Of an immediate conjugation.
Their sentiments so well express'd
Influenced mightily the rest,
All pair'd, and each pair built a nest.
But though the birds were thus in haste,
The leaves came on not quite so fast,
And destiny, that sometimes bears
An aspect stern on man's affairs,
Not altogether smiled on theirs.
The wind, of late breathed gently forth,
Now shifted east, and east by north;
Bare trees and shrubs but ill, you know,
Could shelter them from rain or snow,
Stepping into their nests, they paddled,
Themselves were chill'd, their eggs were addled:
Soon every father bird and mother
Grew quarrelsome, and peck'd each other,
Parted without the least regret,
Except that they had ever met,
And learn'd in future to be wiser,
Than to neglect a good adviser.

Jean Jaques Rousseau, a philosopher, whimsically speculated that all fables, which ascribe reason and speech to animals, should be withheld from children, as being only vehicles of deception. But what child was ever deceived by them, or can be, against the evidence of his senses?

Source:

The Poetical Works Of William Cowper, Volume 1
Copyright 1859