Time to Big Note Yourself

[okidoke]

It’s too easy to be hard on yourself, to put yourself down, to allow cruel words of others to make you feel lousy.

Feel free to write about something good that you’ve done for someone else. This is not about bragging or showing off. It’s about feeling proud or accomplished or valued by others for being a wonderful decent human being and getting a little acknowledgment from your fellow human beings.

Please try to avoid derailing or making a mockery of the thread’s intention.

 

[user 190481]

At an elderly persons residence, every few days or so, a visiting relative of a lady who lived there played a flute for all to sing along with.

Such enjoyment they all got as well as the staff too.

When their relative sadly passed away the flutist naturally stopped going there.

I had a portable organ, so I took that along to play music to them several evenings a week for several years. The most asked for songs were Danny Boy - We'll Meet Again - Que Sera Sera - Christmas Carols. etc

The smiles on their faces meant the world to me.

 

[Punisher]

Last Christmas I went looking for homeless people in the city centre, and gave each one £5. I had a mask on and hood over my head so no one sees me. Going to do it every Christmas.

 

[Unsigned]

I've helped many people who were out of work find jobs over the years.
And I've spent a great deal of time training junior staff -- even when they do not report to me or it's not part of my responsibilities.
One went out of his way to tell me how much he appreciated the help I gave him when no one else was even talking to him.

 

[TheSkaFish]

I've helped many people who were out of work find jobs over the years.
And I've spent a great deal of time training junior staff -- even when they do not report to me or it's not part of my responsibilities.
One went out of his way to tell me how much he appreciated the help I gave him when no one else was even talking to him.

Seriously, good on you for doing this

Unfortunately I know firsthand how cruel the world can be when you get off course in life, and most people/the world would rather throw you away than help you get back on board.

 

[TheSkaFish]

I guess for mine, the best I can come up with is that when my Grandma was around, I would try to do a good job weeding the yard, and mowing it regularly, and I would tell her about what was going on in the yard especially with what flowers were in bloom and which were up next, and what insects I'd find, because gardening was her hobby when she was able to do it. I figured that even if she couldn't do it, that she would like to know what was going on there, and it would at least keep her involved in some way and keep her mind active.

 

[user 139760]

On the top of my head, when I was younger, I helped an old lady who got hit by a mini van. She flew under a parked car. Everyone on the busy street was frozen, I ran a street, pulled her out and did first aid like my dad taught me. She had no visible injuries, so I get her talking to check signs of commotions, while freeing her blouse looking for signs of internal injuries. I asked her memory questions, to see if she had a concussion or something. That's how I learned she was 92 years old, I was around 16 at the time on my way to college and she had several grandchildren. Nice, tought as nails old lady. The paramedics arrived, I briefed them and left for school. Drained me enough I fell asleep in class for the first time in my life lol.
I'm willing to bet 20 she's still alive today.

 

[okidoke]

Anyone else want to share?

 

[Dbruised]

When I was walking out of the hotel the other day to go to dinner I saw an old lady trying to carry everything from her car at once. She was dropping things. I ran over and grabbed most of her things and helped her to her room.

 

[okidoke]

I’m sure there are more stories and I’d love to hear them.

 

[MandyJ]

Changing a 16 year old boy's life around in the right direction.Was stealing,shop lifting and auto theft.He listened to me and saw I was right.Mom said he is doing a lot better and judge saw he was doing good taking him off of probation.Met the judge,said good job cleaning up my life.Seen I learned prison life is not good and helping these trouble making teens break the cycle before it gets worse

 

[Intrama]

Told my landlords struggling son the honest truth about my homelessness and addiction struggles without glorifying a single bit of it.

Gave him the name of some free counselling services and a direct line for a harm reduction specialist.

Too often when in the muck of it all, I've pumped up the drug use and made it seem like it's full of fun.

Glad I didn't do that with him.

 

[TropicalStarfish]

I helped a friend here get a free ride to a doctor's appointment, and back. I don't feel like it was a particularly extraordinary kindness; but, I do know, for that day at least, it made things probably a lot less difficult. But, at least he knows those options are available to him now.

----
Also, is 'big note yourself,' an Australian phrase?

 

[user 150037]

Wow. There are some amazing people on this forum!

Spending the past year in a peer support group has definately made me more aware of the problems that other people have - if one of the group is having a bad time, we all rally together and we are there for eachother; and I love the fact that it doesn't matter who that person is - there's no discrimination! I've even been told that my words make a world of difference, which is good to hear.

There's a massive difference between reaching out to someone because you're lonely, and reaching out to someone because you're concerned for them and want to see how they're doing.

Those of you who put yourselves down, if you do these amazing things for others, then you're wonderful. Don't let anyone tell you any different.

 

[okidoke]

Also, is 'big note yourself,' an Australian phrase?

Not sure. I've known it since I was a kid.

Edit, apparently yes.

big-note
verb
Australian•New Zealand
verb: big-note; 3rd person present: big-notes; past tense: big-noted; past participle: big-noted; gerund or present participle: big-noting

1. display one's wealth ostentatiously.
   "I don't want them to think I'm big-noting"
   • exaggerate one's importance or achievements.
     "it was an attempt by a local businessman to big-note himself with the local MP"

 

[TropicalStarfish]

Not sure. I've known it since I was a kid.

Edit, apparently yes.

big-note
verb
Australian•New Zealand
verb: big-note; 3rd person present: big-notes; past tense: big-noted; past participle: big-noted; gerund or present participle: big-noting

1. display one's wealth ostentatiously.
   "I don't want them to think I'm big-noting"
   • exaggerate one's importance or achievements.
     "it was an attempt by a local businessman to big-note himself with the local MP"

hehe, as I suspected. Love the vernacular over there; but, it often leaves me clueless until I catch on.

 

[okidoke]

hehe, as I suspected. Love the vernacular over there; but, it often leaves me clueless until I catch on.

Glad to enlighten you.