In Times Like These: The Quiet Power of Charity
By: Donna Marie Marino
January often arrives with pressure:
New year. New goals. New you.
But for so many of us, especially in difficult times, that message doesn’t inspire. It burdens.
Maybe you’re grieving, burned out, or simply weary from the weight of the world. Maybe you’re stepping into this year already tired.
So what if we approached this season differently?
Instead of pushing harder or reaching for perfection, what if we returned to something older, quieter, and more essential?
Charity.
Not just as a donation.
Not just as an obligation.
But as a way of being in the world; with others, and with yourself.
“For it is in the giving that we receive.”
—St. Francis of Assisi
Charity Begins with Compassion
The word “charity” comes from the Greek agape; a form of love that is patient, enduring, and compassionate. But in our modern world, we often forget its depth. Charity isn’t only about giving to others. It’s also about how we treat ourselves.
It’s charitable to:
Speak to yourself with kindness instead of criticism.
Say no to things that deplete you.
Offer yourself grace when you can’t keep up.
This month, instead of resolutions that demand more from you, what if you asked:
“What would it look like to love myself generously this year?”
Charity in Action: Small Moments, Big Impact
Charity doesn’t always look like grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s incredibly ordinary—and profoundly impactful.
It might look like:
Checking in on an elderly neighbor.
Cooking a meal for a friend who’s overwhelmed.
Making a donation to a cause that aligns with your values.
Paying attention when someone says, “I’m fine,” but you know they’re not.
Leaving a voice memo for someone who’s been on your heart.
Dropping off diapers to a community pantry.
Writing a note of encouragement to a colleague or client.
Choosing not to respond in frustration, even when it would be easier.
These simple acts of care matter. Especially now.
In a world that feels divided and frayed, they are how we hold each other together.
Therapy Is a Form of Charity, Too
One of the greatest honors of this work is witnessing what happens when someone is met with kindness instead of judgment.
At Armonía, that’s our foundation:
To meet people in their humanity, not their performance.
To offer space that’s gentle, grounded, and built around connection.
Yes, therapy is a profession. But it is also an act of service.
It is one person saying to another: You don’t have to do this alone.
That’s what charity looks like, too.
In Hard Times, Let Charity Lead
We’re living through a moment of collective strain.
Layoffs. Financial instability. Violence. Political chaos. Global anxiety.
And while we may not all share the same beliefs or experiences, we do share something:
A deep need to be seen, supported, and reminded that love still exists.
That’s what charity gives us.
It’s not just kindness for the sake of being nice, it’s what keeps our humanity intact.
A Community Rooted in Compassion
When I opened Armonía, I envisioned more than a counseling office.
I dreamed of a community. A place of restoration. A home for healing.
And in 2026, that vision is only deepening.
This year, you’ll see new group offerings unfolding including support circles for women who’ve experienced trauma, art therapy groups for children, and seasonal community gatherings like our Spring Equinox event.
These are more than events. They are acts of collective care.
If you’re not on our email list yet, I hope you’ll join. That’s where you’ll hear about upcoming opportunities to connect, reflect, and grow alongside others.
Because healing doesn’t happen in isolation.
It happens in community.
Let This Be a Season of Charity
Charity doesn’t require wealth.
It requires willingness.
A willingness to love more deeply.
To soften when you could harden.
To give what you can…even if all you have to give today is patience.
So if this new year feels noisy, disorienting, or pressure-filled, remember:
You are allowed to slow down.
You are allowed to begin gently.
You are allowed to let love; real, enduring love, lead the way.
Let charity be your compass in 2026.
Not just in what you give to others.
But in how you show up for yourself.
And in how you help keep the light on, for all of us.