Hello mi neighbour | Remember victims of another sort

As we pour into the lives of Melissa’s victims especially those in western Jamaica, let’s remember victims of another sort residing in other sections of the island. “Poorness” prevents them from enjoying a good meal, sleeping in a decent bed or cooking on a stove other than wood fire. Had Melissa come their way, they would’ve lost very little. Of course, their total possession amounts to very little. Their plight is long-standing and their relief is outstanding. Their cry for help often falls on deaf ears...

It has been a while since a visually impaired gentleman from St Mary has been crying out for help with repairs to his dilapidated house. Of the many promises made to help him, to date, he has seen no light. ‘Hello Neighbour’ has been reaching out on his behalf but his plight remains the same. No wonder he wonders if he is under a curse. A curse? I make no judgement here, suffice it to say “ all things are possible”. It is a known fact that people who are “under a curse”, can have the curse broken! Don’t give up. Since I am on that subject, let me also say this: if you have been experiencing drought all your life, maybe you have been making wrong choices or bad decisions. Check it.

Check out this check list:

Are you a complainer?

Do you give to others?

Do you gossip a lot?

Do you backbite your neighbour?

Do you tithe?

Do you pray for others?

Do you have a thankful heart?

Do you covet your neighbours’ goods?

Do you wish for the downfall of others?

If you are excessively self-centred, disregard the feelings of others, complain or whine about everything, including minor issues, harshly judge people’s choices, persistently need to win every argument, even at the expense of others’ feelings,. you could be pushing away people who could be of great value to you ... . “No man is an island”.

How do you measure up?

Could the reason for your dilemma be hinged on any of the above? I wonder. Time for introspection. You may find that a genuine smile can break barriers. Lying or pretence repels people, listening wins people’s respect and the granting of favours, however small, goes a long way!

When given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind.

The saying that “kindness attracts kindness” holds true – it creates a ripple effect of goodwill and even makes you a magnet for similar positive interactions, and people who value warmth. The good you send into the world, whether it’s love, support, or compassion, tends to return to you.

Kindness is a universally admired trait that builds trust and connection. By giving kindness, you create the very environment you desire, attracting more of it back to you, proving that giving what you want is the best way to receive it. It’s a strategic way to enhance your own well-being and attract more positive experiences and people into your life.

Sing with me:

If you see your brother standing by the road

With a heavy load from the seeds he’s sowed

And if you see your sister falling by the way

Just stop and say, you’re going the wrong way

You got to try a little kindness

Yes show a little kindness

Just shine your light for everyone to see

And if you try a little kindness

Then you’ll overlook the blindness

Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets

Don’t walk around the down and out

Lend a helping hand instead of doubt

And the kindness that you show every day

Will help someone along their way

You got to try a little kindness...

Now, please put that into practice.

Like I said earlier, not passing judgement or casting aspersions on anyone, but I wonder whether those needy neighbours to whom no one seems to stretch a helping hand have a hand in their current dilemma? If it is as a result of seeds that they might have sown or just having the wrong approach to life; laziness, lack of ambition, bad choices, wrong alignments, short-sightedness etc, that’s another story. If their plight is hinged on sharing misfortune; place of birth, family tree, mental issues, illiteracy etc, that’s also another story.

Whatever their circumstances, they do have a right to food clothing and shelter just like everyone else. The Creator has placed us here on earth and has provided all the resources we need and the wherewithal to share them among ourselves. Let’s get on with the business of caring for one another until such time ... .

Hope I’ve sufficiently provoked you to think thoughts that will bear positive fruits not only in your life but also in the lives of others!

Again, we ask that you

KINDLY HELP A NEIGHBOUR WITH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING

1. Stove

2. Refrigerator

3. Bed

4. Food

5. Help with medication

6. Financial assistance to start a little business

To help, please call Silton Townsend @ 876 649-9636/876 884-3866 or deposit in acct #351 044 276 NCB. Alternatively, send donations to Hello Neighbour C/o 53 Half-Way Tree Road, Kingston 10; Paypal/credit card: email: zicron22@yahoo.com. Contact email: helloneighbour@yahoo.com. Visit hellomineighbourja.blogspot.com. Townsend exclusively manages the collections and distributions mentioned in this column and is neither an employee nor agent of The Gleaner.