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Happy New Year, 50+ Black Women. I haven’t posted for December due to visiting our kids and grandkids for the festive season and what fun that was. But at the start of the new year, it was a time to reflect and decide on a word of the year and chose ‘benevolence’.
As a 50+ black woman myself, we have weathered numerous life experiences, good and bad, but here we are today, stronger and more resilient. As we age, I believe we become far more benevolent. That said, everyone can be benevolent; it is a choice. Choosing it as a way of life to be nurturing, empathetic, compassionate, understanding, patient, generous and friendly. Together with good old-fashioned decency, fair play, goodwill and altruism towards our fellow man without ulterior motives for rewards. Akin to doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.
There is a myriad of ways to demonstrate benevolence in practical ways, such as:
- Donating to charitable organisations through monetary payments, food, clothes, etc.
- Helping an elderly or sick neighbour with household chores, shopping, or visiting them and having a chat
- Volunteering at a community centre to support their various programs or an organisation that is allied to your values
- Providing mentorship to someone seeking guidance in their career is all the better if you work in their field of interest.
- Organising a fundraising event for a charitable cause
- Helping a friend during a difficult time by offering emotional support
- Participating in environmental conservation initiatives, e.g. cleaning up a beach or community
- Providing a home for a rescue animal
- Give a stranger a loving smile
In my inimitable way, I will endeavour to practise the virtue of benevolence in what appears to be a mad, mad world. In addition, vow to be patient and understanding, bearing in mind the verse from the Serenity prayer.
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference”.
Though I cannot influence world peace, I hope to remain positive in my belief that the world is still and will continue to be beautiful. I will do my bit by practising an eco-friendly lifestyle to reduce global warming and our planet. Moreover, I appreciate the benevolence of the universe and the fact that I am alive and well.
Most people believe they are benevolent, but how benevolent are you?
