Was it easy for you....or difficult...costly to accomplish.....satisfying?
2007-09-06 14:25:53 · 7 answers · asked by Goldberry 6 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
I expected to hear positive things but I am very touched by your answers...much more than I expected...so much selfless humanitarian love....very satisfying...very inspirational...thanks to all who have contributed....
2007-09-06 16:15:51 · update #1
I am so awed by all your answeres...all so wonderful...I cannot chose....would chose them all and so will pass it to the voters........
2007-09-07 16:59:13 · update #2
It was 1997, and my husband had just left me & our 5 kids. I had no job when he left, and had been a stay at home mom for the past 15 years. I found a job and moved myself & the kids in a small, rundown house in WV. I started out making less than $19,000 a year and got no child support, so I had to go on food stamps. I wasn't proud of it, but I had kids to feed and their dad wasn't coming through with any help. I didn't get much, and boy did I learn how to make that small amount stretch!
One day, on the way home from the grocery, I drove past a homeless man whom I'd noticed for the last week. He had been living under the highway overpass next to the exit I always took. He looked like he was about 60. I couldn't stop thinking of how close I had come to being homeless myself.
After taking the groceries home, I turned around and went back to the store. I had just a few dollars of my own and about $10 in food stamps left. I got as much as I could, and stuck to things that would be nutritious and easy to eat without cooking or refrigeration. I filled a couple of bags with peanut butter, bananas, crackers, a loaf of bread, nuts, a sandwich from the deli. I picked up some plastic silverware from the salad bar and got a big bottle of water & some juice boxes.
When I got back to the overpass I pulled over. I saw a movement out of the corner of my eye--he was scurrying up the embankment to the top corner. He sat there and just looked at me but never said a word. I got out of the truck, and pulled out the two small bags of food. I held them up to show him, and took a few steps away from the road. I said "it's not much, but it might help for a few days. Sorry it isn't more." I put the bags down, and headed back to the truck. He waited for me to get back in and get back on the road, and then he rushed to the bags.
Looking back it wasn't costly, but given my circumstances it wasn't easy either. It was however extremely satisfying.
2007-09-06 14:51:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In my career, I am also an advocate. It is very rewarding and very easy to do. An advocate though, makes many people unhappy and can earn enemies in standing up for the rights of those who cannot stand up for themselves. The cost can be very high at times.
The consequences can include social isolation, politics, deliberate attempts to sabotage, etc. I only do it because I believe those who I advocate for deserve someone to be their champion. Otherwise, I wouldn't put up with what goes along with it.
The rewards and satisfaction are sometimes incredible. Seeing someone leave prostitution and addiction behind and become a university graduate is a very satisfying reward.
Seeing someone go from being endlessly victimized to becoming an advocate for others, again, is very satisfying.
It isn't for someone who is sensitive or easily hurt by others.
2007-09-06 15:36:58 · answer #2 · answered by guru 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A fellow trooper, name withheld, of mine was going home the next day to his wife and his child, whom he had only seen in photos. In order to keep him from harm I told the first sergeant that I needed to know this particular area of operation. I suggested that, since my fellow trooper knew the area well, that I take his place in order to learn from the others. The first shirt granted my request. I was slightly wounded, but my fellow trooper made it home just fine. It was very satisfying.
2007-09-06 14:57:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are so many, but, if I have to choose just one...
A couple with a baby had left the gas pump without paying. The manager tracked them down and made them come back.
It was the middle of winter and they tried to tell the manager that another couple they were with was supposed to have paid for their gas. But didn't...
The manager was calling the police and the man was going to be arrested. He had to work in the morning and would loose his job, plus he was the sole supporter of his home.
I over heard the argument.
When I went to pay for my gas, I paid for theirs too.
The manager couldn't believe I would do that. He asked me if I knew them and I said no. Than he asked me if I was sure since it was a large sum of money. I told him I didn't care how much it was, I'd pay it.
He asked me again if I knew them and I assured him I had never met them and had never even talked to them, even now.
They were outside in their car so they didn't know what was going on inside between the manager and me. The manager asked me why I'd do this for strangers. I told them because they had a need and I could meet that need.
The manager went outside and told them they could leave because I paid their bill. They refused to leave and the manager again started yelling at them and insisted they leave.
I paid and went out to leave; the man thanked me and then was willing to leave.
The manager again asked me why I did that. He could not believe what happened.
I never saw that couple again, but felt good that I had that much money on me (I usually carried only $20 on me, for some strange reason I had $100 on me that night.) so I could help them out.
Then I had to go home and face my husband, I didn't have time to talk to him about it first and I always made sure we agreed on these things before I did them. My husband was not upset and was glad I helped them out; he said he would have done the same thing if it was him and he had the money to do it.
2007-09-06 14:53:45 · answer #4 · answered by Hillbillee 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I gave up my seat in a full class to a girl that couldn't graduate from college without it, and now I have to hope that it is open when I should take it next year.
And I really hope somebody beats this.
2007-09-06 14:33:57 · answer #5 · answered by trueblue88 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I opened my home to my 13 & 14 year old nephews, not to mention my heart. I used to have to go to their home and leave crying and sickened from the squalor that they lived in, and carried it with me most of the time. Now I know they are safe and well fed,,,,,,,,,,,,,and just upstairs sleeping.....
2007-09-06 15:45:32 · answer #6 · answered by anonOmiss 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
when i got a 5 gold medals in one year!!
2007-09-06 14:29:23 · answer #7 · answered by camille E 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋