First, I want everyone to understand... I "GET" cynicism. In this age of commercialism, there are very rarely offers made with "no strings attached."

One of my favourite things to say is TANSTAAFL ("There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.") Unless... there is.

There are a few, strange, wonderful individuals out there in the world who actually want to do something "just because." Because someone needs help. Because something needs to be done, and nobody else is doing it. Because it feels good to do something nice.

I know, WEIRD, isn't it?

The thing is, we've been inundated with messages of paranoia. "Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean everyone isn't out to get me!" We've been trained to beware of strangers. To not look that guy on the street in the eye. To pretend that we're too busy to help (because once you start, well sir, you're on the hook forever, yes you are! No escape for you!)

I have a real challenge for you all. Especially you trolls, and you know who you are. How about, just for a couple days, taking things at face value? Looking at offers people are making as genuine gestures of goodwill, freely given?

If you need the offer given, how about requesting it? And in return, paying it forward, by making an offer YOU can afford (not monetarily, but in time, skill, whatever) to give. With no strings attached. Just because. You might be pleasantly surprised to discover that it FEELS GOOD to be a nice guy (or nice girl.) You might actually get hooked on it. You might discover that those people who offer things "just because" actually do get something out of it... they feel good. About themselves. About other people. About the state of the world in general.

MY personal cynicism says that most people will ignore this blog. It'll probably get trolled. It'll certainly get downvotes. I'm not worried about that. I'm not asking you to copy and paste it (I hate that so much!) I'm just asking you to THINK about it. Consider what I suggested. Do it if you can. If for no other reason than to prove "Them" wrong.