Just musing and wonderiing.....

My Father, who was poor, did many small kindnesses during his life; he would mend and repair things for people, heel shoes, fix toys for children, clean windscreens early and quietly on frosty mornings - there were so many at his funeral who had liked and appreciated him, a small quiet man. I have wondered just what he might have done had he been rich.

To NanO, Is the book you mention: “Beware of Pity” by Stefan Zweig? I couldn’t find the title under Josef Roth.

Rosina

My Father, who was poor, did many small kindnesses during his life; he would mend and repair things for people, heel shoes, fix toys for children, clean windscreens early and quietly on frosty mornings - there were so many at his funeral who had liked and appreciated him, a small quiet man. I have wondered just what he might have done had he been rich.

A friend's husband died a couple of weeks ago. I knew him as a quiet pleasant man. It was only when I read the messages of sympathy online that I realised the many local groups he had lent support to.

I read recently that voluntary work is being 'prescribed' in some areas as it has been found to have such a positive effect on volunteers. Helping others can be a way of making ourselves feel better in life. Win win.

I suspect those who are advocating that we should all "open our doors (literally) to the homeless give up all our spare time to tending to those at the bottom of the social scale( aka anyone who asks) etc etc....bit wait a minute, THEY don't ever appear to be in any hurry to throw their £million doors open do they? I think that it's the idea that there's a' ruling class' when it comes to who should bear the brunt of the giving! Well off types always bang on about how much they've done usually in a patronising manner too. My cousin dropped out of his well heeled and very comfortable life back in the 70s and literally disappeared off the map! An only child my uncle and aunt were grief stricken for years with worry- until a random friend said they'd seen him in London 10 years on- working with the salvation army street pastors and soup van!! He had sworn our friend to secrecy as to where he was exactly but allowed him to say he's alive and well. Now THATS what I call a "do gooder"!! Dedicated and hardworking seeking no gongs.

I do on occasion pass at tenner or twenty to struggling families I see in shops/market with a "excuse me you've dropped this" ! Tee hee...... Suprise ensues and I exit a speedy stage left.......

What a nice idea Mummer.

It doesn’t really bother me if people ‘do good’ with great fanfare or with none. So long as people/animals/the planet were helped in some way.
I used to volunteer for things and I did it because it made me feel good about myself.