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Acts of Kindness
updated: Jun 16, 2012, 10:21 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

What is a random act of kindness you've seen recently in Santa Barbara?

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 288680P	2012-06-16 11:26 PM
I'd say the random act of (continuing) kindness is the owner of edhat continuing to publish this online journal that probably barely pays its expenses and often seems to be a outlet for snark, which can be rather funny. ...I've seen others in SB but that's a big one and a start of this thread.
GREG	2012-06-17 04:40 AM
When Ehat readers take time to share photos and charming or insightful anecdotes, that's a random act of kindness. Timid, OP here.
COMMENT 288686P	2012-06-17 05:49 AM
Due the dearth of responses is it safe say that there has not been many or any? OK, how about me blowing my own horn and saying that on my last visit to Lazy Acres I purchased one of their $10 dollar food donation bags. Does this count as a RAK?
COMMENT 288691	2012-06-17 06:33 AM
Yesterday, Sid Smith's funeral at the Methodist church, which heralded the life of a truly kind man who must have awoken daily with reliable hope that he'd do something kind for someone. RIP
COMMENT 288692	2012-06-17 06:36 AM
I saw a young feller reach into his pocket and give a panhandler all his change...and actually touch the panhandlers hands...(he was rather dirty).
SHOREBIRD	2012-06-17 07:23 AM
This is an easy one. It's Roger all the way.
NATFABS	2012-06-17 08:14 AM
My elderly friends went to the sale at Raoul's Printworks a few weeks ago. There was a huge line, and the Raoul's people took them out of line, had them choose their fabrics, and guided them back to the front of the line to pay. My friend and her partner, they are 92, were very impressed by this kindness, as was I.
COMMENT 288709	2012-06-17 08:32 AM
Somebody actually said "thank you" when I held the door for them.
FLICKA	2012-06-17 08:43 AM
The volunteers from Carpinteria Beautiful go around town picking up trash thoughtless people toss on the ground. Keeps our town looking especially clean.
ROGER DODGER	2012-06-17 09:26 AM
Shakey and his wife Christine are always doing things for me. Shakey always takes my 5 gallon Arrowhead container and fills it with water. Last week he bought me a 10 pound sack of potatoes..
COMMENT 288742	2012-06-17 09:27 AM
Letting conservative voices be heard on edhat.
BECKY	2012-06-17 09:44 AM
They occur every day... When someone picks up trash from the sidewalk or gutter and deposits it where it belongs. When a driver politely waits for pedestrians to cross the street. When a door is held open for the next person. When an arm is offered to an elderly person with a cane. When a shop owner takes a few extra minutes to actually talk with a customer who looks frazzled, or vice versa. When random EdHat friends share gorgeous photos of our world with those of us too busy to pause to enjoy. Our world abounds with kind, considerate, thoughtful people, and courtesy is contagious. Plato's, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle" is true, and a little kindness goes a long way when you feel like you're losing that battle.
OLDLAWOMAN	2012-06-17 09:54 AM
My friend recently dropped his wallet outside of a local gas station after paying at the counter. He came all the way home, and then noticed it was missing. He called the gas station, and someone had picked it up, and turned it in to the gas station owner. Wow, everything was still in his wallet. Now, that's honesty, and extreme kindness.
COMMENT 288778	2012-06-17 10:23 AM
I know a woman who rode around on a bike w/ a friend handing out clean socks, coats and hats to homeless people during the cold. Not a church affiliation or any other reason other than to help those who are less fortunate than herself. Now that's just plain good.
COMMENT 288801	2012-06-17 11:34 AM
Ignoring panhandlers so you don't enable their drug and alcohol problems, which is the kindest thing people can do for them. Good to see so many people on State Street now just walk by these grifters, until they have to pick up shop and try somewhere else.
D8VANILLA	2012-06-17 12:00 PM
I rescued an older cat, which was abandoned, without food or water (empty metal dish), at the far end of Manning Park parking lot, across from the Montecito YMCA. They left the cat in a cat carrier, which made it easier to transport it to the Shelter. I did leave a large note attached to the wood railings, letting them know it was taken to the shelter.
COMMENT 288812	2012-06-17 12:26 PM
I also found some cats people had dumped out on the street. I started adopting them and showing them love and kindness which i don't think they ever had..They are all fixed and live happy now and I love all of them each day. It took over a year to have them trust me. I am the lucky person who get a all the love back.
COMMENT 288823	2012-06-17 01:00 PM
I applaud everyone (myself included) who finds a lost dog, and takes the time and effort to re-unite it with the owner, or makes sure the dog gets safely to the shelter. Please everyone ensure your dog has current, readable tags (and chips and/or a tattoo ID) with multiple phone numbers, home, work, cell, vet ...
COMMENT 288826	2012-06-17 01:12 PM
Not many in this town, but I do recall that an elderly gent held a door open for me. I was so surprised!! 22 yrs in NYC and that happened all the time. What is with SoCal? The SoME?
COMMENT 288835	2012-06-17 01:47 PM
I agree with Becky. These simple acts of kindness are repeated everyday. A smile, holding a door open for someone, helping an elderly person lift a heavy bag into their car, helping someone with directions, letting the person behind you in line at a store with only one purchase go ahead of you, ... I see these acts done so often - without hesitation or thought of gain... Perhaps it is because of where we live? I choose to think so - one of the reasons I am proud to live here. Good people (most of them).
ROGER DODGER	2012-06-17 02:13 PM
I rescued a cat from Ballistic Belinda now I have 2 and can't go anywhere...D8VANILLA That was pretty neat I think of that cat often.
COMMENT 288846	2012-06-17 02:56 PM
I see random acts of kindness daily in SB, you just have to be more intuitive. I found that by doing small things like smiling at strangers, opening doors, and giving flowers for no reason transfers positive energy to others and in turn makes them do the same.Life really is what you make of it, you have a choice each and every day to enjoy every moment or walk with a chip on your shoulder. If you go about life with gusto, you will find you attract similar people, people who are happy and content, and doors will open that you never thought were possible. Start with a smile and a helping hand in all your endeavors. Avoid negative people and don't stress to much on stuff that is out of your hands. In the long run everything works out so long as you live a honest life and have a positive approach to all situations. Cheers SB natives, we live in paradise.
D8VANILLA	2012-06-17 04:03 PM
@846 ~~ I don't think you should AVOID negative people, but embrace them and try and change them into positive people. Usually, there is a reason people are negative, and if you take the time to talk with them, you will find out how interesting and amazing people can be. YOUR avoidence probably makes them more negative. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` And, thanks Roger... That kitty was never picked up by the owner, so the Shelter named her Yolie. She looks a lot better than when I found her. She was very sweet.
COMMENT 288925	2012-06-17 08:36 PM
@UPTOUS: You rock!!! Meow.
COMMENT 288930P	2012-06-17 08:42 PM
Tom Bodette read a short essay on NPR's All Things Considered years ago, he called it "People Who Notice Things" Here it is in a nutshell, from a sermon which was using it as an example: "Bodett tells of a distinctive group of people who notice things and who distinguish themselves by a special kind of attentiveness to others around them. He tells of woman who shows kindness on the highway by pulling over when he evidences a manic and frenzied need to pass. In another example, a lady at the store with a cart full of groceries and kids appears to be in a bad mood, but when they meet at the checkout counter and Bodett has only a pack of gum, she invites him to go first. She shows she is a card-carrying member of the GNT’s — the group that notices things. He notes that it is as easy to be part of the group as using your turn signal in traffic — doing simple little things to make it a little easier for others. Very few are not admitted to the GNTs — the roster is open! Bodett urges his readers to look around and give it a try and notes that you shouldn’t worry about making a spectacle of yourself in such kindness because no one outside the groups will notice!" It's one thing from ATC I've never forgotten--it struck me as SO TRUE and such an easy thing to do. I've tried since then to be a PWNT myself. Some days are better than others, but making the effort is rewarding.
D8VANILLA	2012-06-17 09:31 PM
@930p --- ok... I'll give it a go... PWNT
COMMENT 289057	2012-06-18 11:06 AM
The other night I saw one of the multitude of bums that wander the streets looking in ash trays outside bars to pick out butts to smokes. I stopped him and handed him two fresh Marlboros. He didn't say thank you but I could tell he was appreciative.
COMMENT 289200	2012-06-18 06:45 PM
As can be seen from many of these comments, doing something kindfor no reason other than to be kind is unfortunately not common enough.
COMMENT 289208	2012-06-18 07:24 PM
I had dinner at Freebird's the other night and some students were smoking outside on the patio right next to our table. Normally I'd just ignore it but I'm pregnant and just a little more cautious now than I used to be. I mentioned that I was pregnant to the students and they were SO polite and very willing to move a little further down the patio. I was so impressed by their flexibility and kindness.

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