good deeds

[Icey101]

Have you ever done a good deed for a total stranger?

This week, while on my way to the office in the big smoke, i noticed an old bloke around 70 plus, struggling to cross the road, it was pouring rain and he was on crutches with a foot in one of those broken leg boots....it looked like his wife was on the other side of the road waiting for him under a street awning, everyone was rushing around him on their way to the office and letting him get soaked as he shuffled his way across the walk way, so yeh right i grabbed my umbrella and held it above him while i got soaked and encouraged him to keep moving across the street while the ped light was green, come on brother keep going you’ll make it, he said he was on his way down to the motor registry which was a fair way to walk from here i eventually got him across the road where his wife was and asked her if she had an umbrella and of course she said no, i said ok take this one and look after your old bloke in the rain ok.

I felt good all day and i think it bought some good karmah as i went for a performance review with my manager and she said i was in line for a pay rise.

 

[Lonesomedave]

well...they say no good deed goes unpunished....maybe you proved them wrong

congrats, dude....good on ya

 

[scorpionldr]

No good deed goes unpunished.

 

[Shakin-Slim]

No good deed goes unpunished.

That's just how lazy or selfish people justify being lazy and selfish

 

[paste]

Awesome man. I remember AC/DC has a song called "Dirty deeds done dirt cheap" or something like that and I suppose you can call this "Good deeds done dirt cheap", since you helped that old dude out and probably made his day with a simple umbrella and kindness. Anyways isn't AC/DC from Australia.. Coincidence?

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Don't think I've ever had any karma benefit.

Have helped old (and younger...) ladies across the street when it's been heavy snow/icy.

Pulled a canoeist who had slipped and cracked her head open out of a canal a few years back too. Though that was more an autopilot thing than anything else, she was about 20-30ft ahead of me when she went in.

 

[scorpionldr]

That's just how lazy or selfish people justify being lazy and selfish

Or maybe some of it is just truth because doing dumb favors all the time never encourages anyone to take actual responsibility?


I'll give a good example: at the end of each day of work in my department, I would put a whole stack invoices in order so the accounting department could finish up quicker. Now, it wasn't my task to DO, I just happened to do it out of convenience. It was supposed to be something rotated between people in my office. But because I kept doing it, it's now perceived as "my job" rather than a kind gesture. Meanwhile when I actually have work to do, the schmuck that actually COULD do that job now DOESN'T because he thinks its his god given right to sit on his rump, contribute NOTHING, and read the sports page for the two hours he should be helping his department.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Helping someone to cross the street doesn't mean he's going to get given a stop sign and be assigned the local crossing guard

I'd agree that it's different in a professional environment, there needs to be some give and take and people know what their job is.

 

[Relic]

Or maybe some of it is just truth because doing dumb favors all the time never encourages anyone to take actual responsibility?


I'll give a good example: at the end of each day of work in my department, I would put a whole stack invoices in order so the accounting department could finish up quicker. Now, it wasn't my task to DO, I just happened to do it out of convenience. It was supposed to be something rotated between people in my office. But because I kept doing it, it's now perceived as "my job" rather than a kind gesture. Meanwhile when I actually have work to do, the schmuck that actually COULD do that job now DOESN'T because he thinks its his god given right to sit on his rump, contribute NOTHING, and read the sports page for the two hours he should be helping his department.

Well...yeah that sort of thing is frustrating but if you don't want to be stuck with it, you really have to speak up. Been there, done that trust me.
I believe in doing good deeds, but on the same token you can't allow yourself to be taken advantage of...

 

[IGotGas]

I'm a bit uncomfortable talking about this. It's complicated. But let me start by saying that part of my ethos is doing good deeds or favors or what not for as many people as I can...especially total strangers. But, the flip side (the "it's complicated" part) is that I'm a very strong believer in the biblical practice of not letting your left hand know what the right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3). In other words, do the good deed, the above and beyond, but don't put what you've done on the side of the Goodyear blimp for all to see. Follow me?

But I think this is a very important subject! It's critical in any society that there be generosity without expectation of quid pro quo. I can't help but have faith that doing above and beyond for people could only make their lives better. Especially if someone is having a rough spot in their day, or even their life, a little (or unexpectedly big) thing could be the catalyst that changes their whole life around. I know many here are not believers in God, but you'll understand what I'm trying to communicate when I say "who's going to be Jesus to that person?" Who's going to give, with no expectation of return or reward or congratulations...just do it and meld back into your day and into society because it was on your heart to help.

That is what I believe makes all the difference in the world!!

 

[scorpionldr]

Well...yeah that sort of thing is frustrating but if you don't want to be stuck with it, you really have to speak up. Been there, done that trust me.
I believe in doing good deeds, but on the same token you can't allow yourself to be taken advantage of...

I follow a new rule as of late; it's called 4pm switch. I put whatever's there in order til 4pm, and then regardless of completion I shove everything into a pile. Since my boss once affectionately labelled him as "does 99.9% of the work", I feel he should have that honor. It's amazing how he gets the job done then, with a little motive.

In case you really couldn't tell, as far as this job is concerned, I'm a true misanthropy.

 

[MJ5150]

Good job Icey by showing some compassion to another human being. The personal good feelings you got all day from helping that man out are all you need buddy. Good on ya!

I try to do small things like that when I am able as well. It doesn't really matter to me the response I get from others, it improves my attitude, thus making me feel good the rest of the day.

-Mike