Quite often, I hear people say that things need to change. Sometimes they are talking about racism; other times it’s about poverty. And other people refer to a moral decline or things not being the “way it ought to be.” Most all of us can see things that we wish or hope would change. Sometimes we may sit in groups (physical or virtual) and complain about the “problems facing our country” or those blankety-blank Democrats or Republicans.
With all our complaining and our feelings that something needs to change, we often tend to look at others and blame them. “They need to change!” “If only they would do better or stop doing this or that!” But where is our own personal responsibility? What can we do or what should we do to make things better?
Some people see social problems and start non-profit organizations to work to address them. Non-profit organizations often fill in gaps where government and business aren’t enough. For that reason, the non-profit sector is sometimes called the “Third Sector.” There are about 1.5 million non-profit organizations in the United States (candid.org), so we don’t all have to start an organization to fix a problem; we can contribute to and support the ones that already exist. The causes that many organizations work for are generally not goals that businesses or government offices address or a non-profit may address them in different ways that work better for some people. Lightward Bound’s mission is not typical for any business or government entity. Actually, it’s not typical for most non-profits either, so that’s why I felt a need to start it.
Most of us have some untapped resources of time or money or maybe some resources being wasted for something that isn’t contributing much to our own lives or the lives of others. Unless we are homeless or in extreme poverty, we probably have at least some time that we could contribute to an organization that is working on something we care about. I believe we all should routinely help in some way to advance the good in our nation. In choosing a cause to support, be sure to contribute to worthy organizations that are bringing light into our culture. Make sure their foundation isn’t rooted in principles of darkness. For example, if they advocate the use of violence to force a change or if their work tends to create significant divisions or animosity among people, question their worthiness for giving of your resources.
Another thought to consider is that you don’t have to go through an organization to serve and contribute to the well-being of others. If you learn of an individual or family that is in some sort of need that you can help with, by all means, go ahead and go directly to help them.
Supporting service and non-profits is something I believe in enough that I do it myself. I donate a portion of my income each month to the church I am part of and spend some time each week preparing a lesson for a small group of children that I teach on Sundays. I spend time now and then helping others with their needs (e.g. repairing something or helping load a moving truck, at no cost of course). And, so far, all the work and costs for starting Lightward Bound have come out of my own time and money.
There are so many organizations doing good things and many people who could use your help. After taking some time to ponder all of these things and look at your options, make a decision on how you will contribute to the work of the Third Sector. Where will you give of your resources?