Charity begins at home is one of the very first proverbial sayings I was taught as a child, then my mum would instill this saying times without number into my hearing mostly when I refused to do certain house chores, I would reply that when I grew up I can easily get them done and it isn't compulsory I do them now as my homework was more important, so I thought, which usually followed with more preaching to my ears that I have no other option than hearken to her sayings. if I don't learn to do those things she asked of me now, for example, washing the dishes clean or even cooking, how then will I be able to do them properly as an adult, without the constant practice from childhood, the same goes for charity, it is a process that is learned and it eventually stays with us. Charity isn't limited to that aspect of chores only, it spreads across rendering support, giving to others, showing that we care, etc but how do we spread the love and care to others if we don't know how to love ourselves, families, neighbors, etc it is a question of understanding that the act of caring and giving starts with oneself before it can spread out to others.
What this means is that we must first learn all of these at home, especially at an early age, during childhood as this is the best way for the act of charity to stay with us for long even into our adulthood. In fact, we first learn all these virtuous aspects of generosity, of recognizing the other’s need, giving unquestioningly, and deriving pleasure out of giving within the four walls of our house among our loved ones. These lessons are learned at a young age and are the foundation of our ethical and social principle that teaches us how to interact with our society.
As a mum myself now, I have already start instilling this basic teaching of charity to my daughters, and do you know that these teachings are from our day to day interaction, for instance my eldest daughter won a pack of pencil in school after a quiz competition with her classmates, she was happy with her gift as she showed everyone while we were at her grandma's house including her cousins, so they asked that she gives them one each, they were five in total including her younger sister and she had a dozen of pencil in the pack, at first, she was reluctant to share, you see this is where the case of charity begins at home comes in, if she doesn't learn to share the little she has at this age of 6 and I let her continue that way, it would be hard for her to change as she grows older, so I calmly explain to her the reason why we need to give, especially when we have, and in times when we don't have there is also something known as sacrifice, she obeyed and gave them all one each and I asked her to tell me how many people she just made happy with her pencils, she replied five, and how does that make you feel? I asked her, happy, she replied. Guess what? Not only did she give to her sister and cousins, that feeling she felt made her extend her generosity even to our neighbours children leaving her with just one which is okay for her at that moment.
Just by that single teaching of charity at home, the love spread out, and I hope it continues into her adulthood. As it’s important to note that phrase “charity begins at home” doesn’t mean “charity ends at home. ” Instead, the phrase stresses that home is that initial point where one learns how to become nice to other people and help them. It is almost inevitable when you have learned to be generous to the people close to you that you will also extend it to others as well. Look around you, J guess you would agree that from observations that children who were taught to be nice and generous at home grow up to be adults that are sensitive to their neighbors or friends needs.
Unfortunately, in today’s world where, the constant exposure to pain and suffering, for the sake of helping people has made people give up on charity, people are rather scared for their safety, but look at it from another angle, how about those that genuinely need our support, do not because you were offended by a family or friend you rendered assistance to make you give up in your charitable deeds, know that the best way to do your best with charity is never expecting anything in return rather, focus on the joy you give and be contented with that.
Only then would we keep spreading love and joy and hopefully make the world a better place, spread love to yourself, your family, friends and also learn to extend that same love to your society.
*This post is inspired by the #julyinleo monthly topics, day 18, do check it out for more info and he inspired as well.
All images used are mine