[Engaged] LAH suggestions for Ango

[Kotei]

At times, being on the receiving end, seems to be doing good, lah, too.
Last weekend, the (now locals) refugees, I am helping here and there, threw a summer party at their quarters.
They invited the neighbours for a barbecue and some Persian/Syrian live music.
Sadly, not that many visited :-(.
The few, that came, had a wonderful time, tasting from the warm, giving, welcoming culture, the refugees brought with them.
They were so incredibly happy, feeding me a fat belly and seeing me stumbling over my own feet, trying a form of Persian line dance with their help.
Gassho,
Kotei sattoday/lah.

I just posted something on the topic of the "do gooder" getting some satisfaction or pleasure out of doing good. I have no problem with that.

[Jundo]

I just posted something on the topic of the "do gooder" getting some satisfaction or pleasure out of doing good. I have no problem with that.

LAH, Jobs & Callings

... This came to mind when I heard the following podcast today from the American public radio, on turning one's job (sometimes even a tedious or unpleasant job) into a "calling" that inspires one, gives satisfaction and pleasure. I'll be darned if a lot of the actions and attitudes recommended by the expert interviewed don't sound a lot like "LAH-ish" acts and attitudes. ...

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?16486-LAH-Jobs-Callings&p=230382#post230382

Gassho, J

STLah

I am about to sit, then have a quiet evening knitting. Will be thinking of all my fellow Treeleaf knitters. =)


Gassho,
Joyo
sat today/lah

[Meitou]

I did not know about these sites, Kokuu. Thank you! And how wonderful to know that Treeleaf has other knitters. If you ever want to do a project together, just let me know.

Gassho,
Kate

I'm also a very keen knitter and hooker ( because crocheter never sounds right!). It would be great if we could do a project as a group. Also if anyone one wants to learn to knit - and it's now considered very cool for men to knit, just sayin' - I'm happy to research videos and websites and point you in the right direction.

Gassho
Meitou
satwithyoualltoday/lah

PS: Can someone please explain to me what couponing is and how it works?

I did not know about these sites, Kokuu. Thank you! And how wonderful to know that Treeleaf has other knitters. If you ever want to do a project together, just let me know.

Gassho,
Kate

Hi Kate, I'm also a knitter. I only know how to knit scarves though or blankets.

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today/lah

[Ryushi]

"Be My Eyes"

I just heard about this amazing app/service this morning on one of my favorite podcasts. Be My Eyes is a free app that connects blind and low vision people with sighted volunteers and company representatives for visual assistance through a live video call.

https://www.bemyeyes.com

[Anka]

Was reading a book about this extreme couponing lady and how her husband doesn't have a job. Not sure if she does either except for maybe like tv and speaking tours. But she managed to donate 100k in goods to the homeless shelter. I'm going to try it out. Maybe if I end up with a bunch of razors and shampoo and toothpaste and cleaning stuff it would help someone out. That's awesome about the taiko class. Wish I was a better drummer.

Gassho

Rosui

st

Rosui,

I found this idea brilliant. For someone that is tight financially this is a wonderful way to give back. With enough time spent preparing there is a lot you can get basically for free.

James F
SAT lah

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[Meitou]

I probably think a bit too much about economic efficiency when I consider LAH, as it's only been very recent that I've had enough "economy" to even think about using it efficiently. But I don't think it should be discouraged either. I've been thinking about this alot since Hurricane Harvey struck Texas, my home state. A lot of people really wanted to LAH, and a lot of people packed up and headed to flooded areas to try and help. Most of them were turned back and told "the best way to help is to donate money, food and water. Please stay away; we know you want to help but we already don't have enough food and water, and the last thing we need is more hungry and thirsty people showing up." A lot of my friends and family had a really hard time with that, and more than a few, who had enough money to donate, didn't donate because it felt "too easy" to be effective, as though the only way to LAH involves breaking a sweat.

Thank you Jundo for the reminder of the many perspectives of LAH. I will endeavour to measure what can be measured, and smile an immeasurable smile. [emoji16][emoji16][emoji16][emoji16][emoji16]
Gassho
Nick
Satlah

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Great perspective Nick and Jundo, it's important to find the right way of helping those who need help, rather than satisfying our own needs - listening to the services at the scene and exercising wisdom accordingly .
Gassho
Meitou
satwithyoualltoday/ lah

[Shoka]

I did not know about these sites, Kokuu. Thank you! And how wonderful to know that Treeleaf has other knitters. If you ever want to do a project together, just let me know.

Gassho,
Kate

Kate,

Another knitter here , there are a good amount of us running around.

A few years ago I knitted for premature babies. Which were great little projects because they are small enough I could finish a set in one sitting. There are also places for baby blankets, but those were a little too big for me to finish quickly.

Gassho,

Shoka
sattoday

[Kyoshin]

I probably think a bit too much about economic efficiency when I consider LAH, as it's only been very recent that I've had enough "economy" to even think about using it efficiently. But I don't think it should be discouraged either. I've been thinking about this alot since Hurricane Harvey struck Texas, my home state. A lot of people really wanted to LAH, and a lot of people packed up and headed to flooded areas to try and help. Most of them were turned back and told "the best way to help is to donate money, food and water. Please stay away; we know you want to help but we already don't have enough food and water, and the last thing we need is more hungry and thirsty people showing up." A lot of my friends and family had a really hard time with that, and more than a few, who had enough money to donate, didn't donate because it felt "too easy" to be effective, as though the only way to LAH involves breaking a sweat.

Thank you Jundo for the reminder of the many perspectives of LAH. I will endeavour to measure what can be measured, and smile an immeasurable smile. [emoji16][emoji16][emoji16][emoji16][emoji16]
Gassho
Nick
Satlah

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[Jundo]

There is an aspect to what we do here of "problems numberless, yet we vow to do what we can" (to paraphrase the Bodhisattva Vow).

It is not all about economic efficiency alone. The small act, the smile, the little gesture can reverberate in others, and in our own hearts, beyond mere questions of economic efficiency.

By handing out a blanket or picking up on drop of trash on a road, one may not change the world. But it will change something. Buddhists don't only think in terms of scales of economy. One human being helping one other human being, or meeting one situation, is that person and situation.

However, no, we are not going to solve the problem of homelessness, pollution, global warming and the like this way. Don't forget to "think big" and support organizations dedicated to all these issues even as we also "think small and local."

Gassho, J
STLah

[Kyoshin]

In fact, what is often better than an individual's personal act is cash given to the right specialized organizations from a view of social efficiency and efficacy.

So, what is the point of such individual actions as here? Well, it helps to build a sense of generosity in the giver, and shared community and charity in the group which works on these projects.

Also, as we have discussed, small acts of kindness and charity can have unexpected effects, direct and indirect, that are not always a matter of efficiency.

However, do not forget to pull out the credit card too.

An amusing American show on the topic (from about the 12:30 mark) ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ufa4bE35ooo

When we act, be smart, be sincere and be safe.

Gassho, J

STLah

That's also true. Most charitable organizations need your money more than they need your elbow grease or your old stuff. There's also a lot of rigorous study suggesting that the best way to help the poor and homeless is unconditional direct gifting of money. Example: https://academic.oup.com/qje/article/131/4/1973/2468874
Gassho
Nick
Satlah

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[Jundo]

In fact, what is often better than an individual's personal act is cash given to the right specialized organizations from a view of social efficiency and efficacy.

So, what is the point of such individual actions as here? Well, it helps to build a sense of generosity in the giver, and shared community and charity in the group which works on these projects.

Also, as we have discussed, small acts of kindness and charity can have unexpected effects, direct and indirect, that are not always a matter of efficiency.

However, do not forget to pull out the credit card too.

An amusing American show on the topic (from about the 12:30 mark) ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ufa4bE35ooo

When we act, be smart, be sincere and be safe.

Gassho, J

STLah

[Kyoshin]

For those of us who live in places where cold weather is approaching, I thought I'd share what a friend of mine who works with homeless people in Seattle had to say about their winter time needs. Seattle winters are apparently extra hard for the homeless because while it doesn't get super duper subzero cold, 40 degrees F and raining for 6 to 9 months means it's basically impossible to get dry. According to my friend, what they need most is underwear and socks. She says everybody donates so many hats and gloves and warm coats that they often have more than they need, but they always have a shortage of decent socks and underwear. Few people think to donate those, but it's super important to have a change of dry socks and underwear if you've been out in the freezing cold rain all day.

Gassho
Nick
Satlah

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[Rosui]

Was reading a book about this extreme couponing lady and how her husband doesn't have a job. Not sure if she does either except for maybe like tv and speaking tours. But she managed to donate 100k in goods to the homeless shelter. I'm going to try it out. Maybe if I end up with a bunch of razors and shampoo and toothpaste and cleaning stuff it would help someone out. That's awesome about the taiko class. Wish I was a better drummer.

Gassho

Rosui

st