Jim
07-09-2013, 10:04 AM
I've noticed over the years here there have been multiple random acts of kindness shown by members. Lord only knows how many have been shown through PMs that no one knows about.
I can honestly say I have been the recipient of many of these. It has nothing to do with my character, but all to do with the character of the giver. There's a lot of guys on this forum that are glad to share or give something they could have made a few bucks on in the Swappin' & Sellin' section.
Not long ago, I purchased my first 1911 and I posted about it. Rightly so, a new gun, the first of a type and I was excited to own one. I swear on my father's grave, there was no alterior motive behind my posting. Like a lot of guys, I got a new gun and wanted to play 'Show & tell'.
The PMs started coming. "Hey, Jim, I gotta ................. Send me your address and I'll send it to ya'." It's not like it's never happened before, but still, it's always a pleasant surprise to have somebody offer something that was not solicited.
A typical example: A new pistol, so I need a 'dress' holster for wearin' out when I'm 'sportin'. I went online, did some shopping and picked one out. I placed the order and was told after the fact that it's back ordered. OK, no problem, I can wait it out.
A few days go by and I get a PM from a member telling me "I've got this old holster that I think will fit your pistol." It was waiting for me yesterday at the post office. Fellas, this ain't no cheap holster. It's a black Don Leahy open top with fish scale pattern.
I worked some oil into it, got it loosened up and dang if it don't fit my pistol like it was custom made! It rides perfectly and it's the color I wanted. And it's 'wrong handed' like me!
This is the kind of stuff I'm talkin' about. People remember receiving gifts far more than they do giving. I've had people mention something I've given, but had completely forgotten about. On the other hand, I can give you the 25 cent grand tour of my gun room and boolit shop and rattle off a list of names of members that gave me this and that.
People that give do so because they have something they not only can spare, but because it's not worth a lot of money to them. That's the opinion of the giver. The recipient has an entirely different mindset about it. It not only makes one feel that he's thought of, a lot of times it provides the recipient with something he might not could find or afford.
Next time you decide to give someone something, consider the seed you're planting. One day you may find yourself cooling your heels in the shade of that tree.
I'm on my way out to my boolit shop to make some boolits for a member. I'll be using a ladle that was custom made for me by a member. And so goes the cycle.
I can honestly say I have been the recipient of many of these. It has nothing to do with my character, but all to do with the character of the giver. There's a lot of guys on this forum that are glad to share or give something they could have made a few bucks on in the Swappin' & Sellin' section.
Not long ago, I purchased my first 1911 and I posted about it. Rightly so, a new gun, the first of a type and I was excited to own one. I swear on my father's grave, there was no alterior motive behind my posting. Like a lot of guys, I got a new gun and wanted to play 'Show & tell'.
The PMs started coming. "Hey, Jim, I gotta ................. Send me your address and I'll send it to ya'." It's not like it's never happened before, but still, it's always a pleasant surprise to have somebody offer something that was not solicited.
A typical example: A new pistol, so I need a 'dress' holster for wearin' out when I'm 'sportin'. I went online, did some shopping and picked one out. I placed the order and was told after the fact that it's back ordered. OK, no problem, I can wait it out.
A few days go by and I get a PM from a member telling me "I've got this old holster that I think will fit your pistol." It was waiting for me yesterday at the post office. Fellas, this ain't no cheap holster. It's a black Don Leahy open top with fish scale pattern.
I worked some oil into it, got it loosened up and dang if it don't fit my pistol like it was custom made! It rides perfectly and it's the color I wanted. And it's 'wrong handed' like me!
This is the kind of stuff I'm talkin' about. People remember receiving gifts far more than they do giving. I've had people mention something I've given, but had completely forgotten about. On the other hand, I can give you the 25 cent grand tour of my gun room and boolit shop and rattle off a list of names of members that gave me this and that.
People that give do so because they have something they not only can spare, but because it's not worth a lot of money to them. That's the opinion of the giver. The recipient has an entirely different mindset about it. It not only makes one feel that he's thought of, a lot of times it provides the recipient with something he might not could find or afford.
Next time you decide to give someone something, consider the seed you're planting. One day you may find yourself cooling your heels in the shade of that tree.
I'm on my way out to my boolit shop to make some boolits for a member. I'll be using a ladle that was custom made for me by a member. And so goes the cycle.