A few posts ago I made a mention that I'm a selfish person. Now I refute that. Well, my boyfriend refutes it, actually. Without thinking, I help people in need. Living in China, I see that a lot more than I saw in either America or England. There are people that walk the streets looking for bottles to sell for more money. These people that I see sometimes look like well dressed individuals, so I don't really think about it other than being smart about money.
Other times, however, these people don't have good clothes. The man I saw yesterday had on a tattered coat, tattered pants, no socks and a dirty handbag that he was using to collect bottles in. I would have given him the empty bottles in a heart beat. I have before. However, my boyfriend did it before I did. Not only did he give him the bottle, but when my boyfriend saw me wrap up the last thing of bread that we were snacking on and hold it out, he didn't need me to tell him what I wanted to do with it. My boyfriend ran right up the man, handed him the loaf of bread, and walked away with a huge grin on his face. The man had tears in his eyes as well as a look of surprise and happiness.
This astounds me to a degree that I can't express since he is the type of person who is (was?) more selfish than I claim to be. He never once thought of another's needs. He would have never even paid attention to the man if he hadn't seen me jump up to give men and women like this my bottles before. Even a little change goes with it, when I do it. After being with me for a few months, he has started to become aware of the world around him.
This pleases me in more ways than I can express. I've been helping out those in need in little ways as long as I can remember. It is nothing to me. To see someone pick up the habit with such joy makes my heart soar. It also reminds me that people watch us. Everything we do is seen by someone else. I hope to lead a better life by example, this way the world might become a better place by personal choices.
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especially in China. You shouldn't help others so that others will see you do it and so you can feel good about yourself. You should even when no one else is looking, but China, someone usually is.
www.progressiveu.org/blog/americangirlinchina
I don't do it because someone is watching. I don't see how helping others can hinder my generosity at all. I just know when to say no.
I've also been the type to never care what others think of me. If they think ill of me for helping others, I guess those people are not worth knowning.
The sanity within is overwhelming.
I don't think I follow your reply. I don't think helping others hinders your generosity unless you do it for the wrong reasons. Some people just give becuase it makes them look good. Thanks not genuine generosity. That's all I meant.
www.progressiveu.org/blog/americangirlinchina
Sorry! The way you phrased your first comment seemed strange. I couldn't figure out if it was advice to not help others in China or not. I'll do it no matter if people are watching or not. I'd prefer if they were so they'd see how to be more generous. I see far too many people walking by in their designer clothes when someone is struggling to get by. I want them to see that people don't have to be so selfish.
The sanity within is overwhelming.