Monday, December 3, 2012

I Must Be Missing Something

The American Giving Awards.  I don't know, but that just seems kind of weird to me.   A whole awards show devoted to people who give.    People who are charitable.   Am I missing something?   Why is it important that "celebrities" such as Gary Sinise and Olivia Culpo (who??) present awards to people/organizations for doing something that we should all be striving to do anyway - - be charitable??!    I just don't get it.  Are we that narcissistic that every good thing we do needs to be honored??   Do we really need star-studded tributes to those who give to their communities?  

What am I missing??

“What's the point of doing something good if nobody's watching?”  Celebrity Nicole Kidman said that.   That makes me want to scream!!!!  

"Point that camera over here because I'm going to do something good now and I want to make sure everyone is watching - - because when there are no cameras I'm really a selfish, self-centered person."

"Oh, you're so awesome because you gave $1 million to xyz charity - and you did it on your own TV show so that we could all see how generous and charitable and wonderful you are!!"

Okay.  I'm done.   Please be kind.  Please be charitable.  Please be compassionate.  But we don't necessarily need to know about it.   That kind of makes the whole "good deed" thing less - - oh, I don't know - - good deedy.




 

34 comments:

  1. I hadn't heard about that show. I agree w/ you 100%. I don't like it when people on FB mention a good deed they've done. I was raised to just do the right thing and don't look for fanfare for it.

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    1. Exactly! Do the right thing for the right reason!

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  2. Excellent post!! I agree completely.

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    1. Thanks, Beth. It is just something that really really annoys me!!

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  3. Very, very good point, Judy. I agree, wholeheartedly. As if these people aren't in the spotlight enough! They need an awards show to bring yet even more attention to themselves?! Crazy!

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  4. "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven." - Matthew 6:1 - Just sayin'..

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  5. You're right, but maybe Gary Sinese is just trying to seek the world's forgiveness after killing Lennie in Of Mice and Men all those years ago. :-(

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  6. That exists? Good heavens I must go sob in a corner now and sniffle as I chant "Why? Why? Why?" ... no seriously ... why?

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    1. that's my question, Larissa - - why?? why would anybody want to participate in such a show?? Holy cow!

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  7. The Bible tells us to do good deeds without notice!! We are not suppose to say look at me look at me!! This post allows us secret santas and such to do good without the pay back we or obligation felt to pay back we should be giving and doing ALL year not just this time of year and we are not suppose to be rewarded for them, our reward will be from God in His kingdom!! Thank you for bringing this to light :) Janice

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    1. No pay back needed . . . it's just fun to do good things for people! I don't think you can ever do something for someone without feeling good!

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  8. I couldn't agree more. And that Kidman quote is completely insane. Grr...

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    1. I liked Nicole Kidman and was so disappointed when I read that :(

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  9. As a boy scout, I was taught to do a "good deed" daily. Times may have been simpler then, but some things should never change. I loved your post, Judy, and agree with your logic completely.

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    1. Totally agree, Mark - some things should never change.

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  10. I have never heard of that award.
    Sometimes it is nice when you read in the paper that some celebrity donated for some tragedy and this was a long time later and no one knew it. That person never made a big deal and just did it because it was the right thing to do.

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    1. I think that a millionaire giving a few thousand dollars to some person or cause is admirable. I think a "normal" person struggling to pay his rent who gives $25 to someone who needs it is even more admirable. Just seems more of a sacrifice. But giving from the heart, no matter how much, is awesome!

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    2. Yes, you are right.
      A lot of times, I think it is the people that understand what it is like to go without that are the greatest givers.
      I was meaning that it seems more charitable when they give just to give and not make a big deal as opposed to the people that make a big deal that they gave this much money.

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    3. Totally agree with you, Ruth!

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  11. I didn't even know this was a thing. I totally get what you mean that these celebrities are already in the spotlight enough, but I think the show is awarding organizations rather than individuals? And Nicole Kidman...really???

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    1. You might be right, Bee - but I think they are showcasing individuals too. I just don't like the whole concept. And I would love to know the context of Nicole Kidman's remark - grrrr

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    2. You're probably right. What's an award show without any celebrities receiving one?

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  12. Judy, I got curious so I looked it up. She said that line in the movie To Die For.

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    1. Okay, good. That makes me feel much better - - I've always liked her! haha. Thanks, Ruth!

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  13. I'm so glad you posted this! Every time I see an ad for this show, I thought the same thing. "Really?" Celebrities seem to need another show to pat themselves on the back. It's sad, really, that they don't get to realize the true reward for giving, the feeling of knowing you've done it, even, and, especially, when no one else knows.

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    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has seen the commercials! I was beginning to think I was losing it.

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  14. The networks would have too much empty airtime if they didn't have all these award shows. There's one at least once a month for some reason or another. This is kind of the oddest though.

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    1. You're right, though, Tammy, and I'm sure there'll be an odder one soon enough!

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  15. I have always been taught that if you do good deeds and make a show of it, the publicity is the only reward you will receive. Much better to do them in quiet, and let God be the one who observes and is pleased, a far greater reward! For me, it is so much more fun to do things for others in secret, then sit back and watch the joy unfold! I'm with you all the way on this one!

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