Giving Anonymously - Would You?
By Lynn Proctor
@ThankyouLord (698)
St. Petersburg, Florida
December 19, 2015 10:56am CST
Sometimes I read posts or see articles written by someone who is sharing that they helped someone, somehow. The comments section is full of pats on the back for the giver, telling them how wonderful they are. Seldom do I see a comment that says, "Gee, I am so sorry your friend is sick. It must be hard to pay all the bills when they can't work. How are they coping with this?" Instead, it's all about the "do-gooder" and what a blessing they are. Of course, that is usually why the writer even did a post on it, or they wouldn't have even bothered mentioning it. That is how I perceive it, anyway.
I often wonder about whether we do things for others for recognition and congratulations for ourselves. Here is a question to ask yourself: If you knew for sure that no one would ever know it was you who did the good deed, not even the receiver, would that make a difference in how much you do for others?
Now, you can say, "Well, they would know because I am their friend," or something like that. But what if God made a new Law of the Universe that made it so none of us could ever know who did good things for us, or anyone?
I know when we give presents, we like to be acknowledged for them. When we give a gift, we like the person to act all surprised and happy, and thank us for them. We feel good when this happens. We usually feel bad when it doesn't.
So, if we are not appreciated for helping someone, or giving to someone, would we?
11 people like this
12 responses
@LovingMyBabies (85125)
• Valdosta, Georgia
19 Dec 15
I think people who truly love helping others would do it no matter what. My husband and I have helped others & they didnt know who it was. We just enjoy helping others when they need it.
God knows what's truly in peoples hearts when they help others.
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85125)
• Valdosta, Georgia
21 Dec 15
@ThankyouLord That is so true, sometimes the smallest of things helps others.
1 person likes this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
20 Dec 15
I think that a lot of things we do helps others, but we don't even realize we are doing it. When we let someone go first, or let them have that great parking space, or hold the door open as a courtesy. It spreads goodwill. We do things that lets people have a job, as we buy from their store. We also call to see how someone is doing, and just to chat, so we chase away loneliness. We smile at someone for no reason. All those things help others.
2 people like this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
20 Dec 15
And I love what you said. Getting inspired by seeing what others do can make us want to do more. But I find that if I am not told what someone did by the person who did it, I am more inspired, because they didn't feel anyone needed to know. I guess I think their intent is more pure. Just my impression, is all.
2 people like this
@paigea (35974)
• Canada
21 Dec 15
@ThankyouLord at school after recess I often ask the kids to mention something kind they saw Someone else do. They find it very hard to think of an example and they want to announce great things they did themselves.
@Vjvals (906)
• Roseville, California
20 Dec 15
Even people who like giving and helping others will want some kind of appreciation. They may not want a formal thank you but perhaps would want that person (s) to remember that they have done many nice things and to get some decent treatment or a smile or just that general attitude that is not nasty behavior. I hear that many have a terrific memory, perhaps they can remember to think about the kindness given them, I can tell you that Many do not "remember" the positive things we have done or given and only think about their emotion in the moment.
2 people like this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
20 Dec 15
It would be nice to think that others care how we feel when we try to be nice to them, and remember that cared about them. There are those that simply do not care, though, and are thoughtless about showing appreciation. I can see being thoughtless sometimes, as we are all human, but to be that way all the time is puzzling to me.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (63081)
• United States
19 Dec 15
God already made a law about it: "when you do good, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing" (Matthew 6:3). There's someone who puts a gold coin in a Salvation Army kettle every year. Nobody knows who, just God.
1 person likes this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
20 Dec 15
You beat me to it. I was going to put that in my post, but was too lazy to go look it up. Shame on me. I like the Salvation Army. They do a lot of good.
1 person likes this
@softbabe44 (5816)
• Vancouver, Washington
19 Dec 15
I think there is a few out there that when they get gifts they don't say well thank you for the presents they say nothing.
1 person likes this
@ThankyouLord (698)
• St. Petersburg, Florida
20 Dec 15
Some people do not value gifts. They just don't. I know that it is difficult to always remember to thank others at times, but we should try to, as it shows we care what they think and it shows respect.
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
21 Dec 15
I'd like to think I'd help others for the sake of offering altruistic aid. I'd hate to think my only hope of getting saved from drowning was if someone hoped for a reward from me or the fame the media would bring them for their assistance
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64360)
• United Kingdom
19 Dec 15
You made me think, but I don't think it would deter me. On the other hand I have stopped sending presents to my great niece and nephew because they didn't acknowledge them. However that's a different thing, as it's just bad manners on their part.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21748)
• Canada
28 Dec 15
I have given anonymously. It is often little things we don't even consider a gift that are the most appreciated.
@smoneyshoney (108)
• Chennai, India
21 Dec 15
I love to help people silently without expecting any fame or appreciation in return. But my heart will be filled with joy/contentment of helping someone in the best possible way i can. Helping others need not be monetary, for example i do blood donation once in 3 to 4 months and sometimes for emergency cases, gift a lift to old people in my bike :) When they bless or appreciate me, i just accept it . But i will continue helping people even if they don't appreciate it. Because i appreciate myself for doing good deeds and GOD knows it :)
