To want to know what good you do?

[fightbackorriseabove]

Life has been tough recently, and I find myself watching YouTube vids, podcasts, the news, and getting more and more down.

I feel as if we're losing ourselves as a race. Genocides, wars, the far-right, climate change, racism, misogyny, cost of living... it goes on and on.

I'd rather not discuss politics. I seem to have got myself in a permanent loop of rage-watching...

I need a break.

I want to find a bit of joy. There must be more kindness out there that we can use to counter all the shit.

So... what good do you do? What acts of kindness are out there? Even if it's not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things, what's happy - or neutral - in your life? What's made you laugh? Give me some positive stories! What are you pleased about? What are you looking forward to? hat have you achieved - big or small?

• I help cats. I help rehabilitate stray cats and find them new homes.

• I listen to my friends. I think/hope I'm a good friend.

• I take care of my daughter well and have at least one great big belly laugh a day with her. She is a joy. And very kind. Today, she told me she'd read "thousands of pages" at school, so I could "just forget" the library book. She also saw me having a lemsip-type thing and told me not to do drugs. And every day, she thinks it's a miracle that I can "feel" in her belly what she had for lunch at school. She doesn't seem to have worked out that I read it on the notice board next to the school gate.

• I have a very loving sister. We try to look out for each other.

• I have piles of unread books. I like to pretend I'm a big reader, but in reality, I WAS a big reader. But it's nice to have the pile.

Over to you.

Today, left a hearty tip for a waitress, bought a present for my neighbour, and verbally admired a load of dogs on the beach.

I help out with a choir that my kids are in.
I’m in the PTA and help out on school trips.
I take my mother in law who has dementia out for coffee.
I send my friends little parcels when they’re feeling poorly.
I remember my godchildren’s birthdays and send presents even though we live far apart.
I recently forgave and made peace with someone that did something awful.
I tell people when they look great 😊

Each week I walk 2 dogs for the Cinnamon Trust.

I end up doing random bits of other volunteering, too, special 5k races, public meadow maintenance or helping someone do their work, etc.

I fuss over every friendly dog I meet, lol.

I do a lot of ecofreak habits which maybe reduces env. harms.

If I have bags on me I sometimes I pick up dog poos from the pavement so no one pushes their buggy through it. (For avoidance of doubt, I always pick up after my own dogs.)

Amongst other more formal acts of charity.

I donate blood. I'll be up to 50 next time I donate.

I move snails off the path so they won’t get squashed.

I stopped a woman today and told her that her hair was a gorgeous colour, she was out walking her dog and I told the dog he looked lovely too. When I see a woman looking gorgeous in some way I like to tell them (I’m not a bloke!).

I tell my DS that I love him all the time and today he told me that it makes him feel really special (he’s 10) and my heart soared.

Another blood donor here. You get two free highs - one when you walk out of the donor centre and one when you get a text saying “your blood was used at the Royal Calderdale Hospital” (in my case).

Btw congrats on your upcoming 50th donation @ILoveTrashTV ! I’m on 19.

I let a pair of brand new in the box school shoes go for a ridiculously low price. It was my own fault I missed the return window and I could have sold them for a lot more on ebay. But I'm really pleased someone has got an absolute bargain and a child is going to wear a really good pair of shoes.

Wish I could do it but nobody wants my shitty blood 😞

I look after a garden for a lady who is terminally ill and cannot do it herself. It gives her pleasure and she loves seeing new things popping up. When I first met her I asked what her favourite flowers were and secretly bought the seeds then planted them without her knowing. She was overjoyed and so was I - for giving her such simple happiness.

I volunteer a day a week for a charity, give the RNLI a monthly donation

I agree with you pp. It's all so worrying 😟

I focus on loving my 8yo and all the joy she brings, I try to read a bit of a fiction book (an entertaining novel!) each night and explore a new area or visit a new coffee shop when I can (occasionally!)

Attend a monthly clinic with a local DV charity giving free legal advice to women in refuge.

We foster dogs for rescue.

Give a monthly donation to an abortion charity.

That's about all I can think of right now.

I used to donate platelets (I can’t anymore as I developed antibodies) - I always felt good when my paper work had a green tag as it meant I was a prearranged match and someone was actually waiting for my donation to help them feel better

Only a little thing - I don’t like it when people don’t store their supermarket trolleys properly in the bays so I tidy them up when I get or take mine back.

I donate a lot to charity
Always put spare plants out with a sign for people to take
Ditto with lavender bunches that I tie up for people to take
Like to make sure my friends know how much they mean to me
Offer to drive people to places if I can and it'll save them hassle (school runs, shops etc)
Donated blood until I was anaemic twice in a row and they won't take it again apparently
Am an organ donor
Like to hold doors open, try to make people smile or help people who've dropped things - general things that can make a small difference.

I'm fortunate to be able to do a bit of good often through my job (secondary school teaching). Helping to give kids an education is obviously a good thing in itself, but I don't really mean that. I mean looking for ways every day to bolster their confidence, cheer them up when they are looking sad, ask them how they are doing, make time for them when they need a chat etc.

I've agreed to do two days per week of childcare for my granddaughter even though that means I will then have to do my freelance work at the weekend.

I've bought five pairs of pyjamas for said granddaughter as her mum and I liked different ones.

I paid my handyman what he should have been charging, rather than what he does charge as I think he doesn't value himself enough.

I was swimming in the sea today and there was a bee struggling in the water.

I scooped it up and took it to the beach. He dried his wings off on a rock for a while and then flew away.

Lots of people were interested in what I was doing and when he flew away we all cheered. It made me so happy to save it and even happier that everyone else cared. There are a lot of good people even though it's a mad world.

I was picking up a parcel from a shop today and had a chat with an old man for a few minutes. We then walked the same way and had a chat for a further 5. Hopefully that made a difference.

•donate blood
•offer lifts so friends/colleagues can have a drink when we go out for the evening
•christmas shoeboxes
•give things away for free when I could sell them on Vinted

I used to teach literacy in prisons as a volunteer. I’m waiting to train as a Samaritan. I do local beach litterpicks. I cultivate my garden as much for wildlife as myself. I’m an ethical vegetarian who tries to eat local produce.

I put 2 pieces of plastic litter into my bin each day.
I smile and say hello to people.
I have chats with strangers on buses.

I teach in Alternative Provision, and know for a fact that I’ve helped young people who would otherwise have slipped through the net achieve grades and develop confidence and self esteem. I often provide books, games, etc out of my own pocket, as our budget is tight.

I grow vegetables from seed and always put my spare seedlings out for the neighbours to help themselves.

I’m a good friend. People trust me.

I give lifts to people where I can, and bake cakes to take to classes, etc.

I regularly donate to charity shops instead of selling on Vinted.

I give the Big Issue seller outside our supermarket £40 every Christmas.

I donate to our local food bank.