'Do good and good will follow you'

HELLO MI neighbour! Prosperity in all its facets is very high on the wish list for all at this time of the year. I received a card from a friend recently with this inscription: "May you enjoy every moment of Christmas and may each day of the coming year bring life's very best. Merry Christmas!" Thanks! Wouldn't it be wonderful if each day of 2011 brought life's best our way? Some of life's bests are good health, peace of mind, financial security, a happy marriage and contentment.

As we speak, many homes are on the auction block. Motor vehicles and furniture are on the verge of being repossessed. Some persons will be evicted today and some will be served with eviction notices. All these are a consequence of unpaid bills, predicated on the fact that people do not have the money to pay up. To mention the cost of health care and individuals' inability to foot it is another story that we will have to pick up on another time.

If we could find a way to convert all the good wishes from friends and relatives, at this time of the year, into raw cash some "sorrows would be over" and joy, for many, would "come at last". It would usher in a little piece of heaven on earth. Many of the single mothers and fathers who write to me in search of help with back-to-school preparations for their children (even in December) could see these children returning to school January fully prepared.

More improvements

More of them could eat a healthy breakfast, followed by a healthy dinner to help with their development. Some families could graduate from the floor to a nightly rest on a mattress purchased from the furniture store of their choice. No senior citizen would call appealing for a few sheets of second-hand zinc to help keep out the water whenever it rains, or financial assistance to purchase medication because they have been abandoned by their callous offspring. No way!

But why would children turn their backs on their elderly parents? I don't think that the children of Mavis Murray, who was buried on Sunday last, could relate to that experience. As I sat in the Meadowvale Seventh-Day Adventist church on Sunday, and listened to the life story of Mrs Murray, I was inspired to say this to my readers: "Do good and good will follow you". I couldn't help forming the impression that Mrs Murray was the Jamaican version of Mother Teresa.

Generosity of spirit

Her generosity of spirit knew no bounds. As a single mother, not only did she see to the welfare of her four children, but also those who crossed her path with needs. The barrels of goodies from her overseas trips were shared with almost every one in the community. This epitome of generosity "walked and collected people just to meet their needs".

Her third child, Vermont, who thanked the audience for coming, remarked that it was with a sense of satisfaction that her mother died in their arms a few days earlier. All the seeds that she sowed bore good fruits. Even though her children led very busy lives, she was never abandoned. Seems like when we love and care for others, we need not fear getting old.

I do not want to merely wish you prosperity for 2011; I wish you generosity of spirit. One truth that has stood the test of time is that the more you give, the more you receive. People who donate money, time, energy, or expertise to the needy, live happier, wealthier, longer lives.

Money makes life easier but does not always bring happiness. Real happiness comes from living a life of meaning. Winston Churchill once said, "We make a living by what we earn, but we make a life by what we give." With that in mind, consider the possibility that your life is meant to be lived with a purpose higher than simply accruing wealth. That purpose is to use your wealth to make a difference. Attract prosperity in 2011 by giving to others. See great opportunities in the table above. Blessings!

Thanks to the following neighbours for their acts of neighbourliness:

• Mr Rory and friends for financial assistance,
• Roman, Brownie and friends for donating a bed to Millicent, St Catherine,
• Miss Burke, St Catherine, for offering brand new clothing to boys and girls,
• Sandra, New York, for assisting disabled child from St Elizabeth and cancer patient,
• Karen for offering a sofa and a kettle to a neighbour,
• Neighbour, for offering clothing to a neighbour,
• Neighbour, St Andrew, for donation of clothing,
• Yvonne, St Andrew, for assisting Rosemarie with Caribbean Examination Council books,
• Gene, United States, for offering clothing to a neighbour in St James.
  

Opportunities to help neighbours

Miss Johnson from St Catherine is unemployed and needs a serger to help with income generation.

A 84-year-old neighbour needs a dresser.

Mr Archer from St Catherine is asthmatic. the situation was compounded by an infection and he desperately needs financial assistance to purchase medication.

Adassa, who is unemployed and has to tend to her disabled son, is appealing to neighbours for help with food.

Kendice from St Mary is the mother of two girls, and a new Christian. The children's father died, and she needs a mattress and a dresser.

Mr Davis from St Catherine needs a pair of tested glasses.

Carmen, St Andrew, needs a wheelchair for her 84-year-old father.

Audrey, St James, is the unemployed mother of two. She needs help to rear chickens as she has no money for food.

Hanchard fell and hurt his leg. He is unemployed as a result and needs a stove to bake and sell.

Hazel, St Andrew, has a 14-year-old son who needs clothing and size 11 shoes. His father died.

To help, please call 906-3167, 884-3866, 373-7745, 299-3412 or e-mail us: neighbourtoo@yahoo.com and we will make the link-up. Those who desire to help us with our financial obligations may make deposits to Acct # 351 044 276 at the National Commercial Bank. (Bank routing #: JNCBJMKX) or send donations to HELLO NEIGHBOUR c/o 53 Half Way Tree Road, Kingston 10