Charity from the Latin “caritas” meaning Love, Regard
By Sara Jane
The definition of “charity” as per the “Readers Digest Great Illustrated Dictionary” is
“1. The provision of help or relief to the poor 2. An institution, organisation or fund established to help the needy or carry out other useful work 3. Something that is given up to help the needy; alms 4. An act or feeling of benevolence, goodwill or affection 5. Indulgence or forbearance in judging others; leniency”.
What does charity mean to you? Or more importantly what should it mean to you?
So many people’s reaction is “I don’t want charity”. What they are really looking for is to be able to help them self, to be able to stand on their own 2 feet and provide for them self and their family.
At the end of the day isn’t that what we all wish for?
The saying goes “give a man a fish and he eats for a day, give him a fishing rod and he eats for the rest of his life”.
The word “charity” I feel has a different meaning today than from the past.
By helping and supporting people to help and support them self, we treat them with Love & Respect; we help them to get back on their feet and to be able to support themselves.
We give them back control for their life, releasing them from reliance on anyone else.
Charity should always “begin at home”, with yourself. The charity of loving yourself enough to be true to you; of not judging yourself or allowing others judgements of you to affect you.
Let go of judgement of self and others, feel free to give of self to self.
Always give with Love, Respect and an Honouring of who the individual is.

Copyright © Sara Jane