Kindness Will Make a Difference.

Wow, great experience. I need something like that.

Too many others push their problems on to me. They bring their trials and tribulations into my life when I already have my own. I'm like the mediator in workplace, everyone comes to be for consolation. They feel happier, but I began to realize the reality a reality of our existence. we cannot escape things that do not promote happiness. I try to be nice and hope that Karma might bring me self-satisfaction, but there's something missing.

That is the exact words of most "charities," "Kindness Will Make a Difference."

Please don't send me anything, LOL.

One beautiful sunny day I was sitting on a park bench enjoying the splender of the birds chirping, the nice cool breeze and children laughing and playing all around me. I couldnt help but feel this was what life is all about.
At this exact moment a young gentlemen with a blue bandanna walked up to me and clubbed me in the back of the cranium.
When i awoke moments later i quickly realized my wallet and shoes were missing.
I am happy to hear the universe is now balanced.

one of the key elements in buddhism is a rule that i try live my life by everyday (infact its one of the ways to reach enlightenment in buddhism)...

"give without the expectance of return"

this sound easy...but it truely isnt...ive spent the last 3 years of my life (since i became a buddhist) working hard every single day of my life integrating this rule into everything i do...unfortunately in our society its very difficult to do as money and power rule so many aspects of the society weve built...but when you can achieve doing this whole heartedly to anyone around you...not just loved ones...it is such a wonderful feeling and way of life to obtain and live by

RT that is a beautiful story. Children can be fantastic.
If we TRULY examine our deepest motives behind giving, we are always looking for a payoff, even if it is that the giving makes us feel better about ourselves.

I always let people go ahead of me in a grocery.
Open doors.
Give the bum a smoke.
Whatever but I do it because it feels good to be nice.
That is just honest.

reply to post by Realtruth


VERY INSPIRING

We need more people like you in the world !!!

I have noticed, the same as you, the more stress I'm personally under, the less likely I am going to be giving.....with one exception.

Whenever I see a soldier in uniform, I get this overwhelming sense of humility and appreciation for their sacrifice. I know there is NOTHING I can do to properly show my gratitude so I try to make sure I do something small.
Walk up to a soldier, shake their hand and just say, "thank you".

I've been in a restaurant and seen a group of soldiers having lunch. I pulled the waitress aside and handed her a hundred and told her to make sure they get whatever they want, and just tell them that a grateful person says, "thanks" and not to tell them who took care of it.
My point is that I think each of us has a soft spot for others under certain circumstances and for me, it's our brave men and women who serve our country.

This is a great thread OP and I hope people read your story and truly appreciate how inspiring it really is. Beyond that, I hope it inspires others to random acts of kindness as there is not enough of it in the world today.

STARRED AND FLAGGED !

Originally posted by andy1033
If you have had to live my life you would not bother too. People want to use you in one way things, where they take, so i cannot be bothered.

People are scum, and they lve destroying others lifes.

Admittedly there are a lot of bad, inconsiderate, self involved AHOLES in this world but there are also some very nice, considerate, compassionate people as well. I haven't met many of them but I have met a few. One person in particular comes to mind. He was a person who I worked for when I first started my construction business. I didn't know much about him other then he was nice, fair and very humble, just like his wife. I worked for him many, many times over the years and learned a bit about him during that time. He started up a number of businesses and had contracts to build vehicle parts plants and many other things for the government. He was a truly great guy. Recently, I heard he passed away from someone who went to his funeral. She asked me if I knew he worked for NASA and was an instrumental part of the APOLLO projects. He never once mentioned it to me. He was too busy asking me if I wanted anything to drink of if he could make myself and my crew lunch while we were working on this house. He was one of the most genuinely kind people I've ever met in my life.
Trust me, they're not all bad.

[edit on 8-7-2009 by jfj123]

It's rather odd that I log onto ATS and see this thread in the "top 4" when..

Just a few days ago, I was more or less thinking of this exact same concept...

I've had various encounters where I have returned something/helped someone out/etc. , just out of the whole "Nothing in return, I'd just expect you to do the same for me" idea... and personally, it is an extraordinary feeling.

Just imagine if this entire world were of the same mindstate as most of the knowledgeable people on this forum.... wonderful things could be accomplished.

I have long believed in 'random acts of kindness'. I am not sure though if they are as 'random' as it might seem though to either give or receive.

Was the little girl who gave the Original Poster simply a little girl who struck on a random notion of the Original Poster's sadness, and of an act of kindness and charity to brighten the Original Poster's day?

Or was a more intelligent Universe by design helping the little girl to seize on another wise 'random' notion and idea and compelled her 'act' in it's own intuitive wisdom.

Many years ago when I was still a teen aged minor living unlawfully on my own in Southern California pretending to be an 'of age' adult to do so, I was walking down Sunset Boulevard one afternoon and spied another young man about my same age at a gas station a block in the distance at the other side of the street.

I noticed him because he only had one shoe! I noticed him because he was filthy and disheveled. I noticed him because he was obviously homeless, I noticed him because he was about my own age, and above all I noticed him because if not for the tides of fortune their stood I.

This was a neighborhood with a lot of street urchins, runaways and throwaways, hustlers, prostitutes, drug dealers and junkies but he didn't seem to belong in that crowd even in his pitiful state.

Within seconds and steps I resolved to approach him and give him what ever money I had on me. I wasn't sure how much money I had on me in fact, but I told myself, what ever it is, give it to this kid.

I walked up and asked him if someone had stolen all his belongings and if he was new to town, he said yeah, and yeah, without so much as a hint of wanting to ask me for a penny despite this.

I smiled and said, hey I thought so, reached in my pocket pulled out my wallet and handed him everything in it. It turned out to be about 242.00 I gave him along with some advice as to where he could get some really cheap new clothes close by, and where he could find a really cheap flop house close by. I didn't know it was 242.00 dollars because I counted it.

I didn't know it was 242.00 because I missed the money or ever hoped to see it again...

I did see that 242.00 dollars again because 3 weeks later while strolling down a near by street a car pulled up next to me suddenly and a clean cut young man got out of the passenger side jumping up and down for joy like he just won the lottery screaming it's you! It's you!

I didn't recognize the kid at first, so much so he had to recount the story of how I had met him with one shoe and covered in dirt and befriended him with an unexpected act of charity and kindness.

He then preceded to tell me how he had taken all my advice, and went to get some clothes where I told him, and went and got himself a room where I told him, and how the very next day in his cleaned up and refunded state he had found a great job with a construction firm he was then apprenticing at, how the foreman let him move in with him as roommates when he found out he was living at a flop house.

He told me when I got my first paycheck I put 242.00 aside in a compartment in my wallet and every afternoon when I get off work for the last 10 days my roommate and I spend an hour or two driving the streets looking for you. Everyday I pray we are going to find you to give you this money back but most of all so you know that what you did saved my life and made all the difference in the world, and I made the best of the opportunity and chance you gave me and hope that you’re proud that I did.

I was stunned, I would have never in a million years thought that would have been the actual outcome of my random act of kindness to the young man.

I thought to myself though maybe my random act of kindness wasn't so random?

I immediately seized on the idea of being that kind within seconds of seeing him without question to it's cost or wisdom, but with absolute conviction.

I had never felt compelled to be that generous to someone destitute out on the streets before, sure a few dollars here and few dollars there, and meal here and meal there, but not the entire contents of my wallet.

I was compelled, yes compelled, somehow, someway, to help what was likely the one person in the entire Universe who would take that help and utilize it for the best possible benefit and outcome.

A person who was then compelled, somehow, someway, to pay it back and to let me know how valuable the aide was who some how knew that hearing he had done good and ended up in a good place had a lot more value to me than the money itself did.

Was it random or did an intelligent Universe compel us be seeming coincidence onto a collision course for an intelligent reason that was not coincidental at all?

My 'sixth' sense told me to do what I did, and I am guessing that little girl's sixth sense told her to do what she did, because the Universe told her that the Original Poster desperately needed it and to act.

The problem with the world is most people don't listen to their 'sixth' sense, just foolish dreamers like me and adorable little children.

Thankfully I shall always be a Toys R' Us Kid!

Wonderful response, actually all of the replies to this thread are very well thought out, but I had to respond to this one.

This little one was definitely an empath of the highest order, I could see the clarity, love, and brightness of her aura, because it touched the very depths of my soul. She had intuitive wisdom compelling her spirit, and with that awoke my soul in a most amazingly, but yet in a humble manner.

I know that the universe is trying to speak to all of us constantly, but we are so caught up in our minds and personal states of being we miss, the now.

How many times do we think if only I would have done this, or that?

Well everyone its a new moment and new beginning for you right now.

Does the Movie "Ground Hog Day" mean anything? lol

Peace to you all.

Originally posted by ProtoplasmicTraveler

Or was a more intelligent Universe by design helping the little girl to seize on another wise 'random' notion and idea and compelled her 'act' in it's own intuitive wisdom.

[edit on 8-7-2009 by Realtruth]

It's a shame that kindness is lacking so much and it's not the normal way to be in todays world. Everyone has a "ME" first attitude.

[edit on 8-7-2009 by ufo reality]

I love this thread SO MUCH!

About a year ago, I was riding my bike in the neighborhood.

Living in one of the most racially segregated cities in the country along with many riots, "racism" is a big part where I am from. While it doesn't apply to me, it still affects my life just by the nature of it, nothing personal though.

Anyways, there were these little black kids playing with a ball and bounced it into the street. They were afraid to go and get it and just were standing their looking at it.

I rode by, picked it up, and handed it to him. He just looked at me and I said "Here you go, have fun".

Big deal?

Well, it didn't take much effort but it made me feel real good knowing that probably about 50% of people wouldn't have the slightest care, and another 80% would not have done it because they were black.

I come from a "white" neighborhood and all people complain about is when a black family moves in is that they are creeping up the hills.

Well, apparently they must be doing something right if they are living next to us. More props from me.

People must earn my respect, but they usually get it just from a "friendly" hi.

lol the irony of this thread and seeing it today lol.

Just remember at times there is a fine line between being kind and someone deciding to take advantage of you be careful.

Why? I loaned a bunch of cash to a friend of mine about 4-5 days ago to help out with a situation. The cash never got used for the situation it was intended for and this person wants more money now. I gave the person (not lend) about 5 times more than needed just because I felt like it.

Not the first time I did this for anyone as it's just money and I can always get more. But first time this has happened. I didn't make my money by just giving it away to anyone who wanted it but I do to people I know need it.

So lesson learned I guess you can do good and be nice but be careful it's not always nice intentions from the other side. Sad part is I've known this person for 20 years. Guess he never believed me up until now that I do actually have money but whatever.

Being too kind can attract manipulation experts as I call them but have it done to you enough times you'll catch on real quick on who is or isn't one. Then once in a great while something like this will spring up.

[edit on 8-7-2009 by Darthorious]

reply to post by Darthorious


Hell, I don't even like lending my friends 10 dollars for dinner!

Normally, the only amount I lend the amount that "could" be in ones wallet.

After reading that I feel ashamed of things I've done, but yet hopeful for tomorrow. I was feeling pretty sick and angry today about a certain mild sickness I have, but after reading that I feel better. This story is a good representation of no matter how down you get in life even if you are on the brink of death, one can find beauty in the world.

Wow, brought tears to my eyes. I must admit, I get sucked up in the me first attitude often. Tomorrow I have to do something to help somebody else. I don't know what yet, but even if it is just giving candy to someone it will be a good deed. Thanks!

Yet for all those in need of Kindness, there are the sharks that would use and abuse us.

This reminds me of the time a homeless person was begging for money for food saying they hadn't eaten for three days, and needed money for food.
We said ok we will take you to the store, and will buy some food for you, then the person got really angry, composition changing from humbling asking to demanding, "No just give me the money". At that point we realized what the situation really was, a hustler or maybe a druggie, but he would not get one cent from us after that. And we walked away.

Make sure people really need your kindness, many of the stories related show that they do, but my generous friends over the years have had their kindness abused.

Like the guy in a parking lot singing a sob story how his car broke down and him and his girlfriend, who was there looking all sad, were stranded and needed bus[Greyhound] money, so I gave it to him it seemed legit at the time, 5 days later he was still there hustling people. What a scammer.

[edit on 9-7-2009 by Blue_Jay33]

[edit on 9-7-2009 by Blue_Jay33]

This is simply an excellent post!

I think I'm just naturally this kind of person - always have been. And it seems I always meet others of the same quality.
When I was a child, growing up, I was treated very badly by other children because of it. They all thought I was so weird. But years later, I've run into some of these kids as adults, and though I was always nice to them, they were just horrible to me as children. Some of them have stayed that way, but none-the-less, several have approached me, telling me how I was the only person who was ever nice to them and how that made such a difference to them as children and they still remember even now. I had no idea of any this. I just never understood the whole "being mean" thing, even though I was surrounded by it. It isn't in my nature. So, even if it seems like the world is full of creeps, decades later you may find some of those creeps have a different perspective than you did at the time.

When I'm stressed sometimes I "forget" to think of others because I'm so wrapped up in my own thoughts. But something always comes along to remind me that there is much good out there.

S&F for you!

This is a very touching story... hope it happens to me as well (someone wants to cheer me up).