Have you ever been rewarded for your kindness?

Philippines
April 26, 2011 4:15am CST
"Kindness is a language that the blind can see and the deaf can hear," this is a quote I got from a notebook I bought a long time ago. Anyway, aside from sharing that quote with you I would like to share a story that happened yesterday. As I was going to SM Marikina yesterday, I rode a tricycle from my auntie's place to the town proper where you can ride the jeepneys to the mall. I had to walk quite a distance before I could ride a tricycle. When I was finally able to do so, the driver asked me if I still wanted to find someone to share the ride with, so that we would share the fare. I told him "okay po" and then after that, off we went. Before we got to the outside, the driver asked me if it was okay if he bought his food first. NOt being in a hurry, I told him "sure, why not?" and so he did. After a little while, we started going again and around halfway the distance, we already found two ladies with a child. Since I was riding on the inside and the ladies had a child I told the driver to let me ride on the driver's seat so that the three could fit inside. While we were on our way, he thanked me for what I did. When we reached our destination, I looked at my wallet and found that I had no change to pay for the fare. When I told this to the driver, he told me a simple thank you would be okay for the fare. He said, "It's okay if you don't pay for the fare anymore, you've been kind". :) I was kind of a bit embarrassed so I gave him the five and one peso coin that were the only change in my wallet. It wasn't enough but I felt that it wasn't right to not pay him. I'm just sharing this because the experience felt good. I was rewarded for being nice even though I didn't ask for it. So guys, be nice! Don't do it for the reward though. :) Keep me posted on your thoughts.
3 people like this
11 responses
@gerald_lian (2188)
• Australia
26 Apr 11
For me, there has been numerous occasions where I have been rewarded for my kindness. For instance, just a day or two ago, one of the customers of the shop I work in accidentally left his wallet on the counter after making a purchase. I only noticed the wallet sitting on the counter after the customer disappeared from the shop. So what I did was I looked up the customer's phone number from the local phone directory, gave the customer a call and told him about the wallet that he inadvertently left at the shop. He came back to the shop to collect the wallet and he thanked me profusely. I have got no tangible rewards to show for the deed, but the gratitude and trust from the customer far exceeds any material rewards in my opinion. On the other hand, there has been examples of situations where I was kind but was repaid with abusive words and even threatened physically. One such incident happened just a few days back too, but I won't elaborate on it because I think it will just spoil the "happy" mood of this discussion......
• Australia
27 Apr 11
I'll definitely still be kind to people because that's just my personality. It's just with that particular situation I was referring to, I tried to be kind by offering what I could, but the other party demanded for more and when I refused any further help, he became abusive and threatened to bash me up (supposedly the guy had a history of being put in lock up/jail before). I am just thankful I wasn't bashed up because I fled just in time......
• Philippines
27 Apr 11
Hahaha! Oh no! That guy is really pretty scary! It's good that you fled for your life. If it were me I'd probably have done the same.
• Philippines
26 Apr 11
Okay, that's not right. You try to help people and end up getting treated badly for it. It's like, what's wrong with the world right? Anyway, I think this should never discourage you from being kind! Ignore them! :)
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
27 Apr 11
Wow! That was a really nice story you have there! It is a breath of fresh air in this not so perfect world. It was nice of you to be so kind. Keep doing the good deed. I admire the driver for being so compassionate about your situation. I haven't met such one in a long time. In fact, I happen to be fooled by them in some instances. Like when we were in Divisoria a pedicab driver told us that he would take us to the LRT station at Php100. So we agreed although I know he was overcharging. Well I really don't mind because we are really carrying some baggage and it started to rain. When we are on the station, he said that the Php100 is per person. I was with my brother then, so in all he was charging us Php200. I started to complain but I don't know what happened to me I gave in. My husband has already warned me to look out for people who would take advantage of me in that place. And I fell to one. Well I always believe in karma. What goes around comes around. You do good and something good will happen to you. You do bad, and it will come back to you. I think whenever we do good deeds to other people, we shouldn't expect any reward. Doing good itself is a reward because you get to have a good feeling that you were able to help someone in need.
@sweet_pea (3322)
• Philippines
29 Apr 11
I have always thought people are innately good. So I always get shocked when people try to take advantage of other people. I always try to think what could be the reason why they do that.
• Philippines
27 Apr 11
Just don't mind the pedicab driver. :) He's just one bad example. Anyway, as my friend once told me, no one gets rich by doing those kinds of things. It's all in the past now. :) You should always be kind to people regardless of how they treat you in return.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
26 Apr 11
Yes, I have been rewarded for kindness many times. Thanks for sharing your story with us! My son is a missionary on Leyte, so a lot of the stories from the Pinoy here at MyLot are more interesting to me now than before. I mean, I wouldn't have even known what a "Jeepney" was before he started writing letters home. :~D
• Philippines
26 Apr 11
Oh, you should try riding one. When you do, sometimes you'll get irritated and sometimes you'll get entertained. But of course, it's always fun to try something new. :)
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
27 Apr 11
Well dear kindness is something that makes a person blessed. If you are kind then expect blessings to come into your life as a reward from God. God wants us to love one and another and love brought about kindness. When we are kind, it is because we know how to love and there and then could we be sure that God will always repay. Every little kindness will be rewarded. You may not get the reward instantly but it will do get back to you in one way or another one day in your life.
• Philippines
27 Apr 11
:) I think that God shows us his love through other people. It's one way I know that he exists because I simply feel his love. I think the reward in being kind is the act of being kind itself. :)
@bird123 (10632)
• United States
27 Apr 11
What a wonderful story!!! Just think. If the entire world practiced kindness, how would it change the world?? How many problems in the world would simple disappear?
• Philippines
27 Apr 11
I know. :) That's why we should always be an inspiration to others. If we want to make change happen, we should always start with ourselves. :)
@elaidha (95)
• Philippines
26 Apr 11
That's just completely OK. Don't feel guilty about not paying him the right fare. Here in our town it's a miracle if a tricycle driver can get 4 passengers in one trip. One passenger fare is only 12 pesos for 1 kilometer and you can add at least one pesos for additional kilometer. So compare to your place, they(those tricyle drivers) are far more luckier than those who make a living by tricycle driving here.
• Philippines
26 Apr 11
Wow, that's pretty expensive. Why is that so?
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
20 May 11
There are many times in my life I have been rewarded for my kindness, whether it be in a short note, form of a gift, or even something small like just a Thank You. Being able to show random acts of kindness even without being rewarded is rewarding as well. It gives us time to be able to really show who we are, and that we do care about the person or the situation around us and being able to help out.
@flpoolbum (2978)
• United States
20 May 11
A random act of kindness - A kitten resting it's head on a puppy.
It's funny that you mentioned this and that I happened to come across this page. I like to write and have spent a lot time on some of my websites (like: floridapoolbum@blogspot.com; My Lot, Twitter and Facebook). After doing some writing and reading, I realized that I, like a lot of other people haven't been as kind as I could be. It's funny that a simple concept like kindness can be overlooked and forgotten. Oh, I hold doors open for people and things like that. But what if every person took a second out of their day, everyday, to commit a random act of kindness. Liberty Mutual Insurance did a commercial about how people who witness a random act of kindness and then do a kind act to another person. This is the same idea that was portrayed in the movie, "Pay It Forward". Please take a second to devote a minute each day to do something kind to a total stranger. It costs nothing but is so beneficial. Please check out my Facebook page and follow me on Twitter (itscooltobekind). If we could work together doing something so simple imagine how much it could change the world if every Paid It Forward. Let's work together to make the world a more pleasant place. It only takes a small step...
@Ramsesxlll (1431)
• Finland
26 Apr 11
Yes, several times! Especially on myLot where I just love it if someone likes my thoughts and rates me as + Lately I've been thinking that some troll must be stalking all that I comment and rates them -... It's true that if you are kind to other people, they will be kind to you
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Apr 11
I was really touched by the driver's kindness and yours too. Both of you have shown exemplary kindness. I am so proud of you because you have grown to be a simple lady with fine manners. Our guidance have paved the way for making you a beautiful person inside and out.
@nezavisima (7408)
• Bulgaria
27 Apr 11
Anyone can be rewarded for your kindness.