Random Acts of Kindness

[carsonshepherd]

I helped an old lady load her massive basket of groceries on the belt at the grocery story this morning, instead of standing there reading a magazine. She was so surprised and thanked me about ten times.

I suppose it was a little self-serving 'cause I wanted to get the fuck outta there that much faster. But her appreciation was nice.

Anybody else do any random acts of kindness lately? Does altruism really exist, or is there always something in it for you? does that even matter?

What about random acts of kindness done for you? I bet there are some good stories about miracles and stangers and friends helping each other, for the holidays or any other time. I'm a sucker for that kind of thing so post them here.

 

[turner20]

All th time

If I notice someone who would benefit from a hand I always lend it. They are usually suprised. I am so used to doing it I hardly think of it anymore.
Many people don't know how to simply say thank you. That suprises me.

I always try to say thank you if someone helps me -- unfortunatly, I don't get to say thank you very often.

 

[sophia jane]

I'm not sure if I can post about my very best acts of kindness without embarassing those who did them.
But there are four Ahers who helped me tremendously post hurricane, sending coats for my kids, clothes for my middle child, a coat for me, and money. I will never ever forget it.


Me? I have a tendency to let people in front of me in line at the store if they only have a few items. I only do it when I'm alone (no kids with me), and I have to admit I don't mind having a few extra minutes out of the house, so I guess it benefits me, too.

 

[BlackSnake]

Putting it on my list of things to do.

 

[impressive]

Pay it forward! *nods*

Good on ya, carson.

 

[matriarch]

I think most of us do them, quite often unconsciously.

I agree, its the surprise on the recipient's face that always gets me. It makes me so sad, that that person is so unused to kindness, that they can't quite believe its happening.

But, I don't think the human race, in general, is as bad as its painted. I prefer to keep my options open and think that everyone has a core of goodness. Some people just hide it deeper.

 

[carsonshepherd]

Letting people intro traffic is another one. We have some major road construction in my city right now and people are so rude, sometimes cars will sit for a long time before anyone lets them merge. It only takes a minute and it can really help someone out.

 

[carsonshepherd]

I think most of us do them, quite often unconsciously.

I agree, its the surprise on the recipient's face that always gets me. It makes me so sad, that that person is so unused to kindness, that they can't quite believe its happening.

But, I don't think the human race, in general, is as bad as its painted. I prefer to keep my options open and think that everyone has a core of goodness. Some people just hide it deeper.

No, I don't think most of us so them, maybe most of us here but not the public in general. Most people are too busy rushing around talking on cell phones.

I think people are inherently good too... maybe I'm just an optimist. But doing something kind, even when the recepient doesn't know who did it, can really lift your own spirits I think.

 

[minsue]

The grocery store is a wonderful place for random acts of kindness, both given and received. There have been many times where the person in front of me has let me go before them because I had fewer items and I've done the same as well as giving a few dollars on occasion when I'm behind someone who didn't add the groceries well in their head and didn't have enough money.

 

[rgraham666]

I recently had one done for my by a fellow AHer that came completely out of the blue.

I'm still smiling about it.

For others, I can when I can overcome my fear of them.

 

[cloudy]

The grocery store is a wonderful place for random acts of kindness, both given and received. There have been many times where the person in front of me has let me go before them because I had fewer items and I've done the same as well as giving a few dollars on occasion when I'm behind someone who didn't add the groceries well in their head and didn't have enough money.

I agree. I've done those things - letting people in front of me in line, handing them some change when they don't have quite enough, etc., as well as having them done FOR me. I tend to go early in the day when most of the shoppers are harrassed mothers like me, and we seem to take care of each other.

AHers are a remarkably kind lot. I won't go into detail, but you know who you are. Thank you.

 

[carsonshepherd]

Cloudy, I thought right away about your reservation work. Maybe you can bump the thread or start a new one right here before the holidays for people who want to give.
I'm so grateful to my parents for not spoiling me materially. We were sort of poor, and when Christmas came around we had a few things, but no huge pile of gifts like some of my friends had. And they didn't feel guilty about it either. Maybe I wasn't so appreciative at the time, and I envied the other kids with more material things or better clothes or whatever, but it taught me what's important in life.

 

[cloudy]

Cloudy, I thought right away about your reservation work. Maybe you can bump the thread or start a new one right here before the holidays for people who want to give.
I'm so grateful to my parents for not spoiling me materially. We were sort of poor, and when Christmas came around we had a few things, but no huge pile of gifts like some of my friends had. And they didn't feel guilty about it either. Maybe I wasn't so appreciative at the time, and I envied the other kids with more material things or better clothes or whatever, but it taught me what's important in life.

Sure thing, Carson....thank you.

(It's "looking for a good deed to do? Pt. 2")

 

[sophia jane]

I'm so grateful to my parents for not spoiling me materially. We were sort of poor, and when Christmas came around we had a few things, but no huge pile of gifts like some of my friends had. And they didn't feel guilty about it either. Maybe I wasn't so appreciative at the time, and I envied the other kids with more material things or better clothes or whatever, but it taught me what's important in life.

Thank you for saying that, Carson. Your timing couldn't have been better. I've just been sitting here trying to figure out how to handle Christmas for my kids. We've done the same thing with them; if you start them young with a huge pile they expect it every year (and actually expect more every year), so we try to keep things under control. But every year I have a little twinge when I see how few of the things on their wish lists I can actually afford. So thanks for that little reminder.

 

[carsonshepherd]

They will thank you for it later SJ.

 

[Liar]

Yeah, I think I've done mine for today.

And my neighbour let me borrow her portable radiator while our building's heating system is malfuntioning. Witht he two she has she'd get sufficient room temperature. Now we both get half-chilly, but it's endurable.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Looks like we have two threads going on the same subject...
I posted on the other one, but I'll say again,
http://www.HeroicStories.com
has a very heartening newsletter, one of the most positive things I ever found on the net.

 

[LadyJeanne]

One of my friends is the kind of guy who literally helps little old ladies carry their groceries home from the grocery store.

My new neighbor is a random acts of kindness guy - he drove me to the scary impound lot late at night to get my car after it had been towed, and he offered to do so...I didn't even have to ask.



to all the kind-hearted angels out there!

 

[OhMissScarlett]

I have to mention my grandpa and his poker playing buddies from The Elks club. They are some of the biggest santas I know. Every year at Christmas, they pick local needy families and distribute food baskets to them.

They have a really stealth way of finding these families, by asking around at churches, schools and various agencies. I don't think they even tell them where it's coming from, just "Merry Christmas!"

The loud, tender-hearted PBR drinkin rednecks, I those guys!

 

[Stella_Omega]

I wish I could find the article from last year's New York Times- about the East side old-style gangsters who play Santa every year.
They bring thousands of dollars worth of toys, in this totally informal way, to the streets, and tell the kids- "What, is that all ya want, one car? Get some more stuff! Get sumpin' for ya sistah!"
these are, you know, made guys- killers and mobsters. They still talk exactly like Damon Runyon wrote them. The article was a hoot!

 

[ABSTRUSE]

I wish I could find the article from last year's New York Times- about the East side old-style gangsters who play Santa every year.
They bring thousands of dollars worth of toys, in this totally informal way, to the streets, and tell the kids- "What, is that all ya want, one car? Get some more stuff! Get sumpin' for ya sistah!"
these are, you know, made guys- killers and mobsters. They still talk exactly like Damon Runyon wrote them. The article was a hoot!

I know of a gentleman of that persuasion and he does wonderful things for kids. They raise money for kids who can't go on vacations and take them places, etc.

 

[TheEarl]

I think most of us do them, quite often unconsciously.

I agree, its the surprise on the recipient's face that always gets me. It makes me so sad, that that person is so unused to kindness, that they can't quite believe its happening.

Right there with you Mat. I love being randomly altruistic, simply cause people don't expect it. They always look at exactly what they have, and to give them something they need, but didn't expect is the best thing in the world IMHO.

The Earl

 

[Guest]

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[carsonshepherd]

Well, at least you didn't knock down a dog and kick an old lady.

 

[Guest]

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