Where do you see genuine 'goodness', and how do you personally foster it?

[Muenkel 0]

I hope this can be a non-judgemental thread. Basically I am asking how people contribute to the welfare of society and those in need. Not just the ones who are in financial need, but those in any kind of need. Anything that helps improve their life. We have blamed politicians, the government, religion. We have discussed race, orientation, etc. I am talking simply about humanity. Forget the gov't, it is not going to help. What as individuals have we done to break down the race and class barrier? What as individuals have we done to instill pride and confidence in the welfare recipients? How have we as individuals worked toward convincing those without hope that they are worth something and they can improve their lives? How have we as individuals convinced the down trodden that they can help themselves, improve the quality of life and feel good about themselves? Basically, how have we as individuals spread hope to our fellow humans?

Does anyone realize how much an individual can accomplish? It can be a very small act or something life changing; either way it fosters goodness.

Like I said, forget the gov't and politicians. They are going to accomplish nothing. It is up to us, and I really want to hear some good ideas.

_________________________________________
Chris

[beowulf 1]

Sounds like you are living in a fantasy world.

[kbordson 8]

Good post.

Things I try to remember to do - smile, say "hello," educate, encourage. Do I do each item every day - not always, but it is a goal.

I have kind of conflicting views on this though. I think its important to help others, but ultimately if you're not happy, it's your responsibility to change your life to make it better. Only you know what you need to make your life meaningful... some one flashing the pearly whites might lighten the mood, but wont cure a depression. One person might bring joy, but that person could change or move or die... so placing all your depndance on that person is foolish.
So basically, people should strive to be selfsufficient, but that shouldn't stop someone from being "good."

[sinker 0]

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Sounds like you are living in a fantasy world.

and it sounds to me like you're living in a nightmare...


good post chris... it gives us all something to think about, regardless of political affiliation or religious/philosophical ideology.

-the artist formerly known as sinker

[Enrique 0]

Nice post! It seems like there IS a light at the end of the tunnel after all (and it is not a freight train coming your way, for all the smart-asses out there!).

It seems like someone has already took action: http://www.payitforwardfoundation.org/

Although it seems simple, in reality it is very hard. Smiling when you are pissed off, allowing someone to cut in front of you in a traffic jam... small things, big efforts, but the only way we can make things better is if we try. If we don't do anything at all, nothing will happen.

E

[unformed 0]

Anything that's going to be done needs to be done by oneself. Generally when people are failing in life it is their own problem, and usually involving laziness. Laziness due to depression is still laziness.

Yeah, some people have harder lives. Yeah, some people have a lot of shit they have to deal with. That's life. The American Dream is still on. It can still be done. All it takes is dedication to improve oneself.

As members of society we should focus on educating the youth, not helping the failed recover. A drug addict on the side of the road isn't going to become clean because someone intervened. He's going to sober up because he wants to.

A kid on the other hand doesn't really know much. They need to be tought. The truth. Not this shit that marijuana supports terrorism, because once they get older and realize it was a lie they won't believe anything else either.

People who have already failed aren't society's problems. Children and people who really want to succeed are. People who really want to succeed will succeed. They will find a way. And there is government aid for them.

So that leaves kids.

How can we help?

Be a big brother, a mentor, a tutor, for children in ghettos, for children without mother and father figures, for children in areas prone to be miscreants, criminals, drug addicts.

Education is the only way to help a society move up in the world.

That's rally all we can do. After that it's their own problem.

This ad space for sale.

[billvon 3,132]

>Sounds like you are living in a fantasy world.

Everyone creates the world they live in; through the filter of their perceptions they see what they choose to see. Choose to see only death and misery and you will find yourself surrounded by it. Choose to see the good in people and you will find that, wherever you go.

Some people here have a favorite phrase - "you're not living in the real world." There is no real world, at least in the way they mean it. The only true 'real world' is the world of the physical sciences, and has little meaning when applied to politics, or altruism, or cruelty, or public opinion, or morals, or society. Those are things manufactured by humans; humans alone give them meaning.

So see whatever you want. If you choose you can see a mostly bad fantasy world. Some people have better eyes than that, though. If you choose you can seek out and react to the bad, and that reinforces that particular fantasy world. Other people see the good and foster it. I prefer the latter, but that's just me. Everyone's different.

[rehmwa 2]

I like to ask the government to foster it. As long as someone else pays for it.

It's the new definition of "rights".

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[GTAVercetti 0]

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I like to ask the government to foster it. As long as someone else pays for it.

It's the new definition of "rights".

If I could, I would give all my money to the government to help others. I don't want to be bothered to do it myself.

-------

Personally, to spread "humanity", I just like to treat people with the respect and decency they deserve (please note that DESERVE qualifier).

And even if they don't deserve it, I am usually nice, unless they are actively rude and mean to me.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[Muenkel 0]

It may seem like a fantasy now, but it can become a reality. If we really want to change the world we live in, it begins with the individual. Think about how you treat every person you come in contact each day. Everyone has a desire to be accepted, to be loved, to be happy. Any positive gesture on our part becomes contagious. You make a person smile and they will most likely make someone else smile. Let's not 'write off' the indigents. As long as a person is breathing, there is hope.

_________________________________________
Chris

[beowulf 1]

Personal happiness is only attained by those willing to do it themselves. The world is what you personally make it out to be. The world is what it is and can not be change by you are anyone else. How you deal with it determines your personal happiness.

[GTAVercetti 0]

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Personal happiness is only attained by those willing to do it themselves. The world is what you personally make it out to be. The world is what it is and can not be change by you are anyone else. How you deal with it determines your personal happiness.

That is a horrible horrible view. The world cannot be changed by its inhabitants?

Not only is that unbelievably pessimistic, it is completely untrue.

And on the smaller scale, if you think that no one has the ability to make someone else happy or affect them in a positive way, you must have no friends or family who care about you.

If that is true, I feel sorry for you.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[StreetScooby 5]

I think everything being said in this thread is true. Real life seems to always be an "all of the above" situation. Kind of like a rainbow. Which side of the rainbow do you want to be on? After much thought, it dawned on me that your thoughts are very real, and everything flows from there. I even managed to put together a framework for this using the 1st law of thermo. May have to complete the text one day and post it here for feedback

We are all engines of karma

[sinker 0]

The world is what it is and can not be change by you are anyone else***

that is a view held only by those who have their heads in the sand and not by the likes of...

Ghandi
Mother Theresa
MLK Jr.
Pope JPII
etc etc etc

-the artist formerly known as sinker

[Muenkel 0]

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Personal happiness is only attained by those willing to do it themselves. The world is what you personally make it out to be. The world is what it is and can not be change by you are anyone else. How you deal with it determines your personal happiness.

This may be true of some people, but where is the harm in a kind gesture? If you have the attitude of treating all people with respect, you will encourage someone. You may never know who you encourage...but you will encourage someone nonetheless.

_________________________________________
Chris

[shall555 0]

Small stuff counts, too.

- Let someone in ahead of you in standing traffic
- Be polite and kind to merchants, clerks and similar even when you're feeling stressed
- Leave bigger-than-normal tips
- Do something nice for someone that isn't expecting it

The sum-total of happiness in the universe goes up microscopically...but it goes up

shall

[Muenkel 0]

Quote

Small stuff counts, too.

- Let someone in ahead of you in standing traffic
- Be polite and kind to merchants, clerks and similar even when you're feeling stressed
- Leave bigger-than-normal tips
- Do something nice for someone that isn't expecting it

The sum-total of happiness in the universe goes up microscopically...but it goes up

You get it!

_________________________________________
Chris

[lurch 0]

Where? Everywhere, if you know how to look.
How do -I- foster it?
The pay it forward thing seems the best way to put it.
The species could use the backup and theres always a shortage of Light-side jedi.
Pull over and offer a ride to a guy with a dead car by the side of the highway.
Fix things when people are stuck.
Shoot video for some newbie for free just to light em up. It was done for me, and so now I do it for others on occasion. My video is lousy anyway I could use the practice.
Let people into traffic. A good one, and cheap too.
Smile big and wave back when some tiny tot waves at you from a vehicle or in a shopping line or something. They're still under the impression the world is a friendly place full of nice people. Why spoil it for em? There's plenty of time to get hurt later.
Step in when you see someone getting picked on. We got this kid packs in the hangar, only 16 and he got his parents to haul him to Canada so he could jump. Is that awesome or what? Really, really wants to jump, bad. Already has his own rig and everything. Kids got balls. Some packers were giving him a hard time. Not in fun either, but harsh. Saw the kid sitting by himself later looking crushed. I know how that feels. Talked to him for a bit, then talked to the others, put a stop to it. Kid is off to a hell of an early start, he'll make a world-class legendary skydiver in time with that kind of determination if people show him some fucking respect. His name is Christian. Remember the name-you'll be seeing it plenty in Parachutist mag in years to come.
Race and class barrier?
I fucking ignore it. No such thing. I got a black coworker, nice guy, just never said much to him cause at work I keep to myself. Guy seemed all nervous, asked me for a ride, car was broke. I wound up hauling him to work for a couple weeks till he could get a new ride. He's trying to raise a couple kids, 3 weeks of taking cabs'd have hurt him plenty. Didn't cost me jack shit to prevent major bullshit for him. The sick part is some people would actually think I was being extra-magnanimous or something just cause he was black. Fuck that. Its cause hes a PARENT. He offered gas money. I turned it down-I wasn't going more than a couple miles out of my way, didn't cost me shit, shouldn't cost HIM either.
When the world changes for the worse its often a huge thing....wars, floods, whatever.
Improving the world, on the other hand, is usually done in small doses, but its cumulative...
-B

Live and learn... or die, and teach by example.

[StreetScooby 5]

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Small stuff counts, too.

Very true!

We are all engines of karma

[Muenkel 0]

Really nice post lurch.

_________________________________________
Chris

[Lindsey 0]

Quote

Quote

Personal happiness is only attained by those willing to do it themselves. The world is what you personally make it out to be. The world is what it is and can not be change by you are anyone else. How you deal with it determines your personal happiness.

This may be true of some people, but where is the harm in a kind gesture? If you have the attitude of treating all people with respect, you will encourage someone. You may never know who you encourage...but you will encourage someone nonetheless.

There's nothing wrong, and a lot right, with making another person's day just a little bit easier to cope with.

A story....that could go in the Iatrogenic morbidity thread. I have a patient who came into the hospital with a COPD exacerbation. His blood pressure was also REALLY high, and he had chest pain. His EKG showed only a little ischemia that could be explained by his very high blood pressure. His cardiac enzymes over 24 hours were normal--i.e., he wasn't having a heart attack. After we brought his blood pressure down and got his breathing under control, he had no more chest pain.

A week later, as he was being discharged, we all thought he was in better shape than when he came in...until he had the heart attack on the Sunday on which he was being discharged. He was given Plavix by someone (I'm not sure who), so he had to wait a week (maybe should've been longer) off Plavix before he could have his coronary bypass.

Well, he finally went to surgery. It went fine, but in the next 48 hours, his chest was opened up 4 more times because of "bleeding" (200-300cc/hour) from his chest tube. The surgeons never found the source of his bleeding, but it eventually stopped. He was kept sedated for 4 days after surgery.

When he was weaned from his sedation, he was found to have a huge motor deficit on his left side. A CT revealed an equally huge stroke that he had had within the previous 3-4 days.

Now I suppose this guy can be happy, but his life is probably gonna suck for a while. Picking yourself up by the bootstraps is a good idea, but probably not very realistic without at least some support from other people. I'd rather be a person who gives this guy a hand, and makes it a little easier for him to recover, than to be a person who says, "Eh....if you're gonna be happy, you'll have to do it yourself," and walk away to make my OWN day a little better.

linz

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[tso-d_chris 0]

Nice post, Chris.

I view happiness as asymptotic.

It is much like the speed of light. Nothing can accelerate to the speed of light. However, if nothing traveled at the speed of light, we would have no vision, no radio, no TV, no microwaves. So particles can move at the speed of light, they just can't accelerate to that point.

In other words, trying to attain happiness is an excercise in futility. No matter how hard we try, it will always elude us. If, however, we simply choose to be happy, the characteristics of happiness will manifest in our lives.

For those that are happy, helping others is its own reward.

[StreetScooby 5]

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If, however, we simply choose to be happy, the characteristics of happiness will manifest in our lives.

There's alot to be said for being able to still your mind. Very difficult thing to do, though.

We are all engines of karma

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

Quote

Small stuff counts, too.

- Let someone in ahead of you in standing traffic
- Be polite and kind to merchants, clerks and similar even when you're feeling stressed
- Leave bigger-than-normal tips
- Do something nice for someone that isn't expecting it

The sum-total of happiness in the universe goes up microscopically...but it goes up

You get it!

Naw, he's just a private taxi driver.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[sinker 0]

yep, turning into a nice thread... good on ya chris for starting it...

-the artist formerly known as sinker