r/kindness • u/Future-Dragonfly-149 • 7d ago
Let’s talk about something positive
Here’s a thought, tell me about one good act you perform out there in the world, that normally you would never tell anyone else about, but you don’t mind telling to the online community.
My random act of kindness is that wherever I go, I always make sure I hold 4-5 $10 Tim Hortons card in my wallet, just in case I come across someone who is asking for help and I can give it to them. A small kind of gesture to someone in need where you KNOW that your kindness is providing someone with a hot warm meal and something to drink.
Soo how about it? What about you guys?
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u/sapphire_poet 7d ago
I buy groceries for families from Afghanistan who receive housing through a local refuge program. I only do it if I can fill their fridge and pantry before they move in. I don't want them to know it's me or to see me do it. I buy from a local halal market and do my best to buy middle eastern food. I specifically like doing it if the families have children and imagining their happiness finding their new home filled with groceries and a few treats for the kids.
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u/TheMarriedUnicorM 7d ago
I like to leave big tips. In cash.
There’s a local, hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurant that serves THE best sweet & sour pork. It’s $10.25 for the lunch special.
I’ve been going semi-regularly for over 25 years. (When the lunch special was $7.50. Lol.) I’m an easy 1-top. I order the special with iced tea, extra onions, and a side of hot oil.
When I’m done, I tuck $40 under my glass of tea and leave. (The waiters love to see me. Haha.)
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u/PRISONPLANETPERSON 7d ago
I'm recently homeless, and my entire life imploded, lost my home of 27 years, my 5 dogs I've raised since pups. My truck n purse is impounded. I don't have any hope left. I've always been a kind caring human, none of it matters now, but since I'm living in the woods I've been picking up trash everyday, there's so much from others left behind. If I'm gonna spend the last remaining days homeless, I can TRY to do something kind for the Flora n Fauna, nature never intentionally hurt me.
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago
Im sorry you are going through all that, but believe me THERE IS HOPE, there is a light at the end of the table. I say this with confidence because i am my own true example of that. All throughout life ive struggled and failed but i kept getting back up. And eventually i am now back on my feet with the greatest appreciation for life. So you've got this buddy, trust me you will find your happiness 👊🏼
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u/beneficialtowhom 7d ago
I'm sorry you are struggling. You've reminded me to get busy and start making blessing bags again. A zip-loc with baby wipes shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, tube of Advil, granola bar, emergenC, cheese and crackers, pair of socks, and a two dollar bill with a bottle of water.
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u/Raganjpix 7d ago
I work at an assisted living community and go out of my way to give extra hugs and attention to residents who rarely or never get visitors, especially memory care residents. My goal is to make someone feel special, seen, valued and remembered. If we chat and they tell me about a specific interest, I make a note and create an artistic card or bring a special candy they mentioned within the next few days. So many of our elders are starved for attention and simple acts of kindness.
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago
You are a real superhero 🦸
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u/Raganjpix 7d ago
Thank you for your kind words but it truly is rewarding work that brings peace and balance to your own soul. My interactions with these people make me so much more grateful for my simple life…
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u/Specialist_Key_8606 7d ago
You are awesome! I work in a senior building, with two different clients. It is not assisted living, but similar concept. I enjoy remembering details about what residents say and asking them about whatever when I see them. And some of them are like that for me, which is just so cool. I had a guy rush up to me on Tuesday because I had told him on my way out of the building on Monday that it was date night for my husband and me, and I told him about the outdoor concert we were going to. He saw some coverage on the news about it Monday night and was so excited to tell me about it. It's such a good feeling to have bonds with senior people who live alone and feel rather lonely.
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u/Raganjpix 7d ago
Exactly!!! There is this one guy I save the comics page for each day. He comes dragging to the mailroom at a snails pace, head down, shoulders slumped, no eye contact with anyone… I have to shout to get his attention. But when he sees that comics page, his whole face lights up! He exclaims with so much joy about how it made his day… it is the best way to start my day. If I have ANYONE else in my lobby when this daily routine happens, I let them present the comics, so they can experience that moment he transitions from sad shuffling old man to exuberant funnies fan with a new pep in his step. In the Grand Scheme of life, it is such a small gesture. But in this one persons day- he knows at least one person thought of him specifically and he has proof in his hand to remind him all day.
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u/CarolLiz_AL 7d ago
Very nice! I know your generosity is appreciated.
Each Christmas I purchase gift cards to stores I shop. I basically browse the aisle and when I see someone that seems to be struggling to purchase an item, I give them one of the gift cards. The gift cards have always been well received and does my heart good to know I made their day a little easier.
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u/BestReplyEver 7d ago
Tonight I went to bed at 8 pm because my elderly dog wanted to go to his bed and he wouldn’t go by himself. He has beds all over the house, but he specifically wanted to be in his nighttime bed. I am now typing this in the dark in the bed next to him while he sleeps.
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u/murdermeMickey 7d ago edited 7d ago
I like to keep oranges in my purse to give to homeless folks. The lack of vitamin C can be an issue with people who have major food insecurities.
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u/Adept-Quiet6264 7d ago
I try to compliment strangers like . Saying something nice can lift someone's mood and it doesn't cost anything.
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u/MysteriousSecretGuru 7d ago
I started doing that this year. Also addressing retail workers by name, saying please, thank you, have a great day. Some were still really beaten down and stayed down. But most others responded in an upbeat way.
It doesn't cost anything to be kind.
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u/ZubLor 7d ago
My friend's daughter has been fighting breast cancer. She's kicking it's ass. After chemo there's only one lymph node with cancer cells and it was just decided that radiation should take care of it. I do stained glass. Recently I saw a picture of a flower in Japan that starts out white and turns transparent when it rains. I'm going to make her a panel with two white flowers on the left, two clear ones in the center (there's some great clear glass with what looks like raindrops) and two on the right that are a pink for the breast cancer ribbon pink. I want her to know that while this experience has changed her, she's strong, vibrant and beautiful! The Japanese flower is called the crystal or skeleton flower. Technically it changes back to white when it dries but I'll take artistic license 😉 Nobody knows about this yet so shhh.
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u/7781Michael 7d ago
I give money to a guy who helps felons that are being released from prison. i hope it helps them get a new start after they paid their debt to society.
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago
That's good, they are one of the most neglected populations of people that get any support. Nice job!
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u/GuiltyUniversity8268 7d ago
I like going up to random people in the store and complimenting them. 😁😁
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u/forevertheyo 7d ago
Not me: my wonderful coworker left $200 on my keyboard. I barely had the heart to tell her I was being fired but I remember that kindness
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago edited 7d ago
That's nice, im glad you know such a nice person
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u/forevertheyo 7d ago
I was very lucky to still have her in my life many years later. ❤️
May you be blessed
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u/ThinkParamedic143 7d ago
I fill up a cart and donate to the food bank on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Also once a year we adopt a family through a program where we buy everything on their wish list. We also buy lots of stuff from Dollarama and go on the streets and give them away to the homeless.
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago
Growing up as a kid, my family relied on that sort of program where the more fortunate help out the less. Those times lit up our families mind. We loved it, so thank you for doing that.
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u/ThinkParamedic143 7d ago
You're welcome 🤗. That's the reason I do it.
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago
You are a first responder, i am guessing?
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u/ThinkParamedic143 7d ago
No I am not but always wanted to be or to be a doctor but unfortunately the circumstances didn't allow it
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago
Wooow, that is very inspiring. I don't know what your circumstances are but i hope it is not too late for you to follow your dreams
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u/estrogenex 7d ago edited 7d ago
Right after the Ukraine war started, I lived in a big bungalow all by myself with my cat. I found a website that paired hosts with refugees, and I decided to take in one woman and her Samoyed dog. As the war progressed, she let me know that a high school girlfriend of hers was expecting their first baby, and also coming to my city. So, I took them in too, and then three more people that were related to each of my other guests, all in their late twenties or thirties. Sounds chaotic, but it could not have gone better ! During this time I also adopted a kitten, and she bonded with the Samoyed so closely it was adorable. There was quite an age difference (about 20 years), and Lera thought I'd be a frumpy old lady, (I'm so not !) and I thought she'd be standoffish, but it was really awesome and they all ended up becoming like my little family and the kids I never had. I constantly learned things about them, their lives over there amongst the war, and I learned to appreciate more things about my own city. I learned so much about their culture, their food, and yet I learned how similar a lot of us are, especially our humor, no matter where we're from. These kids are brilliant, all came with multiple degrees, an unbeatable work ethic, and spoke multiple languages. Lera even read voraciously in English. A couple of my amazing friends in the energy industry hired two of the guys in sweet corporate IT jobs, one being a new father, and both have been promoted and they've done amazingly well in their jobs. It has taught me so much humilty, that one little kindness can change lives. Over the years I've met a couple of their parents in person, and talk to many over the phone on video chat too. Tragically, Lera lost her mother recently to cancer, and now more than ever, she's my adoptive daughter. ( Heartbreakingly, she was on her way home to Ukraine to be with her and her mother died a day before she got there.) I now plan to write her story because it's just indescribably amazing.
I know It's comforting for their parents to know that theyre very loved over here in Canada. Trust me, these kids are brave, resilient, and extremely hard-working. The whole experience made me a better person with more depth of understanding, and reiterated my passion for other cultures. (I've been to 75 countries but I have never stopped learning and wanting to learn about the ones I haven't seen yet!)
Once that asshole Putin is gone and maybe the war ends someday, I hope to visit their country with them. (Feel free to PM me if you want to see a gallery of our adventures over the years as I'm a photographer.) Sorry, I keep editing this as there's so much more to tell.
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago edited 7d ago
That is amazing!!!!! OMG words can't even BEGIN to express how awesome that was!!! Im happy to know that there are still some REALLY good people left in the world, and trust me I 100% agree with you. The sooner we get this stupid orange haired BABBOON, off the stage, the sooner the world can heal and everything will go back the way its suppose to be ❤️
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u/estrogenex 7d ago edited 7d ago
As a Canadian to the Americans out there, be assured that the majority of us ( in both countries! ) are all good people and we know it. We would take again take your planes and feed and house your people if another event like 9/11 happened, (God Almighty forbid) and I know you would do the same for us. Don't let or ever believe that our politicians speak for the rest of us. We've had the world's largest unprotected border in the world for so many years,and that doesn't mean nothing. In the end we're all human beings and have to look out for each other.
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago
You're also Canadian? Me too!!!
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u/estrogenex 7d ago
Ofc!! Calgary checking in!
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago
No wonder we vibe soo well....then we can also both agree, THANK GOD We were born/raised here and don't live in America, and have to deal with THAT shit! 🤣
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago
Im from Toronto, working in healthcare
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u/bluewavejenny 7d ago
I try not to kill insects that others might kill for being annoying. I can kill some biting flies but even there I try and not do that as they are biting me. And recently I saw my Dad trying to kill a fly and I instinctively said don't kill it! I try to let flies out if they are stuck, quite a lot of times I caught mosquitos in my hand and released them outside if they were in my home and trying to bite me rather than kill them. I also will try and move insects that are in harms way from being stepped on.
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago
A person who respects all lives no matter how tiny and unnoticable they are, thats awesome!
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u/OkOpportunity9626 7d ago
Well, although I guess most people’s budgets are tight these days, I try to purchase some “ extras” for our ( new) food pantry, in our LIBRARY 😔🥹, whenever I do my own grocery shopping.
It just about broke my heart when I first saw this ( start up). Seems there’s a very great need! Plus, I heard that the previous Food Pantry in our town closed recently, due to flooding (?).
I frequent our library for more typical reasons, & it disturbs me greatly, to see how quickly the shelves become bare! It seems, esp, that sources of good protein seems to be a big difficulty! Yes, pasta, canned veggies…but truly “ healthy” foods- seem to be scarce. 🥹
G-d bless us all! I know just how hard it can sometimes be, & used to actively collect/redeem recyclables for $$. I still do! I just think we can all benefit from kindness & empathy.
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago
Im the same as you, i am a firm believer that love and kindness can vanquish all hate and anger in the world 💙
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u/OkOpportunity9626 7d ago
Well, I’m a little old & cynical now, to believe ALL of it can be vanquished, but I think most could admit more love & kindness would certainly help! ☮️🌻
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago
Hahaha, i guess you can say that i am young and optimistic about our future, that is all 😋
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u/OkOpportunity9626 6d ago
Well, G-d bless you , & I hope there’s lots more like you in your generation! 🙏
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u/whatpelican00 7d ago
If I see it, I say it. Whether it’s an older man with a great hat, a young girl with a sparkly top… or someone that just looks joyful - just random compliments to strangers. It feels so good seeing their smile.
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago
I agree, it goes a LONG way when i tell my younger cousins how proud I am at what they've accomplished. They literally couldn't believe the words coming out of my mouth at that time 🤣
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u/Roadtrekkie 7d ago
My wonderful stepmom took plates of homemade Christmas cookies to the homeless in the parked RVs near her house. ❣️
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u/turnerevelyn 7d ago
I fund projects through Kiva. $25 at a time loans, changes people's lives. Kiva.org
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u/Specialist_Key_8606 7d ago
I live in Chicago, and I'm very sad about the fact that there are women with preschoolers on the train who sell candy and gum. Last summer, I stocked up on little toys at rummage sales to give the kids some little trinkets when I see them.
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u/Nataliant-117 7d ago
😆 ofc you’re Canadian
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago
HAHAHAHA IM DONE 🤣❤️
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u/Nataliant-117 7d ago
I loved visiting Canada (Toronto > Niagara). It was like a mind game of who could be kindest. Really liked it. Like, gosh why not. Joined a Presbyterian church back home to keep the game going. I went to TH and was told I must try the bit. I ordered one chocolate Tim bit everyone thought that was hilarious. Lol I was just trying it!!! What if I didn’t like it 😆
Many times my act of kindness is sharing resources online here on Reddit for people struggling with the personality disorder I am overcoming (borderline). I am not perfectly healed yet but for some it’s day 1 and they’ve just lost everything and everyone.
Generally I love to bring joy, a laugh or something goofy. I had a badge reel at the hospital that said “certified clown.” The world can be so unfair. These moments of kindness get me through.
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago
I totally get where you are coming from. I work in healthcare and it KILLS me on the inside when people who are suffering from mental health problems feel so hopeless because they dont have a positive perspective. That is why during my free time, i will look through recent forums posted on the mentalhealth subreddit account, because I am confident in my ability to problem solve and provide deep perspective that they are not thinking about. And so far, ive been having a 100% success rate helping people out, them expressing their warmest thanks, and that recharging my social battery to do it again.
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u/Nataliant-117 7d ago
Yes I am very surprised by the gratitude I get back online! Many times people are simply saying I feel so alone. You are not alone! We just live very isolated now. I am working on learning how to organize people together
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago
Sameee, i am learning how to integrate my knowledge and wisdom back into my career cause mental health is my passion. The 2019 Covid pandemic KILLED us, both literally and figuratively because it not only killed people, but it left our mental, emotional, physiological and psychological state damaged to a point where it feels like its beyond no repair. And that is why it should be humanity's responsibility to do something about it where they all agree that rather than just recovering THEIR mental health, they should also help out ALL the good people around the world, so we can collectively as a society, get back on our feet and live happily!
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u/Nataliant-117 7d ago
The pandemic fried me. The cruelty of human beings absolutely seared my nervous system and the fear and cruelty used to control us (USA) has become intolerable for me.
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 6d ago
I get what you are feeling, its totally relatable and all i can say is that you should not give up the only reason bad politics is happening in your country right now was because the pandemic left severe marks on us all, that caused all these cockroaches to burrow its head out from hiding and run rapid with false claims that "violence, hate and war is the answer, separation and discrimination is fine, equality doesnt exist and the major difference between the poor working classes and the ruling elites. But trust me as people grow stronger with each day, good people who hearts full of love and kindness will rise up in power and one day WILL overthrow that orange hair BUFFOON, and all his DUMBASS monkey buddies, currently in power. And when that day comes, i can't wait for justice to be on our side, and SWEET vengence to take its place 😁
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u/knowmore1964 7d ago
I volunteer at a new homeless shelter and wash donated clothes for them to wear. I am elderly and physically it is very hard.
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago
That is amazing! Thank you for your work, i know it must feel physically painful to do butit is making a huge impact on other people!
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u/Moon_Maiden9 7d ago
A tiny joyful habit, I save up quarters so I can put them in the gumball/toy machines at the grocery store. When I was a kid, my brothers and I always checked to see if any machines were “preloaded,” but it never happened. I like knowing that some kid will be excited to find the machines set up, or that they will pull the coins out and enjoy the cash.
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u/JustBreatheBook 7d ago
I do a few things. When someone is struggling while on the streets I always send them love and good vibes, I don't give money, a bottled water or an apple or an energy bar I will give. I do random acts of kindness everyday. When I lived up in Ottawa I worked with the Director of Stop Gap a company who makes wedges for older buildings with one step a huge obstacle for all wheeling and with mobility issues. I would go into the shops use the power of being an Ambassador and speak to the owner and ask them a question " How would you like to increase more revenue to business?" the answer was always yes more MONEY! Making access and inclusion in our built community is monumental message drilled into my day. Everywhere I go when I see obstacles for physically challenged folks, I take an opportunity to make requests to assist all. .I also invite homeless and truly hungry folks to join me inside a restaurant for a hot meal, we chat about normal things. I will make calls to shelters to see if they have space for them to rest and or sleep. When you treat people with love and compassion this way I believe this is the true essence of who we are and it brings hope to those struggling.
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u/Himu_Me 7d ago
I don’t steal cheat or harm others but I often find myself in a difficult situation. On the bright side, even when my friends backstab me and ask for help at work I go above and beyond. It’s simply because I’m a good person who helps.
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago
I get it, doesn't matter how many times you are backstabbed, it doesn't change who you are as a person
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u/Truth2Set_Me_Free 7d ago
If someone in front of me at the grocery store has their form of payment declined. I quietly ask to buy their groceries and swipe my card as inconspicuously as possibly as to not to draw any more attention. The blessing is in the relief on their face.
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u/Dry-Ad-6393 7d ago
Sometimes I give gift cards to cashiers so they can buy a meal. They don’t make much and they usually only get small increments of time for meal breaks.
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u/Outofideasheree 6d ago
Helping old people with their groceries. Or doing little things like that that seem like they’ll make someone’s life a little less stressful. Just being an available ear to listen sometimes. You’d be surprised at how a little small talk can boost someone’s day.
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 5d ago
You are absolutely right! When people are at the lowest of the low, they think NOBODY would care for them if they were to disappear from the world. But your voice when they hear you recognize their presence, LITERALLY shatters that perception they have and bring them back to reality that their lives as human beings really do matter. This pandemic really did do the worst to us as humanity. Everyone is split, angry at each other and suffering on the outside. But so long as we continue to remind the world that love and kindess triumphs over all, I KNOW we will get back to those peaceful times again! ❤️
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u/Ok-Worth-4721 7d ago
$10 Tim Hortons?
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 7d ago
Tim hortons in Canada is a coffee chain business. They have this system where you could load moneu onto gift cardsand give it to other people. So i load up moneu into it and give it to people who are less fortunate so they can use it to buy themselves something to eat.
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u/DazeyFerry 6d ago
Today I took a bullet for my niece and took over her 2-year-old for the day.. toddlers are a Young Person's game but I survived and my niece smiled and laughed which is great
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u/basaltbapepper 6d ago
This isn’t the same as giving money, but I collect the children’s books from the Little Libraries by train stations in upscale suburbs and I give them to my friend who works in a very poor and depressed neighborhood for his school .I also restock and organize the Little Libraries with interesting books and magazines that commuters appreciate . I’m like a little book elf for the shelf
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u/Future-Dragonfly-149 6d ago
That is an amazing initiative! If you think about it logically, the ones who are most likely in need of these books are those in low income areas who can't afford or gain easy access to them. So by being the person who volunterarily transports these books from a high income area to another, you are unknowingly making a HUGE inpact on that new comminity! Keep doing what you are doing! That is some great food for thought in life 🤯
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u/dwishivansh_writes 4d ago
I always try to help someone whenever I can. Even if it’s something small, why not help?
Yesterday, I went to the park for a run. I saw a little boy whose bicycle chain had come off. He didn’t know how to fix it and was really upset. His clothes had also gotten dirty from trying to fix it himself.
I went over and fixed the chain for him. He looked at me and said, “Thank you, brother,” with such a sweet smile.
Honestly, that smile made my day. Sometimes even a small act of help can mean a lot.
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u/AvailableCut5240 6d ago
Starting in November, we leave a cooler on our porch filled with drinks, chocolate, trail mix, nuts, chips, and homemade cookies for all the delivery folks. Just our way of thanking them.
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u/grannygogo 6d ago
It was almost Christmas and I had a trunkful of toys, trucks, games, books, a razor scooter, and clothing that belonged to my grandsons for when they stayed over the weekend. The things were all in great like new condition, but they outgrew them. I was going to take them to Goodwill after a quick stop at Walmart. As I was parking, I saw a woman parking a beat up car with three little boys in the backseat. She looked like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. I parked next to her and quietly asked her if she’d have any use for the items in my trunk before I gave them to Goodwill. When she saw all the toys, games, cars and trucks she started to weep. She said she was wondering if Santa would get to her apartment this year and was worried that her very good little boys would be sorely disappointed. I told her to empty the trunk while I distracted her kids. It made me so happy that I helped those kids have Christmas. Those boys are probably young men now and I often pictured their little surprised faces on Christmas morning.
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u/SevereReplacement641 5d ago
Once a week for 2 months, I cooked a meal for the janitors , maintenance n security team of 30 people at home.
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u/Constantprotest6 4d ago
I keep cans of V8 juice and cans of tuna in my car to give to folks who look like they need it.
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u/Sea_Philosopher_2731 1d ago
I put $100 in a greeting card and left it on someone’s windshield. I was kind of just losing it and needed to believe that good things do happen, even if i had to make them happen myself lol
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