Process of Caring

The process of caring can be summarized into five steps:

1) Be Aware of other's need

2) Be Empathetic

3) Plan to help

4) Give help

5) Check if it helps

1) To be able to show care and concern, you should first find out what the person need, whether you are able to help him. You should be aware that a someone need help, even if he does not ask for any. Look around you, are your friends or close ones behaving strangely lately? Are they feeling down? Ask them what's wrong, show that you care.

2) You should show sympathy to the person. Try to be "in his shoes". What if you were the one who needs help? Sometimes a person might be moody because of the problems he is facing. He might be reluctant to accept your help, might even scold you for being a busybody. But don't lose your cool yet. You should try to understand his situation, be understanding, give him some time to cool down and maybe he will open up later.

3) Next, plan how you can help him. Do you have to ability to help him? Or should you ask for more people to help him together. Most importantly, how can you help? This step is very important. For example, if one of your good friends is in debts and he needs a lot of money, ask yourself whether you are able to help him. What if he needs a few millions bucks and you are only earning about 2k a month? If that's the case, it is pretty obvious that you alone won't be able to do much, why not try to ask other good friends to help?

4) Action speaks louder than words. After planning put your plans into action. It is useless if you plan and plan and plan and in the end, dump the plans in some place and forget all about it. Even if you think your help is miminal, just do it, you never know, your little gesture could mean a lot to the other person.

5) After all these, it is not over yet. Check to see whether what you have done has helped the person. What if it is not enough? You should make sure that you have done all you can to help the person. Don't just give a bit of help and then say, " Oh, that's it, I have done my part as a friend. I never want to hear about your troubles again." If deep down inside, you know that there is a lot more you can do, then do it!

Ways to show care and Concern

     Caring is not restricted to people, you can also show care and concern to your school facilities, the environment and also yourself! While showing care and concern to others, don't forget about yourself! Shower yourself with care and love!

Caring for friends and classmates

1) Listen to one another's problems and find ways to help.

2) Ring up the absentees to find out how they are and how to help. Find out what you can do, for them, maybe help them collect notes and keep them updated of what is happening in school.

3) Encourage one another with a genuine compliment. Sometimes in our life, when we are feeling down, a small encouragement is like a light at the end of the tunnel.

Caring for the Campus

1) Keep the toilet, classroom and other facilities clean and free from vandalism. ESPECIALLY the toilets! In my school, some of the toilets smell like crap! Er... what do you expect? Roses? Ha HA.

2) Return canteen crockery to help keep canteen clean and pest-free.

Caring for the Community

1) Embark on Community Projects.

2) Help out in a hospice, a children's home, or an old folks' home.

3)  Do a research project (as part of your course) to help the handicapped.

4) Raise funds for charities (e.g. organize a charity bazaar).

5) Donate to charities (e.g. cash, hampers, old clothes).

6) Spring-clean an old folks' home.

Show Acts of Kindness Daily.

1) Give up your seat in the bus for someone who needs it more.

2) Move to the rear of the bus to make room for others. Please do that! Don't be a selfish brat! I sometimes cannot get onto my bus because of people who are uncaring.

3) Share your umbrella with someone in the rain.

4) Leave the room, canteen table and toilet clean after use.

5) Respond to the need of someone you read about in the newspapers.

6) Show appreciation for someone who has made a difference in your life. Appreciation need not be grand, maybe a small treat, or tell that person how much you appreciate him/her.

7) Talk to a lonely or an elderly person. Yah, I'm lonely, talk to me. Ha HA.

Caring for the Family

1) Speak Loving Words

2) Tell your parents that you love and appreciate them. Ask yourself this, how many times have you told your parents face to face that you love them? You might be surprised at your own answer.

3) Inform parents of your whereabouts. This is VERY IMPORTANT! When you are out with your friends, do tell your parents. While you are enjoying yourself in the company of your friends, your parents might be at home worrying like hell! So, do be more responsible and caring.

4) Have a heart-to-heart talk with your parents. TALK to your parents, find out how they are doing in their work, tell them about your school life, or working life. Chat a while, show them that they are still part of your life.

5) Volunteer to tidy up and wash up. Help to clean the house sometimes. After dinner, wash the dishes! Actually, I have to confess, I seldom do that too... maybe I ought to start soon. Ha HA. :o)

6) Cook a meal for the family. Okay, before you do this, make sure you know how to cook, don't cook crap and expect your family to eat it. :o)

7) Celebrate birthdays of family members.

8) Help coach your younger siblings. If you are big sis or big bro, do teach the younger ones, of course teach them the right things not the wrong ones.

Caring for Yourself

1) Take Care of Your Body.

2) Eat a balanced diet.

3) Cut off bad habits that damage health. This includes smoking!

 

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