Anyway, I was in church a while ago as there was a discussion about a very interesting topic… “end times”. For those who are not Christians, it means ‘the end of the world’, or more famously known as ‘Armageddon’.
It has been a long time since I attended such discussion gathering and I must admit, it was very refreshing indeed. I am not going to go into the discussion in details as it will most probably bore you if you’re not a Christian; and as for Christians, you would have heard them many times already.
Anyway, the discussion covered a number of things which flowed on to a number of other sub-discussions and suddenly, my brain was (and still is) filled with many thoughts. It made me look at many things from a very different perspective and to actually see 2 sides of the coin in many situations.
I was paired up with a guy named Eric and we were talking about the difference between hopeful and optimism and suddenly……amidst the multitude of thoughts, my mind was brought to the recent DVD I watched… “Evan Almighty”. Many of us have watched it and would have probably laughed our ass off most of the time. But my mind brought me to the very message behind the film…
The A.R.K…
…… An “Act of Random Kindness”… one which “God” said would change the world. We were talking about how we can make a difference if we choose to and this ARK thing came to mind. I know a lot of us are very frustrated with a lot of things which are happening around us today but… if we were to practise an ARK, perhaps we will make a difference? Who knows?
AZAIG has an average of about 400 unique visitors daily and assuming that half of you will actually choose to do an Act of Random Kindness tomorrow, there will be 200 ARKs. If half of that half choose to continue to do an ARK on Friday (because the other half has forgotten about it), then there will be another 100 ARKs. Let’s say the amount of people continues to drop by half all the way till Sunday… we will have 375 Acts of Random Kindness by the end of the week… which I think is quite cool.I know I am being very naïve and perhaps… stupid… but I think I am going to do an ARK tomorrow. Assuming that all of us would have forgotten about this entry by Monday, at least 375 Acts of Random Kindness happened this week… I hope.
Anyone care to join the statistics?
50 comments:
you can count on me :)
HOI, MLM kah? Pyramid style? LOL.
BTW, my church doesn't emphasize much on end times. Me? I am dead interested with all the signs but we were warned to ARK now instead of speculating so much cos Jesus said we do not know what time the thief will come yadda yadda..prepare your oil in the lamp and wait for the groom yadda yadda yadda.
have done so by cleaning my own psp.. what? Cant i be kind to my psp? haha
Am in on it :).
Actually, even before reading your entry - I was planning to do the 'A.R.K'
Your entry coincides with the beginning of Ramadan for me - I will TRY to do at least one good lil thing every day of this coming month.
We'll see how long I can keep that up!
Good luck to you and your fellow readers with their respective A.R.K's
I'm all for this mission - one act of kindness everyday.
I need to support a close friend going through a difficult phase.
i do ARK from time to time! :D but just small bits and pieces lar. i believe people should stop following the main 'culture' of the world where richer and more is better. because it isn't. we should stop. and listen. and do. and help.
i guess the one thing i find really sad about is, people today don't even have time to look u in the eyes and listen to you speak.
To pay it forward. Okay, I'll let a moronic driver indulge today.
an ark eh?..just did a damn big 1 yesterday..haha..
i've always had a softness for an ARK, perhaps from the numerous tales i've read from chicken soup series. i totally agree...it doesn't hv to be much, stopping the car and letting the harried mother cross the road, informing a man he got off the lift at the wrong floor, keeping daughter's friend company before her mother arrives..bla bla bla, little things. it's what makes you more distinguishable than the next. it's what gives your character a heart. it's also what revives one's belief in the goodness of mankind, if not your own belief at the very least. it's what fills your life and heart with warmth and melt the frozen cynicism. don't stop at just today. today is only the beginning of your life.
why not: )
Hehe...
Sure why not?
I do ARKs whenever there is a need from ppl around me like changing a flat tyre for ppl etc. I agree that it doesnt have to be a huge thing or whatsoever.. even helping your friends carry their stuff sometimes is an act of kindness. Well zewt, i hope all readers here will not only do ARKs this week but all the time instead.
As for end times, the foretold signs are ever increasing and I believe it will be within our lifetime.
Afterall, when would the best time be to go with a big bang if not when the world is at the zenith of prosperity and yet, millions dying of hunger, poverty and neglect because of the indifference of a critical mass of well-to-dos?
zewt,
Dont underestimate our willingness to learn about our brother's religion as it will give us a better understanding of it. (I am a moslem). During my student days I once followed a Christian friend's visit to a Church just to see how Christians prayed. I was really enlightened.
An Act of Random Kindness is a universal thing and is preached by all religions. Let us all do it.
I saw this movie on 8TV a few months back, with Helen Hunt and Joel Osmont and Kevin Spacey (can't remember the title though) where this boy did this random act of kindness to 3 strangers, and the 3 strangers then did the same thing to another 3 strangers and it spread on from there.
I think that was a very good idea, something like MLM, but instead of gaining money, you get something better (there's something better than money??!!), you get to feel good about yourself, and you get to make another person happier.
The best place to start- on the road, while driving! See that car signalling and trying to cut in front of you? Let him, and maybe he'll return the favour when another car does the same to him.
Jelas, semua agama menuntut pengikutnya melakukan kebaikan.
Kebaikan kepada semua.
I have always been practicing it :)
ardy, if i'm not wrong the movie you're talking about is called Pay it Forward. it's a lovely movie and very inspiring, kinda like zewt's entry today. and zewt, i don't think you're being naive. its called having hope and faith! :)
so yes, let's all do an ARK, not just for today, but try to take some time out of our busy lives to just stop for awhile and do an ARK!(wisely of course!)
Got definition for act of random kindness ah? Coz me always kind to people wan :P
Good thought! I'll like to think i'm already doing ARK everyday.
That's my humble opinion only lar! LOL
U may count me in. Anyway as Christians, we do ARK whenever possible...
If everyone can practice MLM for ARK... the world will turn into a much better place to live in.
Will see if I have the chance to do ARK today. Will try, everyday.
I always make sure I practice A.R.K whenever I have the opportunity to do so ;)
I always try to practice ARKs all the time!
You know, with all the unique visitors you get, you're really able to help touch and change people's lives. And I think you're doing a fine job. *thumbs (and toes) up!* LOL!
Have a good day, zewt.
An ARK a day.. I'm all in with you brother.. Have to put aside all the current issue and follow what God is asking us to do.. That's what's God's teaching yesterday when I read 'Our Journey'..
Amen..
With every little helps...ARK it is...
A toast for worldly peace. Hopefully it's not for gaining some sort of an attention or intended to a certain people/group.
What statistics? probability case or binomial distribution? let it be nurtured naturally and be the good example.
When I was little, I was brain washed by church of the end of days. At tender age 7, I was already worrying for my parents who have yet to convert to Christians. I fret every night in my sleep.
Somehow, I grew up. The third world war is still not here yet - probably soon in near future with the 9-11 incident and things happening back home now... I decided to take a break and not worrying about it.
I am now a very happy free thinker.
yup, its karma. do good things. good things will come back to you. :)
hey zewt! applause for promoting goodwill thru ur very very popular blog *clap clap* i see ARK's all the time here in aus (more so in small towns like adelaide LOL), but not so much in msia, so here's hoping some good will come out of this :)
I had a very nice experience when I was about 12 yrs old. I was with a friend on our way to the bus station in Seremban and at that time under construction. There was a very small plank for us to cross and everyone was busy crossing that.
An ahma was carrying some of her daily groceries stuff trying to make it across. It was at that point of time that I held out my hand and helped her. Took her grocery bag and helped her across...
My friend was like "OH MY GOD" "you're so kind"...till this date, I still remembered it clearly. Ever since that day, none have actually made it to the my ARK top chart...like offering food/money to the monk, beggars...
What's the ARK that tops your chart?
The best reward for doing ARK is the look of surprise and gladness from the recipient. I guess in this harried age and hurried world, its surprisingly nice when a stranger does ARK for you.
although im not a christian (was at the brink of converting when for some reasons, i held back), i do believe in doing good things to others. yes, even strangers.
after the movie Evan Almighty, i got to know about A.R.K. and then i think back abit. hmn... actually all the small deeds that i've done to other strangers are actually what you all called ARK. haha~ not bad eh?
conclusion is, everyone promotes kindness. so why not join the crowd to do good deeds?
sunshine - that's a first...! :)
5xmom - this is the best MLM business la... dont u think? end times... always interesting... maybe it's a good blog topic.
tingtitlei - if u think it is... it is lor.
LaSh - hey... happy fasting! hope it last forever... the ARK i mean.
rashikaps - keep it up... i am sure your friend will feel the world is a better place.
ehon - brilliantly said... ppl are so engrossed with making money... they have no time for anyone... not even ourselves!
cirnelle - how was it? hehe...
constant craver joe - tell us about it la.
me - yup... it doesnt need to be big and have a significant impact... it can be anything, as long as it is an act of kindness... it's good.
ms bulat - hey! welcome your first comment!
anon @ 8.48am - cool!
Jason - that's good man. but i have to say.... helping ppl change tyre can be dangerous... you'll never know. kudos to u for doing it.
anon @ 8.51am - there is a verse in the bible which says.... even the flowers and plants are waiting for the time of the Lord... needless to say... so are we.
Zawi - i definitely welcome an ARK from brothers of all religion. :) let us all do it.
ardy - we get nothing actully... but i am sure it's better than actually gaining something, dont u think? cool man... starting on the road is definitel a good thing.
j or ji - betul... mari kita semua semua melakukan sekurang-kurangnya sekali kebaikan sehari.
princess eileen - i am not surprise.
lingzie - let us star with today... i dont want to be too ambitious... and i will see how many will still do it next monday.
sunflower - as long as u think it is ... it is :)
Helen - i believe :)... i do.
sharlydia - but it's hard sometimes... when you're boiling... but i think i have the formula...
purple mushroom - but most of us are too selfish to do it. let's start with ourselves.
hcfoo - that's good... keep it up!
rinnah - that's what i am looking forward too. instead of complaining, i hope to make this influence... no matter how lil... to do some good.
Mcmercedez - Amen to that. yeah, our mind has been too clouded with bad things lately... let us do ourselves a favour :)
Manal - let us be part of the statistics of ppl who cares... who actually cares...
anigma - well... no matter what...i think the world will come to an end... as for me... i believe there's something way above us who is in control after that
alan zed - while i dont believe that... i dont mind doing good things.
Jun - yeah... rather than complaining, i hope i can make a difference... no matter how small it is.
bensiu - the one that comes to mind is when i asked my whole CG to pray for the ice cream man of my school becos the ice cream man's health was deteriorating...
mumsgather - indeed... it's worth more than anythig money can buy.
soulblade - amen to that!!! let us join the bandwagon... and overload it!
uhm... I do that all the time. Remember once I gave away RM 40 to an Indian cos he asked?
Well uh... That was history. How bout today? I directed an african man to his bus. Did I do ARK? did I?
I really believe in ARK as it really happened to me before therefor I'm thankful for all these random act of kindess. =)
I remember telling myself that I'm so gonna blog about this halfway through the movie.. But somehow I have forgotten about it..
Thanks for the reminder.. and yeah.. count me in =)
i wonder if my boss is feeling like doing some ARK n let me go home! HEADACHE!!
so what's ur formula? share lar...
ARK is so underestimated, but it really does make the day seem brighter, especially if you feel like everything's going wrong that day.
i've had my share of ARK being done to me, and im grateful for them. hopefully everyone will have the same attitude and do ARK for the better of society. ^_^
and no, zewt, it's not naive/stupid. ppl sometimes take for granted that kindness doesnt just make other ppl happy, it makes yourself happy too. and besides, i believe in karma. hopefully when i do ARK to others, i'd get some when i'm in need too =D
I ARK-ed yesterday... I think! it was either holding the lift for someone or letting the person pass in front of me first. ermmm... got lah, everyday...
Jonny - you did... certainly did. that 40 bucks story was... brave.
seaqueen - but do u do it?
rach p - welcome to the stats. it's a cool movie eh?
Huei - hhha.... did he?
sharlydia - tell u next week :P
Zaty - yeah... certainly makes yourself happy and very fulfiling. let's do our part in being naive and trying to change this world...
may - same as me :)
Zewt,
I truly agree with you.
Acts of kindness are essential in the journey of life as a matter of self-fulfillment and pleasure in life where no one ca take away from each of us.
good post! :)
back in the days when i was a scout, we were told to do one ARK a day. Apparently Baden-POwell (the dude that founded scouting for boys), said,
"tie a knot on your scarves when you do your ARK. then you ll know whether you have done it everyday". << soemthing along that line.:)
I believe it's actually said Random Acts of Kindness, no? that's why when you said ARK, I blanked out for a moment...haha..had to get my bearings
maverick sm - and we must embrace it and make it a lifestyle... a habit... a good one.
rational thinker - yo! welcome to AZAIG! if that is the case... you might need a lot of scarves! :)
water angel - well... doesnt matter... as long as you know what i means ... :) right?
Post a Comment