When nobody's watching
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
Canada
May 30, 2009 12:23pm CST
In the movie "Seven Pounds," Will Smith as "Ben Thomas" speaks briefly with a man to whom he is about to donate a kidney. The man again asks why he is doing this for him. Ben tells him "Because you are a good man... Even when you don't know that people are watching you."
This simple statement made quite an impact on me. It made me think about how and why I do some of the things I do. Now... I'm curious... what about you? Do you always act the same way, whether you're alone or with others? I've known people who will behave one way in public (all sweetness and light kinda thing) and then I've heard horror stories about how they are behind closed doors. Do you do good deeds (or what some like to call acts of kindness) even if no one is ever going to know what you did? Have you done something for another person anonymously, simply because you knew it would help them? Do you live by your own morals, values and standards, believing yourself to be a good person, without the need for any outside validation ... and when nobody's watching?
2 people like this
4 responses
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
30 May 09
How I wish I can steal when no one is watching:P
LOL! I love how your answers are always so honest, whyaskq!! That is DEFINITELY being true to yourself and not being bothered with what people think. I'm impressed 
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
31 May 09
Oh gosh, I absolutely have my moods too! We're all under so much pressure, for one reason or another, these days that it would be hard not to get grouchy some of the time. I do try to keep my moods to myself as much as possible, though, because I know that I have the tendency to react too quickly when I'm not in a good mood and then I feel really awful for doing it. I always make a point of apologizing if I'm short with someone or lose my temper inappropriately... particularly with my kids. If you have a chance to see the movie, Amberina, I highly recommend it :) I know it received mixed reviews -- some people say it's "too slow" and it's definitely not an action movie... but I thoroughly loved it.
@grecychunny26 (9482)
• Philippines
1 Jun 09
I do good deeds, like when someone left their things I report it immediately to the nearest police. I have done something before i was in highschool, a man left his attache case on a PUJ were riding in. This man carrys many things so I have been thinking he forgot about the attache case. I reported it to the nearest police station and the police contacted the man with his id on the attache case, according to the police, the man said to wait for me for the reward and I refused because I have class. But the police got our landline told me that the man I help wants to thank me for saving the attache and it will give me a different kind of feeling if we were done an act of kindness. But I still refuse since I know God is watching and let God thank me for the job well done.
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
14 Jun 09
This sounds like a really good movie to watch. I will perhaps watch it someday on VD. Will Smith is a great actor by the way, I love to see him act.
I hear you here. There are people that don't practice what they portray to others. And there are others that portray their bad behavior throughout. And in a way, saying that they do not want to be a hypocrite. But thinking again, showing their rudeness or being too upfront and rude to others just for the sake of not 'being a hypocrite' really got me into thinking. Is there a fine line there...? That person is no better than the one that shows an angel side, but is a devil behind closed doors.
I think there are 2 patterns there. It's quite hard to find nice and sincere people nowadays and I get wary of people in general, though I always try my best to give them the benefit of the doubt first before judging them. When we do good, sometimes people think we are trying to curry favor. There are different aspects, really. I like to mix around with people that don't like to take advantage of situations. I can accept bad behavior from people, and just view them as people whom are learning day by day from their mistakes. And I try to be pleasant throughout, unless I really need to rebuke for those really rude ones. In my course of life over the years, I've seen some people wearing 'masks', masking their true behavior, thoughts and feelings. And I've also seen some really kind-heart people, but often being mistaken for something they are not.
To summarize, it is really we cannot judge a book by its cover. Covers and contents just don't match anymore. You have to read the whole book to know whether the cover and the title says it all.
I think there are 2 patterns there. It's quite hard to find nice and sincere people nowadays and I get wary of people in general, though I always try my best to give them the benefit of the doubt first before judging them. When we do good, sometimes people think we are trying to curry favor. There are different aspects, really. I like to mix around with people that don't like to take advantage of situations. I can accept bad behavior from people, and just view them as people whom are learning day by day from their mistakes. And I try to be pleasant throughout, unless I really need to rebuke for those really rude ones. In my course of life over the years, I've seen some people wearing 'masks', masking their true behavior, thoughts and feelings. And I've also seen some really kind-heart people, but often being mistaken for something they are not.
To summarize, it is really we cannot judge a book by its cover. Covers and contents just don't match anymore. You have to read the whole book to know whether the cover and the title says it all.