John Quiñones, an ABC News correspondent, hosts the show “What Would You Do?”. He and his team of camera operators and professional, yet unknown, actors and actresses present what they call “Social Experiments” and film the reactions of the general public when presented with unethical and uncomfortable (or downright dangerous) situations. Here I am sharing two incredibly moving segments, each just a few minutes long, to help me in expressing the message of doing the right thing.
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Homelessness (Linda Hamilton) – It may be filmed in Newark, New Jersey but it’s a pretty good snapshot of all big cities. While just over 7 minutes, it is especially at the 4 and a half minute mark that it strongly pulls at my heart strings and fills me with hope and encouragement that angels truly do come in all sizes, colors, ages, clothing – you name it!
Add to that the fact that the (real life) heroine’s name is the same as the actress who I am a fan of, for playing the heroine in the first Terminator movies, as well as the late 80’s Beauty and the Beast TV series. Also she starred in a lovely TV movie called Home By Christmas about a down-on-her-luck divorcée who becomes homeless through a series of rather realistic misfortunes and has to re-build her life.
This video may introduce to us a very different woman with the same name, but she is as powerful to my heart as any hero I’ve ever seen in this must-watch video. 7:27 minutes.
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Lost Child – This segment is incredibly powerful and I feel it is important to pass along. Please note, there are essential pointers to remember when presented with a lost child and the first important step is to NOT move the child. You must never encourage a child to leave with you. You stay with them and call the police for help. If you don’t have a cell, you ask someone else, a passerby if needed, to call for help. You wait with the child and reassure them that you will help find the parent they’ve become separated from.
Those rules being said, please do help! I was a lost child at a fair once, and the memory of the kind woman who helped me still brings tears to my eyes. She was like an angel to help reunite a lost child with her worried mother. A few minutes of your time can make an incredible impact of good in someone’s world.
A wonderful quote attributed (possibly falsely) to Abraham Lincoln is: “No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child.” He was an amazing man and, regardless of who coined this phrase, these are wise words. Their wisdom goes beyond assisting only children, for indeed we never stand so tall as when we stoop to help anyone.
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You got me again, Gina! I was touched by all three scenarios. When the one woman says, “I’m no hero, I’m just an ordinary person standing up for what is right”, to me that is EXACTLY what a hero is.
Thank you to all the heroes of this world, and thank you Gina, for being one of mine.
Russ
Dear friend, you always cheer and uplift my heart ~ whether through your inspiring posts, or with your incredibly kind comments! And considering I feel you are the epitome of an everyday hero, sharing light and kindness all around you, your compliment of that back to me is especially heart-warming. Thank You, so much. Your friend, Gina
Gina, thank you so much for the mention here and thank you so much for this post. Yes! Our LargeSelf knows what to do in any given situation if we will but listen. I think that while these video clips are hard for us to watch – especially at the beginning when we see someone suffering, they show us the beauty that is the human being. Thank you for your heart, Dear One. I love you, Cathy
Your words honor me dear friend. I agree that these can be hard to watch, but like you said – they show us the beauty of those who DO help. People to celebrate and encourage. People like you ~ and I am delighted to offer a link to your wise and healing site, dear one.
With much love and appreciation, Gina
Thank you for all that you do on this blog! Linda
That is so nice of you Linda. Thank you for your kind comment
Kindness, indeed…It’s what keep bullies at bay!
I completely agree with you George! Thanks so much for your comment
Absolutely fabulous post; heartbreaking too….will reblog this tomorrow. Thankyou.
Thank you Stephanie Jill, I too find it heartbreaking as well as inspiring. Hugs to you!
Very moving stories – thanks so much for sharing.
Thank you so much Jean-Francois! I am delighted that you enjoyed this.
Thank you for writing this post! It is a wonderful reminder of how ordinary people can step up and do what is right. As a mother and a teacher, I know that I have stopped to help children who needed help, but I honestly don’t know how I would have reacted in the other situations. I waited tables for years during college and while most people are kind and respectful, there are always those who will treat you as if you are a lower being…I’ve had my hand slapped when reaching to remove a plate with a bite of food left on it! Again, thank you for the reminder. I will be more aware of my surroundings because of this post.
Thank you for this heartfelt comment, it means so much. I am amazed when any one treats any other person like a lower being, as you put it. Imagine slapping the hand of a waitress? How awful. I too have worked with the public and I know how soothing a smile and some simple kindness can feel after dealing with awful people. Now I am all about celebrating ordinary people stepping up and making a difference. Thank you again for this delightful comment dear one. You share sunshine with your kind comments as well as your uplifting blog!
Blessings, Gina
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