Good Deeds

I have many friends of the cynical variety and I’m constantly fighting the good person battle.  I am not a conspiracy theorist, and I don’t believe people are out to get me. I’m also not a subscriber to the belief that people are inherently bad. Sure this world can be bad, sure some people are bad people but overall I believe in the goodness of spirit and people as a whole. Some feel that makes me naïve, others think I’m a fool.  I just think I’m a believer!

I was attending a conference most of this week and listened to a presentation were many great points were made about humanity and the way westerners meander through life.  The most impactful statement I heard was:

Most citizens regardless of the country don’t trust their government. This is a common occurrence internationally and domestically. But only the United States has a government that doesn’t trust its citizens. 

Now in the context of public health the point was being made that regular citizens (Toms, Dicks, Harrys, and Janes) are capable of responding in emergencies. We aren’t always victims; sometimes the bystander can be an active participant in helping solve a problem. This is true but something has stopped us as a whole from executing and it isn’t our government. Maybe we are untrustworthy but it wasn’t always that way! One argument is that society as a result of certain government infrastructures has us conditioned to be bystanders.  The argument I am making is capitalism and western socialization have us conditioned to fear the consequences of being a helping hand! I also think this country is short of common sense and common decency but that is for another blog!

We are a country that values the life of animals more than human beings.  A country that forms advocacy groups that don’t advocate, creates non-profit organizations to make profit, and swindles hard-working folks with gimmicks and schemes. I’m not sure when doing the right thing became a liability but apparently it is! The obvious is no longer obvious and the simple things have become increasingly complex. On average more people assume somebody else will handle a problem and avoid helping to evade being burdened. Well assumptions make an ass out of you and whoever you are trying to avoid helping.

Only in America can you try to save someone’s life and get sued!  Only in America is it customary to watch a person suffer because you are waiting on  first responders to tell you how to act. Only in America is it more profitable to be a bystander than to help a person overcome tragedy. Hiding in the shadows gets you a front row seat that comes with 15 minutes of fame. I-witness accounts get you book deals! You tube videos get you press coverage!

Then there is the fear that the person you are attempting to help is a sociopathic decoy trying to trap you so they can kill, steal, or make an example out of you! There is a lot to be fearful of in today’s world when trying to help others. But for all of the people out there looking to cash in, there are still many of us that genuinely care about the well-being of others. Some people really need your help, so just help them!

Today I am advocating for those who live above the new incredibly low standard for being a good neighbor. I thank those willing to offer a helping hand or a free meal. I applaud the kind-hearted and giving spirits in this world! Kudos to you and I am happy to be on your team! 

I want to give a special thank you to the random woman from Texas that offered me her sandwich today because she thought I was being unfairly treated!  Your kindness made me realize (a) I should be angry at my job for not springing for the meal tickets and (b) people can be kind to strangers without ulterior motives!

Do a good deed today and make a difference! Here are some things you may consider:

·         Apply pressure to a  wound

·         Buy somebody lunch

·         Cover your mouth when you cough

·         Don’t be a homewreacker

·         Don’t laugh when a person falls down…offer to help them up first

·         Don’t speed through the puddle in front of a bus stop

·         Donate to charity or your church

·         Give a dollar to a panhandler (it’s just a dollar and so what if he is using it to buy alcohol)

·         Give directions to a lost pedestrian or international visitor

·         Give somebody a compliment

·         Give up your Marta seat to a pregnant woman or an elderly person

·         Head-butt a terrorist (not a suspected terrorist but an actual one in the middle of high jacking something)

·         Hold open a door for the person behind you

·         If you see a suspicious package tell somebody

·         Leave money in the restaurant tip jar

·         Let somebody cut in front of you on I-85

·         Offer to help somebody change a tire

·         Pay the toll for the person behind you

·         Pray for someone

·         Respect crosswalks (pedestrians have the right of way)

·         Say excuse me when you bump into people

·         Tell your friend what you really think of her baby daddy (without attitude or an audience)

·         Throw out your leg to stop a mugger from running off with an old lady’s purse

·         Try to return a lost cell phone if you find it

·         Turn down the radio when your passenger gets on the phone

·         Use your turn signal before actually turning

This has been an LC public service announcement!!!! Remember to just do the right thing!