I like to help people. It can be very fulfilling and fun. One of the rules that I like to live by is "what goes around comes around", which means if you do good, good will come back to you. And conversely, if you commit evil, then evil will eventually come back to you as well. That's why I am a member of groups such as Misker's Denizen's, Random Acts Of Kindness, Heart Of Gold, Unique Souls and White Spirit Lights. All of these groups were created in the spirit of friendship and helpfulness.
So how can you be helpful on the internet? There are an incredible number of places available everywhere that you look. The real questions are: where do you want to begin and how far do you want to go?
Now, before I go any further, I have to warn you of some of the dangers of being helpful. First, it can be very addictive, so be careful that you continue to work and keep up all of your other responsibilities. Also, it's a good idea to continue paying attention to your wife, husband, kids, pets and anyone else in your life. Second, being helpful does not mean being trustful or stupid. Don't invite people over to your house, don't give them money, personal information or anything like that. Remember, the internet is faceless - you do not really know who is at the other end of the wire.
Okay, cautions aside, what does being helpful mean? It means giving advice and information that others can use to improve their lives or situations.
How do you do this? You keep your eyes open and find some groups which have similar interests to you. There are many, many groups all over the web and internet for you to check out, explore and help.
Egroups (http://groups.yahoo.com/ ) is a great place to start, and Yahoo Clubs (http://clubs.yahoo.com/ ) is another wonderful place for socializing and talking to other people. Another place to find like minded people is newgroups - there are over seventy thousand of them. One caution about newsgroups - they are far more open than egroups and clubs, as anyone can read them. With Yahoo Clubs and Egroups, people have to at least join. Newsgroups have no such restriction.
Some other great places to be helpful:
Personally, I avoid chat rooms like the plague as I've found them to be far more trouble than they are worth. My own experience is that unmoderated chat rooms are full of lurkers and evil doers who pretend to be someone they are not. I much prefer lists and newsgroups.
All right, so you've found some groups and you want to help. What do you do?
Listen. You begin by listening. Find out what kind of groups you've joined, what do they talk about and what's on their mind. It won't be long until someone will volunteer that he needs some help.
The might be hurting and need a prayer or whatever passes for that in your religion. They may just need some cheering up - signing a guestbook is a great way to make someone's day (if you put in a very pleasant entry, of course).
You can give the group links to helpful sites for whatever they might need, or you can write emails or even short articles with helpful information. YOu can organize events such as quilts, scavenger hunts and contests to cheer people up. Or you can just answer questions when asked.
Whatever kindness you do will be rewarded a thousand fold down the line. One of the infinitely pleasurable side-effects of helping people in this manner is that it tends to spread. First it will just be you, then a dozen people, then a hundred and then even more. Like ripples on a lake, before long there will be a sea of happy faces of people gaining fulfillment by helping their fellow men and women.
Don't despair, however, when you get a naysayer or two. All groups, especially very good ones, will attract some bad apples. Just ignore them, and if they get too evil work with the group's founders or whoever is in charge to get them removed.
In summary, doing good has infinite rewards, and the power to do good on the internet is magnified a thousand fold. If you can help a few people, your life will become enriched.
Unless otherwise noted, all photos and text is Copyright © Richard G Lowe, Jr.