Making a difference

Most people have some desire to do something 'worthwhile' with their lives. The nature and scale of what is seen as worthwhile varies greatly, but some of the following motivations are likely to be included:

• to do some good
• to make a difference for others
• to give our children a better life than we have had
• to leave something behind, so that we will be remembered
• to make a mark on the world (even if just on one small corner)
• to make life worth living, and not just to live purely for ourselves.

This sounds noble and good, and it may well be so.

But it's worth stopping to consider whether the recipients of our 'good deeds' really want that done to them!

Maybe

• we can listen to what others are saying, before we rush in to help?
• we can deal with people as equals, rather than 'needy people who should be grateful for our help'?
• the worker in the developing-world would rather that we paid a fair price for their labour, than that we sent aid?
• we could believe that (even needy) people have wisdom and know their circumstances and needs better than we do?
• acknowledging our own weaknesses and failings enables others to help us, and so empowers them?
• the best ways of helping involve building relationships, not money and stuff?
• people who have few possessions have something to teach us?

Do we overlook the recipients in our desire to make a difference? And if so, what kind of difference are we making?