Angels are Real!

When I say that angels are real, I don’t mean it in the way that some of you may think. No, I’m not talking about the mythical sky beings from that one ancient book about talking snakes, floods, and shit—I’m talking about real people doing real things; offering real help that makes a real difference in the real world, and doing so selflessly.

I’m not talking about religious believers sending prayers to plead for imaginary angels to watch over those in need—for such actions provide no real help to those who need real help; they simply make the one doing the praying feel better about themselves, as though they’re helping in some way, even though they’re not doing anything at all, while back in reality, there are actually real people offering real help that makes a real difference—those are the angels that I’m talking about; real people doing real things that actually help in reality!

Such people exist, and they’ve restored my hope, and dare I say faith, in humanity.

Not everyone is out to get you. Not everyone is tit-for-tat. Not everyone is conditional and transactional in their interactions and support. There are REAL angels (people) out there who offer support, not because they expect something in return, but because they’re good people, able to provide support, and doing so because it actually makes a real difference.

I have come to know (or at least know of) a few of such people, and I also hope that, over time, that I can become such a person myself.

One of the greatest joys in life is being able to make a positive difference in someone else’s life and being able to see their basic needs met; see them excel to the best of their abilities; and to see them thrive in a world and a system that is designed to achieve the opposite.

Throughout my life, I have helped people whenever and wherever I can, whenever I am able to; be it financially or otherwise. The mere feeling of the action of doing so is why I did it. It felt great, like I was making a real difference in someone else’s life, not for my own personal gain but for the sake of seeing fellow humans thrive—I did it for humanity. I’ve never attempted to glorify myself through these actions nor to publicize every helpful action.

There are many celebrities out there going out of their way to publicize how much they do for others as a way to glorify themselves—this is not the way. I often find myself wondering if they would ever do anything at all for another human if they couldn’t publicize it for self-gain in some way. A certain Mr. Someone from YouTube is a prime example of this. (But perhaps there is still some good coming out of this, if it encourages others to be more helpful.) But no, I’m talking about selfless aid; true help and support for the sake of humanity, not for personal gain or some other rewards in return. Such people are rare, but they do exist, and I try my best to be (or to become) such a person because I love humanity and seeing others happy; seeing their needs met; seeing them thrive makes me feel good about humanity. I’m not going to publicize every helpful action I take as that would merely glorify myself at the expense of the person that I’m helping; demeaning them as being less fortunate in the process. That is not the way to help people. I’m trying to become the type of person who, when helping people, does so unconditionally without expectation or self-glorification.

Lately, due to unforeseen circumstances, I’ve found myself being the one in need of help, and I feel fortunate and grateful to receive support from some real angels; people who help not for self-gain or glorification but because they truly care and are able to make a real difference. Some I know personally. Some have shared their names with me, some have remained anonymous. I am extremely grateful for their aid and for restoring my hope in humanity!

On the contrary, I have also encountered people who claimed to want to help, but it was always a tit-for-tat scenario with them trying to get something from me in exchange for helping me, and when I didn’t appease their desires or met their expectations, no help was provided at all. The latter is how I used to view humanity as a whole; everything being transactional but the real angels that provide real help, selflessly, and without me even having to ask for it, them simply realizing that I’m in need and them helping me—that restored my hope in humanity and made me realize that not everything is transactional and there are still good people out there; and I strive to become such a person myself.

If you’re one of the real angels currently helping me in my time of need, I thank you! It is because of people like you that there is still hope in the world and in humanity. The world needs more people like you. I am truly grateful and hope that one day, I can pay it forward.

To those I know personally, and those who’ve helped from afar who’ve shared their names with me, I’d like to give special thanks. These are the real angels:

Petrus R, C&H Venter, Stefan, Nic B, Jeff L, Michael, Tony P, Charlie, and “Someone.”

And to the multiple someones who have remained anonymous, I thank you!

Your support is making a positive impact and providing a real difference in my life where it is much needed and much appreciated. I only hope that one day, I can pay it forward!

#Personal