acts of kindness

[Rudyjohn]

I am not knocking your wife in any way and I'm glad she has that quote for her students. But this quote I see more and more and it bothers me a little bit. It reduces a very complex subject to a bumper sticker.

To me, doing what's right when no one is looking may be evidence of character, but it isn't character. Is doing the wrong thing when no one is looking a lack of character, or is it a mistake? Maybe part of character is learning from our mistakes. Can character be taught or is it innate? Or does it come from experience and wisdom?

The way I see it is, "Do what's right, and don't expect to be admired or commended for it." Too many (myself included) want recognition for doing something exceptional when really, just doing it should be reward enough.

And learning from our mistakes is invaluable.

 

[Bob]

I am not knocking your wife in any way and I'm glad she has that quote for her students. But this quote I see more and more and it bothers me a little bit. It reduces a very complex subject to a bumper sticker.

To me, doing what's right when no one is looking may be evidence of character, but it isn't character. Is doing the wrong thing when no one is looking a lack of character, or is it a mistake? Maybe part of character is learning from our mistakes. Can character be taught or is it innate? Or does it come from experience and wisdom?

Great thoughts Kurt! The teacher is there to teach the curriculum, but can also a big influence on young lives. My wife regularly meets some of her ex students shopping at Publix who are now grown, and married with kids. They all seem to love her. Soon she may be teaching their kids[if I don't convince her to come to Sowal]. I believe the quote addresses the inherent sneakiness to be found in some 10 year olds regarding either cheating or stealing. All kids should be free to grow and make mistakes. I think the statement challenges them to think things through.

 

[LightWorker]

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. (Aesop)

Namaste.

"When you are kind to someone in trouble, you hope they'll remember and be kind to someone else. And it'll become like a wildfire."
Whoopi Goldberg. ​

 

[Kurt]

Out beyond the ideas of right-doing or wrong-doing there is a field- I'll meet you there. -Rumi

 

[scooterbug44]

The way I see it is, "Do what's right, and don't expect to be admired or commended for it." Too many (myself included) want recognition for doing something exceptional when really, just doing it should be reward enough.

And learning from our mistakes is invaluable.

Too often people feel they should be rewarded just for doing their job, being nice or following the rules. Exceptional effort should be rewarded, but doing the minimum or what is expected of you shouldn't be an "achievement". In the words of my father: "In the real world you don't get a reward for showing up and just doing the minimum requirements - you get a pink slip!"

Making mistakes is the best way to learn! Those are the lessons I remember the best too.

 

[Minnie]

One of life's greatest treasures is the love that binds hearts together in friendship.

 

[dbuck]

There is no remedy but to love more. ..... Thoreau

 

[sbartoldus]

"In the real world you don't get a reward for showing up and just doing the minimum requirements - you get a pink slip!"

In the "real world" we all get a pink slip one day...

So reward yourself every moment of every day by just being.

 

[seacrestkristi]

Very Wise Late Night Thinking, SBTU

 

[Smiling JOe]

Too often people feel they should be rewarded just for doing their job, being nice or following the rules. Exceptional effort should be rewarded, but doing the minimum or what is expected of you shouldn't be an "achievement". In the words of my father: "In the real world you don't get a reward for showing up and just doing the minimum requirements - you get a pink slip!"

:roll: Making mistakes is the best way to learn! Those are the lessons I remember the best too.

I know plenty of employers who would love for people to "show up" and do that which is expected. These employers would be tickled pink to think that the employees actually do their job. Having exceptional employees is like holding a mini-lotto ticket.