Charity

Literally, this is the gift that keeps on giving. Buy a cow that goes to a poor family, they can drink some of the milk, sell the rest, and promises to give one of the offspring to another family in need. The cycle keeps on repeating itself, indefinitely. What a revolutionary way to combat world poverty, wouldn't you say? You could also go for a pig, a llama, chicks, a water bull ..

Heifer International

It looks like I can give up a photo frame (I have zero pictures anywhere in my room) to purchase a flock of geese that will probably get sent to China (represent!). That should make me good inside. But then after that, and all throughout life, there is a constant struggle between obeying my selfish desires and not, by sharing with the less fortunate. Where's the balance? Are we bad people because we buy ourselves a new pair of technical running shoes when the money could've been put to much better/ more ethical use for hurricane relief or a world hunger non-profit organization? Perhaps if we thought more and paid more attention to things outside of us we could have a more accurate perspective. If everyone was charitable, especially those who could afford it, just imagine what the world would be like.

..But let's quit these lofty thoughts, I want to do a Froogle search for a new Capilene pullover.

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At least man gets an idea of how small he really is when wondering "how can one person make a difference," but unfortunately it is these humbling thoughts that most often keep good deeds from occurring.

It has come to my attention that some lessons can only be learned through experience. In fact, the more something is proclaimed, the longer it takes to realize, probably. "One person can make a difference!" That phrased is so hackneyed it could make a seven year-old wince. But everyone who has witnessed it in action is compelled to spread the phrase, which brings very strong evidence of its timeless truth.

Another thing I have been asking myself: am I really happier and more better off than I have ever been with all the new things I keep on acquiring? The answer is no, but it's infinitely much easier to live for a comfortable lie than for a hard truth. C.S. Lewis has something to say about part of this:

"We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive."