Help: The Most Forgotten Psychological Factor Of Well-being
We live in a world and society where the word well-being is increasingly common and a central objective in our lives. Why is it so difficult to learn to live in well-being, beyond the factors or contexts that make it a little more difficult for us? There is a fundamental psychological factor of well-being that we have forgotten… help.
We are social, affective, emotional beings, and our relationship with others and also with the community of which we are part also generates well-being. Psychosocial studies with a cross-cultural perspective demonstrate the following: in the countries where solidarity is practiced more and equity or social justice is considered an essential objective (the famous case of Bhutan and its index of gross national happiness or also the case of Nordic countries) greater well-being is reflected. Why have we forgotten that offering well-being to others brings well-being to us?
We live in a materialist, globalized and consumerist world, which constantly seeks to focus on individualism as a strategy to promote consumption. We forget contact with others, and with this, we also lose a fundamental factor of well-being such as purpose. I imagine that it has happened to you at some point: living with doubts about your purpose or feeling confusion or difficulty making decisions because we don’t know which path to take.
Focusing only on one, in an individualistic way, makes us lose meaning and purpose precisely because we are not totally individual beings but collective (we have our own identity and needs and at the same time social and in relation to the other).
When we feel that we live disconnected, without purpose, it is actually because the purpose is not sought or found, but rather made. We feel a loss of purpose because we do not act collectively or follow our talents and desires (due to difficulties managing certain emotions, such as fear or insecurity). Selfishness (which causes us to avoid the opportunity to help others) also has its roots in fear (fear of losing control, possessions, dominance, comfort or status, due to one’s own fear of loss).
The great difficulty is not the loss of purpose but simply because we allow ourselves to be carried away by doubts, fear, insecurity, being conditioned by external factors and, above all, living without dedication and trust.
As a psychologist and coach, I have been accompanying people in their change processes for more than 10 years, and on all occasions where we feel that there is a lack of purpose or vital confusion, we always discover the same original problem: we are too wrapped up in creating the problem instead of focusing on a solution that involves surrender and detachment and this especially happens when we decide to help others.
All this changes when we build purpose through the most powerful human action: helping, offering well-being to those who need it (within your possibilities and without being harmed by it).
For this reason, working with what you give, with what you offer, with what the consequences of your actions on the world are, is essential.
I am going to make you a very special proposal, especially in these delicate times of pandemic. It is about building a purpose, making that helpful behavior a reality, creating well-being thanks to the fact that you have given it, and above all that it helps you to know yourself, to discover yourself and to grow. It is about following the proposal of Ikramnet, a solidarity project that works 100% altruistically and above all totally free and simple (you can do it from anywhere in the world and without resources).
You only need some simple plastic jars. I’m going to leave you a video where we go much deeper into this and explain how it works. Hit play!
The objective of this video is that, whether you are a person who is experiencing complicated moments in relation to your well-being, or if you are a psychology student and are looking to create purpose, Let’s build that well-being through selfless help This practice will make you grow and can improve the situation of thousands of families (you can do this from any country and freely).
How does Ikramnet work?
With the idea of Ikramnet (created and spread by people freely, without being any type of complex organization or aligned with other objectives) this construction of purpose and help is simple, because It implies interest in the well-being of others, it focuses you on what is really important, it makes you take action and above all it assumes that well-being can be created and shared by you.
The way the Ikramnet idea works is very simple: you get a plastic jar that has an opening (to insert coins) and you print and stick the Ikramnet sticker. This container can be placed in essential establishments in your neighborhood or community (greengrocers, pharmacies, stores with hygiene items, various food stores, stationery stores, etc.).
When a person buys something with cash, they can put the coins they have left over that they can do without (cents, pennies or a few pesos) in the jar. Over time, the pot fills up between everyone’s contribution and a family in need of basic necessities but you can’t afford them, you can buy them with what’s inside the boat.
With this proposal, all parties win and generate well-being: the family gets what it needs, the establishment manages to fulfill its purpose of serving, people give what they have left over and it is also an exercise of giving, and you facilitate that cooperation and synergy .
This project began years ago in some neighborhoods in Spain, and now these cans can even be found in establishments in South Africa This is my proposal for you, whether you are a psychology student or a person who has certain difficulties and you want to find a way out of what is happening to you, purpose and horizon… get some jars and distribute them, because only a jar can help a lot of families.
I am Rubén Camacho, psychologist and human empowerment coach and I hope I have helped you with this video. For this end of the year and new year, above all, confidence and enthusiasm. See you next time.
