Serving Our Community: Helping Others is Great for Every Neighborhood

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Fred Rogers

You may find it hard to believe that Fred Rogers, star of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, has become a guru of sorts on how to live a good life. Most reading this article probably remember singing along to his opening song while he changed into his sweater and switched to his sneakers (because they were quieter on set). But Fred Rogers has had some pretty profound thoughts about living a good life and helping others. After all, he was always offering advice to his viewers and teaching life lessons in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe.

Generally, people want to live a happy, peaceful life and don’t think twice about helping someone in need. However, with the hustle and bustle of daily life, we may forget that we are all connected in one way or another. Because of that, it is necessary to hold our hand out to help another person up when needed.

You don’t need to empty your wallet into a donation bucket or clear out your closet for a clothing drive to make a difference. I recently watched a video that showed a young man offering two different homeless people the choice of cans of beer, food, or money. Neither chose the alcohol. One chose the food because he was starving saying the money will come eventually. The other chose none of the items. The only thing he wanted was someone to talk to because it had been a few years since he had.

Something as simple as talking was what this person desired most. Talking to someone is something that most of us take for granted but here it made all the difference. And that’s how easy it can be to brighten the lives of the people in your community or neighborhood. You don’t need to be rich or have lots of items to donate. You just need to be compassionate and aware.    

“We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say, "It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem." Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.”  - Fred Rogers

All of us have a duty to make our community strong and help our neighbors to their feet. It starts by deciding that you are going to be a force for good. If you have children, it’s your responsibility to teach them that we need to help one another and how to be a good person.

Start small - think about the people who live on your block. Who could use help with yardwork? Who would enjoy having someone walk their dog? Who never has visitors? Who could use a friend? Being helpful requires being aware of those around you. It might be easier to turn a blind eye but that’s not the right thing to do.

Parents need to familiarize themselves with their children’s friends and activities. It is your responsibility to keep them from harming themselves or others. You were blessed (although sometimes it may not feel that way) with an investment in the future. What you teach your child and what you instill in your child shapes the future. You are raising future doctors, community leaders, scientists, politicians, teachers, artists; people who will change the world. Make sure you guide them well into becoming compassionate people.

“All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we’re giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbors—in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver.”  - Fred Rogers

Use your talents to improve your surroundings. Share your knowledge of what you’ve learned with those around you. Offer a smile to a stranger. There are so many little things you can do to make life a little happier. What will you do in 2018 to make your neighborhood and our world better?