Acts of kindness

zaxdog

I've never really thought about it before but I think RAOK make the world a better place. We live on a small island off the West coast of Scotland which has a large elderly population and OH and I treat our elderly neighbours as we would like our elderly family members to be treated so I gather kindling for them and OH always brings them fresh fish when he has been out fishing. I try to make a point to bring nice cakes on a Friday and also biccies for the ferry men who go out of their way to help with anything they can :T I also yesterday saw one of the ladies on the island waving her daughters off for the first day back at school (they stay in a hostel on the mainland during the week) and she was so upset that when I got back from work the OH and I took her up a wee G&T and a few chocolate cupcakes

As acts of kindness go then it was when my late partner died suddenly at home in 2007 (aged only 36) that I realised how truly wonderful my friends and family were. So many friends used their full holiday allowances from work to help me out, they helped pack up our flat, sort through his belongings etc. In return though I donated our new bed, computer, computer desk, couches etc to a local homeless charity.

What was really odd was to visit the city later to discover the chap & his dog that I used to get the Big Issue from (and buy dog food and sandwiches for) had used the card I had given him for the above charity and when he was allocated housing he ended up with some of my donations. The world is a funny old place :rotfl:

maccymum

dear all
i have been crying through reading these posts.....it makes me think of all the wonderful people there are in the world!

i will think of something to add over the weekend
many thanks again
m xx

Time_to_face_the_music

I love this thread, RAOK really do make a difference to individuals and the world.

A few years ago, life had dealt us some very tough personal blows and we were feeling pretty disillusioned with life and people in general. We booked a holiday to South East Asia and a week or so in, found ourselves in Northern Thailand for a trekking excursion with a Thai guide. From the moment we met her, we knew she was someone special. Within a day she made me realise I had nothing to moan about. After 2 days I watched her stop her vehicle to feed stray dogs on the road. 3 days in she had us buying vitamin drinks, paper and pencils for hill tribe kids and meeting her "adopted children" in a remote village. By the fourth day we were eating out of her hand and seeing the world through her eyes. Every small gesture of hers made a difference to someone or some thing and I determined that I would try and do the same. Leaving her after 5 days was like tearing ourselves away from our greatest friend for life.

The last weeks of our holiday were intended to be spent in 5 star luxury which was wonderful for a day but then we wanted to carry on "making a difference" as we had been taught. We were lucky enough to meet a kindred spirit in the shape of one of the hotel waiters who introduced us to the local orphanage for children of the tsunami. More friends and another real chance to make a difference.

I had read of life changing experiences and had never really taken it seriously but one tiny Thai lady truly changed my life and restored my faith in human nature in a few short days. One day I hope to meet her again and make more differences.

Frogletina

Last week I was away on holiday. The first night at the hotel I was extremely unwell and in terrible pain, I had no sleep and just wanted the morning to come so I could get some help.

Fortunately I had my laptop with me and checking on local doctors I was waiting for the nearest surgery to open at 7.45 in the morning.

There were 3 others waiting to go in, I was first in the queue and they were friendly but at one point I had to turn away as I was crying with the pain.

The receptionist said I needed to go to another surgery for patients from out of town. I took directions and as I walked away a gentleman in the queue said if I waited while he booked an appointment that he would take me there in his car, and as I waited outside for him the two others came out and also asked if they could take me.

Three lifts offered by three complete strangers! The first gentleman came out and drove me there. I was seen in about 20 minutes and given antibiotics and painkillers and very soon the dreadful pain was over.

markwilkinson

Surprised I've not seen this thread before. Would love to add something really nice to this but I can't.

However, I do want to add something and my main motivation for adding it is that I'm hoping the couple ( or at least one of them) is a member here and might see it and get in touch.

If any of you look at the Overseas Holidays board you may remember a thread I started, asking for advise out a quick city break to Amsterdam we were taking. We'd booked 3 nights. On the last night we arrived back at our hotel and were having a drink at the bar. We got talking to another British couple. The Husband had recently developed ME whilst on holiday in Australia. They were both coming to terms with what had happened and were trying to adjust etc. I left the conversation to go outside and have a cigarette. The wife followed me out as she was a smoker too and we had a chat. She was asking telling me some things about her husbands condition and how she was finding it difficult to adjust, the whole situation had clearly upset her (as it would). I have a small disability which means that I walk with a limp, somedays it's more pronounced than others, depending on how tired I am. So I feel I was able to understand, empathise and offer some words of comfort.

We went back into the hotel and then I got involved in a discussion about the Roman Catholic Church with her husband (that's Amsterdam for you :beer:) whilst she was talking to my wife about it all. I did hear tears at one point but being a Gent I didn't look around. We had to go to bed as we had to be up early for our flight. Turned out they had being staying for the same time as us - I do find it a bit !!!!!! that these chance encounters with people you like and get on with always happen about an hour before you have to go home lol. Would have been very nice to have spent more time with them.

My wife and I discussed it on the plane home and I think she summed it up quite well - "we were just in the right place, at the right time, for them". I agree with that and hopefully we managed to give them a little comfort. I do think about that couple fairly often so if one of you recognises this story and you want to get in touch, please do!

ms_london

I try and do a couple RAOK a day, whether it's just buying someone a tea or helping them with their bags, sometimes even small gestures make a difference.

Xx

Bufger

2 old ladies had broken down in their old fiesta 2 mins away from my place of work. I could tell by the way they were sitting in the car but everyone else drove past so i pulled up to ask what was wrong. the poor old dears thought i was going to rob them so they wouldnt wind down the window! (fair play i say). I showed them my work pass and asked if they needed help and it turned out they had breakdown cover but didnt know how to work their mobile phone to call for help!

Anyway It ended up being a long saga of needing to top up their phone, ring the recovery truck and whilst we were waiting teaching them how to use the mobile phone (which was very amusing!!). I saved my phone number in their phone if they ever had a future emergency that wasnt 999'able. Later that night I got a call from the lady thanking me and talking about how great it is that she can now use her mobile.

I firmly believe in Karma and i'll always help people in need as ive had a great deal of nice things happen to me from complete strangers in the past. I cant help anyone financially but kindness is free

maccymum

lovely story bufger



was out with dh and dd today and needed loo so stopped off, it was 30p i was looking through my purse but only had £10note.....the lady behind said " keep your note and paid my 30p"


what a kind hearted thing to do which i was very grateful

xx

ellesbellesxxx

I have been brought to tears when people have done even small AOK for me, such as giving me their parking ticket.

I make a point of whenever I get a parking ticket, putting it back in the machine for the next person when time is left. However, the other day I was gutted to see the next person look at it (30-40 mins left on it) put it on top of the machine where it flew off! My act of kindness became a litterbug!

littlemissbossy

I had a supermarket coupon today, you know the ones, £x of when you spend £x. I knew I hadn't spent enough so I gave the coupon to the lady in front of me. She was really pleased and I felt good too. We both beamed at each other.:j