Selflessness

Posted on July 29th, 2008 by Tariq Nelson

I am currently reading Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam which is a book about the decline in social interaction in our society. I wanted to share this little story from page 28 of the book

Before October 29, 1997, John Lambert and Andy Boschma knew each other only through their local bowling league at the Ypsi-Arbor Lanes in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Lambert, a sixty-four-year-old retired employee of the University of Michigan hospital, had been on a kidney transplant waiting list for three years when Boschma, a thirty-three-year-old accountant, learned casually of Lambert’s need and unexpectedly approached him to offer to donate one of his own kidneys.

“Andy saw something in me that others didn’t,” said Lambert. “When we were in the hospital Andy said to me, ‘John, I really like you and have a lot of respect for you. I wouldn

Filed under: Community of Compassion

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8 Responses to “Selflessness”

  1. SisterSeeking, on July 29th, 2008 at 12:59 pm Said:

    Salaam

  2. Tariq Nelson, on July 29th, 2008 at 2:50 pm Said:

    Thanks Mary Ann

    This is the message that I am trying to send in my little corner of the world. Each of us have to be good stewards of the blessings that we have (be it education, money, or otherwise) and try to benefit others with the gifts that God has blessed us with.

  3. Margari Aziza Hill, on July 29th, 2008 at 3:15 pm Said:

    Amin!!

  4. Peaches, on July 29th, 2008 at 3:37 pm Said:

    That is a wonderful story. It goes to show that there are still some great people in this world.

  5. abuhunain, on July 29th, 2008 at 5:52 pm Said:

    Tariq,

    This is an excellent post and hope that you will continue to post entries in this vein. Somewhere along the line people have lost the attributes of selflessness with all people and have adopted an isolationist attitudes or fallback on tribalism, racism and nationalism.

    Muslims should be at the forefront of setting the example in this regard as well as calling mankind to these virtues.

    Sr. Mary Ann,

    May Allah (swt) accept your intention and bless you with increase in this life and the next.

  6. Tariq Nelson, on July 29th, 2008 at 6:10 pm Said:

    @ abuhunain

    Thanks. I intend to post stories like this as I find them

  7. My Sister's Keeper, on July 30th, 2008 at 1:00 pm Said:

    This is a great story. I am a Muslim Girl Scout leader in my community. One of our other GS leaders was stricken with breast cancer and is still suffering the effects.

    So, in response and in support of her, we are having a Girl Scout fundraiser after Jum’ah this Friday in which half of our proceeds will be given to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

    We will also hand out information to women AND men about breast cancer in both genders. It is a small effort (we will only be out there for about an hour or less) but it will have a great impact on many people insha Allah. In all of Allah’s Mercy, he has even allowed even the smallest efforts to feel like you’re helping the world! I’m getting teary eyed. *sniffle* More posts like this one Tariq!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  8. gar, on August 3rd, 2008 at 11:29 pm Said:

    “Bowling Alone” is a classic book. I first read it as part of American politics class in university, and thought that Putnam’s writing was very insightful - I thought his ideas about social capital were brilliant and explain so much about what has happened in modern American society.

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