The recent bushfires in New South Wales (Australia) saw hundreds of houses destroyed and a man losing his life protecting his home. Sobering images were swept across our TV screens and we watched day-after-day as the fires were slowly contained, leaving devastation in its wake.
An old school friend of mine, living in the Blue Mountains, put a call out for help. A family living near to her lost everything in the fire. She asked us to pull some things together and get relief to this family, quickly.
My little community sprung into action and started collecting toys, clothes, and furniture. We purchased everyday essentials like deodorant, batteries, pillows, towels and underwear.
I looked around my own home and saw piles of things I could donate. It got me thinking, that in the event of a crisis, I was able to let go of the sentimental value that these items had on me, knowing that they were going to a family in need.
It took a crisis to realize that hanging on to clothes and toys that no longer had purpose in my daily life was silly. Someone else could get as much pleasure and enjoyment out of those items, rather than sitting in my closet collecting dust.
Move Fast. Don’t Overthink. Let It Go
I happily took my bags and boxes to the collection point and was stunned by the amount of donations already there. Another friend hired a truck to drive the goods to the family – a good two hours away. The family was very grateful, and paid our good deed forward by helping other families around them.
I haven’t thought twice about the things I have donated. Apart from sharing this with you now, I haven’t mentioned it to anyone. I’m not looking for recognition. I don’t believe any of us who helped were looking for a pat on the back. I did what anyone would do when asked for help from a friend. Tapping into that motivation, I simply let it go.
I did exactly this during the Bundaberg floods in 2012-2013. It was a harrowing experience to see so many people is such hard times. Although my thigs we’re not theirs and nothing you could give them would replace it, they were overwhelmed with so many emotions with all the charity, love and care we all has for the unfortunate ones. It may not have solved their problem but it made it less painful when they knew what I gave them went onto their children’s backs or in their mouths. I de cluttered every room including the pantry, shed and laundry. This also made me realise how much I thought I would save by buying 5+ of one item etc. a tragedy is never a good thing, but it can change lives in more than 1 way, even if it didn’t happen to me. I felt their pain, I saw the devastation, than I myself I saw the same patterns revolving around and around to put me in my own bad place. I agree it’s not thanks or cheers that I want or need, it’s letting people know that it’s ok to let go. Some people are forced to let go, sometimes we just have to make a choice to let go. But in the end it’s ok to let go. Thank you for your story. Karma is a powerful thing.
I am really disappointed. I contacted local organsations in my area as I wanted to help the fire victims and was told that they local area was only collecting money which I did not have. I have a shed of furniture that I was trying to donate but no one wishes to help me get it to the people who need it. The best I was given was give it to the local charity and they will sell it locally. So much for leading a hand where it is most needed. I even rang a local furniture company and asked if they would donate some packing boxes so that the next time I drove through I could personally drop some of the smaller things off, but as you could expect those promised boxes never showed up either. I am sadly disappointed with the lack of care for other people in this country. We are so lucky to have so much but are unwilling to part with it or let others help.
I am really disappointed. I contacted local organsations in my area as I wanted to help the fire victims and was told that they local area was only collecting money which I did not have. I have a shed of furniture that I was trying to donate but no one wishes to help me get it to the people who need it. The best I was given was give it to the local charity and they will sell it locally. So much for leading a hand where it is most needed. I even rang a local furniture company and asked if they would donate some packing boxes so that the next time I drove through I could personally drop some of the smaller things off, but as you could expect those promised boxes never showed up either. I am sadly disappointed with the lack of care for other people in this country. We are so lucky to have so much but are unwilling to part with it or let others help.
Sorry for the difficulties you have experienced down under. Tragedy is never an excuse, but a great motivator to help. Who doesn’t have a few extra kitchen items that can be given to someone in need? I find landmark moments inspiring. For a while, I moved quite a bit around the US running Bible Fellowships. The best part of moving was the getting rid of “stuff.” And after I retired early, I had fun going through my clothes and donating my “work” clothes to those programs who provide such clothes to women getting back into the work force. The one question I do not see in people’s organizing lists is “Can I replace it if I need another in the future?” Clothes and furniture can fit quite nicely into this category as well as a myriad of other things, including electronics.
I recently moved into a. 1 bedroom apt. After being married divorced and widowed I had a lot of baggage! A friend said why are you keeping it? You been dragging it around for ever. If you don’t personally like or it has a good meaning to you donate it! You would be surprised at how easy it was to fill my p/u 3 times. And I was able to replace a few items of furniture with ones I liked better and were way more useful!
Donating is always a good thing 🙂 You have a big heart.
But, what great post. It gives me something to think about.