To expand on this - I’m interested in thinking about times that a cause we support won, not only because maybe it feels good to see positive stories instead of all negative, but also because specific examples might help illustrate why it won, and reveal strategies we can use in the future.
Mine didn’t really have “bad guys” but I was driving to lunch and someone’s car stalled out in the middle on an intersection. I pulled into a parking lot and got out to help push. In probably a minute or so I had 3 other strangers all helping me push this other stranger’s car.
When we finished one of them asked me my car was going to be OK and I told them it wasn’t my car, then we both laughed and the owner said they’d be fine. We all dispersed after that. I just thought it was pretty cool how a bunch of random strangers saw someone who needed help and everyone pitched in on their own accord.
Kinda reaffirmed my faith in humanity I guess.
I had the same experience before, it’s great. Stalled car is a good occasion to help not only because you get to see people band together, but you’ve usually accomplished the objective in a couple minutes! Good dopamine return on time invested.
Unfortunately I had a very opposite experience even though I don’t regret it at all. This was probably 20 years ago and I remember it was either Christmas Eve or maybe the day before and I was out shopping. There was an overpass with a fairly minor grade to it, but the car in front of me couldn’t get traction in all the slush from the heavy show we had that was now melting. I jumped out and just started pushing this car up the hill and no one else seemed to care enough to help. I didn’t even really get any kind oh acknowledgement that the driver appreciated the effort, but I’m sure they were more worried about keeping forward momentum. I don’t even know how I got footing, but I was struggling for a random person and at least I felt good about my decision later.
I’m glad you did it. You never know, someone may have seen what you did and even though they never talked to you, been inspired to help someone else in the future.
Totally, just took a few minutes and it felt pretty nice to help someone out.