A Karmic Moment?

[1StrongBlackMan]

This morning as I was driving into work, I pulled out behind one of those huge six-wheeled Pick-up trucks that was lifted so high, you would need a ladder to climb into the cab. It was covered with "NoBama", "Take Back America", "Annoy a Liberal", NRA, and American Flag bumper Stickers.

Well, the traffic slowed to a crawl, this obviously annoyed the guy in the Pick-up as I could see him gesturing wildly. As we approached the intersection, I could see why the traffic had slowed; there was an older model station wagon, stalled smack dab in the middle of the intersection. I sat through two lights, as drivers drove around the vehicle. When I got to a pull off point, I pulled over and started walking to the Station Wagon; I decided to help push the vehicle out of the intersection. I noticed that three other people were walking towards the car, as well.

When I got to the Station Wagon, I saw an "older" woman (in tears), with two young children (her grand-children that she was caring for, as her daughter had dropped them off and "disappeared&quot ; but disturbingly, there appeared to be evidence that these "commuters", very well may have been living out of the vehicle ... there were plastic bags full of clothes, empty fast-food bags, and a couple of jugs of water and toys, in the back.

After we pushed the vehicle out of the intersection and to the side of the road, we began talking to the woman. It turns out she had, in fact, been living out of the car; but had recently gotten a job, that she was on her way to, for her second day. (That was the real source of her distress ... that she would be late to work and lose her job).

As fate would have it, one of the people that helped push the vehicle out of the intersection owned an auto repair shop and called to have the vehicle towed to the shop. He told her that he would get the vehicle running, and when the woman protested saying, "I have no money", the repair shop owner said with a smile, "Just pay me whatever you can afford ... I'm trying to get into Heaven and have plenty of ground to make up!" What's more, the woman that had stopped to help push offerred to give the woman a ride to work; but, incredibly, she owned a daychild center and offerred to take in the two grand-children, "for as long as she needed", again saying, "Pay me whatever you can afford." I, then, reached into my pocket and handed her all that was in it ... about $250.00 ... and told her that maybe she could use it to get a good meal and maybe get a room for a couple nights.

Now the woman was in full-out bawling-mode. To be honest, I felt guilty in that I had nothing to offer this family in distress other than money.

Back to Mr. Big Pick-up Guy ...

As I initially passed Mr. Big Pick-up truck Guy, he had his window down yelling all sorts of profanities at the driver of the stalled car (not that she could hear him at that distance, or over the blaring of The garrett lewis (rightwing radio) Show. As he drove passed us pushing the vehicle, he sped past with a single finger out the window, yelling "kept that piece of sh!t off the road; but worse, he nearly missed hitting those of us pushing.

As I continued my commute, I felt pretty good that total strangers had interrupted their routine commute to aid another stranger ... all was right with the universe; I also, couldn't help think how big an a$$hole Mr. Big Pick-up Guy was.

Then an amazing thing happened, I looked up at saw Mr. Big Pick-up Guy, standing on the side of the road ... next to his vehicle ... that was wrapped around a telephone pole.

Then it came to me: Focus on the good and decent folks ... Don't concern yourself with the a$$holes of the world. The universe has got this!

[tosh]

1. Wow! Thanks for sharing this story.

Beautiful, all around.

[leftstreet]

2. What a coincidence

An auto repair shop owner and a daycare owner happened to stop to help

Amazing

[1StrongBlackMan]

3. I'm beginning to believe ...

that the universe happens!

[daleanime]

18. As long as we're willing to help it a bit.

[kimmylavin]

25. It happens.

I got in a very bad car accident, tumbling about ten feet down off a fairly empty country road.
The ONE person who happened to see it?
An EMT, heading home.

Crazy world...

[1StrongBlackMan]

50. The universe is not done with you yet. n/t

[kimmylavin]

69. I have no doubt. ;) n/t

[handmade34]

58. same here...

partner and I went into a ditch out in the middle of nowhere West Virginia (last year) and the only person happening by had a chain and a helper with him... I try everyday to pay back the goodness I have encountered in the universe

[kimmylavin]

70. As do I, handmade...

And I'm always amazed by how easy it turns out to be!

[malaise]

82. A few years ago a wall of water almost killed my younger sister

Two young men at a gas station saw what was happening and rescued her.
The next day she and her husband returned to offer than a reward they refused it and said they were doing their human duty.

[handmade34]

83. our responsibility to each other

and the earth...

[malaise]

85. It's the only way we and our planet

will survive

[1StrongBlackMan]

144. Yep ...

And the beauty of it all, doing our human duty is how we, as humans, are hard-wired that way on both the social
(http://www.pnas.org/content/98/20/11832.long) and cellular levels (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120418204358.htm) ...

Despite our worship of those most deviant (uncooperative) members of our society.

[icarusxat]

91. to each other

how beautiful is that!

[tblue37]

129. I hope you weren't being snarky, because such things DO happen.

Here’s an example., I teach college English. Back in 1975, I was using the restroom, when I found on the floor of the stall a folded bill. I picked it up and found that it was a $20 bill, so I put a note up on the mirror saying that if the person who lost it wanted to claim it, she would just need to tell me how much money I found and what condition it was in.

I did this because as one of six kids in a fairly poor family, I knew how scary it could be to lose money. Once my mother accidentally lost a $10 bill at Woolworth's. When she took us all back to the store to look for it, the waitress at the lunch counter came running up to her with it, saying, "Oh, good! I was hoping you would figure out where you lost it and come back!"

That $10 was all the money she had to buy food for the rest of the week for a family of 8. (Fortunately, $10 was worth more in 1960 than it is worth now!)

Remembering that we would have been screwed if that waitress had treated Mom's money as a "windfall" for herself, I have always done my best to locate the owner of any money or anything of value that I find.

Well, as it turns out, the money I found belonged to one of my own students--a yougn single mother of a 3-year-old child. The young woman worked for our university's Buildings and Grounds department--mowing lawns, that sort of thing. She'd had the money folded up tight and stuck into the top pocket of her overalls. It fell out when she was in the stall because she had to take the overalls down to use the toilet. She cried when I gave her ack the money. Just like my mother, she was struggling to care for a child on too little money.

Another example of coincidence (similar to the OP story): I have always been appalled at the way some people drive the speed limit--or even well above the speed limit--no matter how awful the conditions are. Once while driving slowly and carefully in heavy snow (on a 30 mph street), I was passed by a young man in a truck. He was undoubtedly going at least 10 mph over the limit. As he passed me, he lowered his window, flipped me the bird, and yelled an obscenity at me.

Just two blocks later I passed him standing by his truck, which had slid into a ditch. This was back in the days before cell phones, so he had no way of calling for help without walking some distance to find a public phone. I would have located a phone and called in his problem for him, since that is something I have always done, but I was annoyed at his ugliness toward me, so I just waved and smiled at him as I drove by--still going only about 10 mph, because the roads really were slick and the visibility really was bad.

BTW, while my kids were still kids, I also ran a home daycare center, so that I could spend most of their waking hours with them, even though I was still teaching college classes as well. MANY women with small children run home daycares, so the chances of encountering such a person are higher than you might think. Also, the people who run daycares are often just the sort of people who would stop to offer help to someone in distress, since nurturing is a common character trait of people who like to take care of children. If I had been there, I would have also stopped to offer help, and if I had heard that story during my 18 years as a daycare provider, I also would have offered to take the kids for a while until the grandmother could get back on her feet.

[Rider3]

4. Great story!

[hedgehog]

5. I have long believed that God gives us free will, but she also

puts the right people in the right place when no one is looking!

[freshwest]

13. Providence has indeed put angels in my path, when I didn't expect help but desperately needed it.

[Berlum]

6. Republican Family Values. As usual.

[marions ghost]

7. Karma doesnt always come around so fast

...! Thanx for the story.

[freshwest]

14. I've seen it happen very quick a few times in my life and it was not kind to the jerks.

[marions ghost]

15. You are lucky

Jerks can get away with this behavior and worse for a long time....

I don't really believe (as people say when there is gross injustice) -- "don't worry, they'll get their's." I've seen plenty of cases where they don't. Most justice is not swift.

[freshwest]

17. I'm only speaking of quick justice. But then, I've done things I don't want punishment for, either.

Some people 'get away with things' and then you have to put it in perspective and move on, or so I've found. They don't consider themselves to be in the wrong, either. And by many accounts, I'm a very unlucky person. Everyone has to deal.

[marions ghost]

23. I guess you are talking about those who reform

or regret whatever they have done and so make restitution themselves, and this is admirable. What is not admirable is that all too many "move on" as though nothing happened. That's bordering on psychopathy IMO. At least it is a bad case of denial. So there are groups & counselors to help people work on facing themselves and move through the pain of admission of a wrong, towards redemption. I do believe guilt has to be dealt with, and I'm not suggesting it has to be through religion. There are other options. But the older you get, the more it is impossible to escape the ghosts of the past. It is wise to work on clearing the conscience AND the subconscious, and if anyone has been forced to work on something mainly because Karma came and bit them really quick in the ass--and if the point was taken--then that's a really efficient way to get to the other side.


We're talking theoretically here. Case studies, fiction, general terms, karma and mean truck drivers...

[SaveAmerica]

95. I've had something horrible happen to me that was the result of

horrible treatment by someone. That someone went on to get some of what people would consider 'rewards' while I've stayed in the (seemingly) not receiving lane. I've always felt that the worst karma that this chick could ever get is that she is herself. All of the mess that she does is with her and is a result of who and how she is. That's all I need to know, sister!!

[Flashmann]

8. Mr.1StrongBlackMan

I'm almost embarrassed to admit your largess,as well as that of the other,brought actual tears to my eyes....I could imagine,for a moment,my wife,in the type of situation with our Grandsons,and was horrified,that so few people stopped,and unimaginably grateful that the few did.....

Bless you sir!!

[1StrongBlackMan]

10. I know ...

It amazes me that some many people just drove around the vehicle and continued on their way!

[sarge43]

121. Well, we don't know their stories

One of them could have been an ER nurse on his way to work. He may well have saved a life that day. A teacher who will make a child's eyes light up with wonder. A store owner who will start a food collection drive. A retired person who volunteers at a day care. A high school senior who will stand up to a bully

Acts of kindness, heroism and grace go on all around us -- just like yours.

[Rockyj]

97. Me too brought tears to my eyes too!

Beautiful story that made my day!
Thank you for the hope!

[Dreamer Tatum]

9. Cool story, bro nt

[demwing]

21. original message, bro /nt

[In_The_Wind]

11. May your kindness be returned to you a thousandfold.

[freshwest]

12. I've seen this kind of thing happen before, more than once. Wonders never cease.

[pansypoo53219]

16. we need more 'pay what you an afford.'

[lunatica]

19. You made me cry and laugh in the same OP

I love your story!

[lucca18]

20. Thank you for caring.

[Jim__]

22. Great story!

[2naSalit]

24. This is a great illustration of

what kindness is about and the karma that the pick up truck guy got in return for his bad energy. I'm glad that you are the kind of person you are and that were able to witness the others engaging in acts of kindness as well. Notice how there were more of you than there were of the pick up truck guy?

Never stop caring...

[1StrongBlackMan]

26. I agree ...

there were more of you than there were of the pick up truck guy; but there was a far large group that, for whatever reason, chose not engage ... positively or negatively.

That's what is so troubling to me.

[2naSalit]

29. Yeas, that's true according to the story

but for those who did engage, the rewards will be great. Maybe the universe didn't call on the others because they didn't have the resources to offer as those who helped did...? Just a thought.

[1StrongBlackMan]

32. Agreed ...

Positive View:

The universe did not call the many because the few responded; thus preserving, its resources for other things.

I like that view!

[Raksha]

110. There is something to that...

I wouldn't have had the $250 to give that poor woman if I wanted to, and often enough not even $2.50. Yeah, I give the panhandlers on Highland Avenue a quarter or sometimes even a dollar if I can, but all too often I'm flat on my ass broke myself. I'm glad the OP had $250 he was able to spare, and I'm sure he is too.

[gateley]

139. I was thinking that, too (not having tthe $$$) As the post above suggests, those who could

really help were the ones called to assist.

[Cedric the Clam]

27. Great Idea

Great Idea!

--> "Then it came to me: Focus on the good and decent folks ... Don't concern yourself with the a$$holes of the world. The universe has got this!

[kimmylavin]

28. Great Story!

The kind you are always hoping to see in person!

[1StrongBlackMan]

30. Sometimes ...

I think that I seem to be in place to witness (or maybe, it's my willingness to write about) more than my share of these acts of kindness.

Maybe it's the universe's way of re-charging my battery?

[kimmylavin]

43. As good a theory as any!

Just as I'm feeling down on humanity in general, some nice little thing will happen, and I put the ugly stuff out of my head for a while.
Very re-charge-y.

[Raksha]

111. Your willingness to write about it...I think you might have something there.

And there could very well be a message for me in what you just said. Thank you!

[Sekhmets Daughter]

31. Fantastic story....

told by a fantastic person.

[Motown_Johnny]

33. I would have yelled something at the asshole, but good for you.

Not only stopping to help but dishing out that $250.

I'm not a big believer I Karma but for your sake I hope that the universe finds a way to repay you for your kindness.

[1StrongBlackMan]

35. I have to admit ...

my reaching in my pocket and giving it all, came as an impulse.

[Demo_Chris]

34. Great story. But "Karma" suggest the bad and good are earned

This is, of course, nonsense. If it is even slightly true, then being a sociopathic world wrecking billionaire is what we all aught to be doing. We should start each day pouring motor oil into a clean lake and setting a homeless woman on fire -- or for extra point beat up some gay people. Forget the poor, we should emulate people like Pat Robertson and George Bush, we should damn near worship people like Trump and the Kock brothers.

After all, if good behavior is cosmically rewarded, then these bastards are freaking AWESOME!

But I don't believe that. I believe that good people are often screwed over by a system that rewards the worst. I believe that if Jesus were a God in charge of this mess than being nailed to a tree was well and truly earned, and I'd love to put a few nails into that evil fucker myself.

But that's just me.

Anyway, good story, glad you were there to help.

[1StrongBlackMan]

36. I completely disagree ...

but maybe that's because I don't see sociopathethic billionaires' wealth as the measure of cosmic reward.

[Demo_Chris]

64. If wealth is a curse then curse me with it

[1StrongBlackMan]

66. You have that exactly behinds ...

wealth is NOT the reward for doing evil.

[Demo_Chris]

79. Tell that to Dick Cheney, Mitt Romney, Rush Limbaugh, etc...

But in this I agree, their wealth is not a reward for doing evil, it's a reward for doing a job that happens to be evil. But there are no karma faeries standing by to make things right, and no supernatural entities to smite them when they die. They will live longer on average than the rest of us, they will enjoy blessed lives in which their every desire is gratified, and they will lord it over better men and women until the day they die.

Limbaugh is worth about 300 million dollars or so. He gets paid that much to call people like Sanda Fluke a slut or young Chelsie Clinton the White House Dog.

Karma? Missing.

[rppper]

117. He's lost his hearing....god knows what else...

...that sociopath has going on with him...300 million can buy you a lot of privacy as well, especially when your coming back from pedophile paradise with a suit case full of Viagra...he's getting his, just painfully slow...

Great story 1strong....thanks for the pick me up!

[Politicub]

45. I believe in karma - and it's not mystical at all

It's easy to understand. Do something good, as these kind people did, and you may start a chain of positive events. In this case, the children are going to get care from a place that is nurturing and positive. And it may be years, but the kids (don't know the ages) may remember the kindness of strangers and pass it on. The mechanic may get referrals to his business for his kindness.

The kindness the woman showed was taking in the children and caring for them.

And the irritated driver. Sounds like his negative attitude whipped himself into a frenzy which caused him to speed or be blind with rage as to not see the telephone pole in front of him.

I believe that karma can be a positive influence on people. It is for me since I believe you can do good things that create a chain reaction. It may not be to you, but positive acts affect everyone's lives in subtle or sometimes profound ways.

I don't believe it's a spiritual law, so negative acts may not always bring negativity to the world and vice versa for good. And I don't believe in an afterlife. But good can continue after your death.

But this atheist gets a lot of satisfaction from life looking through the lens of karma.

And the OP touched me deeply.

[1StrongBlackMan]

53. Absolutely ...

In this case, the children are going to get care from a place that is nurturing and positive. And it may be years, but the kids (don't know the ages) may remember the kindness of strangers and pass it on.

The thing that struck me about the offer for daycare was ... what was the woman planning to do with the kids while she was at work. I'm pretty certain, the offer took a huge load off the grand-mother's mind.

[Politicub]

54. Not just anyone would have stopped to help.

You and the others are wonderful people. it's always good to be reminded of the kind people in the world when we're surrounded by rancor.

[Demo_Chris]

77. Our good deeds may or may not be their own reward

But there is no cosmic force which distributes supernatural goodness based upon the worth of our actions.

I do a lot of good deeds. I have donated hundreds and hundreds of hours to the poor and disadvantaged -- primarily children. I do this despite being desperately poor myself.

I have never had these efforts work to my ultimate advantage. You're lucky to have someone say thank you. Nor is karma working out well for the victim in the story we are discussing. She apparently had guardian angels lining up to hand her free daycare, free auto repairs, and even free cash to the tune of hundreds of dollars. I've never seen any of that in my life. To have earned all this karmic goodness, this victim must be a freaking saint, but if she actually was and karma works, why is she broke to begn with?

Why is this saint broke while Mitt "Scissorhands" Romney is worth a half-billion? He's destroyed thousands of jobs, he's wrecked people's lives and stolen their futures, he ENJOYS firing people and thinks half the country are worthless scum, his hobbies include torturing gay kids and stealing pensions. His karmic reward is unimaginable wealth, the best healthcare money can buy, and all the toys in the world. His life is and always has been paradise. He's never needed to worry about missing a meal or finding a job; he's never sat awake wondering if he is having a heart attack; he's never stitched up a wound on himself, or ignored an infected tooth because he cannot afford a doctor; he's never had a Christmas with nothing under the tree for his children. If he has car trouble he can buy the dealership. And statistically he'll live longer than the poor bastards he loves to fire. Hell, he even gets to pay less in taxes than they do.

His big heartbreak was that he couldn't buy the Presidency. It's nopt karma, Mitt Romney doesn't decerve to be rich. And this little princess doesn't DESERVE her cancer.




Why, you might ask, do I care. The reason is this:

Magical thinking like this gets in the way of solutions. It empowers those who who are dismissive of society's less fortunate, they are there because they deserve it -- god or karma is smiting them -- and it allows us the false comfort of believing that things will work out without our intervention. And where that not enough, it turns true charity into pay-for-play. We should be good to one another always, not to earn karma points or post mortem rewards, but because we recognize that life is not fair and we believe that by working together we can make the world a better place.

[Politicub]

88. I agree with you, friend. There isn't a cosmic force and bad things happen to good people

And I especially agree with your last paragraph about magical thinking. I believe magical thinking has caused so much more harm than good and absolves people of their responsibilities as human beings.

[1StrongBlackMan]

98. With all due respect ...

You apparently are bitter that all your good deeds have gone unrewarded (monetarily). And from what you have written suggests, you have little understanding of Karma.

[Demo_Chris]

112. No, I am bitter at myth peddlars

I will be blunt:

There is NO magical cosmic justice. The Lion doesn't 'Get what's coming to him' for destroying the Zebra, the Lion gets fat and the Zebra gets dead. Replace that Lion with Mitt Romney, and the Zebra with the poor people he has devoured, and you get the same results. There is NO god or karmic preternatural entity watching over us, keeping track of the good and bad, and waiting to balance the scales.

Pretending otherwise isn't just wishful thinking, it's twisted.

Karma assumes that the good and the bad are earned and rewarded appropriately. This is, of course, both demonstrably false and diabolically evil. It's just another way of talking about BOOTSTRAPS, it's an excuse for tolerating inequality, oppression, poverty, and social injustice. Like all religions, that's what it was invented for.

Kids with cancer did not earn it. George Takei did not deserve to spend his youth locked up in a concentration camp with his family, and the kids who were just slaughtered at Sandy hook didn't have it coming. Slavery is not pay-back for some past-life transgression, it's not because Cain murdered Abel, it happened because we allowed it and profited from it and the good people who might have said "Hell No!" didn't because they subscribed to magical thinking as well.

And we are still doing it today. We're doing it in this thread -- a thread about a mythical morality fable filled with clichéd cartoon character good guys and an evil bad guy Republican man. The moral, we are told, is that everything works out for the good because "The universe has got this!"

It's a wonderful fable. It doesn't really matter if it did or did not actually happen, what matters is that the conclusion is not. Even in this story the universe did nothing to address the problem. PEOPLE did. Like the Magi from afar, three wealthy liberals arrived on the scene bearing gifts for the suffering old woman. They ACTED.

CONCLUSION: stop talking about karma and any other magical nonsense. There will never be any justice, our problems will never be addressed, unless we ourselves act to acheive it. Discussions about imaginary nonsense at best just get in the way, and more often serve to justify indifference to the victims.

[GCP]

116. I seem to be the only one agreeing with you, Chris

I love the concept of paying it forward, and everyone should do that wherever possible, even with jerks. Jesus was right about that. But thinking that there's some cosmic balance scales ready to swing to right the imbalance of everything we see day to day, is the reason the caste system still exists in India, for instance. It fosters a sense of fatalism, and people would cease to fight for what's right if they thought that karma was going to set everything right for them.
Mitt Romney will die rich, having had a great life (apart from not getting elected twice - maybe that's karma for you!), he won't be going to heaven or hell, because neither place exists. His kids will come into gigantic fortunes and the cycle will repeat, whereas the poor will continue to struggle day to day, people will starve to death all over the world and kids will die of cancer.
Nobody's coming back to have a better time of it next time.
End of rant.
Have at it.

[1StrongBlackMan]

125. In a sense I agree ...

CONCLUSION: stop talking about karma and any other magical nonsense. There will never be any justice, our problems will never be addressed, unless we ourselves act to acheive it. Discussions about imaginary nonsense at best just get in the way, and more often serve to justify indifference to the victims.

You are absolutely correct that justice and problems solved will come from us acting together to resolve them; but that does not cut against the "magical thinking" to which you reduce Karmic forces. Karma is NOT "the universe intervening to make an individuals life/situation better, or worse", Karma just is life's circumstances meeting its level ... think water in the natural world.

But how this plays out in our lives is in one's approach to the world. When one approaches the world with a positive, serving nature; one is met with other positive serving people; vice-versa, when one approach the world with a negative eye and taking spirit, one is met with other negative, taking people. If you are a positive, serving person, you tend to avoid negative, taking people and un/counter-productive environments and actions. And, negative people tend to place themselves in the company of like-minded people. That is not "Magical Thinking" that just is ... and stems from the choices we make as to what we do and whom we associate with.

Now, you seem to think that Karma suggests that doing "Good" will, or even should, insulate one from bad stuff from happening, or will/should make good stuff happen to you ... it does not; nor does Karma mete out punishment or prevent wrong-doers from prospering. Rather, Karma is a recognition that the universe seeks balance, and is a human's ordering his/her thoughts and actions to accept that balance.

Lastly, and I hope you take this in the spirit intended, you possess no greater wisdom as to the what makes this world tick than any other person, so what makes you think you can make such declarative statements about what is, or is not? You can only speak to your belief system, even if that belief system is an anti-belief system. Such strident opinions, extended beyond how you conduct your life, to suggest how others should/must live their's is exactly the intolerance that makes you akin to the most close-minded fundamentalist Xian, that I assume you spurn.

[Demo_Chris]

137. Nice post, I'll let you have the last word on that

Just wanted to let you know that I read it

[1StrongBlackMan]

143. Peace.

[leftstreet]

136. +1

Very nicely stated

[bedazzled]

118. the trick is to do good and forget about it isn't it

my friend does good things for people but expects to be recognized for it.

kind of negates the whole thing

[1StrongBlackMan]

128. And I suspect ...

my friend does good things for people but expects to be recognized for it.

so do those calling Karma, "magical thinking."

My understanding of Karma is exactly what you say: "Do good and forget about it"; but I extend it to tell others about the positive actions of other good people, even if you are/were involved in the action. Perhaps, it will spur others to seek out opportunities to do good.

[bedazzled]

141. it would be awful to have such a negative view of the universe

to think that because people choose to use their gift of existence to further
their own comfort and purpose, or even in ways that hurt others,
there is no hope for the "meek and mild."

i feel that karma is not a punishment, but an experience of choice. if you make
a poor choice, you have go keep gaining experience until you make the
right one. as for those of us who are actively trying to make the right choice,
we are not only bringing positivity into a world that sorely needs it, but also
teaching others, by example, a behavior that can light up personal, earthly,
and cosmic existence.

let's send good thoughts to the cynics, shall we. it's hard enough being here
now without being cynical...

i really like the way you think, and write, and act! thanks for sharing...

[GCP]

115. I agree with you 100%

[Waiting For Everyman]

37. Another positive ripple to that story...

Because you were part of it, you were able to bring it to us here and touch all of us who read it, and I thank you for it! What a beautiful, symmetrical turn of events. Your conclusion is so right.

[Victor_c3]

39. and this helps encourage us to do more ourselves to help others n/t

[Victor_c3]

38. Great story.

I'm not a spiritual person, yet I believe in karma. Life has been very good and generous to me and I try my best to pass it along whenever I get the chance. I don't have that much money or time at the moment, but instead of walking pas homeless people, I've been slipping them a whatever large bill is in my pocket (usually a $10 or $20). Sometimes I feel the sting of not having it in my pocket and I don't have the extra money to buy myself a cup of coffee on the drive in to work, but I'm not nearly as desperate as the guy living on the street I gave the money to. I also like to talk to the homeless people I give money to. I think it is important to treat them like human beings, look them in the eye, and talk to them like you aren't above them. Honestly, I had a point in my life where I could have very easily seen myself ending up on the street with nothing and I empathize easily with few homeless people I've started to know.

Giving to and helping others really feels good. It's almost addicting. If I didn't have young kids right now, I'd be trying to find an organization that I could volunteer with to help. Maybe when my kids get a little older, we could volunteer together. That'd be a great way to bond with my daughters and to teach them some important values and life lessons.

[1StrongBlackMan]

41. I, too, ...

give to those on the street; often to the consernation of those I am walking with.

I can't count the times I have been admonished with, "You know, all he/she's gonna do is buy some wine/drugs with that, right?" And, my response is always, "So what ... Once I give them the money, it's their's to do with as they wish."

I get so angry with those well-meaning Salvation Army(?) TV ads that basically say, "don't feed the animals ... give the money to us; we'll feed the animals."

Yes ... I know that many street people engage in self-destructive behaviors ... we all do; but my refraining from giving to THAT person at THAT moment doesn't mean that THAT person will be benefitted by my giving.

[Victor_c3]

44. I might be evil for doing it too

but I kind of figure that they will buy beer and cigarettes with it. I can't blame them. Hell, if I was living on the street I'd probably be drinking a few beers to make it more tolerable. If nothing else, the $10 or $20 I give them will provide a little bit comfort - and I still feel good for doing it.

[1StrongBlackMan]

49. If not comfort ...

a momentary escape.

[Bluenorthwest]

51. If they buy 'vices' with their money, who cares? When I give money away, it is their now, that's

the entire point. However, I'll never forget being admonished by a friend years ago for giving to a woman who asked for money outside a store. We went in and bought whatever we wanted while he explained that she'd just buy liquor and I explained that the money was now her own to do with as she wished. When we came out, the woman was clutching the money, peering into the window of the deli next door, reading the menu and counting out what she could buy. As I got in the car she opened the door to the deli and got shouted at. "I have money now" she said. And she did. It was hers to spend as she wished, she was wishing for a decent meal.
So after that I don't listen to the 'it does not help them' people because it does help, if only for a moment, and all any of us have is this moment, this one timeless moment.

[1StrongBlackMan]

55. The evil part of me ...

believes, those that admonish us for giving, do so to excuse their not giving.

I have told those that admonished me, "Your admonishment would go a lot further, if you would have bought her/him something that you approve of."

[Victor_c3]

84. absolutely right with that point

That was my justification to myself for not giving money to the homeless when I was younger.

[Bluenorthwest]

135. I think they admonish becaue they are unable to take help of the sort they need...

In my view, a situation in which I can help someone is my good luck more than it is the luck of the one getting some sort of help. So to me, it is not that the fact that the admonishing folks do not want to give so much as the fact that they do not want to receive. The short end of the stick they are serving is to themselves....
Your story has several people who were fortunate to meet. The woman in the broken car, obviously the meeting was lucky for her. But also for you and for the mechanic and the day care provider. The good fortune was in the getting, but much more so in the giving. That's what I think. It is a blessing, a mitzvah, to be allowed to help another and to have the means and skills to do so.

[treestar]

93. You're a great guy!

Your kids are lucky with what they will learn from you!

[mrsadm]

40. What an amazing story!

Cosmic justice! As Mr. Roberts said, watch for the people who are helping.

[99Forever]

42. I kinda feel sorry ...

... for the telephone pole. Hope it wasn't too badly damaged.

[silverweb]

46. How lucky you were to be part of that whole event!

[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]I've been part of such experiences, too -- though none so dramatic -- and the "coincidences" that come together can be amazing.

I believe that most people are goodhearted and kind, even when their exteriors appear closed and rough at first. When we act out of kindness and compassion, the benefits are often immediately obvious. Call it karma, synchronicity, the Universe, or coincidence -- it reveals who we really are and what we can be.

Thank you for sharing this story!

[libtodeath]

47. You are what a true american is!

[salinen]

48. I sure hope

that telephone pole is alright.

[leftynyc]

52. What a wonderful story!!

Thanks so much for sharing and brightening up the day.

[kimbutgar]

56. Thank you 1strongblackman for this uplifting story. There are still so many good people out there.

We must not forget our humanity . You and the others who helped this lady are service to other people. While the truck guy was a service to self. Whenever I encounter those service to self I get away from them quickly and only surround myself with service to other. I'm also glad that " the probably small dick a-hole" in the big truck wrecked his car. There definitely is karmic justice in this world.

[1StrongBlackMan]

57. Question:

Why do positive stories get, only, a handful of comments; while, "Obama is gonna {Fill in the outrage of the day}, or threads lamenting just about anything, get hundreds?

[leftstreet]

71. Because kindness is more common

These stories are great, but they happen every day in thousands of cities between millions of people

The mainstream media would have us believe we're a hateful, spiteful, angry people - but it's just not true

[1StrongBlackMan]

72. I think not ...

These stories are great, but they don't readily allow for people to express the outrage that seems to consumer us ... at least, DU.

[Sissyk]

78. Exactly, leftstreet!

May be because I am such a positive person, but IRL I see way more positive, caring, and helpful moments than I do negative. The negative get all the attention.

But I do appreciate reading the OP here and all the kindness it presents.

[BrainMann1]

59. Man that's a good story, Thanks

[handmade34]

60. thank you for sharing the story...

we all need to keep telling and hearing about the good...

[1StrongBlackMan]

62. I'm considering asking the Administrators to start a ...

Good News/Good Vibrations Forum that will reside on the Main Page.

[TDale313]

104. I love that idea!

Oh, and Thank You for sharing the story.

[littlemissmartypants]

105. Please do. n/t

[jambo101]

61. Double karma points

Had you also stopped to help the ignorant moron in the truck..
Could have been a learning experience for Mr asshole in truck..

[1StrongBlackMan]

63. Yeah ...

probably; but I'm still working through this "return evil with good" thing.

[gateley]

140. I would have been motivated by schadenfreude and not the sincere desire to help the guy,

so no karma points for me.

I'm working on it, though.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

65. COOLEST THING EVER!

Thank you for being a part of that and for sharing it with us.


←Universe Hug

[beachgirl2365]

67. Proof again that the universe.............

Higher power/God, etc. will send the right people at the right time. We just have to be open to them. Thanks for sharing this story!

[Whovian]

68. Fucking dust keeps getting in my eyes.

Good on you.

[derby378]

73. Not really a believer in karma, but this sequence of events can make me reconsider

Sure, I sometimes get mad at people who wreck into each other on the highway - Lord knows I've had my share of tailgaters and road-rage hotheads - but I can't get mad at anyone whose car simply stalled out on the road, because I know full well that if it can happen to them, it can happen to me.

You did a wonderful service for that family, and I hope their burden was eased a little by your selflessness. You rank us all today.

[n2doc]

74. I would have been soooo tempted to give the giant pickup guy a "ha ha"

[tclambert]

75. Ms. Karma swings a heavy hammer.

[padruig]

76. Karma can be a Bitch ...

I've heard She has Sisters !

[malaise]

80. I love this post

Decency is everywhere. Wonderful!!!

[tpsbmam]

81. Oh man, what a lovely bit of karma

all around (Yours is coming, I'm sure of it.) I'm so encouraged by this story. I can tell you that, like many in the same boat, I sometimes feel very vulnerable when I know I can't physically react the way someone with a fully functioning, healthy body can (or I used to be able to). I'm luckier than that wonderful woman -- among other things, I have a roadside assistance program (I don't use the awful AAA.....I use Better World Club, which is awesome. There's my plug!) If I were in the same position, I wouldn't be able to do anything but sit there either since I can only walk/stand for very short distances using a walker and use a wheelchair most of the time.

That there are people in the world like you and the others who stepped in to help in such amazing ways always warms my heart and, from a selfish perspective, eases the feeling of vulnerability!

And I don't mind saying, I also see loveliness in the asshole ending up with his truck wrapped around a pole.

[Faux pas]

86. Nothing better than instant karma,

especially when you're around to see it! Great tale, thanks.

[rurallib]

87. wow - thanks so much for sharing this story.

[redwitch]

89. Angels walk among us.

Thanks for being one for that poor distressed lady and her grandkids.

[nradisic]

90. One of the best posts ever.

Just reading it made me feel better. Awesome...Kudos man.

[treestar]

92. What a cool story!

Guys like that dude are so insecure they actually like it when they see someone worse off than they are. Someone to feel superior to.

And you are one great guy!

[indepat]

94. Ah, karma can be a bitch. The jerk-off got a lesson in how time wounds all heels.

[WillyT]

96. HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!!

[another_liberal]

99. Americans would rather . . .

Every opinion poll shows nearly all Americans would rather their tax dollars go to help people like that desperate grandmother you aided, rather than to pay for the military's latest high-tech killing machines. Why can't we get together as a nation, like the handful of you did on the side of that freeway, and help those among us who so need our help? Why does half the federal budget have to go to Generals to play god with? Do we really have that many enemies, or are the Pentagon and CIA just scaring us into thinking so?

Slash defense and intelligence spending! Boost spending for the social safety net! Do it now!

[spooky3]

100. Marry me!!!!

Seriously, what a wonderful story. I hope the woman was able to get to work. But no matter what, she will never forget your kindness.

[bedazzled]

142. (whisper) does he sound terrific or WHAT?

i will take that model, age 55 to 65 please.

[spooky3]

146. I'll claw your eyes out for him :-)!

[bedazzled]

147. we'll simply have to share!

quality guy like that's gotta be taken

sigh

[spooky3]

148. Agreed!

[MannyGoldstein]

101. You are a mensch.

Thank you for being my fellow human.



(No, this is not sarcasm.)

[Melinda]

102. You, my dear....

are an incredibly decent human being, and a fine example of manhood. I pray every day that my children exhibit grace and kindness in practice just as you have done with this woman and her family, and I hope you don't mind that I intend to share your story and the lessons within.

Thank you for exemplifying liberalism and compassion at its core. You are indeed one hell of a strong and beautiful man; your story is the most wonderful experience I've learned at DU in a very long time. A million thank you's. Thank you.

[ReRe]

103. Broken down car...

K&R

Wow! Not just the voice of one, but the voice of four! Thank you, thank you, 1SBM! And Karma almost instantaneously! That was about the fastest Karma I ever heard of. Never, never doubt Karma. It is real. Also an example of "Opposites". Doing Good Works is the opposite of Karma!

[DeSwiss]

106. Exactly.

- You got it.....

K&R

[center][font size=4]''The moment you are impatient
you recognize the force of time
that places in your way
the obstacles of
space
and starts a new chain
of causation.''[/font]
~Ann Kreilkamp[/center]

[Iwillnevergiveup]

107. What you said

"To be honest, I felt guilty in that I had nothing to offer this family in distress other than money."

Gotta disagree with you here, 1StrongBlackMan. This woman will remember your generous soul for all her lifetime.

K&R

[steve2470]

108. That's a wonderful story and thank you so much for helping her

I've had similar things on a smaller scale happen to me, so yes, I believe in karma also. I'm quite confident good is headed your way soon and in the future, and your thread is an inspiration to us all. Thank you for sharing that with us !

[Raksha]

109. This is almost too perfect to be believable, but I so much want to believe it.

Just the fact that this homeless woman met three angels--you included, of course--who were able and willing to help her get back on her feet is perfect enough. But that karmic twist at the end...that's just TOO perfect!

[DFW]

113. This kind of thing does indeed happen, no reason to doubt it

One time, I was in Germany, had to get somewhere on a Sunday morning in January, and it was snowing hard. Some clown in a big fancy car passed me at three times my speed as if it were a sunny day in July. About 15 minutes later, I saw the car at the side of the road--upside down. No damage was apparent, and the car was empty, so I assumed the guy had crawled out and gone to call for help. The help he needed was as least as much psychiatric as mechanical, if you ask me.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

114. Thanks! Great story & thanks for your generosity! And, angry people do have more accidents. nt

[Honeycombe8]

119. Karma can be a good thing sometimes. I really believe in it. nt

[arely staircase]

120. its like a parable of jesus

updated to include pick-ups and teabaggrs.

[Riley18]

122. Thanks for sharing. So good people outnumber

selfish by at least 3:1😊. Good thing to keep in mind!

[malthaussen]

123. Instant Karma...

[Jackpine Radical]

124. Thanks.

Thanks for the actions, thanks for the story.

Personally, I tend to believe in karma. Put most simply, it's the law of cause & effect. It's just not instant, and it's not always obvious in its workings.

As to the Cheneys and banksters of the world, their ill-gotten gains are not rewards. They have had to sacrifice--or never have possessed--a great deal of their humanity in order to accomplish their depredations.

What you and the others who intervened did sets forth ripples of good in the world, and will ultimately have effects that you will never be aware of, and that's just fine. For example, those kids in the car will be forever changed because of the kindness extended to them. Even though they may be too young to appreciate the significance now, you may be sure Grandma will tell that story many times, and it will become a part of their family traditions.

In terms of the payoff to you, I know that you are carrying with you a special warmth, a glow of happiness, in connection to what you did and what you saw. I'm sure you felt it as you wrote the story, and feel it as you read the words our actions have inspired. That is a reward that the Cheneys, the Jamie Dimons, the Kochs and the like, will never know, and are perhaps incapable of feeling.

You have caused me to recall moments in my own life when I either extended or received generous actions in relation to others, and I still get that warm glow as I recall those times. Those feelings are a permanent part of me, and are priceless.

So, yeah, I believe in karma.

[1StrongBlackMan]

131. Exactly ...

I am so glad you understand the concept. In this day and age, we tend to want/expect monetary reward/comfort for our good and self-less actions; but fail to understand that this expection, makes the acts less self-less.

[cantbeserious]

126. When One Lives In Hate - Hate Responds

eom

[fredamae]

127. Wonderful & now I need a tissue n/t

[mountain grammy]

130. Beautiful! Thank you for telling this. Reminds me that my "karma"

always needs a little work, like the mechanic who said he has some ground to make up before qualifying for heaven. Lately, I've been seeing a lot of posts about "karma" and many Ghandi quotes as well. Maybe people are waking up to the fact that the "black and white Jesus doctrine" of evangelical Christianity isn't so Jesus-like after all.

[1StrongBlackMan]

132. Maybe this is what the Mayans ...

were marking with the end of their calendar ... an awakening of a different spirit.

[mountain grammy]

133. I sure hope so, and your story gives me more hope! Thanks.

[Digit]

134. What a lovely story

Thank you so much for helping her out!

[gateley]

138. I'm almost sorry you saw him standing there instead of being extricated by the jaws of life.

He sure showed what a bad ass he was!

That must have felt SO good! And yes! We NEED to focus on the good, dwelling on the negative just puts us into a funk and raises our blood pressure.

You were all Angels In America. Thanks you for reminding us what "love one another" looks like!

[Robyn66]

145. I have had my share of good karma

I don't know what it is, a force in the universe, the voice of god but there IS something that is out there. I cant answer for why children die horribly, that isn't fair or right and I don't know what it means but all I can say is there have been some damn strong coincidences in my life.

I was abused as a child also raped and sexually assaulted. Somehow I met my husband who did not LET me break up with him even though I tried several times and finally, through his family I had a functional family.

My mother died three days before my daughter's 1st birthday. I am not dancing in the isles about that, but the fact of the matter is my daughter was diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome, and knowing my mother's abusive personality, I know she would have been emotionally abusive ot her, she also didn't like that marriage was making me too emotionally independent so she was trying to break up my marriage as well. If she had lived, there is no doubt she would have been able to manipulate me into getting a divorce moving back home and my daughter would have been in the same boat I was in in that house. And I would have never become the strong person I am today

My husband and I were going through a rough patch when we were married about 10 years, it finally got to the point where we were done and he was driving out of the driveway with the kids for the weekend before we got going on the divorce. Just as he was driving out, I fell off the front steps and sprained my ankle so bad, my husband had no choice but spending the week with me at home because I couldn't even get to the bathroom on my own. We talked it out and have been in love ever since. Nothing is perfect but we celebrated our 21st anniversary in October and I am crazy about that man

In 2008 after two years of avoiding and canceling mammograms, just as I was about to cancel the one scheduled for August of 2008 because we were going away for the weekend, something made me not cancel, which led to a breast cancer diagnosis the doctors said the didn't catch early, they caught "in time"

And the one most of you have listened to for months now.

I worked at a job for 8 years, worked my way up to the point where I was given the interim director position. Was promised the position for a year. THe people I worked for knew me and my family, had been to my home, supported me through cancer. In short, they were people I trusted. When the time to award the job for real came around it went to an unqualified friend of a board member. THis left me devastated and unemployed for 7 months.

In October I got my dream job and will be making twice what I would have been making at the original job once it goes full time. Currently I am working part time and making the same amount of money I was making part time at the other job plus I am very happy and valued at the new job.

THe real karma comes in that the kid they hired instead of me just quit after 9 months and they will now be stuck hiring unqualified or inexperienced people who wont last long because of the atmosphere and the way they treat people.

THose are the biggies I can think of right now. You can call me crazy, or deluded, but I believe there is something, be it God or Karma but I have seen too much happen to say there is no one out there.

[bluestate10]

149. Yes. karma. Perfect karma. nt