What did you accomplish today?

So, I see people complaining constantly—about this, about that, claiming they’re entitled to one thing while someone else gets another—but it makes me wonder: what have YOU actually done for anyone today? How are you proving to yourself that you're actually a decent human being?
I'll go first. I didn't do anything particularly saintly today, but yesterday I spent a good chunk of time just listening to a guy vent about his problems and trying to help him navigate them.
Then there was Saturday—I headed out to a rally for labor rights and the underdog. I'm not personally struggling, but I went because others are.
And if I'm being honest, something I'm actually proud of: a few days ago, I donated my last fifty bucks to the [Novi Med](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novi_Med) shelter fund for their land development project.
I’d love for everyone here to share something positive they’ve done for someone else—something that makes them feel like they actually matter.
We deal with enough negativity on this forum as it is; I’m genuinely curious to see how much positivity you guys have actually built into your own lives—stuff where you get absolutely nothing out of it except knowing you helped someone.
(Please, if you're just looking for an excuse to be a critic, just stay quiet. Mod, please step in if anyone starts using this thread to lash out or insult people out of pure frustration. In my opinion, it’s people who tear down good deeds that make everyone else indifferent. It's why that bear you saw on the news recently almost starved to death—nobody even looked twice because it's become "trendy" to just ignore other people's suffering and focus entirely on yourself. The news is already drowning in that kind of apathy, not enough good people. So, please, skip the philosophy and just tell us what you did for someone else.) Thanks.

What was this thread even famous for again?🤣
I crushed a King Size Twix today and it was solid. Just kidding. I actually make something good every single day... mostly because I’m constantly thinking about suicide, so every day that I don't go through with it, I make sure to do something decent. Honestly, I'm pretty proud of that.😂👍

Thought I’d throw my two cents into the ring here too.😛
(I am genuinely curious about the psychology behind this whole "selfless helping" thing, though... isn't there always an underlying motive? Doing it just to feel better about yourself? That’s just selfish, really. Doing it so someone else feels better? Now, that’s getting somewhere... but apparently, we aren't supposed to talk about that kind of stuff here, so... 😍)
Anyway, I haven't actually done it yet. It's still pretty early 😉 but I'm getting around to it. First, I have to clean up the house. Then I'll settle in to study—even if I absolutely hate the subject matter. I'm doing it so my mom doesn't worry, and so one day she can be proud of having a daughter with a college degree 😬
Is that enough..?

She already got into a shouting match with her boss first thing this morning 🤣 👎

Man, I spend all day cleaning, and then every single night I’m just sitting here wondering what I’m even doing with my life... I mean, I know people dig my energy because I'm always so lively, but honestly, what have I actually accomplished? :S

I’m offering free Russian and English tutoring sessions for kids whose families are currently struggling to afford extra lessons. I can commit to five days a week.

Well, I just got back from the grocery store, and I ended up using the very last of my cash to pick up some French and Pol cheese for my sister. 🙂

Gave a quick shout-out today to the cleaning lady at my office for keeping my area spotless and grabbing my overflowing trash bin. She turned bright red—looked like she was beaming with pride.

I didn't actually do anything. And honestly? That’s a win in my book. At least I didn't manage to screw anything up today.🤷

Ronald Rogers27

Just trying to let go of all that bitterness toward my enemies every single day...
-btw-hey, I’m totally with you on being a bear, for sure... it just feels like people would actually listen if you kept that "bear" energy on your personal blog or something rather than mixing it into politics or those mainstream news outlets... which, honestly, are just filled with disillusioned veterans anyway... though I can't really blame them much myself...👍

I honestly think a lot of people are just walking around feeling empty inside—and then they don't actually do a single thing to fix it. Most people would probably feel way more fulfilled if they just started some nonprofit or joined a cause to help someone out. It gives life a bit of purpose, doesn't it? You could join one of those existing organizations, too, though I’m not really feeling them lately—too much red tape, in my opinion. And honestly? Not enough actual work being done. I’d love to join something that helps animals, though. If anyone has a recommendation for a good animal rescue or a local shelter, please drop a link so I can sign up and get involved. I don't have much going on at the moment, so I might as well put that energy toward helping those who actually need it.

I’m actually sitting here tearing up right now—this is just devastating. It’s that story about the poor dog. It hits so hard... I mean, I’d probably take him in myself, even though I know I don't really have the right setup for a pet right now. But man, this just got to me. 😢😢 It’s just awful how people and animals—the ones who actually deserve love—end up getting none at all. Just terrible.
I might honestly end up adopting him, just because my heart breaks for the little guy...

http://www.nytimes.com/culture/news...,13,,101749.jl

I actually went ahead and sent Andrew Reed11 the link for a dog that needs a home, since it’s pretty obvious he’s got a soft spot for animals—whether it's those bears causing trouble over the border or this little pup from that old news story.

Well, here it is, the link:

I grabbed four jam donuts on sale at Walmart and honestly—best decision I've made all day. 👍

Andrew Reed11 said:So, I see people complaining constantly—about this, about that, claiming they’re entitled to one thing while someone else gets another—but it makes me wonder: what have YOU actually done for anyone today? How are you proving to yourself that you're actually a decent human being?
I'll go first. I didn't do anything particularly saintly today, but yesterday I spent a good chunk of time just listening to a guy vent about his problems and trying to help him navigate them.
Then there was Saturday—I headed out to a rally for labor rights and the underdog. I'm not personally struggling, but I went because others are.
And if I'm being honest, something I'm actually proud of: a few days ago, I donated my last fifty bucks to the [Novi Med](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novi_Med) shelter fund for their land development project.
I’d love for everyone here to share something positive they’ve done for someone else—something that makes them feel like they actually matter.
We deal with enough negativity on this forum as it is; I’m genuinely curious to see how much positivity you guys have actually built into your own lives—stuff where you get absolutely nothing out of it except knowing you helped someone.
(Please, if you're just looking for an excuse to be a critic, just stay quiet. Mod, please step in if anyone starts using this thread to lash out or insult people out of pure frustration. In my opinion, it’s people who tear down good deeds that make everyone else indifferent. It's why that bear you saw on the news recently almost starved to death—nobody even looked twice because it's become "trendy" to just ignore other people's suffering and focus entirely on yourself. The news is already drowning in that kind of apathy, not enough good people. So, please, skip the philosophy and just tell us what you did for someone else.) Thanks.

Professor, are you married? Do you have kids?

I'm guessing you aren't...
because a woman juggling a husband, children, and a career simply doesn't have the luxury of sitting around counting all the good things she does in a day. It’s not just that there isn't time between all the giving; it's that the acts are so constant they become impossible to track.

Any mom on here will tell you that most of her day is spent looking out for others. For the vast majority of the time... every single day... all year round... it's just giving, giving, and more giving.

When you get into that rhythm, you start doing it almost by instinct. You find yourself helping a mother struggling with her toddlers on the street, or donating to UNICEF, or answering those charity calls for dialysis machines or snail research. You might drop off some groceries for a neighbor downstairs who relies on social security, or just sit and chat with an elderly lady who has no one else to talk to.

At the end of the day, you either have an open heart or you don't. You either empathize or you don't. You don't really need to turn it into some organized program where everyone tries to be "good" just to feel better about themselves.

Anyway, that's just my take on it, Professor. 🙂

Stayed quiet over coffee.
Hung the curtains.

Finished up a bit of work over at the fax machine.

Jeremy Palmer said:Professor, are you married? Do you have kids?

I'm guessing you aren't...
because a woman juggling a husband, children, and a career simply doesn't have the luxury of sitting around counting all the good things she does in a day. It’s not just that there isn't time between all the giving; it's that the acts are so constant they become impossible to track.

Any mom on here will tell you that most of her day is spent looking out for others. For the vast majority of the time... every single day... all year round... it's just giving, giving, and more giving.

When you get into that rhythm, you start doing it almost by instinct. You find yourself helping a mother struggling with her toddlers on the street, or donating to UNICEF, or answering those charity calls for dialysis machines or snail research. You might drop off some groceries for a neighbor downstairs who relies on social security, or just sit and chat with an elderly lady who has no one else to talk to.

At the end of the day, you either have an open heart or you don't. You either empathize or you don't. You don't really need to turn it into some organized program where everyone tries to be "good" just to feel better about themselves.

Anyway, that's just my take on it, Professor. 🙂

-okay, glad to see there are still "some good people" left out there....
-Professor, it reminds me of myself back in the day, when I had all this energy to go out and do good things.... but man, honestly, over time I just burned out. My nerves got frayed, my body wore down, and it seems like so many people just stayed selfish... totally egocentric.

I managed to whip up a really great lunch today. 😁

I had a long talk with a friend, honestly... and then I just let it all out and cried. After that, I got the dishes and laundry done.

I still intend to get some studying in.

Donna Sullivan7 said:-okay, glad to see there are still "some good people" left out there....
-Professor, it reminds me of myself back in the day, when I had all this energy to go out and do good things.... but man, honestly, over time I just burned out. My nerves got frayed, my body wore down, and it seems like so many people just stayed selfish... totally egocentric.

Ah... I hear you. There are moments now where I find myself snapping at someone for absolutely no reason at all, and then I'm left feeling genuinely guilty about it. It’s like that old saying about being an old lady who's lost her marbles. This wasn't me years ago.😢