Of giving to strangers: "A Ramdom Act of Kindness"

[MagickMuffin]

Thursday we had a meeting with our favorite client, more of a business partner. He has been going to Russia a lot to try and get a contract signed for a branch of the business.

I sometimes will cook dinner and take over to his house to have after a meeting. Thursday, we decided to order out and I went and picked up the food. No sooner had I parked I noticed a guy walking by my car and I was a little nervous that he was going to approach me. Sure enough before I even had turned off the engine he was at my door. I opened the door to see what he wanted and he told me he was from out of town and needed $5 to get a room at a nearby hotel. He showed me his drivers license to verify he was telling me the truth. I told him I was there to order food and if I had any money left over I would give him what I could and that he should wait outside.

When I went in the restaurant everyone was staring at me. Then the couple in front of me asked me if everything was alright that they had been watching the encounter I had with the stranger and if he was wanting money. I told them yes he was, then some guy sitting at the table recognized them and they started talking and they let me go ahead of them. After paying for our food I got out some money to give him, I didn't see him at first and thought perhaps he had found someone to give him the funds he needed, but when I got outside he was waiting in the dark and followed me to my car. I gave him as much as I could afford and told him I didn't have the whole amount he was asking for, but that he was a lot closer to reaching his goal.

I wanted to give him the full amount but we have been struggling with another client not paying his invoices, which total several thousand dollars. But at least I did what I could to help.

Just thought I would share a story of "A Ramdom Act of Kindness" to share with the ASHA group.

edit: title

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. That was a very interesting story

One to remember--we don't always have to give someone everything they need--we can help them along.

[MorningGlow]

2. Thank you for sharing this, MM

We have been taught to be on our guard so much in life that we have forgotten that it's perfectly okay to give others some money if we feel that it's a safe situation.

A very enlightened friend of mine, a wonderful, fantastic young woman, ALWAYS put money in the Salvation Army red kettle on her way into and/or out of the mall. I was shocked, because I was always taught by my parents to dodge "those people" (any pitches for donations). My friend said, "I consider it my admission to the mall during the holidays."

So I sat back and thought about it, and I asked myself would I REALLY miss 75 cents or a $1 a couple of times during the month of December? Turned out the answer was no.

Now, thanks to my friend, I put money in the kettle and in the fireman's boot, I add a dollar or two to my grocery bill for the food bank and a dollar to my pet store bill to help animal shelters. I realize I am fortunate enough to be able to do this, and I am grateful for that. And I consider my donations not just mine, but a shared donation for those who aren't able to give at this point in their lives.

It feels a lot better not to fear the outstretched hand than get all nervous wondering how I'm going to avoid it, I know that much. :D

[I Have A Dream]

3. My mother taught us the same thing as your friend, MG.

Growing up, my family was very poor by American standards. However, anytime we passed the Salvation Army kettle, she pulled out her wallet. There wasn't a lot of money in the wallet, but she always gave something. She realized that even though we were poor, there were people who were in even more dire straits than we were. This taught me not to horde money, which is an important lesson for a poor person.

I actually feel that that lesson is part of the reason that I am no longer poor. I value money, but I don't worship it. I view it as being part of an on-going stream of coming in and going out. Neither one is necessarily better than the other one since my belief system is that the money will keep coming. To me, it sometimes feels better for it to go out than to come in. (Of course, that's, in part, because I don't currently have financial issues.)

Have I said lately how lucky I feel I am to have the mother that I have?

[MagickMuffin]

6. I used to give to the Salvation Army until I heard about their bigotry towards gays

Now I donate to other causes that don't discriminate against a select group of people in our society.

Food Banks seem to be where I have chosen to help out.


I was a little scared of my situation, you never know if someone will pull a gun on you, but I guess my intuition has kept me safe. Thank the gods, godesses, and the cosmos.

[I Have A Dream]

8. Yes, I know about the Salvation Army.

I still donate to them, but it's nothing as compared to what I give to other organizations. I now only put money in the kettle; I don't send checks to them anymore.

I'm glad that you stayed safe.

:hug:

[MagickMuffin]

7. I used to give to the Salvation Army until I heard about their bigotry toward GLBT's

Now I donate to other causes that don't discriminate against a select group of people in our society.

Food Banks seem to be where I have chosen to help out.



I was a little scared of my situation, you never know if someone will pull a gun on you, but I guess my intuition has kept me safe. Thank the gods, goddesses, and the cosmos.

Namaste

:loveya:

[I Have A Dream]

4. Kudos to you, MagickMuffin!

We don't have to do it all. Your part meant a lot to him, I'm sure. :hug:

[crikkett]

5. I'm glad you could help and I'm especially relieved that others

in the restaurant were looking out for you.

I'm having cashflow problems too - a lot of people are operating on very thin margins - I know where you're coming from.

I know it's a tough thing to confront strangers. I'm speaking on behalf of the man who approached you.

But be careful out there. That's on your behalf.

[MagickMuffin]

9. I was a little concerned about my safety, you never know about strangers appproaching you

I was relived that the people in the restaurant were watching out for me and let me know it. I'm sure the guy was embarrassed by having to ask for a hand out. I know I would be and luckily I have never had to do it as an adult. I used to ask for share change as a kid to buy cigs, but that has been a very long long time ago.