Habit of Altruism

“Good habits are the key to all success. Bad habits are the unlocked door to failure.”_Og Mandino

Dictionary defines altruism as ‘an attitude or way of behaving that is marked by unselfish concern for the welfare of others.’

Based on the current reality of our times, I think now more than ever is the time we need to put the virtue of altruism into an immediate widespread practice.

With the huge global phenomenon of COVID-19 and its popular preventive measures of isolation and social distancing, some people might think this is not the time to go big on being selfless.

They may reason by the fact that the plague has already infected over a million people, killed tens of thousands and destabilized the lives of over a billion people on the planet. 

However, despite the need to take care of ourselves first and foremost in the midst of this terrible situation, I believe there is still something many of us can do to help those less fortunate than us.

For those of us who are still lucky to be healthy and well-off, instead of being paralyzed by fear and anxiety, we should rather focus our attention on whatever we can do to care for people who are worse off than ourselves.

There are many ways to be altruistic during a difficult time like this. And you don’t need to do a lot to offer a compassionate help. Just think of one thing you can actually do and go ahead to do it.

For example:

You can give money or food to those in real need. 

You can use your time to educate people on how to stay safe via internet. 

And you can and should connect more with your loved via phone calls to show that you deeply care about them.

Realize that the habit of altruism doesn’t need to be imposed by an epidemic or emergency. It should instead be a conscious demand on ourselves to be generous because of our good nature as noble and responsible human beings. 

You see, when you focus your attention on others, your own worry will reduce and you will also have the pleasing conscience of knowing that you are serving an earthly purpose beyond sheer personal needs.  

In his book, ‘Deep Survival: Who Lives and Who Dies, and Why,’ Laurence Gonzales says:

“Helping someone else is the best way to ensure your own survival in a life threatening situations. 

It takes you out of yourself. It helps you to rise above your fears. Now you’re a rescuer, not a victim.

And seeing how your leadership and skill buoy others up gives you more focus and energy to persevere.

The cycle reinforces itself: You buoy them up and their response buoys you up.

Many people who survive alone report that they were doing it for someone else—a wife, mother, son—back home.”

Finally, know that making altruism a habit is one of the best things we can do—not just for the good of others—but for the ultimate good of our own soul both in this world and the hereafter.