Yours truly has been researching the phenomenon of Social and Sustainable Skills Development of late, contemplating the meaning of life and the intricacies of NPOs.
The first lesson learned was that the ‘NP’ in ‘NPO’ stands for Nice People, not Non-profit. Example: “I’m looking for the office of the Give Smiles to Babies and Old People Organisation for the Downtrodden, could you direct me?”
Reply: “Oh yes, they are such NICE PEOPLE, just down Beaconsfield Street and hit a left!”
Upon arrival at the Downtrodden: “I was wondering, do you receive much support from businesses in the area?”
“Oh yes, particularly from MySuper’nCheck, they are very NICE PEOPLE that work there you know…”
Upon arrival at sponsors: “Would you be interested in helping other organisations for the downtrodden?”
“Oh yes of course – so long as they help lots of really NICE PEOPLE!”
Researching at the Department of Social Development: “These guys here on the Board, it’s fine so long as they are NICE PEOPLE.”
Getting permission from parents to involve the youth: “Sure, no problem! But the guys that are running this thing, they’re NICE PEOPLE I hope…?”
And so it went.
And yes, it would seem that everyone involved in charity is actually nice. You could be a medical-aid-swindling, bad-tipping, road-raging imbecile, but hand-rear a couple of kittens or put your domestic worker’s kid through school and you’re a really NICE PERSON.
I’ve been moving through the world in a clearing mist of awakening: inspiring quotes keep popping into my head, the hadedas aren’t pooing on the car as much and people seem to be smiling at each other more (this could be my imagination, I admit). And I must put it down to the Circle of Life/Turning Wheel/Distribution of Energy/Karmic Cycle, and the premise that Love Is, Actually, All Around You.
I read this back to myself and want to puke at the hideous self-helpy, New-Agey, Oprah-angel quality of what I’ve just written, but the truth is I’m also dancing like nobody’s watching, reaping what I’m sowing and storing my treasures in the afterlife.
Things keep going my way – the clock is always on even numbers and I manage to miss the cracks in the pavements.
The chocolate I want to buy is invariably on special, and the chick at the KFC counter gives me the biggest breast-piece she can find (before I even tip her nogal).
I even found a Coke can with my name on, and my cat’s abscess healed without having to go to the vet. Life is good.
I dare you all (those of you still reading this): follow these Three Steps to Happiness:
1. Chuck-a-Chicken: Next time you’re feeling lazy and buy the whole roasted chicken for supper instead of cooking one, buy two, and give one to first hungry-looking person you see after you leave the shop. (Try to distribute a bit, otherwise the regular car guards will be able start a shisanyama round the corner.)
2. Turn the Other Cheek: Think of something bad that’s happened to you recently, and then think of cause that ties in somehow. Like if your hosepipe was stolen, buy garden tools for a needy subsistence farmer down the road. If your child failed Maths, donate a scientific calculator to a child that can’t afford one. If your life is so bad that you can’t even donate a chicken, donate your time instead, like visit the old age home, then you may even get a cup of tea and a rusk to keep you going.
3. Blinkers Off: Keep in mind that just down the road are people in far worse positions than you. Open your eyes and you will see the realities of life – your dented car is not as bad as all that, when you consider the hungry, the sick, and the generally-downtrodden all around us.
Make gratitude your attitude – maybe your kid will pass Maths next time around.