Help even unthankful, greedy people

Hi neighbour! Which is worse - unkindness or unthankfulness? What is sure is that they have a strong influence on each other. What is even worse is that they can be very destructive. They are responsible for much of the hurt that we feel from day to day.

Two weeks ago, a neatly clad woman approached me for bus fare on Half-Way Tree Road. I looked at her quizzically, thinking that the little walk could be of greater health benefit to her than the short bus ride.

However, I scrapped out whatever change I could find and handed it to her. She looked at the $20 coins, looked at me equally quizzically and walked away without saying a single word. Strange! About a minute later, she came back, dropped the $60 I gave to her, remarking that I had embarrassed her by giving her just that amount. What would you make of that? I moved from a state of shock to annoyance then disappointment to sympathy.

She was skidding down the road to destruction, propelled by ingratitude.

Symptoms of anunthankful heart

Unthankful people are everywhere. They are never satisfied with what they have been given. More is always on their mind. They don't even stop to consider the blessings that are bestowed on them each day.

They retire to bed complaining and wake up the following morning doing the same thing - complaining. According to a famous writer, people who are unthankful will naturally have negative personalities, find it easy to complain about little things, or easily become moody. Their minds aren't deeply rooted and grounded in a positive or thankful patterns of thinking. Therefore, when something comes up that pushes their buttons, they quickly forget about the goodness of others to them, and begin to complain and grumble. Such persons are always unthankful and are known to be bitter or unforgiving towards themselves, God, and people.

Their main problem is the sin called greed. They are always desirous of others' property, while hoarding theirs. They spend more time thinking about the things they don't have rather than the things they have. They are always searching outside for solutions that are on the inside.

Low self-esteem and self-condemnation always shroud them. Let's not give up on them, though. As good neighbours, we must all come together and help to treat this condition. In comparing an unthankful heart to a thankful one, I like how Henry Ward Beecher puts it: "The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!"

And here is Basil Carpenter's remedy for an unthankful heart: "Thank God every day when you get up that you have something to do that day which must be done, whether you like it or not. Being forced to work and forced to do your best will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a hundred virtues which the idle will never know."

The foundation of transformation is personal transformation. You can experience positive transformation today by adding value to other people. See many opportunities here to add value to someone.

Silton Townsend, better known as Maas Gussie, is an actor and charity activist.

THANKS TO THESE NEIGHBOURS

1. Neighbour for giving clothing to Ms Holson for her family.

2. Neighbour for giving literature book to Vivienne's child.

3. Iotta, St Catherine, for offering clothing and shoes to Kadisha, St Andrew.

4. Dorette, St Catherine, for giving clothing to Faith, St Catherine, for her children.

5. Neighbour, for giving a stroller to Claudia

6. Novelette, St Andrew, for donation of clothing to a neighbour

7. Beverly, St Mary, for offering uniforms and other clothing for boys and girls in St Mary (persons from St Mary who may need these uniforms may contact us at 906-3167 for details).

OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP NEIGHBOURS

1. Jennifer, St Andrew: got burnt out three months ago - badly in need of a bed.

2. Shirley, Westmoreland: husband passed away, son is preparing for CXCs. Wants to engage in a little chicken rearing to finance the family.

3. Pauline, St Catherine: blind; her husband is deaf. They live in a house which is falling apart; asking neighbours for a few bags of cement to help.

4. Marilyn, St Catherine: trying to be independent - just moved out of her mother's house. Asking neighbours for sheets and curtains.

5. Angella, Trelawny: has boys aged six and 11, who are in need of shoes and clothing for church. Shoe sizes 5 and 4.

6. Plummer: He is a diabetic and needs to store medication in a cool place; pleading for assistance with a small second-hand refrigerator

7. Marlene, St Catherine: single mother of boys aged seven and eight who need clothing for church.

8. Hillary, Kingston: stroke victim, unemployed: needs clothing for church - size 22.

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