Generations gone by used to tell their children to do a good deed a day

What a beautiful thing to do, FriedGreenTomatoes 🤗

I received a gift of kindness only today. A neighbour who I had invited to join me, my family and some other friends to a birthday tea last week, asked if she could come around to thank me for inviting her. So I said come for coffee and she turned up with a lovely bouquet of flowers as a thank you, which I was not expecting.

Grandmabatty

A brownie thinks of others before herself and does a good turn every day.
I was the sixer of the sprites 😊

I was a pixie and remember this very well. I have been on the receiving end of a good turn earlier this evening. I was on a train journey and had arrived at Peterborough Station. DH was a little delayed and asked me to wait in the large Waitrose next door, which I did. I had some heavy bags and the café was closed so l went to Customer Services to ask if l could leave my bags there for a few minutes while I bought a drink. The assistant, who was a lady around my age, found a seat for me and said she would get the drink for me as it was on the other side of the shop. When she returned with the three pack of orange drink, of which I drank one, she would not accept payment. I was so grateful as I was tired and sat for another ten minutes or so until Mr. Music arrived. Such kindness.

Modern advice on maintaining your wellbeing is not so very different, as it includes trying to regularly do good things for others. Kindness is a very powerful thing for all involved.

I was driving very slowly across a crossing and these idiot boys were mucking about saying ‘’you wouldn’t dare ‘
Wrong !

I would send my children off daily, exhorting them to perform an act of random kindness ; and try to do the same myself.

I remember a vicar who said 'No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted' I like that!

I took remember the Brownie Promise :-
A Brownie Guide thinks of others before herself and does a good deed every day.
Grandmabatty I was also a sixer of the Sprites. Loved being a Brownie and then a Guide. Went on to get my warrant and became Tawny Owl!
Although I have not been involved with guiding for many years it has had a positive influence on my life.

On a similar note, yesterday we stopped at a crossing to let a boy aged about 6 and (I presume) his daddy cross the road. The boy lifted his hand and said "thank you", it really made my day, such a lovely well mannered child

Aw, this is a nice thread; Grandmabatty I was a brownie as well, but had forgotten the promise. We had a little card with the promise and the law, and I think a prayer on the back.

The next time I see my grandchildren I will tell them to do a kind deed every day. It's a good way to live.

I initiated an end of year prize trophy at two primary schools in which I worked - the Cup of Kindness. This is an attribute that should be celebrated more often than it is.

A brownie thinks of others before herself and does a good turn every day.
I was the sixer of the sprites 😊

One of the nicest things ever said to me was by one of my school friends when we were grown up - “ I always liked going to your house, because you were all nice to each other.”. Apparently this was not the case in her house. Her father was a bully. I don’t think it was always entirely true in our house either. My brother was sometimes very nasty to me, but my parents were certainly nice to each other and to us, and the general atmosphere was of kindness. My brother is fine now!

I don't think people were any kinder in the past, or more generous now.

These skills are often learned early in life within families who don't preach about it, but just consider others as part of being in a community.

I remember being shocked as a student after leaving home when someone proclaimed that she was looking after no 1, from now on. She meant looking after herself first. This was the opposite of what I had been taught, that you put other's needs before your own.

What surprised me was that everyone seemed to agree with her, and it began to change my way of thinking too.

We became part of a me,me,me culture that still takes precedence today in the need for 'identity' and putting forward a fake on-line presence.

However, bragging about doing good deeds to me is still almost as bad, maybe even worse, as is judging others.

I suppose it's just part of human nature...

Like last year when I went to see my lovely GP and as she helped me into my coat she said “would you like a hug?” I nodded and cried. I’ll always remember that much needed kindness.

“Do a good deed every day” was part of the Brownie promise when I was a child. Not sure that I always did.

I totally agree. Sometimes, however, I feel I am a bit of a mug as there are some family members I am kind to who I think perceive me as weak. But I'll keep going with it.

Small acts of kindness can make a big difference to someone else. When I had a bad fall recently so many people offered or gave help. I have done similar if someone needs a hand.