I want to be that person—the one who does good works. I fear I’m not, at least not in the way that is noticed. Like taking part in protesting a war, fund-raising to fight the local pollution plant, donating more than a token amount to the latest climate victims. Alas, I’m not that person.
But I am this person, for better or for worse. I’m all I’ve got.
Doing Good
For months it’s been floating in and out of my head to pick up my phone and call my aunt. After all, I dropped everything to go to my uncle’s funeral this summer. Over the years I never remembered to call him though he would call me. Now it’s too late, but I have the urge to call my aunt.
Calling my aunt isn’t going to stop the war in Palestine or Ukraine. It isn’t going to feed the hungry or clothe the poor. But it might brighten her day. And it’s real. Doing this small action links together my thought impulse infused by warm feelings and, most important, a physical manifestation. Picking up the phone. A good work—brought about by intention made manifest.
These little things add up to doable good works. Worth more than daydreams and regrets. Worthy of being considered real Work because they don’t come automatically, but with intention.
How it Works
So, I look for something that touches another being, that involves an action within the scope of my day. It could be filling the birdfeeders if I’ve been putting that off. Or setting myself to arrive at an appointment early, knowing my pattern of being late.
Once the activity is chosen, I check in with the feeling that connects me with wanting to do this. Then I see myself doing it in as much detail as possible. Finally, where the real inner work comes in, is putting this all together so that my thought, feeling, and body hear each other and agree. Internally, I listen for that “yes,” that signals all three parts of myself have signed on to this task.
Because the body must know it is responsible for what it agreed to do, there needs to be a consequence if the task fails to happen. At Sherborne, we held our arms out for ten minutes, or skipped a meal. This correction wasn’t needed often.
I tend to make the mistake of defaulting to thoughts. Which is exactly why I beat myself up for not stopping wars, ending hunger, or fixing the climate. I know it can be done and I should do something about it. But it all ends up staying in my head where it started.
Because I am not that person, my work can only come from the person that I am. If I wish to do good works, then let the work I do come from the right place in me. Then it may benefit another.