The other day I went to the market during my lunch break to buy some things I needed. Prior to leaving the store, I stopped by the Starbucks inside and bought some drinks for my coworkers. On my way out, I was carrying the cup holder and the drinks, my car keys, my cell phone, my purse and the two bags of stuff I purchased. In other words, I had my hands full. As I was exiting, one of the bags ripped and my water bottles fell out and started to roll across the ground. As I struggled to try and catch them without dropping what I had in my hands and before they went into the road, two persons that were passing by, approached me; an older male and a younger female (perhaps his daughter). She had an empty plastic bag and asked me if I could use an extra bag. I replied that I could. The older male picked up my water bottles and put them inside my other plastic bag and then she double bagged it with her empty plastic bag. After thanking them a few times, I saw them walk away and realized they had taken the items they had just purchased out of their bag and were carrying it in their hands in order to give me their bag. I was surprised at their generosity. On my drive back to work I kept thinking how nice it had been of them to do that. When I got to work, I mentioned the incident to my coworker and she looked at me and said, “there are still good people out there, you know”. I think she couldn’t understand why I was so surprised at what had just happened. Hmmm…
A few days ago, a friend of mine told me how she had befriended someone (a guy) at the market and all I could think of (without saying it, of course) was: “You don’t even know who this person is!”, “How do you know he’s not some kind of rapist or a killer?”, “How could you give him your number just like that?”, “How can you tell him where you live if this is the first time you meet him?”.
These incidents happened within days of each other and they made me realize that I’ve totally given up on the good people that are still out there in this world. Due to the nature of the work I do, the shows that I watch on a daily basis, because of what I studied, as well as what I read in the news every day, I’ve lost hope in there actually being good people. I trust very few people in my life, and my mind, because I’m an investigator, has been trained to expect the worst and doubt (almost) everything and everyone. I also realized that I expect people who approach me to have an ulterior motive for doing so. I’ve come to the realization that I’ve put some sort of barrier around me which prevents me from really getting to know people as well as opening up to them.
I want to change that, of course, without letting my guard down completely. It’s something that I know I need to change. I need to start seeing the good in people and believe that good people really do exist. One can’t go on in life always (never doubt your instinct though) doubting everyone and their intentions. Where do I begin though?
Remember that New Year’s post in which I stated that I didn’t know what I wanted to accomplish this year? Well, let’s start with this…
You can maybe start too by doing little good deeds for strangers too and it really does get passed on! Opening doors for others, smiling and looking people in the eye when you pass, giving random compliments to strangers or acquaintances, etc. you’d be surprised what your little good deeds mean to someone! See how much you were affected by it? And when others do something like that to me; it always brightens my day too 🙂 and you can still keep your guard up at the same time lol 😉 great post! Thanks for sharing!!
Yes, will try to do that. Thank you!
Yes! There ARE good ones. It’s hard when you see the not-so-good-ones day in and day out. But many people are good. I’d go as far as to say that most people are … it’s just the bad ones that get the visibility and take the good stuff out of the spotlight. Glad you had such a great experience and that people were helping you!
I love this. You are so right people often only see the ulterior motives they believe are there. It did kind of make me laugh because, I know I am a few years older than you, meeting strangers and exchanging numbers? That’s how we used to get boyfriends…friends and husbands 😉 That was every weekend in the 90’s for 20 something year olds. Now, I feel old .
Anyways, I am glad that you are trying to see the good in people. I am trying to be a better person; kinder and more generous with my time. Maybe the world is turning around?
LOL!!! I know, but the world just seems so much scarier now that giving our phone number to a complete stranger seems just as scary. Thank you for your post as well. It’s crazy how we published similar posts on the same day that in a way had to do with the same thing.
Reblogged this on the robot mommy and commented:
Still good people out there? Yes. Yes, there is.
I think that is a really good goal. I absolutely believe that MOST people are good.
A veces lo pensamos dos veces antes de hacer algo bueno por otros! No lo pensemos mucho! Hagamos buenas obras! Nosotros mismos seremos mas felices
Muy cierto! Gracias!
what a sweet post. I think you would like the drive thru difference initiative from star 99.1. Check out their site. You print a note and hand to the cashier after paying for the meal behind you. I’ve yet to do it but always want to. I’m sure it my make people’s day.
Hmm that sounds like a great idea! Maybe I’ll give it a try and start with that! Thanks for sharing.
I completely understand how you feel. Sometimes ir might not even be a job. Just watching the news, even personal experiences can make you loose faith in humanity. I had a similar experience too. It takes courage to put an opinion like this out there. I’ve thought about it but never did it lol
I’ve learned recently that it doesn’t matter how bad something or someone is, it’s the way we react and let it affect us that’s important! 🙂
To begin with I love the quote because it’s something we all need to practice! Also, I relate so much with what you say about questioning people’s motives. I definitely know everyone has good in them, but I think many of us put up barriers because of the (bad) experiences we go through with people. It’s hard to trust and believe in others. Glad this experience gave you this awesome reflection. ▶ Let’s continue seeing the good in others 🙂
I have the same trust issues. But it’s hard- if not impossible- to be alone, without any help pr support. I look for a happy mediums or a way to coexists with other people, I give them a certain space, but never let my guard down.