Maxim Monday: Do a favor for a friend

Last updated on: May 13, 2013 at 7:54 am by Niki Whiting

Maxim Monday: Do a favor for a friend 2013-05-13T07:54:54-08:00 Niki Whiting

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I like this one. Probably because I’m already good at it. Probably because this one is in enlightened self-interest.

This Maxim to me is one of the foundations of community building. Now that I have children I can see the needs and benefits of doing a favor for a friend (or neighbor) even more than before! Thriving in this world takes a group effort. While I believe we have to take responsibility for our own actions, we can only thrive (and by that I mean more than just get by) when we work together. Parenting is hard, constant work. We need neighbors and friends to do the occasional babysitting favor so we can get a hair cut, see the doctor without children in tow, or maybe just get some down time.

Doing a favor is a form of sharing what we have a lot of. Maybe you’ve got time or space. Maybe you’ve got money. Maybe you have a lawn mower and your friend doesn’t. Or whatever.

Doing a favor for a friend makes their life easier. I like doing favors for my friends, knowing that often it’s an easy way to be really helpful. I like knowing that I help others often and joyfully, and that helps me feel less guilty or hesitant about asking others for help.

Little favors are a great way to build community and strengthen the everyday bonds between friends and neighbors.

(Of course, don’t forget good boundaries!)

Previous Post

May 12, 2013

A happy mother's day

Next Post

May 14, 2013 A Budding Theologian

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Alaska altar altars Ana Ancestors Anderson witchcraft Arddu Bhairava Biography bodies books Christianity Christmas community current events death Delphic Maxims Dhumavati dual observance Durga Faery family life feminism Feri Feri tradition Feri witchcraft food ganesha gratitude Guest Post guru health Hinduism holidays Jesus Kali Lakshmi land links magic Many Gods West movie review movies music my heart mystery myth Navratri Orthodoxy pagan pagan culture paganism pantheacon parenting Place politics polytheism practice pratice prayer Red Goddess review ritual sacred arts Samhain Saraswati Shinto Shiva singing Star Goddess Tantra tarot the Gods theory Uncategorized values virgin mary wales washington winter witchcraft year in review yoga

Select a Month September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What do the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace allow believers to do?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Walk in darkness Stand firm Dance Run into battle