Subject: [Harp-L] Re: Jason Ricci's heart

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Garry writes in response to Cara's post to me:
 
"Cara Cooke <cyberharp@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Perhaps you  should take your opportunity to recipricate on another occasion
> when a  better opportunity arises.  

the nice thing about a good deed is  that you don't need to reciprocate, at
least not directly...

many  years ago, i was walking down the street and encountered a  stranded
motorist.  his muffler was dragging on the ground; he and his  wife were in
formal wear, staring hopelessly at it.  i went home and got  some wire and
wired the thing up so they could get home (had lots of  experience from 
my own junker cars).  when he tried to pay me, i  refused.  i told him,
"someday when you see someone in trouble, stop and  help them out, 
and then we'll be even".  it felt *good*.

since  then, i've made a habit of stopping to help whenever i can.  i  always
end with my little speech, and tell them to pass the obligation to the  next 
person.  i like to think that in some tiny way it makes the world  a little 
better.

the last time this happened was last year.  i  helped a guy push his car out
of a muddy ditch.  when i told him to help  someone else, he said, "i do that,
every chance i get".  i said, "well,  i guess i'm your reward."  we both left
happy, albeit muddy.

>  My biggest pet peeve with news and lists today is, when someone has an  axe
> to grind, they tell the world -- but their compliments and the  good
> news often remains unheard and unpublicized.

indeed.   if you're willing to complain, you should be just as willing to  
commend.

as for harp content: jason once told me that the reason he likes  to help 
people learn harp is that so many people helped him along the way,  and 
he feels like he should give some back.

----
Garry Hodgson,  Technical Consultant, AT&T Labs

do for others with no desire of  return.
we should all plant some trees
we will never sit under."
 
.......I absolutely agree with Garry's take on this...but Cara didn't know  
that I'd previously  planned to have Jason stay over and take the band to  
breakfast (unbeknownst to him) prior to his going to such lengths for me...it  
didn't work out because of their exhaustive schedule, but he will always  have a 
place to stay whenever he plays a gig on Long Island.  Always.   He knows it. 
The little I can do to give him a little "home" comfort  to reciprocate what 
he gives to his audience and friends is small  potatoes. Jason is the real deal 
and has the biggest heart.  Besides  he loves cats and I have a few, so he'll 
feel quite at  home... <G>
 
 But what Garry is describing is "paying it forward"....something I've  been 
a big believer in long before knowing what to call it. It can be  as little a 
thing as holding a door for someone with a  smile...striking up conversations 
with strangers while shopping...you'd be  surprised by the reactions I get to 
such small gestures. It's what  makes your heart feel good, puts a spring in 
your step, not to  mention what it gives to the people you've thusly connected 
with.   Harp content? none.. except as it relates back to the Sexy OCD Rocker, 
Jason  'the Ghost of Butterfield' Ricci <G>  and how his sweet and generous  
personality makes one want to do nice things for him.
 
Elizabeth