Latest news with #generosity
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Sheikh Mohammed turns 76: 5 times Dubai Ruler went viral, won residents' hearts
Over the years, Sheikh Mohammed has led Dubai with unwavering conviction and heartfelt compassion — qualities he has consistently demonstrated through countless acts of kindness. As the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, he has built a lasting legacy rooted in Emirati hospitality, all while remaining deeply attentive and appreciative of those around him. Time and again, he has shown that he is not only devoted to the well-being of citizens and residents, but also a grounded and approachable leader who cherishes time with his family. Today, as he turns 76, Khaleej Times looks back at just a few of the many moments where the Dubai Ruler touched hearts — mere drops in the vast ocean of his generosity. 1. When he went around town right before his birthday When you think of a royal celebrating their birthday, what stereotypes would come to your mind? Perhaps, a lavish gathering or jetting across the world to bring in the big day. Sheikh Mohammed, however, took many residents by surprise two years ago as he went around town — using the Metro and dining at well-loved restaurants — just ahead of his big day. Take a look at his journey in the Dubai Metro, below: صاØب اÙ�سÙ�Ù� اÙ�Ø´Ù�Ø® Ù�ØÙ�د بÙ� راشد اÙ� Ù�Ù�Ø°Ù�Ù�Ø� Ù�ائب رئÙ�س اÙ�دÙ�Ù�Ø© رئÙ�س Ù�جÙ�س اÙ�Ù�زراء ØاÙ�Ù� دبÙ� (رعاÙ� اÙ�Ù�Ù�)Ø� Ø®Ù�اÙ� ذجÙ�Ù�Ù� Ù�Ù� دبÙ� Ù�سذخدÙ�اÙ� Ù�ذرÙ� دبÙ�. HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, tours #Dubai using #DubaiMetro. — RTA (@rta_dubai) July 14, 2023 2. When he gifted an Iraqi girl a herd of horses Sheikh Mohammed's love for horses is no surprise to anyone. His generosity, combined with his love for the animal, have often made headlines. A viral video tugged at the heartstrings of the Dubai Ruler, in which he saw a young 8-year-old girl crying uncontrollably over the demise of her favourite horse. The girl said that her only horse had recently fallen ill and that she tried to care for it, even though the doctor had advised her to stay away. The UAE royal then gifted her a herd of horses and ordered that a training centre be built for her. 3. Meeting Kuwaiti child who loves Dubai In 2023, Sheikh Mohammed won the hearts of a child and those around him by meeting a Kuwaiti boy who had gone viral for expressing his love for Dubai. Badr, the young boy, earlier gave an interview to a Kuwaiti news outlet, in which he said that he wanted to visit Dubai to see the Burj Khalifa. At the time, he was actually on his way to the emirate for the Eid holidays, excited even though it would not be his first time seeing the tallest building in the world. Take a look at the photograph below: 4. When he appreciated hard-working employees In a moment of warm appreciation, the Dubai Ruler took to his social media platform to praise an immigration officer. Abdullah Al Baloushi stopped a traveller in a wheelchair and asked her son kindly why she was leaving the country. When told she was leaving due to doctors' appointments, Al Baloushi apologised to the son: "Sorry, forgive me, I stopped her because I saw you bidding her farewell and wanted to let you say your goodbyes again. We wanted to ask her to pray for us and to forgive us for any shortcomings. We shall wait for her to return as soon as possible'. The Dubai Ruler retweeted a video of a Radio Jockey talking about the incident and said, 'A salute to whoever brings a smile or joy to a traveller's heart. This is the Dubai we want." In March, he hailed one customer service employee who works at a vehicle inspection and registration centre in Dubai's Al Qusais. The Ruler shared pictures of the "diligent young man" who was "committed to completing transactions efficiently". He noted that customers at the centre expressed their gratitude for his "cheerful" nature and his attitude towards them. 5. Charitable concert Imagine being in the '80s and watching Queen, U2, David Bowie, and Elton John performing simultaneously at London's Wembley Stadium and Philadelphia's John F. Kennedy Stadium. In 1985, Sheikh Mohammed provided the largest single donation to the concert — which was being held to raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief. Nearly 2 billion people tuned in to watch the live stream, making it an incredibly historic event of the time.
CTV News
11-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘That's what Canadians do': B.C. man facing adversity plans to pay it forward after unexpected generosity
Adam finds out how a man facing adversity is hoping to pay it forward after unexpected generosity. LANGFORD, B.C. — While it's not unusual to find people camping over the summer, Glenn Edgeworth is not. 'I've kind of had a weird life,' Glenn says while sitting in a chair outside his RV, surrounded by trees. First, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer. Then, he was renovicted from his home of 18 years. 'It was pretty scary,' Glenn says. 'At times I felt like quitting (living).' Glenn found himself living with his two cats Jack and Ollie in his RV along busy streets. 'There's a crack in the pavement,' Glenn says. 'So, all you hear all day and all night is ta-dunk, ta-dunk, ta-dunk.' After living like that for a year, Glenn received a notice prohibiting him from parking there, which meant he had nowhere else to go. 'It was pretty devastating,' Glenn says. It made the news, and Glenn was featured in multiple media reports, which inspired a few people to offer parking spots at a price, before one knocked on his door offering a place for free. 'I tried to give him a hundred bucks,' Glenn says. 'And he's like, 'I don't need that.'' When Glenn asked why, the man – who wishes to remain anonymous – answered with four words. 'That's what Canadians do,' Glenn smiles. And it turns out this place — surrounded by tall trees — is not a camp site. This is Glenn's new home. 'I was literally in tears over it,' Glenn says. 'Happy tears.' He struggled to fall asleep that first night because it was too quiet. 'I was listening to the humming of my fridge,' Glenn smiles. 'I haven't heard that in so long.' But when he woke the next morning, Glenn celebrated the sounds of so many new neighbours. 'The birds were chirping,' Glenn smiles, before showing a photo of a deer who showed up, which he named Bambi. '(I think he was saying) welcome to the 'hood!' Now, Jack and Ollie can relish the fresh air, and Glenn can find solace. 'I'm really grateful for my own situation, but I don't see the story stopping here,' Glenn smiles. 'I want to do what I can.' Once he gets settled, Glenn is hoping to pay it forward by using his phone to record others experiencing homelessness and sharing their stories on his YouTube channel. 'To realize other people's humanity,' Glenn says. To connect people who need help, with those who can help. 'And do what Canadians do,' Glenn adds with a smile.
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Chaos in Detroit as dead man's life savings are dropped from HELICOPTER to honor his final wish
A Michigan man known for his generosity made one final, jaw–dropping gesture to thank his community – by literally making it rain cash from a helicopter at his own funeral. Darrell 'Plant' Thomas, a beloved car wash owner in East Detroit, died from Alzheimer's at 58 and was laid to rest on Friday, June 27. But the somber ceremony quickly turned surreal when a helicopter swooped over Gratiot Avenue and Connor Street – where Thomas' business, Airport Express Lube & Service, was located – and began showering mourners with rose petals and bundles of money. Traffic on all six lanes of Gratiot came to a standstill as stunned drivers stopped their cars – some right in the middle of the road – and rushed out to scoop up the falling cash. The dramatic send–off was orchestrated by Thomas' sons, who said it was their father's dying wish to give back one last time by 'showering the streets.' His niece, Crystal Perry, said her uncle dropped a total of $5,000, according to a Facebook post. Footage shows the helicopter hovering in a bright blue sky as petals and bills flutter down, prompting screams of joy and a mad scramble on the ground. 'Let me get out and get that money!' a child can be heard shouting off–camera. 'They dropped this money for my uncle in the middle of Gratiot [Avenue],' Perry says in the background. 'The best to ever do it! Rest well, unc. Rest well!' Instead of turning chaotic, the crowd remained calm and reverent. 'There was no fighting, none of that,' longtime employee Lisa Knife told The Detroit News. 'It was really beautiful.' She did not partake in the cash grab, but instead admired with reverence. 'Everybody got a little bit,' she said. One of Darrell's sons, known as 'Smoke,' helped organize the emotional send–off and spoke proudly about his father's legacy. 'Detroit, y'all might not know who my father was, but he was a great father,' Smoke said. 'Among his community he was a legend, and he blessed everyone – and that was his last blessing to everyone. That's all it was.' He ended with a heartfelt tribute: 'Many blessings to everyone, and long live Plant.' Other videos captured people eagerly scooping up bills from the street, bending down to grab handfuls of cash as it fluttered across the pavement. Smiles, cheers, and laughter filled the air as the unexpected windfall brought the neighborhood together in a moment of shared celebration. Police briefly closed off traffic on Gratiot Avenue and Connor Street to allow the crowd to safely enjoy what many called the most heartwarming goodbye they'd ever seen. While officers were informed about the rose petal drop, they had no idea money would also be raining from the sky. Detroit police said they are not investigating – but the FAA has launched a probe.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Woman Cancels Family Getaway After Brother Mocks Her Generosity. Then He Asks Her for Money
After saving up to treat her family to a special weekend getaway, a young woman canceled the trip when her older brother mocked her motives and belittled her generosity in front of everyone The family was left disappointed by the canceled plans, but tensions rose further when the same brother who ridiculed her later came to her for financial help Standing her ground despite family pressure to "be the bigger person," she refused his request, sparking a conversation about respect, boundaries and the true meaning of generosityA woman is turning to the Reddit community for support after a heartfelt family gesture took an unexpected turn. At just 19, she began working full-time before college and used her savings to plan a special weekend cabin getaway for her family, covering all the expenses herself. 'I paid for everything and was excited to spend time with them, especially since I don't usually get to do something big like this,' she shares in her post, highlighting how much the trip meant to her. But things took a sour turn at a family dinner just one week before the big event. Her older brother, 24, started making jokes at her expense, accusing her of 'trying to buy everyone's love' and 'showing off with bakery money.' His girlfriend joined in the laughter, leaving her feeling embarrassed and hurt in front of the people she cares about most. 'I just sat there embarrassed,' she admits. After dinner, she confronted her brother and told him his words hurt, but he dismissed her feelings, and told her she was being dramatic. So she made the decision to cancel the trip. 'I didn't want to spend a weekend being made fun of for trying to do something kind,' she explains, standing by her choice even as her parents expressed disappointment. Her brother, however, didn't see it the same way and told everyone she 'ruined the trip for no reason.' This only added to her frustration, as she felt misunderstood and unfairly blamed for trying to set boundaries. Time passed, and the situation took another twist when her brother, after making poor financial choices, came to her for help. He apologized, but she questioned the sincerity of his words, feeling the timing was 'super convenient.' She decided to say no to his request for money, leading to more tension within the family. 'Now he's calling me selfish and got my parents pressuring me to 'be the bigger person,'' she reveals. Turning to Reddit, she asks, 'Am I overreacting for standing my ground? I didn't ask to be treated like a joke.' The community has responded with overwhelming support, validating her feelings and encouraging her to prioritize her own well-being. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. One commenter reminds her, 'Your money, your rules. You aren't an ATM, and respect isn't bought, it's earned.' Echoing the pain of being ridiculed for her efforts, the poster replied, 'Right?? And it's my hard earned money that's supposed to pay [for] the getaway. It just hurts me that he had to make fun of it." Another voice in the thread offers wisdom: 'You're absolutely right, respect can't be bought, it has to be earned. Setting boundaries and knowing your worth is key to any healthy relationship.' Read the original article on People
Forbes
20-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Live Both: Mastering The Save Versus Give Paradox
Reducing, removing or overcome financial barrier, financial concept : US dollar bag on a maze ... More puzzle. The image depicting a situation how to overcome financial difficulties and avoid a financial distress. getty For as long as I've been interested in money, I've wrestled with a personal tension: I want to be generous with what I have, but I also want to be a wise saver. In theory, both goals make sense. But in practice, they often feel like opposites. Saving helps me achieve goals and manage life's inevitable risks, like losing income during seasons of unemployment or my elder years. Saving is satisfying to me because it is measurable and strategic. It helps me prepare for emergencies and invest in products and services that are a blessing to the world. On the other hand, giving is aligned to love. It is who I am as a Christian since it is who God is. 'For God so loved the world that He gave…' It creates connection, reduces isolation, and reminds me that money isn't just about me. Yet every dollar I give is a dollar I can't save—and every dollar I save is one I'm not using to make a difference today. For a long time, I treated this as a problem to solve. I searched for the right budget, the perfect ratio, the clean formula. What I discovered instead is that this is not a problem to solve—it's a paradox to navigate. Eventually, I found that the best way for me to make peace with this tension wasn't through spreadsheets or rules. It was through metaphors. These images helped me understand my relationship with money in a more human and creative way, and they gave me a framework to build a financial life that reflects both responsibility and generosity. Here are four metaphors that have reshaped how I think about saving and giving: 1. Water Stagnant water getty Imagine a lake that has no outlet. Over time, the water becomes stagnant. Nutrients build up. Salt accumulates. Life dies off. That's what happens in places like the Dead Sea. Compare that to a river or a lake that flows—it stays vibrant, oxygenated, and full of life. That image helped me see that holding onto all my money, even for good reasons, eventually becomes toxic. If there's no outflow, I lose something essential. I become overly cautious. I start to think I never have 'enough.' But the opposite extreme is no better. If water rushes out without being replenished, the stream dries up. I've been there too—giving more than I could sustain, eventually becoming resentful or dependent on others to meet my needs. This metaphor reminded me that a healthy financial life needs both inflow and outflow. Saving without giving becomes lifeless. Giving without saving becomes unsustainable. My goal is to find the flow. 2. Barn A beautiful winter scenic in Alberta, Canada. White horse and red barn. Rolling prairie. getty A barn isn't built out of fear—it's built out of foresight. Farmers don't build barns because they're selfish. They do it because they know winter is coming. They know that without storing seed and grain, they can't plant again in the spring. When I think about saving in this way, it no longer feels like hoarding. It becomes a way to protect my ability to contribute long-term. It's not about stockpiling money so I can escape the world. It's about preparing myself to remain useful, even when conditions change. I've learned that my version of a 'barn' includes an emergency fund, health insurance, and enough margin to say yes when an unexpected opportunity to help someone arises. 3. Tree Fruit tree getty A tree does something beautiful: it holds onto what it needs, and it gives away the rest. It stores nutrients in its roots, but it also produces fruit, gives shade, and releases oxygen. It serves both itself and everything around it. Trees also overproduce. They don't just generate one apple or one acorn. They produce far more than they need. That picture helped me shift from thinking about generosity as a loss to thinking about it as natural overflow. I don't want to be a tree that's either dried out or bloated. I want to be rooted and resilient, and fruitful. Saving helps me stand firm. Giving helps me reach outward. The two support each other. Red salamander (Pseudotriton ruber) getty I've always been fascinated by amphibians. They can live in two worlds: water and land. If they stay in the water too long, they suffocate. If they stay on land too long, they dry out. That's how I feel sometimes with my money. The financial planning world rewards discipline and saving. But the social world I live in—my relationships, my community—runs on giving and connection. If I lean too hard into one world, I lose touch with the other. Being an amphibian means learning to move between both. I spend time reviewing my savings goals, but I also look for ways to help others, share what I have, and experience the joy of giving. It's not about perfect balance every day. It's about becoming fluent in both environments over time. My Personal Strategy After years of trial and error, I settled on a simple principle that works for me. I decided that my giving rate should always be at least double my saving rate. This ratio reminds me to prioritize generosity, because it aligns with who I am as a follower of Jesus. I also need to view my savings as a tool to create a more sustainable flow of giving throughout my life, helping me avoid costly debt during seasons of hardship. This strategy may not be perfect or permanent. But it feels honest. It's rooted in the metaphors that help me make sense of money; and in the values I want to live by. Final Thoughts If you feel torn between saving and giving, you're not alone. It's not a simple decision, and it may never be. But it doesn't have to be a source of stress. Instead, it can be a creative challenge. You don't have to find the one right answer. You just need to find the rhythm that works for you. Metaphors can help. They give us new language. They slow us down. They turn pressure into perspective. Metaphors can also help with the paradoxes of investing, like whether to buy cheap and old or expensive and new. See my Forbes article that discusses using metaphor to navigate an age-old investing paradox here: Forbes Live Both: Mastering The Growth Vs. Value Investing Paradox By Shane Enete At the end of the day, I'm not looking for a formula. I'm looking for meaning. I want my money to reflect both who I am and who I want to become. And that means learning how to give freely while still saving wisely.
