It is said that it takes a couple of days to form a habit. To repeat an action over a set of days, weeks or months helps us get used to that particular action and makes it a part of our regular routine. This could be something as simple as the time we wake up each morning to something a little more complex such as the memorization techniques that we use in the classroom or office. Let’s use this Daan Utsav to form a new habit that will help others.
When we reflect on the things we want to accomplish we often make lists, such as new year’s resolutions, that chart out how we actually want to live our lives. This lasts for a few enthusiastic days until the pressures of life bring us back to our old routines. But those goals still remain tucked away in the backs of our minds just waiting for the right conditions to come out and be a part of our lives.
We all want to do good and charitable deeds. But we’re often not able to spare the time or finances. But doing good acts for others doesn’t require any of that. There are a multitude of good deeds we can do right from our homes to help other people – and Daan Utsav is a good time to start! In our own capacities, we can do small but impactful deeds to make the lives of other people better.
Here are 7 simple things to do right from your own home – one for each day of Daan Utsav!
1. Don’t throw away excess food
If you have finished a meal but still have some extra food leftover, save it for a later meal or pack it and give it to someone else, rather than throwing it away. Someone who might not have eaten would benefit from some extra food, besides, when we throw away food, it ends up in landfills where food where food waste creates a toxic mix of dangerous gases that are released into the air we breathe.
2. Help out with a household chore
In many households, one person is usually responsible for taking care of the household chores. If this is the case in your household, then this Daan Utsav, help out with just one chore on your own. It could be something as simple as keeping your own room clean, washing the dishes after meals or dusting the furniture in shared living spaces. It is just one chore to you, but it’ll make a difference to them.
3. Leave out a bowl of water on your balcony
Feeding street animals is easy but is usually complicated by neighbors who object or the danger of having bowls stolen on the street. But you can feed animals right from your home by leaving a bowl of water or food on your balcony for birds who often have nothing to eat. Birds are known to have great memories so in addition to feeding an animal, they are sure to remember your kindness.
4. Help a classmate or a colleague
We spend most of our time in class or at the office and make friends with the people we share our days with. This Daan Utsav, find out in your conversations with people if there is something you can do to help a classmate improve their grades or help someone you know who is looking for a job by working on their resume with them or sending job alerts their way. They are sure to remember your help for a long time.
5. Keep in touch with your loved ones
Getting a random message or phone call from a friend can brighten up our days and make all the difference in the world. To let your friends know that you’re thinking about them, starting this Daan Utsav, send a text, voice note or make a phone call every once in a while just to say hello. Our connections with other people remind us that we are not alone and often give us the strength we need, especially during rough patches.
6. Make a list of all the help you’ve received
When it comes to charity, we tend to think about all the ways we can help others. But have we stopped to think about the ways others have helped us? Get out a sheet of paper or the notes app on your phone and make a list of all the ways people have helped you. When we see just how much a small or simple act of kindness changed you, it might encourage you to help others in return!
7. Give to charity
India has a multitude of grassroots organizations working with disadvantaged communities in need of your support. This Daan Utsav, consider making a donation to help NGOs continue their work reaching out to more people in need of food, clean water, education, jobs, medical care and other basic rights. When you support charitable organizations, you help people who have dedicated their lives to doing the difficult tasks and working in the most unreached parts of India.
Let’s start something new this Daan Utsav!
Daan Utsav is a time to reflect on how much our acts of kindness can change people’s lives in such a deep and meaningful way. Everyone has good intentions and would love to volunteer at an animal shelter or teach children in a school but oftentimes, our lives keep us busy and unable to do what we would want to. But these 7 simple things can be done right from our homes!
To explore how United Way Chennai helps communities with education, employment, health and environmental initiatives, explore here and lend your support:
