When I was asked to write about “Good Works”, this term was unfamiliar to me. In doing a Google search, I discovered this related to “doing something good for others” within the Christian faith. Interestingly, it’s a concept that applies to faiths and cultures all over the world. What motivates us to do something good for others?
I want to share something that happened to me recently that may illustrate a couple reasons that motivate us to do something that benefits others. I was at a Dunkin Donuts and ordered coffee and donuts for a meeting via the drive-thru. When I went to the window to pay, the employee informed me that my order was already paid for. It took me a moment for this to register. He informed me again that the previous customer had paid for my order. A random act of kindness. A “Good Work”. While I don’t know the motives of the person for doing this, the feeling I experienced was indescribable, as it was more than joy. I wanted to pass this on. I felt good. And who doesn’t like to feel that way? This motivated me to do something “good” for someone else. Several times that I have been to that DD, I’ve passed on that random act.
Serena Wadhwa, Psy.D., LCPC, CADC, is an assistant professor/program coordinator at Governors State University. She provides individual and group therapy at the Alexian Brothers Outpatient Group Practice. Dr. Wadhwa works in a variety of roles as a consultant, creator, presenter, trainer, lecturer, radio talk show host and author. She is currently on a different path and is working on figuring that out. Yoga, writing, comedy, awakenings and the extraordinary are definite parts of that journey. And ashrams. (Well maybe just a couple more of those.) She has a book entitled “Stress in the Modern World” coming out in late 2015 and an e-book on stress management, prevention, reduction and optimization strategies coming out in May 2015. She can be contacted at [email protected].
Good Works & Feeling Good
by Serena Wadhwa