Saturday, August 13, 2011

Good Deeds

My general philosophy in life is to do good things without worrying about if they'll be rewarded.  I find that doing good is virtuous in itself.  Moreover, even if you care about calculating the return on your effort, experience teaches that karma rewards good work in multiple, mysterious ways.

I did a favor for a friend recently.  Years ago, she was the beneficiary of an academic scholarship which made a big difference in her life.  To re-pay that, she is now actively fundraising for the sponsor so it can help others.  She had a target goal; she asked me to help meet it; and I did my best.

I'd forgotten about the contribution until I received in the mail a bottle of pink nail-polish!  I never expected to be rewarded for my effort and am thrilled to receive a gift, especially one that implicitly supports my true nature.  Friends who recognize the real me by giving me girly gifts get mega-points for supportive recognition: more than just an item, they are giving me the gift of acceptance.  With my life-history, that is hugely significant and deeply appreciated.

Here is the nail-polish, freshly-applied this morning, on my toes in the backyard.  I'm out here relaxing in the sun, exploring my new iPad which can play music while I browse the web.  Life is good!

Do you believe in doing good deeds?
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16 comments:

  1. NatáliaAugust 13, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    Lovely post! I completely agree with your philosophy! I always try and do nice things just for the sake of kindness.

    Also, lovely pink nail polish! :)

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  2. AngieAugust 13, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    I think every good deed is repayed. My hubby recently asked when I was going to get repayed for all the nice things I've done. I simply answered by saying that every morning when I wake up to two healthy smiling chilren, I'm being repayed. Sometime we forget the littlest things are the greatest gifts!

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  3. UnknownAugust 13, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    Absolutely, positively, OF COURSE! And like you said, when they're done from the heart, with no hope of expectation; that's real love! Polish ALWAYS improves the look of feet and that pink is sooooo pretty! Hugs! ~Serene

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  4. SherinAugust 13, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    I love doing good deeds as well, and never expect a reward. It always makes you feel good about yourself (that's reward enough). I love the colour of the nail polish. So pretty.

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  5. Charlotte SparkleAugust 13, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    Nice post. I believe in doing good deeds, it's always nice to go that extra mile for some people.

    Nice toes, love the colour.

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  6. TanviAugust 13, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    How sweet! I believe in doing good and forgetting about it too ... Just do it 'coz you want to and not for something in return! :)

    P.S. Thank you for your REALLY sweet comment today. Totally made me smile ear-to-ear :o)

    ♡ from © tanvii.com

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  7. freedaAugust 13, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    I believe the more you give, the more you receive. I've been down and out many times, even to the point of homelessness, but it seems that every time my salvation came only after I stepped out of myself and served someone else.

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  8. Megan GAugust 14, 2011 at 12:03 AM

    I definitely believe in giving whereever I can. I tend to be a cat lady even though I can't have any animals, I still help my mom find homes for strays, help abused animals and make sure the ones we can help are helped. I also try to give to charities/organizations whenever I get personal windfall. I'm not at all wealthy, or from money, but I try to give back a portion of what I get.

    I think it does come back to you when you do good. Pink nail polish is a great way for good karma to come back to you. ♥

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  9. AnonymousAugust 14, 2011 at 5:06 PM

    Yep - I believe that the universe likes to keep everything in check. If you send good out there, it's bound to come back. Plus it feels so good just to be nice for the sake of being nice.

    Those are some fine looking pink tootsies you got there :)

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  10. Jenarcissist @ the closet narcissistAugust 15, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    If someone asked me to describe you, I think that would be the first quality that would come to mind.

    Being kind and compassionate just for the sake of being kind and compassionate is a very joyful, grateful way to live life. :)

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  11. TiffAugust 15, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    I always believe in doing good deeds and also just being nice to people! I try to always treat others with kindness, even if they may not be very kind to me! You never know what someone else is going through in life. A smile or a kind word or gesture can go very far!

    I love a bright pink on my toes in the summer! Very pretty!

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  12. AudiAugust 15, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    Those are the best kind of gifts -- the ones that show someone was thinking about you and picked out something that truly suits your personality. And I definitely enjoy doing things for people; even small gestures can mean so much.

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  13. lawyerdollAugust 15, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    It was so sweet of her to remember you that way! I came *this* close for looking for another set of those earrings you liked while I was at the museum on Saturday... but thought it would be more fun if we oawed through the gift shop together!

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  14. ShybikerAugust 15, 2011 at 11:37 PM

    Thank you, Lawyerdoll, for thinking of me. We *will* go shopping together someday. :)

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  15. AnonymousAugust 17, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    The color looks awesome!!! Matches the blog too. Its a fun, lively pink and really accentuates your toes. Foot lovers would absolutely go crazy over this picture

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  16. JoyAugust 23, 2011 at 3:41 PM

    That polish is the prettiest shade of pink! What a thoughtful gesture on the part of your friend.

    I admire your philosophy and appreciate the wise words. I need (and want) to commit to that kind of attitude myself.

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