DON’T WAIT FOR AN INVITATION
From Kindness: Making a Difference in People’s Lives: Formulas,
stories, and insights
By Zelig Pliskin
When it comes to doing acts of kindness for others, don’t wait until
you are asked. As soon as you recognize a need, volunteer to do
something about it. Let your love for kindness be so strong that you
cherish each opportunity. Take the initiative to approach people you
can help and don’t necessarily wait until they approach you. You
don’t need a formal invitation to ask someone, “What can I do for
you?”
The author’s students told him the following examples:
I knew a person who always had with him numerous items people
frequently needed. Items such as pens and pencils, scissors, erasers,
rubber bands, paper clips, needle and thread, scotch tape, a small
hole puncher, a stapler, envelopes, sheets of paper, stamps, adhesive
bandages. When someone needed any of these items he immediately
volunteered, “Here, I have some I can give you.”
I have a friend who doesn’t wait for anyone to ask him for
directions. When he sees someone looking at a map, he asks, “Can I
help you?” If he hears someone asking for directions and the response
wasn’t clear, he approaches the person and tells him step by step how
to get to his destination.
I remember commenting in passing to someone I hardly knew that I was
short of money. He immediately offered to lend me a large sum. I
later heard that this was his usual practice. He didn’t wait until
someone asked him for a loan.
My father would always look for opportunities to give people rides
even if they didn’t ask him.
When I carry something heavy, I am very grateful to those who ask if
they can help me carry it. I prefer not to bother people and ask them
unless I absolutely can’t manage myself.
An acquaintance of mine approaches new people in town and
says, “Hello, I think you are new here. I’m a long time resident.
That would you like to know about our city?”
Whenever my cousin goes shopping, she asks others, “What do you need
in the store that I can get you?”
My brother has a cellphone. When he hears someone say, “I have to
make a call. Where is the closest phone?” he offers the use of his
cellular phone.
When someone offers to do an act of kindness for you without your
asking, add that to your mental library of what you, too, can do for
others without their having to ask you.
Printed with Permission of Shaar Press
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