Cerpin Taxt

I recall grabbing Subway many years ago only to get to the counter and be faced with the unfortunate realization that I was out of money. Amidst my frustration and slight embarrassment, the woman next in line to me stepped up and said she would pay for it while pulling out some cash. Despite my efforts to tell her it was okay and that she really didn't have to, she insisted and put the money down on the counter. Even though it was just a sandwich, I was genuinely shocked at this random act of kindness and expressed my thanks. She said, "Don't worry about it. You know, just pay it forward!" with a smile.

"What?" I said.

"Pay it forward, like the movie? Just make sure to help someone else when the time comes."

I hadn't seen the movie, but I smiled and thanked her again anyways. And with that, we parted ways and I enjoyed that sandwich just a little bit more while laughing to myself about what had just happened.

After all these years, I finally watched the movie. I enjoyed it, and it reminded me about this situation and how I can't really remember any specific random act of kindness that I've done for someone to pay it forward. I suppose I'm saying I'm just going to keep my eyes a little more open to make sure I don't miss an opportunity to make someones day.

Now I know the comments about how she's just imitating a movie, or how it was just $6 for a sandwich, or it wasn't really noteworthy or cheesy or whatever are sure to come. But it really doesn't matter, because in the end, it's these random small acts of kindness that can really change the way a person looks at the world (let alone random big acts of kindness).

So, have you ever paid it forward? Or has anyone ever done so for you?

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Step Back. Evaluate. Recognize.

"All memory is really a form of regurgitation of undigested experience."
-Alan Watts

Rubix

well, once i went to the Super America station and got two miller light 24 oz. I drank one on the way to wal-mart, then realized i had only paid for one so i go back to the station and tell the guy and put it back on the shelf.

I still feel bad about stealing a couple packs of swishers a while ago but the owners have moved away...so idk

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Roach

liked the movie.

not including panhandlers...no never did.

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לזיין את הקופים

my_scatterheart

I think we all do a lot for other people, we just don't usually keep a solid mental check on it all. At least I don't .. but the most recent thing that really helped me along for a bit was two months agoish - bought a pair of shoes for a young boy in the city who needed them. They cost more than any shoes I've bought for myself, but was totally worth it in ways I don't have words for.
Most notable recent experience that has been paid to me was definitely getting gas for free for being super polite and pleasant after some pretty shit service/attitude at someone's store. Was nice. Man who struck me a lot like my father said "Hey, it's on us sweetheart, thanks for being patient. Have a good one"

<3.

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Be mindful even if your mind is full. -J. De La Vega

deadhead94

I give money to homeless people when I can, but that's about it.

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Jester4yall

I was @ a gas station last wk and the guy infront of me had a handful of change trying to buy a bottle of water but was 30 cents sort. It's like 91 out with a heat index of 113 so I tell dude behind the counter to put it on my tab.

Also like if somebody is having car trouble or w/e I almost always stop to check on them if they don't look too serial killerish. One time a young guy prob 16-17 had a flat and never changed a tire before or a jack lmfao. I let him use mine and guided him through the process. I still run into that guy from time to time @ the grocery store.

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In matters of style, swim with the current; In matters of principle, stand like a rock. -Thomas Jefferson

You will encounter many distractions and many temptations to put your goal aside: The security of a job, a wife who wants kids, whatever. But if you hang in there, always following your vision, I have no doubt you will succeed. - Larry Flynt

~1~

Mamma taught me to 'do nice things and forget it' which I have always taken to mean that even if the only reward you get is feeling a little bit better about yourself for a little while, it's worth doing, dig?

She also taught me to 'not shit where you eat', wisdom I have followed many times and she also gave me my favorite quote which I find helps me through just about every day.

"No matter how good you are or how hard you try, there will ALWAYS be assholes..."


Hi mom!

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HTAM

Frequently. My Mom taught me to help without being asked.

Like last year some new neighbors moved in. Dad, Mom, two kids, 6 and 8. Dad is in the drive trying to unload the big furniture in the middle of July. I could see he was struggling to move things around even with a dolly so I gave him 20 minutes of my time and we got the heavy shit moved in directly.

One day about two weeks later we came home to something sitting on our porch. There was a 'Costume Box' of things for my daughter to play with that the young girl gave to her.

Pot Cookies for the the Homeless. You'd be surprised how much they enjoy those. While I'm not big on giving money most of the time, I will buy them lunch and bring it back to them.

One year, on January 1st, I got up and made Ham, Turkey, and Roast Beef sandwiches (two loaves of bread worth) and wrapped them up and filled up my backpack. I drove to down to an area frequented by Homeless people, walked around, and handed them out.

Everyone was thankful. But one lady-she was sitting on the steps, lost in her own thoughts. I said 'Hi this is for you' and when she looked up at me she had the 'seen a ghost look' on her face-or maybe I was her Angel that day. She took the sandwich and held it close to her chest and told me thanks.

That was the best part of the day.



Also, if you see an 'out of place' Elderly person walking around after the sun goes down, just say 'Hi' and make sure they are okay. There is an entire group of the Elderly called 'Sundowners' who are lost once the sun sets. Most of the time they won't ask for help, because they are afraid someone will take advantage of them.

Mafoo

I always help people out at festivals. theres always that one raver kid who looks like they took 50 pills and hasnt heard of drinking water. i usually go say whats up and ask if they are having fun or w/e. then ill offer to get them some water.

i actually found some drunk dude passed out on the ground at like 7pm at a new years eve "rave". i went over and tried to wake him up but he was shitty drunk so i went and got him a water and chilled with him til he sat up and drank some of it. i woulda felt bad if he got kicked out of the rave just an hour after it started.

generally dont like doing money for the homeless/ begging people because alot of the homeless around here are junkies and me giving them 5 dollars for busfare and then seeing them in the same spot for the next 5 weeks just pisses me off. i have a job to make money so i dont have to beg to get from place to place.

i always try to help people who are stranded with their vehicle. my cars failed me several times and damn if that thing isnt a bitch to push out of the street alone.

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PLUR
For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return

SageTree

thread

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adventure

I have a few homeless people by my job, if they ask for money I ask that are they going to get with it, if they are honest and say a 22oz Ill give them some change.

I was having a conversation with my gf the other day about altruism, and the fact there really isn't any true altruistic deed. why would you do something if it didn't make you feel at least a little good inside? "Oh I helped the little old lady, damn it what's wrong with me, ugh, I am going to go and drink my-self-hatred away"

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Coming Full Range

Mafoo

its an ideal not something that really exists, imo. (talking about altruism)

what would it be when you help someone but it does nothing for you, or would be a negative for you?

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PLUR
For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return

deadhead94

I don't care if they use it for food, drugs or booze. either way it will make their situation a little better for a bit.

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Jimmycube

i think so..

i have at least tried

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When you punish a person for dreaming their dream, dont expect them to thank or forgive you

SageTree

I'm not sure we can 'pay it forward' exactly and would rather consider that more of the ''ideal'', here.

We're interconnected and I believe we are here because of innumerable other events before us and among us today that help us live, knowingly and unknowingly.

Honestly I doubt I've even really caught up, let alone consider it 'paying it forward', know what I mean?

Altruism, to me, is acting with compassion and acknowledgement that we aren't islands and that our emotions-struggle-joy/Life, while reasoned, stored and acted upon differently, aren't exactly unique.

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Mafoo

thats my understanding of it as well. alot of debate goes on(in college communications classes, philosophy, etc.) about if a human can be truly altruistic because we get pleasure (most of the time) out of doing nice things, so in essence we are getting something for ourselves. as far as i know the "dictionary definition" of altruism is acting in a way that helps others but is not to benefit oneself.

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PLUR
For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return

SageTree

Altruism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I tend to drawl my reason from Buddhist practices and thought.


I think if you don't see it as 'you doing/creating it', you tend to own it less.
Reasonably speaking, there is a lot of credit to be given to all the people and things that have helped you become in this moment where you are choosing to act in a helpful way.

So, instead, in 'your' place there is 'just happiness in the world', or at least striving for it, as the phenomena you are experiencing, to try to put it simply.

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Cerpin Taxt

I think the good feeling one gets from helping others in terms of altruism is different kind of satisfaction, but is of course still a good feeling that you recieve. Maybe that renunciation of the self is merely more reflective of an acceptance that all of us are one, and we are all in this together.

That is, helping others always helps yourself, and helping yourself (ie, to be a better person) will invariably help others

__________________
Step Back. Evaluate. Recognize.

"All memory is really a form of regurgitation of undigested experience."
-Alan Watts

HTAM

Selfless.

Kompressor

^ This.


If you haven't done anything for anyone all day, wtf have you done?

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Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought. -H. Bergson