Lost your faith in the human species? That would be me for various reasons and from what I gather some of you as well.
One night I saw Clumsy's PIF contest. And it amazed me that someone would do that and it made me feel good knowing there was somebody that kind out there. That led to the PIF forum and from there it isn't any one moment, it is PIF as a whole.
It's hard to explain. How do I explain that seeing complete strangers give and give without wanting anything in return has given me some of my faith back?
I haven't participated much as I don't really have anything other than juice to give. I have tried to help with juice where I can and I have been helped. Quietly, behind the scenes.
But, and this may be the most important of all. I think PIF has probably made better people out of all of us. Better people in the "real" world. We see the unconditional giving done time after time amongst computer strangers although we start thinking of each other as friends. I think it rubs off to where we start being a little kinder, a little more compassionate, a little more aware to those we meet in "real" life.
Not by choice, I work part time in an appliance store (yeah I know....woo-hoo) and an older woman came in yesterday to look at a used refrigerator that she said she had talked to Chris about that morning. When she was told the price was $200.00 by him I could see she was distressed. She said she didn't think she could afford that amount and I watched her trying to figure out how she could possibly pay that. Then he told her it would be another $50.00 for delivery. Well, that ended it right there. There was no way she could pay $250.00. I won't tell you how ...... off I am at him. Anyway, when she turned to leave, I saw her face and saw such sadness and despair and I felt helpless. It bothered me all night. And then I thought about the fact that I was working a few extra hours today and have to work tomorrow morning and instead of paying me, he could reduce the cost of the frig for her. I admit I selfishly went back and forth on that one because I need the extra myself but I kept seeing her misery. Thanks everyone for chipping away at that wall around my heart.
So I go in this morning and after I am done with the work I needed to do I went through the calls that came in yesterday and wrote down all the numbers that I knew weren't service calls. I called a friend to see if she could think of anyone with a pickup truck so we could deliver it which would reduce it more. No luck there and unfortunately no luck in finding her yet. I will try again tomorrow though.
So here is the point of that whole rambling mess.
Before PIF (even with it's flaws) showed me that maybe the world isn't quite as cold as I thought, would I have even paid attention?
So again, it isn't just one or two moments, it is the entire meaning of it. All of it.
Just wish me luck in finding her.
One night I saw Clumsy's PIF contest. And it amazed me that someone would do that and it made me feel good knowing there was somebody that kind out there. That led to the PIF forum and from there it isn't any one moment, it is PIF as a whole.
It's hard to explain. How do I explain that seeing complete strangers give and give without wanting anything in return has given me some of my faith back?
I haven't participated much as I don't really have anything other than juice to give. I have tried to help with juice where I can and I have been helped. Quietly, behind the scenes.
But, and this may be the most important of all. I think PIF has probably made better people out of all of us. Better people in the "real" world. We see the unconditional giving done time after time amongst computer strangers although we start thinking of each other as friends. I think it rubs off to where we start being a little kinder, a little more compassionate, a little more aware to those we meet in "real" life.
Not by choice, I work part time in an appliance store (yeah I know....woo-hoo) and an older woman came in yesterday to look at a used refrigerator that she said she had talked to Chris about that morning. When she was told the price was $200.00 by him I could see she was distressed. She said she didn't think she could afford that amount and I watched her trying to figure out how she could possibly pay that. Then he told her it would be another $50.00 for delivery. Well, that ended it right there. There was no way she could pay $250.00. I won't tell you how ...... off I am at him. Anyway, when she turned to leave, I saw her face and saw such sadness and despair and I felt helpless. It bothered me all night. And then I thought about the fact that I was working a few extra hours today and have to work tomorrow morning and instead of paying me, he could reduce the cost of the frig for her. I admit I selfishly went back and forth on that one because I need the extra myself but I kept seeing her misery. Thanks everyone for chipping away at that wall around my heart.
So I go in this morning and after I am done with the work I needed to do I went through the calls that came in yesterday and wrote down all the numbers that I knew weren't service calls. I called a friend to see if she could think of anyone with a pickup truck so we could deliver it which would reduce it more. No luck there and unfortunately no luck in finding her yet. I will try again tomorrow though.
So here is the point of that whole rambling mess.
Before PIF (even with it's flaws) showed me that maybe the world isn't quite as cold as I thought, would I have even paid attention?
So again, it isn't just one or two moments, it is the entire meaning of it. All of it.
Just wish me luck in finding her.