Kindness Transcends Scarcity, Counters Pessimism, and Fosters Connection

Key Quotes

"I was on the side of the road for close to four hours big jeep blown rear tire had a spare but no jack I had signs in the windows for the car big signs that said need a jack and offered money no dice right as I was about to give up and just hitch out of there a van pulls over and a dude bounds out he sizes up the situation and calls for his youngest daughter who speaks English he conveys through her that he has a jack but it's too small for the jeep so we'll need to brace it he produces a saw from the van and cuts a log out of a downed tree on the side of the road we rolled it over put his jack on top and bam in business I start taking the wheel off and if you can believe it I broke his tire iron it was one of the collapsible ones and I wasn't careful and I snapped the head I needed to clean off fuck no worries he runs to the van gives it to his wife and she's gone in a flash down the road to buy a tire iron she's back in 15 minutes we finished the job with a little sweat and cussing stupid log was starting to give and I'm a very very happy man we are both filthy and sweaty the wife produces a large jug of water for us to wash our hands in I tried to put a 20 in the man's hands but he wouldn't take it so instead I gave it to his wife as quietly as I could I thanked them up one side and down the other I asked the little girl where they lived thinking maybe I could send them a gift for being so awesome she says they live in mexico they're here so mommy and daddy can pick peaches for the next few weeks after that they're going to pick cherries then go back home she asks if I've had lunch and i told her no she gave me a tamale from her cooler the best fucking tamale i've ever had"

Justin recounts a deeply impactful experience where a family, despite their own potential hardships and limited resources, stopped to help him when others would not. This story highlights the unexpected generosity and humanity that can be found, even when faced with language barriers and difficult circumstances. The act of kindness, particularly from a family working seasonally, serves as a powerful counterpoint to cynicism about human nature.

"But then on the other hand, it's been 10 years since Justin made this post. It's been shared across Reddit and beyond. Countless people have seen it and been moved by it. But how moved? Moved enough to start actually being better people, helping other people? Whatever good deeds this post may have inspired over the last 10 years, I think we can all agree the world could use a lot more of 'Today You, Tomorrow Me.'"

The hosts of Endless Thread reflect on the impact of Justin's story, questioning whether the widespread sharing and emotional resonance of his post translate into tangible actions. They acknowledge the potential for inspiration but also express a desire for more widespread adoption of the "Today You, Tomorrow Me" ethos, suggesting that the world still needs more of this kind of altruism. This raises the question of how to move from passive reception of a story to active participation in its message.

"And you know, I think people want to help. I think they want to feel like they have the opportunity to do it. And we don't really give folks that opportunity or we haven't really set people up for that opportunity. You know what I mean? But in this case, it was a family that that maybe didn't have the time and did it anyway."

Justin discusses the desire for people to help others, suggesting that societal structures or norms may not always provide clear opportunities for individuals to act on this impulse. He contrasts this with the actions of the family who helped him, emphasizing that they found a way to assist despite their own time constraints. This points to a potential disconnect between the human desire to contribute and the practical avenues available for doing so.

"The messenger matters, right? Because messengers multiply. You know, I always laugh like when I think about how many places this thing has shown up right? So like, I'm I'm not terribly religious. I'm a non-believer and I've had you know multiple clergymen and women reach out to me and say, hey, I, you know, either asking permission or just letting me know, hey, I use this on Sunday or I use this on Saturday at my congregation."

Justin emphasizes the significance of his role as a messenger for the "Today You, Tomorrow Me" story, explaining that the act of sharing the narrative itself has a multiplying effect. He notes how the story has resonated across different communities, including religious ones, where it is used to convey moral or ethical lessons. This highlights how a single story, when effectively communicated, can reach diverse audiences and inspire action.

"And as a species, that can be a force multiplier. It can be a philosophy that helps us not blow ourselves up because 'Today You, Tomorrow Me.' And that's why I think it's kind of cool to have something, you know, so universal encapsulated in four words."

Justin reflects on the broader implications of the "Today You, Tomorrow Me" philosophy, suggesting it can act as a unifying force for humanity and a potential safeguard against self-destruction. He finds value in the universality and conciseness of the phrase, believing it encapsulates a fundamental principle for collective well-being. This frames the simple phrase as a powerful tool for positive societal change.