Random acts of kindness this christmas

Maysie

I have been a recipient of a random act. I slipped walking down a hill next to the road on a very icy day. It was just so slippy i could barely get to my feet (bloody council not gritting pavements). A woman and her daughter stopped their car and offered me a lift into town. I jumped in that car. I would never normally get into a strangers car but it was heaven not to be falling over and scared i would fall into traffic.

I bought shoe grips thingys now.

monty-doggy

I found a really good brand new bike on bonfire night in the middle of a road at 2am just abandoned, I almost had an accident before I spotted it in the dark.
My oh got out of the car to move it/see if there was anyone around and we realised it was new and expensive so he rode it home and I reported it to the police. They asked me to store it inside my house, not in a shed for 28 days and if it wasn't claimed I could keep it.

Next day I saw a post on Facebook that a little boy had his bmx stolen from outside a shop the day after I found the bike. He had only had it two weeks and his parents can't afford it replace it.

When the police rang me to say I could keep the bike, I contacted the boys mum on fb and offered her son the bike I found.

He came to collect it today and was very very happy, and went straight out for a ride with his dad.

He gave me a thank you card and I was very touched

duchy

mountainofdebt wrote: »

Certainly not having a go at anyone on here but isn't sad that the things that have been mentioned on here, at the end of the day, should be every day happenings?

Very sad

I'm reading things people are mentioning as one offs that I assumed everyone does with even thinking about. A bit of thoughtfulness is for life and not just for Christmas after all.

paulineb_2

The things I've done for people, I do at any time of the year, not just Christmas.

It just seems as if this thread has to be nit picked for no apparent reason.

By the way, my mum has done numerous kind things for a number of people over the years. In fact as long as I can remember, all year round. Certainly nothing to do with charity. As I said before my brother takes money and worming tablets over to a cat neutering programme in kalkan, he goes there twice a year, he never made a big deal of that, just mentioned it in the passing one day.

Lots of people do decent and thoughtful things every day. If people want to argue as to whether something is or isn't a random act of kindness or whether people who do things at Christmas only do them at Christmas go right ahead.

But I'm a bit baffled why this thread has caused people to be negative about a few people simply saying some things they've done for others.

I'm quite sure a lot of people who posted have done a lot more over the years, I'm sure I have, just the recent ones spring to mind

monty-doggy

I agree. I'm always doing random kind things for others, and I never think twice about it, but sometimes it's good to take stock of things and have a moment where you can count your blessings, think about how you have made a difference and for once be able to feel genuinely good about yourself.

I'd say that's a very healthy and positive thing.

paulineb_2

Oh and some people will go through their life doing little for other people and only thinking of themselves. Thats sad. Not whether people who do things do enough of them, do the right kind of things or whether they should be doing more at certain times of year.

paulineb_2

But Im sure someones going to pop back up soon enough to point out our failings for even daring to talk about something we've done for someone.

I dont even give a hoot about Christmas really. Im just happy to spend it with family and even though I used to work in homeless projects and get paid, Ive also given up my time for nothing at Christmas to work for open days that the Big Issue organised where people who rough sleep get fed, watered and access to services.

kezzygirl

Last week I was in Morrisons and I had a voucher for £5 off £40 shop and a £3 off £25 shop. I handed the £5 off over to the cashier for my shop then passed the £3 off to the lady behind me. She was so pleased, her face lit up and it made me feel really happy

I also hand my parking tickets over but the tight fisted council have now installed a machine in which you have to input your registration number,so you cannot swap tickets. money grabbing ba**ards.

I give to charity donation boxes throughout the year if I can afford to.

Perhaps more acts of kindness happen at christmas because everyone is feeling nice and festive instead of run down,worn out,overworked?

emweaver

Jordo wrote: »

Every year around this time I always buy a homeless person a cup of tea.

I usually crouch down and have a bit of a chat with them too, something along the lines of "bloody freezing today mate, have this brew, might warm you up a bit"

I'm not one for giving them change, but in the cold weather and then watching their faces light up is always a pleasure.

That is a lovely idea. But they get cold and hungry all through the year not just at Christmas.

I am not criticising at all just want to point out we can help them all through the year and not just at Christmas.

Reams

trinity_enigma wrote: »

I don't really understand the problem with telling people the nice things you've done. If you really wanted to boast about something then why on earth would you tell a bunch of strangers who have absolutely no idea who you are and probably won't even recognise your username if they came across you somewhere else on the forum?

You just do it.

There are certain things only others can judge. Never say you are a great cook. Never say your are a great driver. Never say you are a great parent.. It's for others to judge.

Doing great/small deeds? Keep it to yourself.

The only time I can think of blowing one's own trumpet is to rally others to give. Say one offers to donate £100,00 if everyone else in the room gives a fiver each. That's justified.

I don't see all this as this as giving, but being a decent citizen.

Knock on a door, help people. I will not say what I've done today, and I haven't patted myself on the back. It's part of being a decent person, nothing to do with Christmas.

Sometimes battering a door on the third try gets a sh*tty response, but their car will start tomorrow morning. :cool: