Yesterday afternoon I found myself in a particularly vulnerable emotional space. First, Cinny has gotten me all hippified in the past 48 hours, hooked on the Jefferson Airplane/Tom Scott love song "Today." Then, I learned from an older friend and mentor that his son died Thursday after a long bout with illness. Left me heartbroken.

I needed to stew in something... benevolent, so I decided on a random, anonymous act of kindness. I won't say just what I did, but while I was out downtown last evening, I IDed two older ladies -- total strangers to me -- and I did something anonymously that I hope absolutely made their week! (I bolted before I saw the outcome because I didn't want to be thanked, and I'm too shy for the attention it likely would have mustered. ) I knew it'd make me feel "good," but I wasn't prepared for the accompanying exhilaration... and even fear. People are so quick to take offense these days, and they're sooo suspicious of others' motives.

Anyway, I'd like to challenge each of you to at least one random, anonymous act of kindness before the end of the year. Some guidelines:

* It can't be for someone you know. (Ideally, you should be taking care of people you know everyday. )

* It needn't be too difficult or expensive.

* It shouldn't be too easy either. The idea is to stretch yourself a bit.
* Make it anonymous to the extent possible. (While this isn't pure altruism in that you'd be doing this in part for your own satisfaction, it also isn't meant to make you a local hero.)

Anyone down? If so, get at it and report back here. It'd be interesting to hear some of your stories.

[Edited 12/22/13 9:02am]

Oh... and don't touch anyone. Even a hug might get you brought up on assualt charges these days.

when i was a teenager my mom used to walk up to random people she noticed at bus stops in poor areas around town, and hand them a $100 dollar bill, then she would say "i've been blessed, and now you are being blessed", and she would walk away and jump back in her car.

uniden said:

when i was a teenager my mom used to walk up to random people she noticed at bus stops in poor areas around town, and hand them a $100 dollar bill, then she would say "i've been blessed, and now you are being blessed", and she would walk away and jump back in her car.

Is that something you'd be up to doing?

I contributed to a toy drive just yesterday. Does that count?

Stymie said:

I contributed to a toy drive just yesterday. Does that count?

Don't let me be the gatekeeper. But I'm thinking of something that impacts a particular person you identify.

Great idea...an anchorwoman on one of the networks did this last year.

I will probably do something like paying the bill for the next car in the drive thru line at lunch.

I could drop a few bucks in the bucket at the supermarket too.

i have practiced random acts of kindness for several years now.

it goes a long way towards etsteemable acts done anonymously,

it give my the warm fuzzy to see the look of someone lookin

around wonderin who would do such a thing...

in the past, the look was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay different...

uniden said:

when i was a teenager my mom used to walk up to random people she noticed at bus stops in poor areas around town, and hand them a $100 dollar bill, then she would say "i've been blessed, and now you are being blessed", and she would walk away and jump back in her car.

She sounds like my mom. She didn't have a hundred dollars but whenever she would see an elder person at the bus stop carrying lots of packages she would give them a ride home.

This year I was kinda bummed because I wasn't able to give my usual donation to the mission. I'm able to give a little something though.

babynoz said:

Great idea...an anchorwoman on one of the networks did this last year.

I will probably do something like paying the bill for the next car in the drive thru line at lunch.

I could drop a few bucks in the bucket at the supermarket too.

Awesome. I'd love to hear the story.

KingBAD said:

i have practiced random acts of kindness for several years now.

it goes a long way towards etsteemable acts done anonymously,

it give my the warm fuzzy to see the look of someone lookin

around wonderin who would do such a thing...

in the past, the look was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay different...

It's funny. I didn't want to see the reaction, because I was in a small enough space that everyone would have known it was me. I just don't have the nerve to withstand that sort of thing. I darned near broke my neck to get out of there after I did what I did.

And tell me: How is "the look" different now? That's really interesting.

Lammastide said:

uniden said:

when i was a teenager my mom used to walk up to random people she noticed at bus stops in poor areas around town, and hand them a $100 dollar bill, then she would say "i've been blessed, and now you are being blessed", and she would walk away and jump back in her car.

Is that something you'd be up to doing?

i sure would.

Lammastide said:

KingBAD said:

i have practiced random acts of kindness for several years now.

it goes a long way towards etsteemable acts done anonymously,

it give my the warm fuzzy to see the look of someone lookin

around wonderin who would do such a thing...

in the past, the look was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay different...

It's funny. I didn't want to see the reaction, because I was in a small enough space that everyone would have known it was me. I just don't have the nerve to withstand that sort of thing. I darned near broke my neck to get out of there after I did what I did.

And tell me: How is "the look" different now? That's really interesting.

you ever see the look os somethin stressfull

just drain from someones face?

i mean one minit it look like their world has been crushed,

and in an instant it would seem that all is right in their world.

kinda like that or just a look of wonderment.

i think it's the realization that

everyone on the planet doesn't suck.

and the look becomes extended toward everyone...

(they have no idea which person could be their benefactor)

I'm down. I will keep you posted.

butterfli25 said:

I'm down. I will keep you posted.

Sweet.

I let the person who cut me off on the road live to see another day. I think that counts as a random act of kindness?

kewlschool said:

I let the person who cut me off on the road live to see another day. I think that counts as a random act of kindness?

I'll grant that it's headed in the right direction.

kewlschool said:

I let the person who cut me off on the road live to see another day. I think that counts as a random act of kindness?

Well, ordinarily it would...except for the fact that I've SEEN how you drive.

Does this count?

Not killing somebody who you really, really want to hurt?

dJJ said:

Does this count?

Not killing somebody who you really, really want to hurt?

I think you should buy them a coffee... and DON'T put anything weird in it.

I think I'm normally a very kind person normally. To a point that in some ways it hurts me. Right now, I'm feeling like kindness to those closest to my daily life may not be ideal right right now, it might create bitterness in me which I don't want in my life. Maybe to a random stranger, but even that needs to be approached cautiously, cause there are some rattlesnakes out there and though I've never been personally bitten I know a couple of people who have. That's terrible isn't it?


But it some way, I'll do something because, maybe nothing big but something small and anonoymous(sp?), to keep the heart flexible.

PurpleJedi said:

kewlschool said:

I let the person who cut me off on the road live to see another day. I think that counts as a random act of kindness?

Well, ordinarily it would...except for the fact that I've SEEN how you drive.

I'm going on a blind date, to my favorite museum (Kroller-Muller) on Christmas!



Just talked to him on the phone and I think it's an act of kindness for both of us. Anonymous, because we haven't met yet.



Does this count??

dJJ said:

I'm going on a blind date, to my favorite museum (Kroller-Muller) on Christmas!



Just talked to him on the phone and I think it's an act of kindness for both of us. Anonymous, because we haven't met yet.



Does this count??

depends, if he's really ugly and you and you still let him get tounge... MAYBE

And don't forget about the animals. We tend to forget about them this time of year. Shelters are continuing to be overwhelmed with animals and many shelters have free food pantries for people who have fallen on hard times and can't afford to feed their cats & dogs. They tend to run low on food this time of year because everyone is buying expensive presents for the friends and families. The shelters always welcome donations, especially this time of year. . I've dropped off about $100 worth of food over the past month and I never ask for any paperwork for a tax write off. I do it because it makes me feel good and to know that I am helping a cat or dog stay in a loving home is a great gift in itself.

[Edited 12/24/13 9:17am]

Double post

[Edited 12/24/13 9:18am]

great thread!! good for you, Lammastide. nice idea. i bought a lady a tank of gas. she needed $$ and i had no cash but i was able to help her out with the gas... also, this is a really good time of year to send the humane society some $$. i'll make that my next thing

kewlschool said:

PurpleJedi said:

Well, ordinarily it would...except for the fact that I've SEEN how you drive.

right click, save...

On Solstice I attended a celebration that included an Aztec dance/ritual... other things and seeing Rising Appalachia in concert. I handed out 50 $ worth of Fives to random people in attendance.

Mach said:

On Solstice I attended a celebration that included an Aztec dance/ritual... other things and seeing Rising Appalachia in concert. I handed out 50 $ worth of Fives to random people in attendance.

showoff!!!