Everytime you post a random act of kindness here, it inspires more!

[nadine_mn]

There are all kinds of stories here on DU - stories that make us laugh, cry, get so mad we have angry exploding emoticons, etc etc. Many of these stories educate us, expand our worldview or just give us a new perspective.

Without getting into all the "tis the season" crap, I just want to say that whenever someone here posts a story about a random act of kindness that they have shared with another human being, it does more than just warm our hearts - it inspires us to do more.


I read earlier today a thread from kpete - the man who had a job but couldn't eat for 2 days http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=439&topic_id=2367750&mesg_id=2367750

and a sub-thread where when of our dear DUers helped out someone they hired.

This thread gave me the usual liberal warm fuzzies - I love it that kind of stuff. But I realized later today that more than just warm fuzzies, it was probably influential in my own RAK.

We were driving home northbound on a busy hwy (2 lanes each side, intersected by Interstate 94)around 4pm Black Friday afternoon. I happen to look over and see on the southbound lane a man walking on the side of the road and further up I see a disabled vehicle by the off ramp (we were going north and east, this was coming from the west and heading south - so no where near us). I took the next exit, hopped on 2 more hwys to turn around and finally was able to pull over to the guy. We asked him if he needed help - a ride, use of a cellphone anything. This poor kid - 20 or so - looked a little stunned that we pulled over and asked if we could take him to the nearest gas station - I said hop in.

On our way to the gas station (sadly BP - snort), he told us his car had run out of gas - he had been on his way back from trying to pick up his paycheck but because of the holiday it was delayed a day and he needed that gas money. He had already walked to the gas station to call for a tow but it had been over 2 hours. When I heard he just ran out of gas, I said "well we can fix you right up" - we got him a gas can and filled it up. While my husband was paying, I was talking to the guy and not only did he not have a paycheck, but he was also fired. He just looked so miserable. He didn't ask us for anything - not money, not gas, he was just grateful for the ride to the gas station, I volunteered the rest.

We are by no means well off - I have been out of work since late 07 (had a brief 9 month grant-related job last year) - but we are lucky to have enough. We brought him back to his car, let him use our phone to notify his folks, and left him on his way.


Hands down we would have helped if he had been stranded on our side of the road - but I think it was that little bit of extra love from DU earlier today that inspired me to go out of our way and cross the highways to get to him. I wish we had cash on hand to give him too, but we rarely carry $$.

So the point of this story is not "yay look at me - I was nice" but to pass on the good vibes in hopes that someone who reads this may go that extra EXTRA mile (we already know DUers go the extra mile).



Maybe this why so many RW thugs have that perpetual constipated look on their faces - doing good for others is good for the soul - so conversely screwing people over must suck the soul right out of you.

[The Straight Story]

1. awesome. K&R (nt)

[appleannie1]

2. I am rural and live on a 2 lane. We live at the top of a rise and people tend to run out of gas at

least once a month. We keep a can of gas and a funnel on our front porch. You would be surprised at the gifts that are left there in return. People don't forget kindness.

[SheilaT]

3. About two weeks ago I lent someone

my cell phone to make some calls, and heard them expressing concern that they had enough gas to make the 60 mile drive to the city they needed to get to. So I immediately took out my wallet, and extracted a 20 dollar bill and gave it to them. They tried to refuse, but I pointed out that I knew exactly how far they were going, and I just hoped this was enough for the gas they needed.

They tried to promise to reimburse me, but I said, never mind, help someone else out some day.

Sometimes it's really not that hard to help someone else. I'd cashed a check earlier that day and had a little more money with me than I normally carry, so giving them the money was a no-brainer.

[sam11111]

4. but totally random acts... i oppose. So many are in need, any totally random act wastes effort that

is greatly needed by others
I'm talking eg about giving ten dollar bills to whoever u meet next on a walk.

[HappyMe]

5. k&r

:grouphug:

[BrendaBrick]

6. K & R

Reading stories like this are contagious!

[OneGrassRoot]

7. Along those lines, I posted here re: "a craigslist of compassion"

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2357686

I'm also gathering RAK stories as you discuss here, so thank you for sharing!

:hi:

[nadine_mn]

8. ooh thats a cool idea

thanks for sharing!