I Need Help! Who Will Answer The Call? A Moment With Bill Essay.

Wow, this is such a powerful piece of writing, and oh so very accurate! I have never even heard of H.O.W. before , so I am going to follow the link and check it out. Thanks for sharing this beautiful article!

cudos to bev for coining an excellent term! I too consider myself a 'cynical optimist' - altho - i seem to be leaning towards cynical of late..

sigh..

smiling at people seems to be a dual edged sword these days - it's easier for men..actually - it's easier for men to do a lot of things that i'd like to when it comes to helping others..

i'm not comfortable going door to door for any reason and even something like delivering meals on wheels gives me cause for concern..

i'm just starting to look into spending time volunteering at a women's shelter..this option gives me a feeling of...'safety' ..more than many others..

keep up the great work, my friend!

Hi Bill, you raise some pretty potent awareness. But, you are right to do so. A touch, a smile, anything to reach out to others is so important in this world.

Just today, I was shopping at Lowe's. I walked in with my sunglasses on and passed right by a lady who was standing alone in an isle waiting for the clerk, her husband, or whoever. I just walked right past her trying to get to my own destination. A little later, I saw her again in another isle - waiting. I had taken off my sunglasses by then. This time, I made eye contact, smiled, and said hello. Bill, that woman shot back a huge grin and responded like it was the first time anyone had ever spoken to her. We became like instant friends right there in the lumber isle. We should have hugged. But she didn't know me and I didn't know her that well. We both knew that would be going too far. But, that moment stuck with me for the rest of the shopping trip and every time we saw each other through other isles, we'd both look at each other and flash really big smiles. I need more days like that. But, the reality is that I can have more days like that. I just need to reach out. We all need to reach out. Imagine what the world would be like if we all did that. Oh, I know... Humanity One World! I love it!

A cynical optimist is what we should aspire to become as we intermingle with society. Looking for ways to promote good among many is not a bad thing. I do tend to hear much more negativity when listening to others chat about issues pertaining to our present life values and outlook. It is amazing how one positive statement or a smile can change someone's view. Keep promoting the positive values that create change! God bless you.

Your words are much more than words on an internet website, Bill. The words inspire people to have better souls and act better as humans. It would be phenomenal if more people realized that if you refuse to help someone or if hurt someone that the person doesn't just go away. They remain to exist tomorrow, and will still need help or still feel hurt and remember what you did or could have done. If they choose to exist tomorrow at all.

“I am forever drinking from the Kool Aid container of life, allowing hope and positive energy to give me strength, and yet a part of me doubts that my fellow men and women will live up to the expectations I have set for them.”

I couldn't agree more, and share your optimism. All I can say is, “Pass the Kool Aid.” :-)

"cynical optimist" I'm with you on that one. Growing up in California I found it very unsettling when I moved to Oregon and strangers actually smile at each other. Now... I wouldn't have it any other way and always make sure to smile it really helps ^_^

Well I guess I am a cynical optimist too!great hub.

I remember a girl who lived a couple doors down in my dorm when I was in college. She had a rule- no one goes to the commons alone to eat, she was going with you; and heaven help you if she found out later that you had gone by yourself! "You should have asked me to go with you!" she'd say. To this day, I try to search out those standing or sitting by themselves in a social gathering and go talk to them. Almost 30 years ago, and I still remember that continuous act of kindness and trying to do likewise. Amazing power in love.

Thank you, Bill.

I am glad there are people like you out there! I felt great reading this hub because I look at the world like that many times! There are,of course the days when I look and I don't see people reacting or showing emotion and I get frustrated. But more often I feel optimistic and looking life in the eyes :) Thanks for reminding me to be more of myself.

Bill - I want to do the right thing - and hope that I would when the situation arises. I often find myself trying to decide if the homeless man on the street corner really is homeless or is just scamming me for booze money - I usually give a small amount in the hopes that he really needs the money and realize that maybe the booze will take him away from an unhappy memory at the very least...I have stepped in when I have feared that I would get hurt when I see a child being mistreated...I have risked my job by reporting abuse of children when the principal didn't want me to make waves...I try to do the right thing...but these times make it tougher and tougher to do...it's people like you that make others at least think about what the right thing is again...thank you for that!

As usual, a very motivating hub, Bill. This writing assumes all the more importance in current times when humanity is being threatened by so many acts that should make our heads hang in shame.

Thank you for writing this. You have the medium and the strength of words to deliver such powerful messages. Thank you.

A great write with the bitter truth. Everyone is so busy with themselves they forget to stop and look around. A smile goes the long mile, but in the morning no one even stops to smile. We should stop look around and help those in need. Voted up.

I think the way to start kindness spreading is to begin giving it, and not expecting anything in return. That is its essence and very hard to do because of the negativity that goes around. Thought provoking!!

I love your words billy, and they are so true, I see many people walk past a down and out person, or someone who needs help, what is wrong with people these days? I won't go into detail but I have done a couple of things that made myself proud after the fact, one included tackling a burning building, long story, got some kids out, five years later after they moved back to spain, they came back over for a visit, the whole family, saw them down the road, and they all gave me a great big bear hug! lol! couldn't understand a word they said cos it was spanish! we all need help sometimes, and the good thing is that there are some fantastic people out there too, trouble is, not enough most times, nell

I need to do a little lighter material for a while, but Pretty Boy Floyd is on the agenda.

Being here for each other is the best way that we can help and continue to help one another. The new people here also need us. I look for new people to make comments on their material. Some people I consistently comment on and never or rarely, hear anything. But these things happen. But sometimes, one gives up, too. All we can do is keep trying, that's all.

Hi Bill,

How can you help me today. Please continue to be the kind compassionate man you are.

It is the smallest things such as a smile, a sincere thank you or just taking the time to say hello.

Sending you smiles and hugs my friend. You are an angel walking this earth.

Voted up and sharing.

Billy, I hope Bev knows that she is a jewel! Great advice she gave you. Your words are so empowering and heartfelt, they can't help but reach anyone who reads them. I loved your statement 'we are spiritual beings having a human experience'. That says it all!

Here's hoping that your words move mountains; and yes, I'll help you!

Voted Up+ and Shared all around

There have been several instances when 2 of my sons have sprung into action in order to assist someone in trouble. Makes me think maybe I did something right! (Hey, I've got the same shade of green in my kitchen!)

Bill

Our destiny is to touch the lives of others---we share that vision I know. How someone can turn a blind eye when someone is in distress is beyond me. It does not compute.

Something that reaching out means some huge financial commitent and of course it does not...it is the simple gestures of goodness and kindness that can turn a day around.

HOPEfully those reading will find a way to make some part of a day brighter for someone else.

Your voice reaches many and you never know how many will act on what you say.

Angels and blessings are on the way to you :) ps

Bill, I truly believe that we are spirits playing at the human game. Some of us are good, some are blah, and some are downright evil, depending on which path we chose and where we are on that path. Some spirits, the evil ones, will never change, and there is nothing we can do except to try to seal the door where evil dwells. As for as the good ones who are down on their luck right now, I believe the thing to do is to help them as much as we can without leaving our own path. It’s just that sometimes the ones we try to help beat back at us so hard that we have to back off (especially family and friends). That is the lesson life has taught me. It is easy to help from a distance, and sometimes that is the only way we can without putting our own mental and even physical health in danger. While I’m not a fundamentalist, I believe in one of their philosophies: If you can’t be a missionary, give to enable someone else to be one.

I like your story of the comment of a fellow hubber. That is one thing that I can do and I try to practice. I try to comment on every hub I read. I hardly ever finish reading a hub I don’t think is worth commenting on. Sometimes I’ll start a good hub and have to back out of it because of an interruption, but then I try to remember to finish it later and comment.

As always 100% common sense leading to brilliant advice we can all learn from. Another gem from you Billy and I vote up up and away!!!

Thank you so much for all you do my friend ;you are needed here on HubPages today,tomorrow and so on.

Here's wishing you and Bev a wonderful day.

Eddy.

Great article! Your philosophy of life is wonderful. Our lives and attitude are what we make it, and as you say, a simple smile can help someone else's day a great deal. Kindness, love, understanding and compassion are how I try to greet the world everyday, although I run into some people that have a hard time accepting that. I have come up against some real hard heads that resent me just because I have a that attitude in life. There are some really unhappy people in this world and I feel for them and their situations, but one has to find the good in life. I think each one of us must make the decision to leave the good out and squelch the bad/evil. It is a definite choice and you have to be happy from within first, before you can face the world with H.O.W. Keep writing these wonderful hubs. They are tutorials in how to life a life.

This is such a wonderful piece to read as a reminder to "turn that frown upside down." Voted up and across.

You stated, in part, "yet a part of me doubts that my fellow men and women will live up to the expectations I have set for them." Your statement brought back memories of a sign I had in my office while working as an administrator. For all to see when they entered my domain was this little gem: "If you don't see what you like, then lower your expectations." I loved watching the facial expressions when people read that sign.

As you point out, simple gestures, i.e., a smile, touch or kind word are free of charge and can make such a positive difference for many. Just yesterday my wife and I were out shopping. Our cashier in the grocery store had a smile and pleasantry that reached her heart. However, our next visit was to a retail establishment. Although I had tried to make small talk with the male cashier it was to no avail. I said the usual "thank you" and "have a nice day" without an acknowledgement or even one word. He handed us our bags and we both left feeling a tad disappointed that this young man seemed so unhappy with his job and customer contact.

I believe in the importance of starting each day with an attitude of gratitude. I count my blessings as I journey through the day joking, smiling, laughing, touching and generally letting people know I really do care about them. Guess what Bill? I end up being the recipient of feeling good and spiritually fulfilled at the end of the day.

Helping someone for any reason is such a good feeling, and it shows your true character.

I'm with you Bill. I am the one person no matter what it is if I can help someone in some way I will do it. It has always made me glad to be rewarded with a smile and a thank you. There is something about such simple things that leaves you all warm inside. Passing this on.

This warrior is down for the count. My time to work for my Lord by serving my fellow man have passed.

Good advice and positive thoughts to take from this. Thanks

It takes such a small gesture to wave your hand, say hello, smile, be kind, give to those in need, yet people turn away, why is that? Many think the man or woman on the street are lazy takers, not true, but if they are you did what your heart wanted to do, so you feel good and that's a good thing. We never know what a donation will do, we only know how good it makes us feel. Thank's Bill, you're a good man, always listen to Bev, i think she's on to something..Cheers..

It is amazing that taking the time to smile or give a nice word to someone can brighten their day at least a little bit. I don't ever want to ignore someone in need.

Thank you for sharing this with us. I haven't had much time to get online in the past 4 days, but I knew I would find an inspirational and heartwarming piece, so I decided to read it before getting ready to sleep.

Have a good night, Bill, and I hope you had a fantastic simple weekend with Bev.

It has to said you have marvelous staying power Billy.

I shall spend all day tomorrow saying nice things, I will even go for a little humour, though it's a area where I normally fall flat on my face.

I'll let you know if you have managed to make someone feel better here in Ireland from there in America.

Regards

Carmel

For what it's worth, this is my answer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQrcI1ZcK7M

Bill, there's homeless guy who traverses our neighborhood. I see him almost everywhere I go. We call him "Biker Bob". He rides a huge tricycle wearing only shorts, no shirt and a cowboy hat. He's very tanned, as you would imagine, exposing his skin to the sun. He flies a POW flag and an American flag off the back of his 'bike'. Whenever I see him sitting out in front of a store, I stop to say 'hi' and shoot as much breeze as he's willing to let fly. Occasionally, I'll give him a pack of cigarettes, although he never asks. He's always drinking a tall boy when I see him. I've seen him from my town all the way to Orlando, which is 14 miles away. His bike takes him wherever he finds a home in the woods, but he always seems to come back to my town.

I wonder what stories he can tell - or is escaping.

I will never understand when a person looks the other way, and acts as if all is fine with the world, when all of us can do something, anything!

Thanks for another profound and thought-provoking write.

Voted up ++++ and sharing

Hugs and love, Faith Reaper

Human beings are a mixed bag...we all have some good in us and some not so good. However I have learned not to have huge expectations from people...especially ones I have spent a lot of time listening and try to help. I think we just have to give to others and forget about it. You covered this well and did a super job as always.

Voted UP and everything else except Funny. I'm answering the call in my comments, especially. You Bill, are a trendsetter of positive change. Bless you!

Hi Billybuc, such an inspirational piece of writing. I recall my young son coming home one day after trying out for the school cricket team. He told me that 'no-one had noticed him' even though he was a fine player. My heart broke for him. Three years later he was awarded the top four awards for achievement s in sport. It only took one gifted teacher to finally take notice him! We simply have to find that something special in everyone. It is this which makes people want to succeed in life. Thanks Billybuc

That was very interesting.

The world would be such a better place of just a handful of us did what you suggest. I had a student graduate some years back. He still visits on occasion. He calls me Mom. I didn't get it but thought unimportant until he told me one day I was mom because I was the only person in his whole life that ever hugged him. While I know it's frowned upon, I would hug every student every morning, if they wanted. It made for a better day. You're so right, Bill. The little things mean much to others, typically in ways we never know of. God bless you!

I saw night before last, on the news, a junior high boy arrested in my district for having a semi automatic weapon in the hall. I've been wondering ever since if someone would have just shown that young man they cared, would he be in jail now?

Hi Bill, you may recall that I am a Hubber and since, have read many of your works. I commend you on your work on trying to reach the world and giving a helping hand. I follow world events daily and try to see how they will affect my life, my happiness, and my soul. I truly believe you are doing Gods work and passionate about helping the world. My belief here is that before we can help our neighbors we need help ourselves. We need to look to make sure we have eliminated the suffering in our own country prior to trying to save others. that being said, Thank you for the great Hub.

Hi Bill. It really is the little things that can change someone's life. Count me in, I have plenty of smiles and kind words to share. Another great message.

Great Hub, Bill. You are spot on.

You can count on me.

Breaking out the smiles and sending out positive thoughts.

DJ.

Hi Kindred. I have a lot of catching up to do but I am glad I started here. Bev is a smart woman and I don't blame you for listening to her. This was good advice and I know no one who can rise to the challenge better than you. I think you will find yourself in good company and with many who are eager to stand with you. Keep being the cynical optimist. It works.

You were the first to comment on my first hub also! You definitely set the tone for me on how I approach Hubpages. I try to "pay it forward" when I come across a new hubber and they don't have any comments yet. Inspiring hub!!!! :)

Nice message Bill. To quote Dolly Parton "If you see someone without a smile, give them oneI of yours". I also love the the pay it forward concept too. And you might be interested in a facebook group The World Needs More Love Letters. They write positive uplifting letters and leave them in random places for whoever to find them I have done this and it feels so good! I think most people are good at heart and trying to make the world a better place. You are surely one of them!

Nice message Bill. To quote Dolly Parton "If you see someone without a smile, give them oneI of yours". I also love the the pay it forward concept too. And you might be interested in a facebook group The World Needs More Love Letters. They write positive uplifting letters and leave them in random places for whoever to find them I have done this and it feels so good! I think most people are good at heart and trying to make the world a better place. You are surely one of them!

A clear and appropriate message Bill. I feel very much the same way. If each of us just did one little thing each day, or two, or three, this exchange of positive energy would grow at an impressive rate!

Mark

You tricked me! I thought you were in trouble. Excellent topic, and I agree with your essay. Well written. Voted up, does that help? LOL

With you 100%. I have seen a beautiful side of humanity this week and I admit to being surprised by the generosity of strangers. Thank you for, as always, expressing it so well!