No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

I gave away 6 meals last week and one salad this week, spoke at the law school, gave a girl I'd never met before a ride to and from the airport and invited her to stay at my house while she was here for an interview.  I think that puts me at 23 little acts of kindness so far.  A shameful number if you consider the goal is 1,000 and I've been at it for a month and a half!! 

The problem is that I think I'm still running a deficit on good deeds.  My car gave out while I was driving home from work on Friday.  My co-worker, my landlord, and my neighbor came to help.  I am also grateful to the random guy who helped push the car, which is more than all the other angry, honking people offered to do - which makes me appreciate him all the more (thank you angry, honking people for giving me a contrast).  Other neighbors and friends have been offering to give me rides (which I soooo appreciate).  One friend professionally cleaned my couch (most appreciated because I was sneezing really badly with the unclean couch).  In addition, I received at least three meals this week (all much tastier than the ones I gave), a bottle of water, and eight rides.  Two friends gave me ideas of where I can look to find a car.  Two friends helped me find a mechanic. It may seem like I have all I need, but my car still needs fixing and I need to buy a new car pronto. 

Life is a game of give and take I suppose.  As for the saying "No good deed goes unpunished".  I really hate that saying.  Good deeds come back double fold.  For example, I offered to work alone two Saturdays ago so my other co-worker could make it to a rugby game.  Quite frankly he is a pleasure to work with, always thinking about everyone else, always funny and fun to work with, and a hard worker.  Everybody LOVES working with him.  He deserved to do something he really wanted to do.  The next week he decided I should have the week-end off and then helped me move a couch that I'd been trying to move for weeks - free of charge.  Then, another friend I had met up with for lunch offered to help us move the couch.   

You see, if giving were a game and we could only win if we gave more - I think we'd all lose.  At least, I know I am!!