Acts Of Kindness

[EmmaOwl]

For me--with the homeless anyhow, while I recognize the risk that they may not 'need' it for what I'd like my money to go toward, I long ago recognized a good deed and gift for what it is. What's done with it after I give it is none of my business. Rather, the deed itself fuels my inner warm fuzzies.

I am always finding fascinating, new-to-me perspectives on this site.What you say makes perfect sense to me - what's done after, that's NOT on you - your straightforward words here show such huge amounts of compassion along with generosity.

While I never directly panhandled, there were about 8 months in my life when I would have grabbed any possible cash...and NOT used it for food.

I was very very sick and I am so grateful that I had parents find me and pull me over to them.

But, you're right, it was simply a different kind of neediness. What my therapist tells me - money provided me with what I believed I needed to escape... It didn't make me any worse, that's for sure. It didn't "feed my addiction." My addiction was pretty damn well-fed all on its own.

 

[aut555]

Thank you Freedomfighter for wise words.

I agree. It is very wise to balance
caution when performing...

You sound kind in your heart.

 

[Deleted member 33052]

Allie, in our local town square there are a number of spruce trees. At any given time, you may find baggies containing socks hanging from the branches. Also, I remember hearing about another town where hats and mittens show up taped to light posts.

I love this idea. Anonymous giving, anonymous receiving. It brings the community together.

Mal - this fascinates me! I have never heard of such a thing.
I do know that some people do not like t...

 

[EveHarrington]

Excellent strategies, and wise words.

There are so many things we can do to help without interac...

I just don't see that here to the extent I see it elsewhere.

That's why it surprises me.

 

[EmmaOwl]

I just don't see that here to the extent I see it elsewhere.

Eve, I am very curious about this - when you say "elsewhere", just where are you talking about? Do you mean you've found other online message boards? Or other IRL interactions. ?

 

[Deleted member 33052]

Eye contact. That's more important than money, more important than food. In the time it takes to draw a breath, we can validate someone's existence. We can give them a nod or slight smile. We can show them that they matter, and that, even though we seem very different, we are all of the same family.

Thank you all for your validation. I've been wanting to do this for a long time, but I didn't have the nerve. :hug:

 

[Deleted member 33052]

You're right. When you give a gift, you don't have the right to attach conditions. If you attach conditions, then be honest enough with yourself to admit that it's not a gift.

.

For me--with the homeless anyhow--while I recognize the risk that they may not 'need' it for what I'd like...

 

[Deleted member 33052]

You don't see sock trees? Or you don't see racists? I'm sorry, I don't understand.

I just don't see that here to the extent I see it elsewhere.

That's why it surprises me.[/QUOTE...

 

[hodge]

If I ever found myself homeless again I would never go to a shelter, because I was gang raped and beaten at a shelter in Dallas TX.

This is exactly one of the reasons why our shelter has two security guards all night. And women and men are kept separate, even if they're married or a couple (which is kind of sad, but have to do it for everyone's safety). Security is our biggest expense, but it's essential.

 

[Gs172003]

@Freedomfighter I actually tried the controlled situation for similar rea...

Same here

 

[Deleted member 541]

We had a snow storm earlier in the week, dropped about a foot of snow. On Monday I got to work, (I'm a housekeeper) my 94 yr old clients driveway had not been plowed out and he had no food. Absolutely NO FOOD! One of his daughters live just 15 miles away, as do I, but nope no one bothered to even check on him.

I didn't even bother to clean the house, just told him to get dressed, get in my car, and I was taking him grocery shopping. He started to argue, and I told him he wasn't gonna win this one. It was a 24 mile round trip, and then I had to drive 15 miles to get back home. But, he had food, so I felt good.

 

[Deleted member 33052]

We had a snow storm earlier in the week, dropped about a foot of snow. On Monday I got to work, (I'm a h...

You may have saved his life!