A Lesson in Sharing Kindness with Humility

--by elk312, posted Nov 29, 2009

I had made up my mind a long time ago that I would not give a homeless person money, because I could never be sure what that money would be used for. I did not want it to support any unhealthy habits. Instead, I decided, I would buy them a sandwich, a cold drink on a hot day, a cup of coffee, whatever I could manage.

I was out and about running errands recently and saw a homeless man, with his shopping cart full of his only possessions, asleep outside of a Starbucks. My parking meter was about to expire, so I dropped another few coins in and went into the Starbucks. I decided I would buy this man lunch. I purchased a sandwich and soda.

Just as I was leaving the store two policemen were approaching the man. Apparently the shop owners had complained of his vagrancy and the police were there to escort him away from the storefronts. Just as they were about to wake him, I asked one of the officers if it was alright if I just gave the man something before he went. I was not sure why I asked permission but the policeman said sure and so I just left the bag in the man's cart, got in my car and drove off.

As I was driving off I remember thinking, "I hope people saw that." Then I had to seriously ask myself why I hoped people had seen me give the man a sandwich from Starbucks. Was it because I wanted people to think, "She's such a nice person!"? Is that why we do nice things? So people will think we're so great? The thought of possibly being a showoff offended me somewhat. That's not why I did it. So why DID I do it? Why did I hope others had seen me do it? I continued to wonder this all evening.

The next morning it came to me. I wanted people to have witnessed that small act of kindness not so that I would receive credit and praise but so that they might be inspired to do the same and in so doing that others still would witness their acts of kindness. Thus the whole spirit of compassion and giving would be perpetuated.

I don't like to tell people a lot about me. I also don't like people to know of the things that I do because I somehow feel that it puts me in an unattractive light, that it makes me look like a showoff. We all know people who like to brag to anyone who'll listen about how wonderful they are and I would not want to be considered one of those types. But I do think that people could stand to be more generous and compassionate and it occurred to me that if I don't share with them what it is that I do and believe in then they might not know to do the same. So, my lesson was to share but to do so always with humility and most importantly, to lead by example.

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Posted by elk312
Nov 29, 2009
Comments (20)

Readers Comments

Sarah wrote: This is great your work of compassion and kindness will never go on rewarded just keep doing what you know is the best for people, if the world have more of people like you our world would be a better place. Thanks for all you do for humanity and god bless you.

companion wrote: Your kindness and humility is outstanding. I am taking lessons from peope like you. ":)

Spoonerism wrote: I think we can all understand your feelings of doubt. The monkey mind often makes us question ourselves, always looking to turn something beautiful and kind into something self serving or ugly. But although we occasionally catch ourselves hoping to be seen when we do a kind act, you have put your finger on the best reason we do this. To set a good example to others and hope your kind act ripples outwards and multiplies. Thanks for sharing!

CW wrote: You are not a show off, just a kind soul which this world would be a worse place without. Do not be afraid to show compassion or to bring hope where there is only despair, the angels will bless you and will work with and through you.

Jim wrote: Don't even for one minute think that it was done for self gratification. That is one of the tools satan uses to make us doubt our true purpose here. We were made to love one another. What you did (seen by others or not) was seen by god and is a true act of compassion and should be the norm. It is a sad world we live in where it is easier to extend a hand in anger than it is in humble service.

Just remember we are always performing for an audience of one.

God bless and thank you for sharing

Taga wrote: Thanks for the sharing. I guess we are in the same boat. I'd also would want to give people in the streets food rather than money. But sometimes i also have this feeling of guilt like when what i give them is something out of my surplus from a restaurant or a food chain. I even had a funny experience when one night i decided to buy bread for the street children. Only to find out i will not be seeing any of them in the streets that night. Haha. I ended up bringing the bread home. I also love it when unconsciously i've already emanated kindness with humility to persons around. It gives a peculiar kind of lift in my soul.

Anne wrote: I have never regretted giving to someone in need,,,,my lasting regret is not giving to a woman who was begging,,,,
I have always been helped. And feel that i am just passing it on. In minor repayments. I don't think i can ever give as much as i've beeb given.

Uhave2laff wrote: Someone always sees and acts always serve as models for behavior. Yours was a beautiful thing.

pam wrote: At some point of time many of us think exactly what you thought. I have an extension to your idea of promoting others to help would to request the recipient to help 2-3 people and ask them to help 2-3 people. This would work like a magic.

JeanieMarie wrote: Your story was so helpful, being willing to tell us about your feelings. And also all the comments were so helpful, reminding all of us that what we do & share, is meant to encourage us, & to continue to reach out to others. Thanks to everyone!

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