- Thread starter LarryB
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ERecTile
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That was both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Thank you! :good:
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cristycurves
Guest
What a nice thread, and a needed break from all the negativity we are saturated with from the news media. Hopefully it'll remain at the top of the lobby
This time of year everyone is looking for donations, so if you have extra....
Shelters/pounds, all except volunteers to either play with the cats or to walk their dogs. They too are always in need of everything from paper towel, to food.
Most of us probably know an elderly person who could use a hand here and there, whether it be just companionship, a drive or for odd jobs.
No matter how small the task, or how little you have , we all can do something to make another person/s, or an animal more comfortable and happy
Thanks Larry for the thread.
This time of year everyone is looking for donations, so if you have extra....
Shelters/pounds, all except volunteers to either play with the cats or to walk their dogs. They too are always in need of everything from paper towel, to food.
Most of us probably know an elderly person who could use a hand here and there, whether it be just companionship, a drive or for odd jobs.
No matter how small the task, or how little you have , we all can do something to make another person/s, or an animal more comfortable and happy
Thanks Larry for the thread.
C
cristycurves
Guest
submitted by Kelsey G. on January 19, 2016
Houston kraft 2
About 6 years ago, I was on a plane next to a woman who was relentlessly energetic and fidgety. I was tired and wanted to take a nap. But before I could go into “ignore mode,” she tapped me on the shoulder to introduce herself.
“Hi, my name is Helga!”
We got to talking and eventually it came up that I had started an organization in high school called R.A.K.E. (Random Acts of Kindness, Etc.). As I described what we did, Helga got very serious and told me that she thought “there was nothing more important in the world than Kindness.” I was curious why she was so passionate and, as the plane took off, she dove into a story about the last time she had flown; it was 3 years past and she was en route to Arizona because she had gotten sudden news her Dad’s health was on the decline. Just as the plane was about to depart to Phoenix, her father’s physician called to inform her that her dad had rather suddenly passed away. For the 3 hour plane ride, she sat in stunned silence around strangers.
When she arrived to the airport in Arizona, she walked to the nearest wall, sat down, and cried.
And here is the part I’ll never forget about Helga’s story. For 2 hours she sat and wept while thousands walked to and fro in the airport. Helga looked at me and said,
“Houston, not a single person stopped and asked if I was okay that day. Not one person. It was that day that I realized how much we need each other. It was that day I realized that Kindness Isn’t Normal.”
Kindness isn't normal. That has stuck with me all these years - especially now that I work in schools nationwide speaking about compassion, kindness, empathy, and love. I’m reminded all the time that, for many of us (especially young people - but certainly not exclusively), Kindness is NOT usually our default setting. We spend so much time worrying about our problems, our lives, our comfort, our insecurities, getting to our flight - that we walk by or ignore people in need of Kindness every day. I’m oftentimes so worried about ME that I’m really bad at taking care of YOU.
So, I’ve made it my mission to do my part in making Kindness Normal. To share stories with students, teachers, and parents about our need for character and compassion. To provide young people with practical ways to exercise Kindness (they don’t always know what it looks like!). And, for me? I’m always on the lookout for Helga’s - for the little opportunities that surround me every day to practice making Kindness my default setting.
For more info about Houston's work in schools visit www.houstonkraft.com
Houston kraft 2
About 6 years ago, I was on a plane next to a woman who was relentlessly energetic and fidgety. I was tired and wanted to take a nap. But before I could go into “ignore mode,” she tapped me on the shoulder to introduce herself.
“Hi, my name is Helga!”
We got to talking and eventually it came up that I had started an organization in high school called R.A.K.E. (Random Acts of Kindness, Etc.). As I described what we did, Helga got very serious and told me that she thought “there was nothing more important in the world than Kindness.” I was curious why she was so passionate and, as the plane took off, she dove into a story about the last time she had flown; it was 3 years past and she was en route to Arizona because she had gotten sudden news her Dad’s health was on the decline. Just as the plane was about to depart to Phoenix, her father’s physician called to inform her that her dad had rather suddenly passed away. For the 3 hour plane ride, she sat in stunned silence around strangers.
When she arrived to the airport in Arizona, she walked to the nearest wall, sat down, and cried.
And here is the part I’ll never forget about Helga’s story. For 2 hours she sat and wept while thousands walked to and fro in the airport. Helga looked at me and said,
“Houston, not a single person stopped and asked if I was okay that day. Not one person. It was that day that I realized how much we need each other. It was that day I realized that Kindness Isn’t Normal.”
Kindness isn't normal. That has stuck with me all these years - especially now that I work in schools nationwide speaking about compassion, kindness, empathy, and love. I’m reminded all the time that, for many of us (especially young people - but certainly not exclusively), Kindness is NOT usually our default setting. We spend so much time worrying about our problems, our lives, our comfort, our insecurities, getting to our flight - that we walk by or ignore people in need of Kindness every day. I’m oftentimes so worried about ME that I’m really bad at taking care of YOU.
So, I’ve made it my mission to do my part in making Kindness Normal. To share stories with students, teachers, and parents about our need for character and compassion. To provide young people with practical ways to exercise Kindness (they don’t always know what it looks like!). And, for me? I’m always on the lookout for Helga’s - for the little opportunities that surround me every day to practice making Kindness my default setting.
For more info about Houston's work in schools visit www.houstonkraft.com
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cristycurves
Guest
note two of these hero dogs are pits
bolt.upright
Reviewer
- Joined
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- Messages
- 1,732
cristycurves said:What a nice thread, and a needed break from all the negativity we are saturated with from the news media. Hopefully it'll remain at the top of the lobby
This time of year everyone is looking for donations, so if you have extra....
Shelters/pounds, all except volunteers to either play with the cats or to walk their dogs. They too are always in need of everything from paper towel, to food.
Most of us probably know an elderly person who could use a hand here and there, whether it be just companionship, a drive or for odd jobs.
No matter how small the task, or how little you have , we all can do something to make another person/s, or an animal more comfortable and happy
Thanks Larry for the thread.
I'll be giving a donation to my wild friends at https://www.torontowildlifecentre.com/ tomorrow since it is 'Giving Tuesday' and donations are being matched $ for $
DannyDevito
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- Nov 19, 2016
- Messages
- 1,760
Stop cutting the damn onions. Whoever that is.
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ERecTile
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Gee, and people wonder why dogs bite...
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cristycurves
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bolt.upright
Reviewer
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2014
- Messages
- 1,732
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Prick
Guest
cristycurves said:What a nice thread, and a needed break from all the negativity we are saturated with from the news media. Hopefully it'll remain at the top of the lobby
This time of year everyone is looking for donations, so if you have extra....
Shelters/pounds, all except volunteers to either play with the cats or to walk their dogs. They too are always in need of everything from paper towel, to food.
Most of us probably know an elderly person who could use a hand here and there, whether it be just companionship, a drive or for odd jobs.
No matter how small the task, or how little you have , we all can do something to make another person/s, or an animal more comfortable and happy
Thanks Larry for the thread.
Look Danny, Tits.
Knock yourself out.
I met a homeless man downtown. I sat with him and spoke with him. Wife Divorced him, lost his job. All because of his alcoholism. His liver was bad and he's stressed out. Second week of being homeless..
I took out $20 from my wallet and asked him, if I were give this to him, what would he would do. He stared at me with tears in his eyes. "I'd probably just drink and die"
I said "Failures are an opportunity to start over again, but with more knowledge this time." I gave him the $20 and left. At the time, I wasn't sure if kindness amounted to anything. Who knew being selfless could be so selfish.
That was 2 years ago, i met him again a few months ago and he gave me $40. On that day, he bought groceries that would last him a few days and found a job as a general labourer, and then got into carpentry.
I took out $20 from my wallet and asked him, if I were give this to him, what would he would do. He stared at me with tears in his eyes. "I'd probably just drink and die"
I said "Failures are an opportunity to start over again, but with more knowledge this time." I gave him the $20 and left. At the time, I wasn't sure if kindness amounted to anything. Who knew being selfless could be so selfish.
That was 2 years ago, i met him again a few months ago and he gave me $40. On that day, he bought groceries that would last him a few days and found a job as a general labourer, and then got into carpentry.
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cristycurves
Guest
In 1996, a black teenager protected a white man from an angry mob who thought he supported the racist Ku Klux Klan. It was an act of extraordinary courage and kindness - and is still inspiring people today.
The teenager who saved a man with an SS tattoo - BBC News
The teenager who saved a man with an SS tattoo - BBC News
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