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Random Acts of Kindness

How often do you choose to perform random acts of kindness? What is your motivation to do so? And what was your most recent random act of kindness?

Scarlet 3 July 28
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3

If you are a caring, outgoing person, you do random acts of kindness a number of times daily. It is simply part of who you are. You don't tout the fact, and you don't keep tack of those things.

3

By their nature they are random but probably behind them is just good people wanting to do good i think

weeman Level 7 July 28, 2018
2

My motivation is because I can and I think it is the right thing to do. I keep cash and a small bag of supplies in my car that I can hand out my window to people holding signs on street corners. I have no idea when the last time I did that was. Generally I try to be aware, and sometimes I see the opportunity.

2

As a cheerful, born optimist, my rationale is:

If you're going to have conversations with people, why not try to make it end with everyone feeling a bit bucked up and perky? It comes from an almost demented joy in being alive.

Two days ago, laid up with a seemingly broken foot bone, my friend Kameon sent her daughter, Chloe, with salad rolls from a Vietnamese restaurant. Chloe arrived with her friend, Meghan.

Inviting them in, I served the girls snacks. Showed them daughter Claire's wedding invitation. Claire and her fiance' Matt both loved the book, "Goodnight Moon," from their childhoods.

The girls were unfamiliar with "Goodnight Moon."

"I much prefer the joking book by parents, "Go to F--K to Sleep," I said, showing them the hilarious video of Morgan Freeman reading the book.

"The girls had a lot of fun with you!" Kameon said afterward.

3

I don't know if this is an act of kindness but the young lady who took care of me at the eyeglasses' store was extremely nice. ....so I went back to the store and gave her a card thanking her for her kindness and professionalism.

@DUCHESSA
Wonderful! That was very thoughtful of you.

@LiterateHiker I should get "Thank you cards" and keep them in the car; there is always a person deserving one.

@LiterateHiker Thanks

6

We have a lot of racists in my country that yell abuse at refugees who wear the hijab. The other day I saw a muslim woman and welcomed her to Australia and told her to take no notice to the minority of ugly australians who are racist. She was in tears over this small kindness and we hugged. I felt depressed as I walked away wondering how much racism she has endured in this country.

Thank-you for that!
I did the same when talking to four young black men walking, as I biked. I asked if they recieve racist treatment gere in Moncton, NB, Canada. They said they face some. I told them that those are uneducated, ignorant people and that I am so glad they are safe in Canada. I welcomed them and told them that many many many Canadians feel as I do but are less talkative.

3

Reciprocal altruism !
An evolutionary adaptation !

5

About 3 weeks ago , grocery shopping , checkout girl was putting the groceries on the belt for the very old man in front of me , but she didnt think about following him out to his car to help him unload his buggy , he was parked by me as I made it to my truck and looked perplexed about opening his car door and holding on to his potential runaway buggy at the same time ...so I unloaded his buggy for him .
But actual happenstance opportunities or necessities to do such things are rare .
Motivation ?
Idk ...why not ?

8

I try to do one when the opportunity arises. One does not need religion to do the right thing.

5

I don't like talking about what I do for others.
It sounds (to me) way too much like bragging.
Just do whatever it is that you do, don't expect thanks,
and keep on trucking, always looking for the next opportunity.

1

Mine for the most part aren't random.

I always ask myself if I help this person.
Did I just make this person's problem worse.
Did I help just sustain his problem?
Will my help cure his or her problem?

Will me paying your light bill free up other money for you to spend on liquor and drugs?
If I agree to pay your light bill will you turn off these lights during the day or in rooms you're not using?

Responses I have gotten to help I've offered when I ask will you stop doing what you were doing to get you into this mess in the first place.

You can't tell me what to do!
I knew there were stings attached!
Oh so you didn't give me something you just wanted a way to control how I live my life!

Will you pay my court costs so I can get my license back so I can go out drinking and driving again?
No.
Cheap bastard!

Is paying your cable bill in anyway helping?

Is saying you look nice today a sexual objectification sexual harassment or a compliment?

I know people will say just do it for its own sake you'll feel better. I've been an active benefactor for decades and I can honestly say I've never felt anything by helping someone. I usually forget I did it within seconds and never remember it again.

It can get a bit confusing when you think about how your good deed may not be that good after all.

4

If I see a need I just try to help. I guess that's why it's called random

5

Sometimes the Good Samaritan is actually an Athiest...

In answer to the actual question of how often do I perform random acts of kindness..

Whenever and wherever there is an obvious need.
Somebody needs help..you are in a position to help..so you help..you don't think about it..its just in you...

4

I used to think that my random acts of kindness got me in good graces with an imaginary being. All I know for sure is that animals like me, and that includes almost all dogs and cats. In Kenya in 2004 I noticed that all Ostriches were fascinated by me and wanted to follow me around. Later I saw this same effect at the St. Louis zoo. I guess I'm Ostrich Man. 🙂

Your spirit animal perhaps??

@patchoullijulie Not sure if I believe in them but I know we are all connected and it seems this is the message animals are giving back to me.

@DenoPenno Your confirmation bias most likely.

@jlynn37 I do hope you don't mean I have a confirmation bias just because I refuse to believe that each person has a spirit animal. How many other things can we make up?

4

Good vibrations go out and come back to me. And all the dogs like me.

Dogs and babies like me which is really convenient because I love dogs and babies lol

4

If I tell you then the magic is gone.....

Love, there is no magic. Everyoone can do it.

4

I buy staff dinner every payday. If I could do it without anyone knowing. I am uncomfortable with being thanked or false gratitude.

Mokvon Level 8 July 28, 2018
2

It's quite easy answer this query. Both altruistic reasons , enlightened self-interest, and a good dose of feel good accomplishment. I don't place ant value per se on the random act, but just do something because I think it will make life a tiny bit (hopefully more) better. No requirements for recognition or reward ( the altruistic part) and knowing that I've contributed another's well being (the e lightened self-interest part). And I feel good about it.

6

I don't think anything is a particular act of kindness, I just think of it as being human.

Amisja Level 8 July 28, 2018

@Amisja
Well said.

1

I try to help people as much as possible.

and in any way I can.

@jlynn37 Amen

2

If I have extra money, I'll buy the person behind mes food at the drive thru. It's not much but sometimes people do it to me and I like helping make some one else's day a little brighter.

3

I try not to miss an opportunity. Many are just small things & easy to do.

Carin Level 8 July 28, 2018
2

When the opportunity presents itself and I can. I like to give back. Last weekend I had the guys who were building a new fence for me, make a new mailbox stand for myself and 3 neighbors. Most frequently I return people's dogs to their yards when I'm walking my dog and see them out.

Why do you ask? What are your answers to the questions you asked us?

5

every thursday I plea a few people out on their misdemeanor charges for nothing. saves'em a grand or so. the misdemeanor docket is the mistake docket. people in central oklahoma don't have the money to pay thousands of dollars for their mistakes right now.

Wow....now that's really impressive. If we want to dial back the level of anger, frustration, despair, etc etc that seems to be the driving force in this country right now - this is one of the best ways to do it. People DO learn from their mistakes and a good deed does lead to other good deeds. Kudos....

@kauva will you pay for me? I'm MsDemeanour!

3

Daily. Telling you what would defeat the purpose of anonymity.

Good answer.

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