Discussions

Among other reasons to celebrate the people in our fine city, I think that two of the most charming characteristics are their charitable ways and their selflessness.....  
I have have been on both ends of the give and take line. We have had good times and bad times, we have given much and were always able to receive a little when we needed it.  
We should share some of our stories about giving and receiving. I'll start...........  
I try to give as often as possible, sometimes big and sometimes small...a coffee, a sandwich, a piece of clothing or a full course meal. I sometimes give cash but usually I can give and item.  
Most recently I was contacted by someone who had heard from someone else that I try to find things for people in need... They needed a crib and I was able to secure one for them. A small gesture that had a huge impact for them.  
I received years ago when my child was very sick and we lived overseas, we sold everything we owned to provide her with the best possible care we could find. Many people helped us with groceries, diapers, food and transport to and from hospitals. We will never forget those people and the spirit in which they helped knowing full well they would never accept anything back.....SO now I pay it forward as often as I can afford to. I live with very little so I can give more.  
Thank you Brandonites for being wonderful and charitable and selfless.  
 
Share your story please...we need more positivity!

I noted my neighbours who live in the same bldg as us had very little. Moved here months ago. They were pretty much living on the floor. We offered stuff we had in storage. They thought they won the lottery!  
It's funny what we take for granted.

When we sold our cottage a few years back, we had lots of furniture and household items that we really didn't want to bring back to Brandon. The real estate agent told us about a family who had recently lost their home and were desperate for anything. I decided to give them pretty much everything we had in the cottage. they were so grateful. I could have sold it all and probably made a few dollars, but this made me feel really good.

that we all have much more than we actually need and some little thing that we see each day and don't even notice might be the little thing that someone else sees as unattainable and is their wish!

There was a study done where volunteers came in one morning and, through a series of questions, determined their level of happiness. They were randomly split into two groups and each person received $20. One group was told to spend it on themselves and the other group was told to spend it on someone else.  
 
They reported back at the end of the day and explained what they did with the money. A second different but similar questionnaire again determined their level of happiness.  
 
Those that spent money on helping others had a greater increase in happiness than those that spent money on themselves.  
 
My neighbour has been disabled from a vehicle accident and cannot work. He gets bored so sneaks over to my house and mows my lawn for me. Maybe it is a little too short and too frequent, but he feels so much better when he has done this. For those that I have helped, Karma has sent me an automatic lawnmower and I am happy.

I love your lawn mower story kat!