Do you appreciate others when they lend a helping hand?
By hdjohnson
@hdjohnson (2981)
United States
January 2, 2009 5:59pm CST
I work for an organization that is geared toward serving the public in ways that will help them when they are down or just in need of a helping hand. Although we aren't able to pay off people's mortgages and things of that nature, we are able to help them with a variety of things like, immediate food for a few days, clothing for interviews or for the seasonal months like winter, etc...
We even offer them assistance by putting them in contact with other organizations that may be able to help them more with their financial challenges, etc... Well some folks are indignant and think that we aren't doing our jobs correctly or pre-judging them by whatever situation they decided to come see us in the first place for.
The purpose for this discussion is to see, how many people decide to lend a helping hand irregardless of the consequences of others thinking that you should or could have done more, but just didn't. How many of us suffer having to deal with other peoples attitudes of unappreciatativeness for what we were able to offer them, verses not exactly what asked for originally?
I take the attitude of it is the thought that counts, not necessarily the gift, what about you?
3 responses
@dolce_vita78 (8062)
• Philippines
3 Jan 09
Hello hdjohnson!
I always do appreciate others when they lend a helping hand. The little things we do for our fellowmen are the greatest things in the world. We may not always know what motives other people have for helping their fellowmen. What is important is that there are people who benefit from the help that they extend. Just the other day, my mom shared to me a story that I never knew happened until my younger sister mentioned it to me on Christmas day. Earlier in 2008, my dad, mom and my younger sister were on their way to my maternal grandparents' place in the province. On their way, they saw a truck that encountered an accident. There were several people, about 5 men and a woman. The woman was hysterically calling for help. My dad pulled over and saw that there were two guys badly hurt. The hospital was several kilometers away from the site. He decided to offer them a ride and they said that there were several cars who just passed them by. On their way to the nearest hospital, my dad and mom thought that they might be doing the wrong thing as they had some strangers with them. They were so nervous that something bad might happen to them but they also thought that they should bring these people to the hospital. When they found the hospital and were able to drop them off, they felt some kind of relief. According to my mom, these people did not bother to thank them. But she said that what matters was that they were able to help them. I felt so proud of my parents...
1 person likes this
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
3 Jan 09
Dolce_vita78, that indeed is such a wonderful story. I'm very glad to hear that your family made the decision to go out of their way to lend a helping hand especially in such a dire need such as the one you described. It is also good to see that no harm came of the help that was offered as well.
Regarding the no thank yous'; I'm sure your parents didn't do what they did for the thank you gratitude, and I'm probably sure the victims probably thought of it after your parents have left. Some folks in a crisis type situation throws everything out the window and can only think of them selves.
Great New Year Story!
Kudos and have a great January!
@sirrob (4108)
• Philippines
3 Jan 09
Dolce, I have been into this kind of situation many times, some time in 1998-2003. I've been working in an EMS organization that never ask payments for whatever emergency you have had. At first I am annoyed in this kind of situation but in the long run and when I am able to understand them well when they are in distress, my disposition changes even you won't get the appreciation that almost all of us are looking or expecting. When people in distress there are few things that they forgot to do and they are still in the stage of short term amnesia and a few of us don't know about it.
1 person likes this
@sirrob (4108)
• Philippines
3 Jan 09
Well, I am so proud to say that I was able to work in an EMS in my town where I am able to work with people who think nothing and live with its motto "we serve, so that other may live". Imagine working in an EMS who aren't asking any payments for emergency cases we responded even a single penny. Those are moments that I won't replace for anything else, I have so much fulfillment when I am still working there and I am even thinking of going back there sometime when it's time to stop working. It's always nice to be able to help someone even in a small way most especially when you see a smile in their face. That's all enough for me to do more.
1 person likes this
@hdjohnson (2981)
• United States
5 Jan 09
Doing what you love irregardless of payment is what is the most fulfilling part of life there is.
