Great idea! (It IS rather important, isn't it?)
I think the normal altruistic behaviors; ie., charitable work as espoused by the various religions, definitely falls into that category...while remembering that it's the motivation that is important, not just the action. Just giving to others doesn't count unless it's giving for the purpose of helping others...rather than to rack up points, gain recognition, or stroke the ego.
Your complimenting others is definitely right on...Q'uo has stated that one of the most important things we can do on a daily basis is to smile at those with whom we come in contact...the cashier at the grocery store, the waitress, etc. So I try to make a habit of always doing that...as well as asking something about them...to let them know I noticed them as a person, and not just a machine who is serving me.
Listening to others...truly being there for them...is always good. I have a neighbor, an older woman, who is stuck at home taking care of a grouchy, elderly, very ill husband. I can't do much for the husband, but I try to be there for the woman, whenever she needs someone to talk to, even though sometimes I really am busy! ...Between yesterday and today, I spent a total of about 3 hours explaining the LOO to someone who had expressed interest...I had delayed sharing the info with her for many months...but waited until she expressed interest. (I was actually very surprised!) I have no idea whether it will be relevant to her, but since she seemed very keenly interested and did ask, I shared the info with her (albeit very cautiously). I'm not sure if that counts, though, because I really did enjoy talking about it! (How often does someone ask you to explain the LOO? For that matter, how often do you even mention it to anyone else?)
Something that has been very elusive for me has been forgiveness of myself. I usually don't find it difficult to forgive others, but very difficult to forgive myself. This is disconcerting, as Ra did say that forgiveness of self is equally important. So I'm working on that...
(sorry this isn't in the form of a list! got a little carried away...
)
I think the normal altruistic behaviors; ie., charitable work as espoused by the various religions, definitely falls into that category...while remembering that it's the motivation that is important, not just the action. Just giving to others doesn't count unless it's giving for the purpose of helping others...rather than to rack up points, gain recognition, or stroke the ego.
Your complimenting others is definitely right on...Q'uo has stated that one of the most important things we can do on a daily basis is to smile at those with whom we come in contact...the cashier at the grocery store, the waitress, etc. So I try to make a habit of always doing that...as well as asking something about them...to let them know I noticed them as a person, and not just a machine who is serving me.
Listening to others...truly being there for them...is always good. I have a neighbor, an older woman, who is stuck at home taking care of a grouchy, elderly, very ill husband. I can't do much for the husband, but I try to be there for the woman, whenever she needs someone to talk to, even though sometimes I really am busy! ...Between yesterday and today, I spent a total of about 3 hours explaining the LOO to someone who had expressed interest...I had delayed sharing the info with her for many months...but waited until she expressed interest. (I was actually very surprised!) I have no idea whether it will be relevant to her, but since she seemed very keenly interested and did ask, I shared the info with her (albeit very cautiously). I'm not sure if that counts, though, because I really did enjoy talking about it! (How often does someone ask you to explain the LOO? For that matter, how often do you even mention it to anyone else?)
Something that has been very elusive for me has been forgiveness of myself. I usually don't find it difficult to forgive others, but very difficult to forgive myself. This is disconcerting, as Ra did say that forgiveness of self is equally important. So I'm working on that...
(sorry this isn't in the form of a list! got a little carried away...
)