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An Active Rain Triple Play... Steve to Alice to Karen Anne... How My Post Came to Be !

It is kind of funny how one thing can lead to another on Active Rain... and how just reading the blog posts of others... can end up stimulating an idea that I end up making in a comment to one of those posts... which then leads to my using the idea from that comment... as the basis for a post, itself.

Like this one...

First... I read a post tonight written by Steve Shatsky... about how "It's a Sign of The Times" that so many people are living paycheck to paycheck. In my comment to Steve, I shared how important it is that all of us help to provide just a bit of whatever safety net we can... to help those in need.

Then... I read a post by Alice Linahan... titled "Help Someone If You Can." It, too, was along the lines of how absolutely important it is that we... need to help those in need... whenever possible. What a great thought !

My comment to Alice told a story that I want to share. Here it is...

Alice... I would like to share with you, if I may, something I saw some time ago on a Dr Wayne Dyer PBS show. It was also about helping people. Aside from any moral, spiritual good that helping someone does... Dr Dyer shared how helping someone... performing an act of kindness... actually has "healing effects" on the mind and body. But... there is more to it.

First... and Dr Dyer said that this was scientifically studied and measured... first... the person who receives the help... is overcome by such a warm and cared-for feeling, that certain enzymes are released into the blood... endorphins and other stuff... that actually produce a healing effect on the person helped.

But secondly, that feeling is ALSO experienced by the person performing the caring deed. They, too, experience the same degree of healing effects in their mind/body... from helping someone.

But... here is the surprise. Thirdly... if there is someone who actually sees... actually watches the caregiver tend to the cared-for person... that third person, too, experiences the same degree of mind/body healing effects... just from seeing someone help someone else. I thought that was just incredible, and when I think about it, it just makes so much sense.

By the way... special thanks to both Steve Shatsky and Alice Linahan for inspiring me. Active Rain strikes again. :)

Posted by Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone on 09/19/2009 01:16 AM

Comments (81)

Helping Others in the ActiveRain Channel

help someone if you can, its a sign of the times

Post is included in group: POSITIVE ATTITUDE for the Weary Soul
Post is included in group: LATE NIGHT - EARLY MORNING AT ACTIVERAIN
Post is included in group: Family Ties
Post is included in group: Texas Real Estate
Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies

81 Comments on An Active Rain Triple Play... Steve to Alice to Karen Anne... How My Post Came to Be !

SEP

In other words: If we pay it forward it kind of pays off for everybody all around.

Karen Anne: I love the many things you bring to your blog. The way you share "your caring" and it shows. Someday I want to come to Dallas and have a visit with you. I would love the opportunity to just sit and talk about so many things. We would probably need more than a couple of hours - you think?

Jim: That really IS what life is all about. Much of our idea of immortality will come from the way people remember us. I think doing things like this just starts such a positive snowball... that may never stop rolling.

Cathy: I just so appreciate your kind thoughts and words. With the title I used... I wondered if anyone would even read this.

I think I have always been a caring person... the good old INFP from the Myers-Briggs. But that can be a double-edged sword, too.

I would just love to sit and share with you... and several hours would not even make a dent in the time I am sure I would enjoy spending with you. We seem to have lots in common... but enough differences to make for a great deal of things to talk about. A couple of hours ? Not a chance. I wish we lived closer... that would be so great just to jabber.

By the way... your caring comments... uh huh... more tears in my eyes. LOL. I think that makes THIS... a great time for me to go sleepie-pie. Thanks for sending me off to sleep on such a pleasant magic carpet. Take care...

I've always lived my life by the get by giving philosophy. The more you give, the more you get. But, the key is to want to do it and not being forced to do it. I gave a lot of time and money over the years to charities and I didn't regret it one bit. But, I saw many that gave through unions who were being forced to give and those people resented it.

That is why I am on AR. For sharing and learning. It is what the site was designed to do.

Thanks

tony

Karen Anne - Random acts of kindness are always welcome ... no matter who is on the receiving end. No matter their 'class' in life or their situaiton. And yes, it does provide a really great feeling for the 'giver' and the 'taker' ... the unabashed sharing of what we have, be it wealth, knowledge, caring and compassion ...

We, by and large, are meant to share. :)

Karen Anne, What a lovely read. I guess this is all part of the Ripple Effect that we hear so much about and don't pay as much attention to as we should. Thank you for the enlightening words; random acts of kindness work all the way around.

George: Having a "get by giving" is a great philosophy. Simply giving without regard to getting in return is even better. I am not quite sure where your union comment came from, but I am sure both you and I have known many union folks who were great people, and great "care givers." Have a wonderful day ~

Tony: Sharing and learning... what a great way to spend time on Active Rain... and what an even greater way to go through life. Thanks so much for your comment. Take care...

Carol: Random acts to kindness and caring... is best done with an eye that sees the need. We all, even if we have to look for it, have many things to be thankful for. Giving and sharing them with those who are in need... can actually save lives. And... this program, by Dr Dyer, went into a comparison of Quantum Physics with daily life, and with the psychology of living.

What some wonderful points he made. One of his quotes that I love... is "When you change the way you look at things... the things you look at... change." I could write several posts about it. Actually... I think I will. LOL. There it goes again... a comment turns into a post.

And yes, I agree... we are meant to share. Have a great weekend...

Karen Anne:

I believe that what you do to other people eventually comes back to you. Right now there a lot of people who need help. Whether its financial help or just caring, we need to do whatever we can.

Carole: Thank you so much for your kind words. What a nice thing for my tired eyes to see this early in the morning. Yes... the "ripple" effect. The things we do... both kind and not-so-kind... once they are done... end up having a life of their own. Caring for someone... well, that very act of caring never, ever stops affecting people. It just goes on and on.

There is so much we can do... and most of it only takes the time to do it, and the realizing that it needs to be done. Just letting someone know we care... can often so very much. Have a great weekend...

Claudette: Sure... it always comes back to you. From others, of course, but actually what you do instantly affects yourself... so it comes back to you in the strange way that part of what you did... never leaves you. We CAN help heal ourselves... just by sharing and caring about others. And you are right. It does not have to be financial. Just the act of caring... doing whatever we ourselves can do. Take care... have a great weekend...

Hey Karen...Some great points on giving..as Zig says "If you help enough people get what they want, you'll get what you want" Giving is sooo rewarding :O).

Cheers, thanks for sharing.

Fred: Zig had it right this time. Giving CAN be rewarding... as far as you quote is concerned. "If you help enough people get what they want, you'll get what you want." But, the difference in what Zig said... and just plain and simple "helping and caring"... is that there is an "intent" in the what Zig says... and just simply caring... nothing else... in giving without regard to anything else... but just... giving. Take care, Fred. Hope you had fun with your "boy toys... ." LOL.

Hi Karen, a powerful thought, rooted in the souls of all of us, as your scientific documentation reflects. I actually believe acts of kindness do MORE for the giver, than for the taker. I also believe that to give IS to receive.

Wanda: The fact that to give... IS to receive... if much of the point I was trying to make. I guess you said it much better than I did. LOL. And yes... giving IS a powerful thought. Rooted in both the souls, and in the cosmic consciousness of all of us. And yes... I very much agree with you that acts of kindness really do more for the giver. What a cool way to live ! Thanks for sharing... have a great weekend... hope it's not snowing up there yet... :)

Karen Anne: I turned my husband on to this one about five years ago. He was a bah humbug type when it came to helping others. Then oen year, I made him go with me to do some toy shopping for needy kids. Nothing major, just two gifts, one for a boy, one for a girl. He complained on the way to the store, but a funny thing happened, when we started shopping..he got into it. And then, once we picked out two perfect gifts and brought them home, I overheard him talking in a very happy tone to his Mom about what we'd done. Every year since we reach out to help local kids at Christmas and he actually looks forward to it. And we've even added animal charities. He doesn't complain about giving anymore. :)

Hi Karen Anne - I love this topic! Like Chris Ann, I think the most rewarding "giving experience" for me was when my family became involved in supporting others. I think the best was when instead of gifting to family/friends at Christmas (except for the kids), we started picking up the "wish list" of a local women/ children's shelter and took the names of kids off the tree at church, set the budget then took my youngest shopping on Black Friday to see how far we could get down the lists within the budget. THAT glow carries me right through to Spring each year!

Snowing! You're so funny!!! We are on our way to a record high today. It might get to 95*!!!

I'm thinking I should "intend" on a regular basis to find a random act of kindness to perform. I think it would be fun, and purposeful. The more the merrier!

Interesting findings. Following what we know is right in our hearts can have some tremendous rewards.

Hi Karen Anne... I am so glad that I could inspire you. You inspire me regularly with you kindness, passion and concern for others. It makes me feel wonderful to be able to return the favor, and perhaps your post here has released a few endophins and enzymes in my body... I wonder what they are healing. :)

I also enjoy Dr. Dyer's insight into life. I always enjoy how you comment. Giving never gets old or out of style, it benefits everyone involved or who witnesses that act of kindness =)
What a great day to be alive,
Paul

Karen Anne- You didn't have to worry about your title because the fact that you wrote the post brought me in to read it. But also, I found it catchy. What a well written post with thoughts that are always important but even more so in today's world. I guess that explains why we all tear up when we see someone receive help on Oprah, for example, even though she's hundreds of miles away in a studio in Chicago. We should put all these caring deeds on YouTube!!

SEP

Karen Anne, this is a great post. I would like to see it get maximum exposure so I flagged it for a feature, I hope they do that.

It is amazing how helping someone is like dropping a stone into a lake, the ripple effect.

Karen Anne - I have experienced all three of the feelings you outline here, and I can attest to the healing properties therein. Wonderful post, my friend.

I love Wayne Dyer .. that man has so much insight into life... I have always known that helping others is healing to the giver and the recipient, but I had no idea about the effect on those observing.... Incredible how powerful just being their for others can be. I have devoted a great part of my life to helping others...starting with marching for civil rights in a very segregated Oklahoma, but that may be a post for another time....

Joan - would love to hear your story about marching in Oklahoma.

Karen - I have experienced those feelings - all three.

The other day I was leaving the grocery store where I had purchased food and medical supplies for a shut-in recovering from surgery who has no family. While I am searching for the closest station to return my shopping cart, a lovely lady walked by and offered to take my cart, as she was headed into the store to shop.

Can you imagine how GREAT we would all feel if we committed just one random act of kindness daily?!!!

Great post!!

Karen Anne,

"Paying it forward" makes a lot of sense. Most of the time the expectation is that a person might turn into a client or a source of referrals.

But, here you point out that the effect is phyisiological and it's immediate. Most people feel good about helping someone, and it certainly doesn't hurt to be in a good mood.

Brian

Hi Karen Anne ~ This post is a lovely inspiration - and I'm tickled at this example of just what you've written about - your comments feeding into posts - a perfect example. I look forward to reading about changing your outlook too.

Liz

Karen...

I knew that it felt good, but I didn't know why! Thanks for the Sunday inspiration!

Karen - this is a great post. To me it sums up the culture of the AR network. The greatest gift we can give another human is our time and sincere caring. Helping others is actually the "healthiest" thing we can do for ourselves. Thanks for sharing this and thanks to Steve and Alice for inspiring you. :-)

Deepak Chopra's book, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success goes into the same vein with the dynamic interchange of the universe, and the giving without asking anything in return. I can also personally attest to the growth and compassion of my caregiver, Charlene, when i was going through cancer treatments in Houston last year. She without hesitation packed up with me for 3.5 months to take care of me. The healing also goes to the recepient. Feeling alone and without aid or compassion is a terrible thing. No one should have to be in that state.

A good reason to try to always keep things positive and surround yourself with positive people. Thanks for being one of those good people Karen.

Hi Karen. Your post epitomizes the spirit of Active Rain. Others share their knowledge and it comes back to them. They are not obligated to do so either. Great post :-)

Hi Karen Ann ~ This is terrific! AR is a gift and we can all benefit from sharing and learning and giving to each other!

Hello young Lady, I think your post has a great message and full of some wonderful information. Congrats on the gold and you don't mind if I help keep this post alive by another feature at one of my favorite groups?

Featured at ......... LATE NIGHT - EARLY MORNING AT ACTIVERAIN

Your far away friend Robert Swetz

I have read several posts that actually gave me an idea on what I should post ;-)

Great post and very thought provoking. I was praying just yesterday for such a post and then saw this post first thing this morning before Church. God works in mysterious ways.

Great post and helpful info! Thanks, we enjoyed reading this. Have a great weekend.

Hi Karen Anne,

Great post. As a participant in a few charities(int the past and now) and a volunteer at Seattle Children's Hospital I can totally relate: it does make us feel good when we help somebody.

Thanks for your post.

It is always better to give than receive... and in this day and age so many ae in need... think local this year...food banks, children, families and the older folks who need help but wont ask... there are so many people in need right now and even the smallest act of kindness... a kind word or smile can help a lonely person... we must all help each other now...

Thank you Karen for your thoughtful and point on post... made us all think of who we can help this week

Karen Anne ~ this post is a wonderful reminder to all of us to give of ourselves in an unselfish way -- and receive a benefit ourselves in the process! Thanks for the inspiration.

Hi Karen Anne. Hadn't thought about the effect on the third party but I know on the feel good stories at the end of the TV newscast they do have that effect even though the viewer wasn't the giver of the receiver. Great observation...

There is no better feeling than lending a helping hand and you are right when you witness an act of kindness it does make you feel good as well!

KAREN-ANNE: I thank you for writing this post about how Random Acts of Kindness can make you feel when you are the giver or the receiver or just enperienceing the act by being there . Even a phone call by someone telling you what has happened to them unexpectedly can make you feel so good and happy to have heard this message. One of my favoirte movies that I can watch over and over and get emotional is The movie Pay It Forward (2000). Our hearts and attitudes are deeply affected by our acts and the acts of others.

Karen Anne - What a great post and lovely thought. I know my days are always brightened by helping someone. And I love AR because of the amount of giving that goes on here!

Thank you Karen for reminding all of us that we are all in this together.

Loved your post. I've always thought that helping others is the best possible way to help yourself. You cannot possibly help another person without helping yourself.

This reminds me of the ad on the TV which shows this same principal!

Hi Karen~ This is exactly the same spirit I feel in Activerain. Where else can you go and feel and see the paying it forward attitude? Nothing makes me feel better than being able to help someone else, especially if it can be done anonymously!

Karen,

You are so right! And judging by all the comments already posted here - it is obvious that many others agree!

I am a Certified Life Coach working with a variety of individuals, mostly solo-preneurs. And I can tell you that as I observe the generosity and kindness of so many people during these challenging times, I am always renewed and energized.

Thanks for sharing and spreading the warmth!

Karen Anne, you really got it there! It is true, that AR gives us ideas, and a feeling of a need to post -- but I also like the sentiment you got from those posts, and the feeling of how helping another person is good for ALL involved! Congrats on your feature!!!

Karen Anne -- I totally agree with everything you said.

I was a caregiver to my mother for two years and while it was the hardest thing I ever had to do, it was also a time when the feeling I got from helping her was strangely calming. I am a migraine sufferer and during that time my family and friends were inquiring about how I was holding up and doing with my headaches. Odd thing is that the last six months of my mother's life, which were so intense physically and emotionally, was a time when I experienced the least amount of headaches. Enzymes? Endorphins? I must have had very high levels of both. Or maybe I was just so focused on my mother that there was just no time for those headaches!

Karen Anne, I came back to see if your post got featured. I am glad it did! This is a wonderful post. We need more positive posts like this one. Be Blessed!

Karen: What a wonderful articulation of how it works! Thanks... I've experienced the same so many times here. Thank you for the gift of your story.

Karen, Great post and so very true. Sure do wish politicians would catch on and give it whirl! I am a full believer in "you get what you give". I have such a hard time understanding why anyone wouldn't want to give of themselves but they are out there. We are at times bombarded with those who want us to "give " to one cause or another until we are blue in the face and while I can't always afford to give monetarily, sometimes just lending an ear or a hug is giving enough. We ALL have something we can give every day. A compliment, smile, hug or a dollar goes a long way.

Hi Karen -- Your post is right on, I've never thought about the physiology behind good deeds, but I can tell you when I really do good for someone, not just a normal deed that should be expected by being human, but something where it truly requires a ton of giving, time, etc., to really, really help someone, when that occurs for me, it does make me feel like there is an enveloping sense of contentment that does not quickly or easily wear off. And, while the outcome of that effort may be success, it's not just the success for the other person that makes me feel this way, but the fact of what a lasting and profound impact it can have on the recipient. My wife and I renovated and staged a home, both inside and out, in the order of magnitude of an HGTV Extreme Makeover in 8 weeks for a seller client that was unsuccessful in selling and renting for 3 years and we really protected his bottom line and he was out of the country the entire time we did this, and when we sold his home in multiple offers a month after the economic meltdown occurred last year, we truly realized what a huge impact we had on their stress level, checking account, peace of mind and everything else that was literally wrecking havoc with their lives. If our profession treated each and every client with this kind of exacting care, consumers would admire our abilities and passion and in the end, everyone would end. I never write comments this long, so your post really struck a positive chord with me. Thanks!

Karen Anne - Helping others has always helped me. I love volunteering my time coaching soccer, watching the kids have fun and grew as people is so rewarding and fun for me.

So, when we help someone else, we're helping ourselves and anybody else who happens to be around. Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy. I didn't know about the effects on a third person.

I wonder if the same holds true for negative behavior.

Karen Anne! INFP! Me too. We're only 1% of the population. The 1% that also includes Princess Di. Welcome to the club!

Karen... what a great story you have compile from these other two post. Great way to look at things

I almost did not click on this blog because the title seemed kind of 'We are on the inside' and i would not get it. But i am glad I did. What great tale you told and how great you explained the contagious affects of being giving. it really is the mirror of the common cold. It just spreads, and there is nothing we can do about it.

it is time to spread the good feelings, if you have not already started

I get a lot of my ideas from commenting or reading other peoples blogs. Some many tangents to go on

SEP

Great post! I too believe in paying it forward! I do it all the time. I recently drove a secretary over 250 miles to her hometown due to my previous company letting her go in order to hire a younger person.

Karen, throughout my career in the Federal Government, I experienced all three of the aforementioned feelings outline in this post. One in particular while working at the Department of Commerce. My office overlooked a side street where all the homesless people would sleep on the heating grates in the sidewalks. I had heard that during the winter, people would bring coats to the homeless early in the morning. Many of us brought coats...we would stop, open our car trunks and the homeless would take what they wanted. I remember looking out the window one morning, and many, many cars had stopped and were doing the same thing.....a great feeling indeed!

Karen - I love the idea to pay it forward. I also get lots of ideas about reading others blogs, and I also get lots of information which is appreciated.

Karen-- I wish this were true for me. I took care of my sickly wife, but I don't think I gained any benefit from it. But it was still a good post and your point is well taken.

Karen Anne, great post. I think a lot of people enjoy helping others because it makes them feel good, but your explanation really makes a lot of sense from a scientific point of view. I was especially interested in hearing about the third person receiving the same healing effects. It is obvious you are a kind-hearted person from reading your posts, and I would except nothing less from someone with Cleveland roots:) Congrats on the featured post.

Karen Anne, I didn't not know this but it makes sense. We all feel better when we give.

Karen we are late to the party. We read both Steve's and Alice's blog but must have missed your feature blog. It is time to say Congratulations on the feature. We enjoy your blogs and you always seem to find a way to inspire us.

Great blog. Congratulations on the feature .... well deserved.
I love Dr. Dyer. I've read some of his work and I've heard him speak. Never get tired of him.
I always feel great when I give, and I give probably more than I should. There is always someone who needs something more than I do. There is always someone in need ... unfortunately.

Years ago, I started filling bags for the Food Bank with my son, at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Then we decided that since it's just the two of us, and neither one of us needs anything, we would put the money we usually would spend on gifts for each other at Christmas, into the "Needy" piggy bank ... so we've been doing that for years, and give to either the food bank or the shelter - wherever the need is greater. At first my son resisted, because he liked his toys ... but now he looks forward to it ... and even reminds me.
It always feels like a million bucks (which I wish I had, so I could help more...).

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ToulaRosebrock,com

Hi Karen Anne:

It's funny how we get inspired by each other here...

Nice post.

Congrats on the feature!

Great Post Karen Anne,

Yes this is one well worth the feature.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!!

Alice

SEP

I've been a caregiver since my days in high school working with Circle K. Then it was on to Alpha Phi Omega at Texas A&M University. Then Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Muscula Dystrophy, Special Olympics, Breast Cancer Awareness, Alzheimer's Research, HIV/AIDS Research, etc., etc., etc. It's in my Aggie maroon blood.

SEP

Triple Play is right. That is great information to know. Now I'm going out for dinner with two friends and we're going to be a triple play, I mean triple trouble lol. Enjoy your Sat. night. Catch up later tonight.

OCT

I have been given so much that it can never be paid back or forward, though I try to give to others every day.I am grateful, grateful, grateful. It's a beautiful thing to see that in so many and to read their comments on your post.

NOV

Thanks for the inspirational post. Congrats on being featured.

Gita: You are very welcome. Nice to see you visiting my blog post. Hope all is well with you :)

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