Acts of kindness
General Interest
In the wake of COVID-19, the world has a long road to recovery – socially, physically, practically and emotionally.
There is a beautiful Japanese art form called ‘Kintsugi; golden joinery’ where breaks and repairs are treated as part of the object’s history. In Kintsugi, broken pottery is mended with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. It’s a lovely metaphor for how, at a time where life feels fragmented or broken, we can remedy this by pouring something beautiful into the cracks, so the memories of this challenging time carry a silver lining.
In times of uncertainty, the human spirit can offer great healing. If you’re contemplating how you can play your part in the COVID-19 ‘recovery’ – a concept that has many different meanings – you could consider some of these ideas.
Donate to your favourite charities:
Many families will be facing significant financial hardship as an economic downturn results in job losses or pay cuts. There are many charities you can support who will be able to help these families find their feet and feel resilient during the tough times ahead. Family Works, Barnados NZ, Kids Can and Little Sprouts are all very deserving recipients of your support, among many others.
Volunteer:
There are many special non-profit organisations in New Zealand that would benefit from your time. It’s also a great way to learn new skills and meet like-minded people. From the SPCA to scouts and the Department of Conversation, there are lots of groups you can join around the country that rely on volunteers.
Share a meal:
Loneliness is a real and raw emotion that is felt keenly when people have faced periods of isolation and it can be very hard to shake off this feeling, even when social distancing restrictions are lifted. Baking or cooking a meal for a more vulnerable member of your community is a selfless task that can bring joy to someone’s day.
Organise and participate in group activities:
Now that we are in Level 1, groups can get together more freely and enjoy the activities that make them feel good. From yoga to bowls,to book clubs; bring your nearest and dearest together to remind each other what matters most in life – connections and kinship.
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