cosywolf Posted October 8, 2003 Share Posted October 8, 2003 Did anyone else see the guy on BBC Breakfast this morning? He started an internet club, whose members are supposed to 'commit a random act of kindness' every Friday. Of course, I reckon you should commit random acts of kindness wherever and whenever needed...but it seems like a good idea to have that little reminder/ push that you must actively seek out someone on whom to perpetrate this kindness at least once a week. Anyone up for such a thing? Does anyone already have a philosophy on this? Is it a good idea? Or should we not need to join a club to be unexpectedly kind to a stranger? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max Posted October 8, 2003 Share Posted October 8, 2003 Give us an indication of what these random acts of kindness are and it might be easier to say whether we do them already. What some of us do naturally throughout the week may be considered 'acts of kindness' by others. It never ceases to amaze me that the story of the good samaritan is still headline news to this day. I would consider it pretty poor if anyone crossed the street to avoid helping someone in difficulties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosywolf Posted October 8, 2003 Author Share Posted October 8, 2003 I agree with you, Max, it should be that we are all as kind as possible to others. But we all choose our kindnesses...is it a handy moment for us to stop right then and volunteer to help someone even though we're really busy; do we only actually give help to strangers when it's asked of us, or do we proactively offer our help when it looks as though it's needed; do we keep our acts of kindness amongst our friends and simply offer other politeness and courtesy. Random acts of kindness: I don't know - whatever's needed? Someone is crying in the street - being the only one to ask if you can help? Taking them for coffee even tho you're running late? Actually stopping and helping that motorist change their tyre/ push their car out of the way? Making balloon animals for bored children in the street? I should have thought the list was endless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted October 8, 2003 Share Posted October 8, 2003 Acts of kindness ... should be of a genuine nature and spring naturally from the kindness of a persons heart ... Kindness clubs ? Random acts of kindness on Fridays ... all sounds convoluted and unnatureal to me ... and it's coming from the 'wrong place' ... If you're not careful ... unnatural random acts of kindness may cause more harm than good (and freak people out) ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosywolf Posted October 8, 2003 Author Share Posted October 8, 2003 What you say is true, Jamie, but I sometimes think you need that extra push. Sometimes it's so much easier to think 'i'd help, but I'm a bit busy/tired/got a cold/on my way somewhere else/too shy. Not that you need a club to get that extra push, but I think you do have to make a conscious decision sometimes to help. Other times you just do it because you're involved in the situation/ just feel like it. A very kind woman helped me out the other day. Took time out of wherever she was going to see me right cos I was (slightly hysterical) about an accident that had just happened. When it was all sorted, she just slipped away. To me she was a hero. God knows how awful it would have been if she hadn't distracted me - don't want to think about it. But I do think I'd have done the same for anyone else. We all have to look out for each other. Can you do something kind for someone else just for self-gratification? If you're that selfish, why would you bother? And even if it started out that way, wouldn't the inevitable feeling of happiness for having helped someone else mean you'd do it for that reason next time? I wonder... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiyabeing Posted October 8, 2003 Share Posted October 8, 2003 It's called JOIN ME or something similar - I mentioned this in a post a couple of weeks ago but nobody picked up on it. Anyone know more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chill Posted October 8, 2003 Share Posted October 8, 2003 This is for a book by Danny Wallace, who co-wrote "Are You Dave Gorman" and produced the show of the same name, along with the Dave Gorman Astrology Expriment. I have the book but haven't read it yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosywolf Posted October 8, 2003 Author Share Posted October 8, 2003 Apparently he just randomly decided to start a club, but had no underpinning reason to. So he put an advert in a paper that said JOIN ME - just send a passport photo. And strangely, people did. Why? Then he decided as it got more and more popular that this club should have some purpose. And that it should do something good. So he decreed that every Friday would be made a good friday because all members must go out and perpetrate a random act of kindness. And that's it. Certainly makes you think tho, as we've been discussing. Is it good or bad to need a club? Can random acts of kindness cause more harm than good, etc. Keep those opinions coming... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted October 8, 2003 Share Posted October 8, 2003 I think it's when it comes from your mind ... 'oh ... it's friday ... i'll go do some good' ... then you're on shakey ground .. If it springs naturally from your heart and you're doing it because it's a natural expression of compassion, love and kindness you feel in your heart ... then that's a whole different ball game. I've done the friday thing myself (well ... simular). Although never heard of 'JOIN ME' ... I decided that I would do at least one selfless kind act every day. I think it has some merit ... but at the same time ... it did feel 'forced' and contrived. I think it's more important to be natural than 'good'. Goodness and kindness are ... well ... good things ... but only it they come naturally with no effort or contrivance. Thats my thoughts on the topic anyway ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marmite Man Posted February 22, 2004 Share Posted February 22, 2004 Hello all, has anyone heard of or even better joined the "Join me" collective (it's not a cult you know)? I'm just about to send of my passport photo to the leader and was wondering if there is a Sheffield Collective on the go? If none of this makes the slightest sense, check out http://www.join-me.co.uk . Looking forward to making someone slightly happier next friday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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