Compassionate People
Here are some ideas on how you, as an individual, can get started living compassionately.
Pray
Prayer is a powerful tool. There are times when the only way we can help is through our prayers. Take time in your daily devotionals to pray for needs in your home, your community, your country, and around the world.
Teach/Inform others
Look for opportunities to considerately share what you know. Teach a Sunday School class. Be a guest speaker at a school. Make an insert for the church bulletin. Make the needs and how to combat them both visible and tangible.
Be creative
What are you good at? What do you like to do? What do you have a lot of? Don’t wait for someone else to tell you how you can serve. Take what you have, and find a way to use it to help someone.
Be environmentally friendly
When you protect or preserve the environment, it improves the living conditions of everyone, present and future.
- Reduce — Find ways to cut back on food, amount of driving, electrical usage, water usage. Eat leftovers, car pool, unplug appliances when they are not being used, turn off the water when you are brushing your teeth. Simple changes can add up to a big difference.
- Reuse — Before you throw anything away, try to think of how it may still be useful. Food waste can be composted. Plastic shopping bags can be used as trash can liners, toiletry travel bags, or the next time you go grocery shopping. Any number of items can be turned into storage containers, big and small, like butter tubs, diaper boxes, or oatmeal containers. Look for more ideas online.
- Recycle — If you can’t reuse it, check to see if it is recyclable. Set up separate trash cans so you don’t have to spend time sorting. Encourage your church and work place to set out recycling bins. You might be surprised by how quickly a bin will fill up with what would have been in the garbage otherwise. Visit the National Recycling Coalition website for more information on how to recycle in your area.
Get involved in your community
Charitable organizations are hard at work in your city and neighborhood. Find out what is already being done and ask how you can help. Check the phone book and internet for ideas. Ask your local and district church leaders about ministries that are already in progress. The United Way is another great resource for finding information on charities in your community. Go to liveunited.org to get ideas on what you can do.
Engage your workplace
Get your workplace involved in compassionate living. Some employers will set aside a number of hours a week or month for charitable work. Others are willing to donate to a good cause. You can also donate directly from your paycheck to NCM. Encourage others to take advantage of the opportunities your work offers.
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