Flowers of Gratitude
As most of the flowers in my yard are gone for the year, I made a run to Walmart last night for flowers.
This morning I waited for the neighborhood school bus. As soon as I saw the bus, I flagged it down and gave the flowers to the bus drive Jeanette, who is also my neighbor. The look on her face was priceless!
My children are not school-age anymore, but I do have nieces and nephews that age. I think it takes pretty special people to do this job.
To safely drive, watch over, and deliver so many children is a great responsibility and one that is undoubtedly under appreciated!
- Posted by unknown
- Aug 24, 2014
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What Nobody Ever Does
Today I got in touch with my go-to I.T. guy. He is part of our Executive Support team at my office.
I typically instant message him in the office when something has gone wrong, or my boss has locked out his password, or we need some urgent thing fixed. He always springs to action, coming to the rescue and helping us right away.
Today, I messaged him and said, "Hi! I don't need anything today but wanted to thank you for all you always do."
He was so happy! He said, "Nobody ever does that!" He said it made his afternoon!
How long did that take me? No time at all. And it didn't cost a thing!
Thank yous are free - but they are priceless! Imagine if people you knew just thanked you for the little things in life. You'd be getting such nice messages all day!
- Posted by ElleDee
- Aug 23, 2014
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Clay Hearts
I just joined the challenge yesterday and have been thinking of some creative ways to lift some spirits. I have started on a batch of clay hearts which I will paint and add a inspirational word. I plan on leaving them in random spots for others to pick up. Hopefully they will bring a smile to those who find them :)
Below is a photo of the clay hearts. I hope they get picked up and regifted again and again!
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- Posted by albremlee
- Aug 23, 2014
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It's About What Needs Done
I spent four hours volunteering at the cat shelter this morning.
Although I would have loved to have spent the time playing with the cats one of the staff needed help with fund-raising work - so I did that.
I try to remind myself that volunteering is all about doing what needs to be done.
- Posted by snowyegret7
- Aug 22, 2014
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Cookie As A Middle Name
Today is the birthday of my elderly (82 years old) friend who has Alzheimer's.
I make a point of visiting him at least once a month. I wanted to take him a card and a treat for his birthday. So, off I went to the memory care unit with my coffee, the card, and some chocolate chip cookies.
He always looks so happy to see me (although today was not his best day.)
So, we were sitting there enjoying our treats while I carried on a mostly one-sided conversation. Just then another resident came wandering over and asked, "Would you have some candy for an old guy?"
I chuckled and said I didn't have any candy - but I had cookies!
Then I looked over at one of the staff members to be sure he could have cookies. I don't need my kindness to cause a diabetic episode!
She assured me it was okay and said that "Cookie" could be his middle name. So, we shared our cookies and more smiles.
It was a very good way to spend my lunch break!
- Posted by dkholtz
- Aug 21, 2014
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Final Resting Place
As I left my home this morning, I found three small feathers on my windshield, which I kept in the car.
As I was heading into work, outside in the parking lot, I noticed that there was a dead sparrow on the pavement. She must have been less than a day old since she passed. I know that the ultimate act of kindness would have been to nurse her wounds had it been alive, but at this point, there was only once choice for me.
I put my laptop bag down on the ground and made room by an adjacent flower bed, in between the mound junipers, for her to have her final resting place... It felt right.
I gathered all twigs and leaves that I could find and covered her body.
Thank you little sparrow for your journey in this reality..
- Posted by lminino
- Aug 20, 2014
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Appreciating The Park-Keepers
In the morning I often go to the local park to walk.
There are two grounds-keepers there who do an awesome job of keeping the place clean, especially after baseball games. Yesterday, I left them a note of appreciation and $5 gift cards to the local coffee place.
I think they need to know that someone appreciates their work.
- Posted by Patt
- Aug 19, 2014
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My Wonderful Mother
I sent a letter to my mother thanking her for all the love, care, and kindness she has given me throughout my life. I believe that mothers like mine can ever be thanked enough for all the tremendous sacrifices they make for their children.
- Posted by paulaburan
- Aug 18, 2014
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Stop and Hug
My nine year old daughter has walked to school almost every day of her school life and each morning the same crossing guard, Ms. Leslie is there to help us safely cross the street. She and my daughter have a special ritual of hugging. My daughter runs to her, they hug, lock eyes and Ms. Leslie twirls her around once with the "stop" sign in one hand. Once, a neighbor driving her 3 children to school told me they feel lucky when they get the chance to witness this. Any fighting in the car that is going on, stops and they all share the joy between these two. This morning after watching them and having crossed the street to the other side, I said "That looked like so much fun can I have a hug too?" Ms. Leslie smiled and we embraced a full 5 seconds. I could feel our skin touching neck to neck and ... Read Full Story >>
- Posted by klw4
- Aug 16, 2014
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Two Wolves - A Cherokee Tale
A Cherokee is telling his grandson about a fight
that is going on inside himself.
He said it is between 2 wolves.
One is evil: Anger, envy, sorrow, regret,
fearful thinking, greed, arrogance, self-pity,
guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies,
false pride, superiority and ego.
The other is good: Joy, peace, love, hope, serenity,
humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity,
truth, compassion and faith.
The grandson thought about it for a minute
and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"
The Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
- Posted by MAG
- Aug 16, 2014
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Forgiveness is a blessing!
Today, my father had a second round of tests that definitely confirm that he has prostate cancer.
Since my mother's death in December, he has been angry with the world and because I live with him, he has become more and more angry often taking this out on me verbally and emotionally.
Several weeks ago, it got so bad that I had to consider moving out as it was affecting my health so badly.
Today with the news of his cancer he has changed now realizing that life is short and in a miraculous way his attitude has changed for the better towards me.
I will be here to help him during his illness, as I always have been in the background trying to make things easier for him as he has been traveling through the emotions of mourning my mother.
I forgive him whole heartedly.
- Posted by trionafaye
- Aug 15, 2014
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Cinderella, you have brightened the world.
Today was an intense day that offered opportunity for the whole community to be kind. Our dear friend Cinderella down the road had a severe stroke some time last night, and was found this morning by her close friend who noticed she had not picked up her paper or walked her dog. Thank GOODNESS for kind, loving neighbors who pay attention. She ran to get my mom, who is a nurse, and we both ran to Cindy's house. I had never seen someone in her state, she was not responsive to us, but she looked terrified. We called 911 , and while we waited we spoke to her to calm her and I sang to her a little bit, which helped her close her eyes and stop shaking. After she was taken, 2 neighbors went to the hospital, while a team of 4 of us began to clean her room and figure ... Read Full Story >>
- Posted by amneaves
- Aug 14, 2014
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Sometimes, it's all you need.
Yesterday, after a beautiful therapy session, I rode through town specifically hoping to learn something from someone. When a young man flagged me down, I quickly pulled over and sat down next to him. He began to tell me about the symbols he had drawn on the concrete, and spoke of things I had never heard of. I was reminded, as I had hoped, that I have no IDEA what it is all really about, and that a 'strange' man's guess is as good as mine. He thanked me for listening, and asked for money. I immediately said yes. When I could not get money from a debit machine, or figure out my pin for cash back, he outright asked "Will you buy me some beer?" My immediate reaction was -- "Beer?" as if it were a ridiculous request. I include this story here because I am sure many of us have gifted ... Read Full Story >>
- Posted by amneaves
- Aug 13, 2014
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Kindness Without Leaving Home
I'm a stay at home mum to three beautiful young boys, and some days I never leave the house!
On these days I always wander how I can do a kind act. But I realize I do them every day. Although not big and even without leaving the house we can still do acts of kindness.
I smiled at other drivers driving my boys to school, I left uplifting and positive comments on people's Facebook status. I played with all my three children and gave them attention rather than do something for me and I walked the neighbor's dog.
Things can be done every day without leaving home.
- Posted by brindlegirl
- Aug 13, 2014
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Help is Beyond the Money
A 15 year old girl who belongs to minority community had dropped her education due to some financial problems.
Her father was a labourer in a leather factory, but now he doesn't have any work and her mother used to do some work at home and earn something, but it is not sufficient for a five member family, so the girl had to drop her education.
But she is talented and got 65% marks in her 10th grade board exam and she has a strong will to study further. When I heard about it, I decided to help.
Yesterday, I went to her home and gifted her 1000 INR so that she could continue studying and go for higher education. She was very happy, and had an innocent smile on her face. Her parents were also happy, and thanked me.
I also felt happy, and good.
- Posted by kmbhai
- Aug 12, 2014
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Learning The Homeless Man's Story
On my way home I saw a homeless guy who lives in his car. I have driven by him many times without paying much attention. He seemed okay with his place and his anonymity.
But last night I stopped, I introduced myself and asked him about himself.
I'm somewhat embarrassed to report that his story surprised me in that he was a regular guy who had been gainfully employed in the area for many years in a very respectable career. I don't know what I thought his background was.
I too often judge on appearances. I was prepared to give him some money but it became clear money was not a problem for him. He was simply happy to have someone stop, engage him in conversation and share some stories about local politics.
I am a more educated person for having stopped and I now know a nice guy in the neighborhood.
- Posted by jwharper
- Aug 11, 2014
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Reconnecting With My Angels
I reconnected with two people who came into my life as angels during a very difficult time.
One was my roommate. He was the first person I befriended in a foreign country. He always supported me, mentored me and encouraged me when I needed a friend. Since then our lives had moved on and we had lost touch.
The other was a mentor who helped me get freelance work at a time when even affording one meal was difficult. My brother was unemployed in those days and he lived with me too. It was through this mentor that I earned just about enough to save $50 a month, which, at that time, was a huge amount for me.
I wrote long e-mails to each of them expressing how wonderful they were and saying I was truly grateful for their presence in my life.
As serendipity would have it, it was BOTH their birthdays the day that messages went out!
- Posted by revam
- Aug 10, 2014
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My Litter-ful Walk
Whenever I walk to the school I teach at I see tons of garbage littering the side-walk and street. In my head, I always think, "One day, I'm going to bring a bag with me and just pick up all the garbage as I walk to school."
Well, today was the day I finally decided to do it!
I was heading out with the bag and gloves, and I asked my wife if she wanted to join me. She said yes and we were off!
Surprisingly, it took us about twenty minutes just to pick up the litter on our street and around the block! And then I had to head to school.
Maybe I can do this every day and, little-by-little, bag-by-bag, my whole route can get cleaned up!
- Posted by rkanani
- Aug 10, 2014
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$100 For A $1000 Massage
As I lay on the table enjoying my monthly massage, my soul was nourished and renewed. While I felt the caring touch of the massage therapist, I listened to recordings of music reserved only a few centuries ago for royalty and the very rich. Flutes in gentle harmony complemented by delicate piano scales; in my imagination, these gifted artists were performing just for me. I pay $80 for an hour-long massage. How much is it really worth to me? $500? $1000? I could never afford that amount every month, but if suddenly a massage cost $500 or $1000 at minimum, I realized that I would still save up and get a massage every year or two as a special treat. When the massage was finished, I told my massage therapist how grateful I was for her work, how much this time meant to me each month, and that her massages are worth ... Read Full Story >>
- Posted by fsmall52
- Aug 9, 2014
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The Difference 20 Minutes Can Make
Last Tuesday, a group of cub masters and I spent time teaching a troop of boy scouts about recycling and reusing items. We then spent some time cleaning up around the meeting house and surrounding areas. It was a great experience for the boys because in 20 short minutes, they saw how much of an impact they could have in their world. A gas station owner even came out to thank them and tell them how much he appreciated their efforts.
- Posted by destinydelange
- Aug 8, 2014
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