Over here in Europe (been in Spain almost 6 years now) the laws are such that an immigrant who doesn't know the right people is going to have a tough time getting work, even if they want it. I knew a girl who was a pharmacist from where she came but was working as a babysitter here because she couldn't get through the beurocracy. At least here, some folk want to work but are simply held back by the system. You'll see a lot of htem trying to sell newspapers or other easy-to-come by items. I give when I see people trying to work.

Karma. I know him good.

Two years ago I think it was already past Christmas I drove to a friend at a sunday afternoon. It was already dark and on my way to him (120km) I stopped because there was a old 90s car with emergency lights on standing at the side of the road with a foreign plate. I stopped and a men came towards my car. He had no more fuel and no money for filling his car because they got robbed at the autobahn restplace. He was from turkey and did not speak very well german nor english. He asked if I could tow him back to the autobahn because there was a BK and McDonalds and probably some warm place to stay over night with his kid and his wife.

So I towed him through the snow and when we arrived at the rest place, I remembered I had 50€ in the car for "emergencies" because I looked into my wallet and it was nearly empty. I gave the 50€ to him and he was that thankfull. He asked for my adress, too and I said "Just forget it, its ok, really". He insisted that I should take his goldring, wich was probably his wedding ring (I dont know if Turks have that tradition). I said "no I dont want it, its way to much for the 50€, I can not do this, its to much"
So after a minute or two after I finally said "good luck, stay well, I have to drive along" he gave me a hug and so I drove on. Half an hour later, when I arrived at my friends flat and got rid of my coat something fell on the floor. It was the goldring.

Some weeks later I went to a goldsmith and he said it was worth over 600€. I was shocked. The goldsmith asked me if I would sell it to him or how we would go further. I sold it and kept the money for first. I took 50€ for emergencies back to my car and spent the rest to a aid organization.

I was baffled but I felt very good and lucky inside, after this.

im wary of the "homeless" people on medians with signs because so many of them aren't honest about their situations. i.e. flatscreen t.v. guy

however, i do enjoy giving out random goodies to strangers. i tipped the server boy at dennys the other night 100 bucks because he had to listen to me and my friends being loud and carrying on at 2 am.
oh, and there was a blind man who was walking around the gas station looking for a ride but everyone was ignoring him so i decided to give him a lift. he offered me a dollar but i couldn't take it and then i helped him out and walked him the rest of the way to where he was going.

its sad how some people get sketched out when you offer to pay for something of theres or help them out like there is always some sort of catch

The nice thing about the principle of 'paying it forward' is that it changes your outlook: you expect nice things to happen to you in return, and you start to look around you to see if you can identify these blessings. You wouldn't want to miss it when it happens, do you? And lo and behold, lots of little blessings right there under your very nose!

Regardless whether these blessings are the result of your own previous forward paying action, or whether they were there all along, you become happier and with a more positive outlook in life, simply because you have your eyes on positive things around you in addition to being on the lookout for people who might be in need.

It's called the way of give. The law of the universe.

tired of all the old hustles from the homeless, this year I instead tried to tip more and leave money in the salvation army bucket. don't know if it was karma, but after bills I left the grocery store with my last dollar the other day and stopped by the poker machines. hit the $400 royal flush on the second hand ($.50) per hand with dimes. $400 doesn't really help with anything, but it's been soo long since I got one of those, it made me wonder.

You know i have many stories on this also. As some know i work for a police department. My personal thing i will do is if i eat McDonalds or somewhere like that that gives those game pieces you win free food on, i save them. when i see the local transients here i give them to them when they ask for money for food and such. they are the same as cash in the store and can only be used for food. and besides i never use them lol. also i go to the Biloxi Mississippi a few times a year. i was once stopped by a guy outside a fast food chain that i just knew was going to ask for money. since i have seen most of the tricksters at work i will not give them cash. however he walked up and asked for me to please buy him a meal as he was just starting work there from the oil spill and hadnt recieved a check yet. that i was only more than happy to provide! all of my luck came the night before i met him so i guess it was a test for me lol.

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I agree with you, but the car was old and they did not looked to be very wealthy and the goldring was out of proportion. I said to him its enough for me to know they wont be hungry this night and that they have a little money until they can get some of their own at a bank or so.

Next thing is I was unsure if it is his wedding ring, as Turks dont have to be muslims allways.
Its not a "lesson" that I´d learned, its common sense the let the gifted one express his happyness and feelings.

UPDATE:

I have continued my mission to "Pass it Forward" and it seems to be catching on.

My local Coffee House reports the trend is growing.

The fun I am having just buying a stranger a cup of coffee is refreshing.

I just buy their cup then quickly walk away while saying nothing.

The stories, the smiles, the shock on their face.....I highly recommend it.

I'm asking for everyone today for one "Random Act of Kindness".

It has really helped to restore my faith in the Human Race.