How I paid it forward.

[goldcanyonaz]

So, I read a lot of this pay it forward shit online, but mostly from those in the drive thru of Starbucks paying it forward to those in line behind them How this is paying it forward, I have no idea. But onto my pay it forward story.... I go to McDonald's every morning for coffee, cuz their coffee fucking rocks! A homeless couple always comes by at the same time as I do who pushes a shopping cart all day long with their belongings in tow. I gave them a $50 gift card to the McDonald's that I always see them at. I must say that I am feeling pretty fucking good about myself today. am I rich? not really, but compared to them I might as well live in a castle. Sorry for the HUGE paragraph, but my return key does not work on this lappy.

[lonestarnot]

1. Nice, but

why are you wearing it on your sleeve? Can't you give without tooting a horn?

[IndyOp]

2. Compassion - It's the new radicalism. Peace. (n/t)

[goldcanyonaz]

4. Horn? No, trying to share with others so they will also give onto those less fortunate.

This is not a honk my horn thread, if it were I would have said I donated much more

[lonestarnot]

51. I see that you did this giving out of 'Godliness' and that

you are Jewish so you may not have read this as it is in Mathew, not part of the old Testament Mathew 6:4 "so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

[Krakowiak]

55. perhaps you should respect her faith a bit more

The OP did a good thing, and wished to share it with us here in the community. Scolding her and encouraging her to read from something that is not one of her holy books comes across to me as extremely rude.

[lonestarnot]

60. Just sharing, not breaking arms. Rude maybe.

[Kittycat]

Maybe to encourage some others to dig in for someone else, and pass it on.

[ljm2002]

12. I'm glad he shared...

...always nice to have new ideas about things one can do.

I thought it was a very nice idea, and I'm sure the couple was thrilled.

[TahitiNut]

13. "Virtue is its own reward."

You understand. You really do. :hug:

I suppose the anonymity of DU offers some cover ... but it isn't enough for me. I'll express my BELIEFS (and basis for them) and those formative experiences that offer background ... but I'm RARELY inclined to speak of my volunteer activities or 'mitzvahs.' Maybe it's selfish of me ... but I get a kind of joy in TREASURING them all for myself.

For me, at least, I'd feel those 'treasures' were sullied if I sought an "attaboy" or pat on the back. I like keeping 'em shiny and like new.

[goldcanyonaz]

15. I spoke of my Mitzvah so others can see it is alright to give to those on the street

[TahitiNut]

18. Well ...

(1) do others really need your permission?
(2) is it a competition? (Are you "winning"?)
(3) do the ends justify the means?
(4) can't you be an advocate of such things without the "Look, Ma! No Hands!"

Just sayin'. :shrug:

FWIW ... THESE are the reflections *I* ask myself in considering whether to speak of my mitzvah ... since I'm just NOT as confident as maybe I SHOULD be that my act is strictly motivated by good-will instead of wanting some 'reward' other than self-esteem (integrity).

I'm NOT expecting or wanting an answer. That's NOT my place.

[goldcanyonaz]

19. If my mentioning my contribution gets another to contribute then in the eyes of G-D I have done

my work. It is friday too, which in Judaism reminds us to do a Mitzvah. My gift card and this thread will be looked upon kindly by G-D

[Th1onein]

47. Awww Shut up!

It feels good to talk about this kind of stuff when you do it. Sorry, but it does. AND, it also encourages other people to do likewise. It's called setting an example.

[undeterred]

3. Thanks, goldcanyonaz!

That was good of you. :toast:

[goldcanyonaz]

6. I posted this only to show others that donations to individuals is so much more

important than donating to corporations.

[Th1onein]

48. YOU DON'T NEED TO DEFEND YOURSELF TO THE JERKOFF!

The fact is that it FEELS GOOD to do something for others. We find it a-okay to brag about a promotion at work, or some other accomplishment, but it's not okay to talk about giving something to those less fortunate? Bullshit. It's okay to talk about it; moreover it is a very good thing to do because it sets an example for others and increases the chance that the behavior will be repeated.

Good on you, Golcanyonaz!

[IndyOp]

5. I love that you did what you did and the homeless couple will never know...

who did it. The marvelous bit about that is that they'll just believe that the world is a little better place than they had thought it was and that spirit of gratitude will work through them to positive impact others.

From me to you: Thank you!

:hi:

[Warpy]

7. Don't listen to the naysayers, you did a good thing

and are feeling the little serotonin boost that non psychopaths all get when they do something nice for somebody else.

[goldcanyonaz]

11. Felt better than my daily paxil fix.

[fasttense]

8. I like to hear about a good dead being done.

It makes me feel the world isn't one big crappy hole in the universe. Thanks for paying it forward for some people who really needed it.

[goldcanyonaz]

26. That was the point. Never could get the pay if forward at Starbucks crap.

people in the drive thru of star bucks do not need it, for they still have a fucking car.

[Mz Pip]

9. Good for you.

THis planet would be a far better place if more people took a few moments to extend a small kindness to someone less fortunate.

[goldcanyonaz]

10. I know it is only McDonalds, but I wanted them to have full bellys.

[NanceGreggs]

14. Very thoughtful gesture! n/t

[goldcanyonaz]

16. Not really Nance, I could be them easily and wanted to give while I still can

[driver8]

17. Right on!

I don't think it's tooting your own horn...

I hope your story inspires someone else!!

Way to go!

:toast:

[Catherine Vincent]

20. That's very compassionate of you

And that would make me feel great too!

[hermetic]

21. Cindy!

How thoughtful of you. 50$ worth of McDonald's food. Yum. Yup, pay it forward, gurl.

[goldcanyonaz]

23. And, you are a donater to whom? Why such an ass?

[hermetic]

28. Donator to:

Doctors Without Borders, World Wildlife Foundation, local animal shelter, local food bank, foster child in Darfur, Habitat for Humanity, public television and radio, something every month. So I take a bit of issue with your statement that people shouldn't give to nonprofits.

[goldcanyonaz]

29. How bout this site for starters? ermm, yeah.

[shireen]

22. it's the small gestures that count the most ...

Most of us don't make much but the occasional $50 is manageable. What goldcanyon did was awesome. Multiply efforts like that thousand-fold, ten-thousand-fold, by millions, and we start making a real positive change in the lives of others who need a hand.

There's a word for that: COMMUNITY.

Modern society has become, for the most part, disconnected from the notion of community; we don't notice each other anymore, we don't support each other. Selfishness, lack of empathy and compassion have become so ingrained that it's "normal". It's so Republican.

Goldcanyon, :yourock:

[goldcanyonaz]

24. Thanks I felt better doing this than going to the spa for the day.

[lpbk2713]

25. Thanks for posting this.

No telling how many freeper types' patties you put in a wade with your gesture of kindness.

That alone would have been enough to make it all worth while.

K&R

[goldcanyonaz]

27. Freepers gots big money, right? They might read this and give.

[Blue Diadem]

30. Thank you for doing that for them and thanks for sharing

it with us. It lifts my spirits to hear something like this..I only wish I could do something like what you did. Maybe someday...

[goldcanyonaz]

32. Wow, you are a good soul.. Just your being kind brightens up others day, and that is enough.

[Breeze54]

31. That was a very kind and generous thing to do!

:yourock:

:kick: & Recommended

[canetoad]

33. Don't know about this 'pay it forward' bs

In my books you did a kind thing for someone less fortunate than yourself and good on you.

Why can't we just call kindness what it is?

[goldcanyonaz]

34. kick! gIVE to the homeless

[onethatcares]

35. good for ya, next time

just do it and keep your mouth shut. It's between you and you what you do out of the goodness of your heart. Peace

[goldcanyonaz]

37. WOW! so I am a MFer for sharing this? so now Im a bum.

[annabanana]

38. Don't let'em discourage you. You did good.. . . .n/t

[goldcanyonaz]

40. thanks! lOVE YA!

[Th1onein]

50. It's amazing, isn't it?

You know, I have a friend who makes as much money as I do and who NEVER used to give to anyone less fortunate. Not because he was selfish, but because he never thought about it. These past few years, as I've made more and more money, he's seen me reach out to people around me, and give to them--the more money I make, the more I change the world for the better--and now guess what? HE'S doing it, too!

It's VERY IMPORTANT to talk about it when we give to others. It's almost as important as the act, itself. So, Goldcanyonaz, keep talking about what you did. Don't let the naysayers shut you up.

[Krakowiak]

56. good post (nt)

I agree. It's a good reminder to all of us.

[shireen]

53. thank you for sharing.

you're encouraging and inspiring others.
:hug:

[onethatcares]

57. I'm sorry that you took my reply that way.

I just think it's better to have the good things done a secret tween myself and the person on the other end. I hope you are blessed with karma/darma or whatever.Peace.

[usrbs]

36. Good for you!

That's a real mitzva. Kol Hakavod.

[rock]

39. Very nice non-political story

thanks, I enjoyed it.

[crispini]

41. Thanks.

:kick: You rock.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

42. Wish I would have thought of that!!!! *cool* ;)

Before I moved to "rural" America, I lived in a city where homeless hung out at grocery stores. I'd buy a bag of canned goods along with a can opener to give. Rather than expect them to thank me,...I'd say, "Thank you" for accepting the better part of me."

Never ever EVER let ANY person tell you 'giving' is BAD. :mad:

Always alway ALWAYS allow someone like me praise you for your generosity! :toast:

[truth2power]

43. Good on ya', goldcanyonaz. Thanks for sharing that...

Ignore the naysayers. Some people will carp about anything. :eyes:

[laylah]

44. YOU

ROCK! :hug:

[Pastiche423]

45. Thank you for sharing

w/the homeless couple and w/us.

Shalom aleichem

[goldcanyonaz]

49. SHALOM!!

[Dorian Gray]

46. Awww! That was sweet!

And hopefully they found it helpful! (I'm sure that they did!)

[Mezzo]

52. That's a great story

and I am so glad to start my morning off with it.

Thank you! :hi:

[applegrove]

54. Nice of you. And you are right - you get as much out of giving as they do.

[Libby2]

58. Very nice!! n/t

[Ilsa]

59. You did a good thing. You helped someone in a small corner

of your world. You made them feel like the worthwhile people they are.