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Saturday, January 01, 2005

Commit random acts of kindness: an open forum

Happy 2005!

I'm trying something new with this post. The goal is to offer you, the reader, a way to engage each other about a single topic. Let's discuss random acts of kindness. Perhaps you can list ones you've committed. Or maybe you can send a thank you to someone who was kind to you. Or you can send mad props (thanks and respect) to someone you've seen be randomly kind.

I'll start: My mother was in a long line a shoe store. Folks were grumpy since there was only only person working and the line was moving slowly. My mother had just gotten in the back of the line when the sales person ran out of quarters. Now he's making change with pennies and dimes and people are getting grumpier and more annoyed. He can't leave to get more quarters, and there's no one to send out to do it. My mother, seeing the situation, got out of line at went down the street to the bank where she got a $10 roll of quarters. Back at the store, she exchanged the quarters for a $10 bill much to the surprise and pleasure of the sales person and all the customers. Now that was a random act of kindness! Much props to Mommy!

Now it's your turn. Post a comment, read for ideas, and commit a random act of kindness today. It's a great way to start the new year, and a nice goal to have as the year progresses.

11 comments:

Kevin said...

That's a good one. Your mom rocks!

Karama said...

Kevin: Thanks, I think my mom's pretty cool, too! I hope you'll stop by this site again soon, and please spread the word!

Steve: This is a great suggestion! As a Southerner (originally from Arkansas) I know the power and pleasure of random conversations. A compliment offered by or to a stranger, a shared word of encouragement, a simple statement of the beauty of the day. You never know all the good you can do. Kids learn by watching, and it looks like you're providing an excellent model, Steve. Thanks for stopping by!

Karama said...

I've just started getting serious about clipping coupons; a penny saved is a penny earned, and all that. Anyway, in Sunday's paper I happened upon a really good coupon for a product I don't use. I clipped it anyway, and since in the store, the product is right next to a product I do use, I left the coupon there for some future customer. Hope they like the savings!

Anonymous said...

Karama I have marked your site as a favorite. Thank you for the bright spot...msdedi

Karama said...

Thanks msdedi! I'm glad you enjoyed your visit. Please come again, and feel free to offer comments or suggestions. And spread the word. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Karama

I have benefitted personally from the gifting of coupons, i.e. a coupon left next to an item I was purchasing. I've since left several coupons by items as well hoping to pass along the benefit I received.

Beronda

Karama said...

Way to build up good karma, Beronda! :) Thanks for stopping by.

Anonymous said...

I have been blogging around for some time today when I came across your site. I just wanted to let you know that I think it is a great looking site and keep up the good work.

Regards
Forum

Karama said...

I'm glad you are enjoying So what can I do. Please stop by again, Forum, and spread the word.

cleesmith said...

Hello,
I know there are still compassionate people with kind hearts in the world.
I hope some of those people will see this posting and respond. A life long
friend of mine has been homeless for the past few months. He appears
very depressed and often unwillingly to accept what little help we can offer him.
I am sure the situation is awkward for him and for my family. My husband
and daughter agree to help him as much as we can. Occassionally he sleeps
in the basement and eats dinner with us. He does not drink or
do drugs and goes to church, so we feel safe having him around.
But neither my husband or me have very good paying jobs, so supporting
a fourth person is more than we can afford. I'm hoping people will be
willing give, so we have set up a free PayPal account for him.
This is not some faceless organization, but a real person who needs a
helping hand.
If you would like to give please send what you can to
helphomelessnow@yahoo.com at PayPal, or if you have some helpful
suggestions please feel free to email them.
May God Bless,
Sarah

Anonymous said...

Hello,
I know there are still compassionate people with kind hearts in the world.
I hope some of those people will see this posting and respond. A life long
friend of mine has been homeless for the past few months. He appears
very depressed and often unwillingly to accept what little help we can offer him.
I am sure the situation is awkward for him and for my family. My husband
and daughter agree to help him as much as we can. Occassionally he sleeps
in the basement and eats dinner with us. He does not drink or
do drugs and goes to church, so we feel safe having him around.
But neither my husband or me have very good paying jobs, so supporting
a fourth person is more than we can afford. I'm hoping people will be
willing give, so we have set up a free PayPal account for him.
This is not some faceless organization, but a real person who needs a
helping hand.
If you would like to give please send what you can to
helphomelessnow@yahoo.com at PayPal, or if you have some helpful
suggestions please feel free to email them.
May God Bless,
Sarah