The Japanese have this term “intoku (陰徳)” which roughly translates to good deeds done in secret. What are some examples of intoku in your own life? Doesn’t matter even if it’s something minor like picking up trash.
I donate to charities, mostly ones that pertain to researching serious medical conditions that currently do not have a cure.
I don’t think it counts as “nobody watching” since many people saw it technically, but I will often pull over to ask if people on the side of the highway need help as long as I’m not running late for something.
I helped a Hispanic guy recently change his tire since he apparently misplaced his lug nut wrench and he had a blowout. I let him use mine and I topped off the air in his spare that was a little low. Took me a little while to figure out what he needed since he didn’t speak a word of English and I failed Spanish 3 times, but we got there using Google translate, hand signals and grunts haha.
I do it because I hope that if one day I was stranded on the side of the road (and somehow without all the tools I always carry around) that someone would be nice enough to stop and offer assistance.
Be the change you want to see in the world n all that.
If someone’s card declines I act like absolutely nothing happened and let them have their purchase for free. (Inflight drinks and snacks)
This is beautiful. I always bring candy for flight staff when I’m on a plane. Not an unseen kindness, but it makes everyone happier.
donations to trevor project
I put the toilet seat and lid down.
I park as far away as possible from the store (always to find someone parked right beside me upon return), and will grab a stray shopping cart if there’s one.
I live at a beach. I walk it at first light and p/u trash.I wonder if in a parking lot some people like to park next to an already parked car because it helps them get in between the lines on the first try. So you might be helping someone even though you didn’t know it!
But I would personally at least put a car’s gap away to eliminate the possibility of damage from door-opening…
But that defeats the purpose of using a neighboring car to help you get between the lines on the first try. It’s a selfish move, but that’s my guess why they do it
I don’t understand why they’d have to be adjacent; it’s not like we suddenly go blind just because there’s 1 car’s distance between us and our target, haha.
Because you can’t see through the car door to see where the lines are on the ground
Oh. I thought we were talking about being aligned so you’re not sticking out in depth on one side or the other, a.k.a. lining up your side mirrors.
I’ll look at it that way from hereon in…
I take a loose cart from the lot if one is nearby as I go into the store. I used to have a dog that was pretty good off leash and would have the claw poop grabber and a bucket and would grab any other discarded things as I walked around a park. I was actually a bit conflicted as I could not seperate recyclables and it would all go in the trash but still felt that was better than strewn around the park. Unfortunately my current dog is not that well behaved (and sometimes I had to stop when someone complained about my off leash dog as then I did not have two hands free to casually work the claw and bucket and would instead have to combine them in one hand). I live in a condo complex and my neighbors and I get each others mail. I am always really on the lookout for things I can do that are really convenient that help or improve a place. I hate facebook but get on it to tell folks its slippery on the sidewalks or whatnot.
I pick up dog poop left by dogs other than mine. And I do it in the name of comnunism and the end of monarchy.
I don’t murder all the time when no one’s around to notice. You’re welcome to everyone.
Pick mah nose.
When get one of those long ass side boogies it feels like removing a nail from your foot.
I pick up trash on the trails, creeks and rivers. All my outdoor bags are pre-loaded with rolled up grocery bags. I’m almost always alone, but the lengths I’ll go to to snatch a beer can drives my wife and kids a little nuts.
One time we stopped the canoe under a railroad trestle and the kids saw all the garbage.
“Daddy! Don’t go get all that!” LOL, like it would have fit onboard.
My wife seems to have had a change of heart. Last time we were on the creek she kept pointing out possible litter.
“What is this? Go there.” (Her English is a little strange.)
Masturbation.
which roughly translates to good deeds done in secret.
It seems like posting what I do would violate the intent of “intoku” and it would thereby no longer be a “when nobody is watching”.
I’m won’t disclose what I do. However, I’ll say that by not taking credit for any of my positive actions, it lets society take credit for the actions. It means someone doesn’t have to have me or someone like me in their lives, but rather all of us will help you. The person that did the small thing or the hero that saved you from ruin could be right next to you in line at the grocery store. I want everyone to have that feeling that some rando will have your back when you need it in some minor or major way.
The only way that happens is if I never talk about what I do to help. Thats a very small price to pay if it means someone else gets to feel the comfort of knowing others care about them.
I’d say that confessing a good deed anonymously online barely violates the intent of intoku. You don’t really get any credit for it because nobody will remember.
On hiking trails, I move rocks and branches, and fix drainage at water bars. Tiny improvements which make the trail easier for all who follow.
In my neighborhood, I pick up trash. Usually I go until I have filled a grocery bag, about 30 minutes. Though people do notice it so it’s only partly secret/anonymous.
one time years ago i paid for the guy behind me at McDonald’s. he then proceeded to follow me all the way home to thank me. i haven’t done it again. lpt: if someone does that for you, just fuckin pay it forward so you don’t scare the crap out of a 21 year old.
now I’m a school custodian and i go out of my way in little ways, like watering/turning plants in the classrooms, etc. I’m not sure if they notice but it makes me feel good ☺️
There’s an outdoor cabinet in my neighborhood that is used as a food bank. I fill it to the brim weekly with shelf-stable food. I was formerly homeless and know what it’s like to go hungry, and I work hard to ensure that no one in my neighborhood has to go to bed hungry.
