Question

Chicken Soup for the OpenStudier's Soul

Answer 1

Greetings fellow OpenStudiers, I am writing this because of recent events in my life. This will be a two part “story”, about the good in humanity and how you should make the most that you can out of your life.

I have seen the good and bad in society and in the individuals that I share this big blue marble with. A while ago, I was in a very serious relationship and I was going to marry this girl, she was the love of my life. I loved her with all my heart and soul; and through choices that she made, she broke me and our engagement. Immediately following this, I fell into a deep depression and as a result I made some poor life choices. I pulled out of this not through my own will power or conviction, but rather through the actions of others.

To begin, my family and friends staged an “intervention” of sorts. They all gathered to tell me that they path that I was going down was bad and would lead my life nowhere good. They told me that they all loved me and wanted me to be happy and that I needed to live my life in a healthy manner. Through their love and support I am now the happy individual that you all know and hopefully love. Then through the acts of complete strangers I had a life epiphany of sorts. We all need to be kinder more empathetic human beings.

One day I was at the store buying some food, ramen to be exact (delicious and nutritious). This was shortly after the events of my break-up. I was lost, depressed, and spiraling downwards and all it took was the actions of one little girl to make my week.
I was in the middle of the aisle and this little girl just ran up to me and wrapped her little arms around my legs in a hug. I was confused for a second then I gave her an awkward little bent over hug back. Her father came along and walked her away. I could hear him say, “You don’t just hug strangers, sweetie.” To which she responded, “But he looked really sad daddy.” That one little girl, with her actions and words made my day; hell, she even made my week. That one little girl was able to see the pain in some random schmuck (me) in Wal-Mart and try her very best to make them happy.


This brings me to my first challenge to you OpenStudy. I want you all to try and make the World a happier and more caring place. I want you all to go out, and commit random acts of kindness (not to be confused with violence, different concept). This can completely make someone’s day, week, or even month. It can be as simple as holding a door for people, telling someone that they look nice (note: DO NOT be creepy about this), or as far as buying someone’s coffee for them. I challenge you to do this, to be kind in all instances that you can, even if it isn’t necessarily “convenient” for you.


Now on to my second point, make the most of your life. Or in other words, Carpe Diem, “seize the day”.

TODAY
Today of all days, this is the most important
one. Don't
look back nor forward rather be happy and
contented within
this moment. Sail the self-made boat on the lake
- let it move
about swiftly and then perhaps run ashore on its
own for the
next master to sail her. Lay down under the trees,
taste your
wine and fruit divine. Watch the children play
until the end of
day. Time has no mercy and within a blink all is
gone. SEIZE
THE DAY. Knowing all the while that
life is wonderful
precious, and live it to the fullest measure...

I want you all to live your lives as best you can. Go out, make the most of each moment given to you.
I am trying to do the same.

As a final note, I want to thank everyone here on OpenStudy for being part of my support. My battle isn’t over, and you are helping me fight it every day.

Much love and respect,
\(~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Austin~L\)

Answer 2

awww austin <3 I SHALL :D

Answer 3

Also, I posted this here because I wasn't quite sure where to post it :)

Answer 4

u r soo right @austinL ! the small happiness u give to people by just giving a smile or maybe just helping some1 carry their bags,etc etc is very very important. just like the girl who made ur day...:D <3<3<3

Answer 5

awh austin this just made my day <3

Answer 6

^-^
Now I want you to go out and make someone else's!

Answer 7

i always like doing the little things , like if i see a girl walking and she looks like she has no confidence ill just tell her shes beautiful, or i like her outfit, and i love seeing other people smile from just the simplest things,

Answer 8

That was beautiful and I will make sure to do already make that a important part of my life like when we go to resturant when we leave my familly the car and I pretty much hold the door for every person it feels so goo to do

Answer 9

Woohoo, I expect some results @hartnn :D

Answer 10

Hey Austin, that is pretty awesome stuff you have posted there. We truly believe like the Dalai Lama, that kindness is our religion. And like any religion, it gets real when you practice it. So OpenStudiers - listen to Austin...

Answer 11

Holy crap. I almost cried.

Answer 12

ikr @BulletWithButterflyWings

Answer 13

i know im late but.........OH EEM GEE dat was beautiful @austinL *tears* i always try to do a R.A.K everyday. This one time i was in specs the liquor store getting some moscato with my mom and i saw this guys with a royal purple shirt and blue jeans, wrist watch, dress shoes, and a dash of cologne. But he looked so upset, so i walked up to him and said 'excuse me sir, i if i may say so myself, i believe your shirt is very suave and you smell wonderful'. (btw i just learned what suave ment lol) and i walked away with a huge smile, then the cashier asked me what i said to him because the man was just standing there 'letting my words linger with a smile on his face'. Then about a month later i went back and low and behold he was there as well. He walked up to me and said 'i dont know if you remember me but a while ago you told me my shirt was suave and that i smelt nice' and then i said 'oh yes i remember how are you?' and he then said ' im good but i just wanted to say thank you because i just came back from a date that night with the girl of my dreams but she dumped me after 4 years. And that night i planned on getting a whole lot of alcohol and drinking myself to death, but then u came up to me and i thought why do that when there are other people on this earth who caring and supporting even to total strangers and you totally restored my faith in humanity.' At which point i was speechless and just started to cry and gave him a really long hug. After that i promised myself i would always try to give my kindness to people no matter how i am feeling that day. And whoever is still reading this just know that even the little things in life that you do can have a HUGE difference. KEEP CALM AND R.A.K ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ♥♥

Answer 14

You're not late @randomaccessmemory
I plan on leaving this up for quite a while, I want as many people to get something out of this as possible. :)

Answer 15

well austin i have deff got something out of it :) You are amazing!!

Answer 16

@austinL I actually decided to do what u said...we have an orphanage near my place. Today I went there and I gave d little girls a few candies and I spent some time with them. Right now the feeling that I am having is just awesome...I cant explain it!! Thnx austin for reminding this to us. ..rather than wasting my day I did something which gave happiness to those lil girls!!:D

Answer 17

AAAAAWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEHH <3 that is the best thing I've ever heard, chicken soup for mi soul :P

Answer 18

@shrutipande9 AWESOME!! It is such a good feeling to know that you made someone feel good, and make someone happy. I try to do at least one or two little things a day and maybe one big thing during the week.

Answer 19

Aw :) Very inspiring! :D

Answer 20

Uhm im actually lost for words and that doesnt happen often.. so you should feel proud @austinL hahah :D

Answer 21

Austin, you’re wonderful inspirational life story is academically well written. I congratulate you for that, and to the wonderful morals you provided me and for the openstudiers. Thanks for making my day ^_^
I shall pass it down to others as well :)

Be kind and if it’s responded by enmity, still return it with kindness. This is a way to grow happiness with others.

Answer 22

Aw dewd. You're awesome. :)
Thanks a heap dewd.

Answer 23

What I should have said the other day is, this is awesome!

Answer 24

challenge accepted. good character skills....ACTIVATE!!!!!......you and that little girls heart are defiantly in the right place.

Answer 25

i actually had a tear in my eye

Answer 26

I am having chicken noodle soup for dinner

Answer 27

I believe you may have missed the point @Gin_Ichimaru

Answer 28

lol

Answer 29

No No
I like chicken noodle soup and I really am having it for dinner.

Answer 30

xD

Answer 31

still missing the point @Gin_Ichimaru ....lol

Answer 32

@Gin_Ichimaru hilarious

Answer 33

@awesomelyqwerty hes just being funny

Answer 34

No just kidding, I understand the point 100%

Answer 35

@austinL good job

Answer 36

I was speaking in jest myself, I realized that he wasn't being completely serious.

Answer 37

Posting in here really makes me want to up my vocabulary game.

Answer 38

@Gin_Ichimaru Iand @travisbrown372 i know..lol.... @austinL amazing job you have inspired a lot of people today.

Answer 39

I agree with @awesomelyqwerty

Answer 40

Please don't do that....... it dilutes it's value and devalues what it has to say if it is repeated this many times. If you both could kindly delete those it would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 41

Wow. I cannot believe I missed this. I can relate so much to your story, Austin :( I honestly teared up while reading. *hugs and gives cookie*
I absolutely love this post. This is how I always try to live my life :) there is nothing more rewarding than putting joy in another persons life. I just don't feel complete unless I'm making another person feel good. It should just be common sense to do good things for others but I guess sometimes life just gets in the way and people forget.

For the longest time I was always like that girl that you spoke about, Austin. But then after a lot of times of getting hurt and feeling insecure of my kindness I just decided to stop being that way. My issue is just being too selfless and considerate.. I still am that way, i guess that was just how i was raised so it's kind of hard to not be that way.
But anyways, after a while of not being the nice girl I once was I grew to be so bitter and depressed. One day I think i was inside of a store or I was at school, but this lady commented on how miserable I look and I felt so bad. That was kind of a wake-up call for me.
I'm so glad you have a good support system, Austin. You are such a wonderful and caring person :) and it makes me sad that someone was capable of making you feel so low... You probably hear this a lot but this person clearly did not deserve you. You should never be treated that way.
I personally believe that everything happens for a reason... Who knows why you had to go through that or why that had to happen to you of all people. But I feel really good things are going to happen for you now.. Just have to stay positive. ♥

Answer 42

dilutes it's value and devalues.... austin really.... way to reiterate in less than a sentence.
And awesome post hbb, that was beautiful. ♥

Answer 43

"dilutes it's value and devalues" LOL but I can agree with what you previously said.. it does.

and no, thank you :) your post was amazing. If only I could give more medals. ehe

Answer 44

@Preetha are you Tibetan Buddhist? Really good stuff btw @austinL

Answer 45

Austinnnnn!!! Made me mess up my make up! Gah. I hate crying -_- This is an amazing story. I will do my best with your challenge. Lemme just let you know, I can barely keep myself happy. The smile I wear everyday is forced and painful. It is people like you and my big brothers @hartnn and @ash2326 who make my day. You guys really know how to change a life. Thank you for this. <3

Answer 46

Otay, @austinL that was AHHHmazingly awesome& people like you make not only the world but our fam here @OS just that much better& more loving too <3 ^.^ :j

Answer 47

I want you all to live your lives as best you can. Go out, make the most of each moment given to you. ok

Answer 48

still love this.

Answer 49

Never waste a moment... you never know when it will be your last.

Answer 50

God bless!

Answer 51

awww sweet

Answer 52

I have a love for cars more than anything else, besides my family and pets. I love cars so much and I've loved them for so long, I've already chosen the career I want to pursue. After all, they say the best jobs are the ones you love doing.

I've decided to become an AutoTech for quite some time now. EVen though my father used to be on, he had absolutely nothing to do with my decision. And he's proud of that. He's teaching me some of the skills that he used to use and still uses to this day.\ before I head off to an AutoTech school in a couple of years.

Moving on to acts of kindness, if you ever meet me, it should be obvious that I'm a good spirited person, not matter how harsh I seem. I've held many doors for people, including the elderly. Especially the elderly that are struggling just to walk to the door. I help people who struggle with the groceries, and even sometimes help them on their cars. And trust me, random acts of kindness will absolutely help you out in life.

I rather enjoyed your story and I support the message you imply with it. If it makes you feel any better, I say good riddance to the girl who was your fiance. I wish to you the best of luck in your life. Live long and Prosper.

Chase T.

Answer 53

^_^

Answer 54

oh wow...i try and do nice things for people.one kind thing i did was i was shopping with my cousin and this stranger came up and asked are opinion on something and he looked really confused so we helped him..he needed to pick a perfume for I guess his daughter and we showed him a few kinds and none smelled good to him so i showed him the one i was going to buy and he loved it so i gave it to him and said its the last one but i can find it somewhere else and he was really happy and i felt really good about helping.

Answer 55

im wondering r u ok nw ^_^

Answer 56

I am doing just lovely now, and am in love with the greatest girl ever. And I mean ever.

...

ever :P

Answer 57

lol very nice ^^

Answer 58

Yes i know i am the greatest girl ever xD im just kidding but the real girl is pretty awesome ♥

Answer 59

xP

Answer 60

Cool story, but wouldn't helping on OS be an act of random kindness :P

Answer 61

I like that batman! I do hope people will take the time to help someone on OpenStudy.

Answer 62

nice character you have now @austinL

Answer 63

I saw this post when I was new here, I guess I did it by helping hundreds of students here :)

Answer 64

How is this post still going? OMG its been a year people!

Answer 65

Because it has to be bumped now :P

Answer 66

O.o o.O

Answer 67

do you still have chicken soup ??

Answer 68

Awh im late :c but...OMG I almost cried<3 <3 @austinL u r aawesome this inspired alot of ppeoples and I do R.A.K every day :)
This made my day ^_^ tantyuuu :3 <33

Answer 69

sometimes small things make huge differences :)
thanks for sharing this

Answer 70

thanks this inspired me

Answer 71

That is very strong and touching. Thank you for sharing this, @austinL! :)