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21 Day Challenge: A Different Dinner Date

There is a crew of street children I'm friends with, and they hang out [read: routinely beg] right outside the McDonald's across my school. I pass them all the time, but I've never given them food or money, just company. Today, on a whim, I withdrew more money than usual with my scholar's cash card [I just got transportation allowance from the school this September]. Incidentally, the crew was complete when I passed by McDonald's. I wasn't even thinking of Day 1's Challenge, but there you go. God works in mysterious ways!  The kids were indeed surprised and delighted to know that I was actually treating them to a legitimate meal this time. They enjoyed being able to step inside the restaurant [when the security guard would come close, I made it clear that they were with me] and order for themselves. I bought each of them 1-piece Chicken Mcdo, a regular ... Read Full Story >>

Gratitude

I took some time this morning to write a gratitude mind map.

As I continued to add items, I found my fingers almost couldn't keep pace with all things I tried to write. I sent emails to a few people on the map to tell them how much I appreciate them!

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. ~ William Arthur Ward

Coffee Kindness

I hit the ground running on Tuesdays and Thursdays so I did not get the Day 2 email until after my act of kindness. I had a full schedule today, so I decided to do something quick and convenient. I printed out some Smile Cards and headed out.

As I walked to the Starbucks on campus, I worked out the details of buying someone their drink. Should I buy a gift card and give it to the barista to dole out? Or buy myself something and pay for the person behind me? Or buy the gift card and walk around campus looking for someone I would not normally interact with? I was feeling oddly nervous.

In the end, I got in line, bought a gift card and turned around and handed it with a smile card to the boy behind me. I said, "Here you go!" And he said, "Thank you." I scampered out the door with a "You're welcome!" That was it.

But, what a feeling! I loved the joy I felt for doing something so small. I wasn't too concern about what the recipient thought. I felt phenomenal for taking a chance and performing a kind gesture. I love this!

Lunch Date

A third grade student at my school invited me to sit with him at lunch today. Even though I usually like to take that time to get a break from kids I said yes as an act of kindness. It surprised me as to how sweet it was to be surrounded by kindergarten through 6th grade students at the lunch table. I have come to love those lunch table conversations!

Before Drawing Conclusions

An old man was seated in the train with his 25 years old son.  As train started the young man was filled with lot of joy and curiosity. He was seated on the window side. He stuck out one hand to feel the passing air. He shouted, "Papa see all the trees are going behind". Old man smiled and admired son's emotions. There was a couple who were seated beside the young man. They were just sitting and listing to the conversation between the father and son. They probably thought it was a little awkward, observing that the 25 years old man was behaving like a small child. Suddenly young man again shouted, "Papa see the pond and animals. Clouds are moving with the train". The couple was watching the young man visibly embarrassed of his behavior. Now it started raining and some of water drops touched the young man's hand. He was filled with even ... Read Full Story >>

Kindness Great And Small

I feel it is important to remember as we are moving through this kindness challenge that being kind shouldn't feel like something 'extra' you are having to do in a full list of many things to get done during your waking moments. Kindness comes in many forms, some extraordinary, some less bold and noticeable, but kindness in all its forms is equally important. Something like picking up a piece of trash you see laying outside in the parking lot, thanking someone for their efforts, offering to run an errand for someone who has an overabundance of tasks to get accomplished, all can be just as impactful as a grander gesture. Many times, kindness can be found in just paying attention. When you take the time to notice what someone enjoys or the hard work they do, it says to that person that you care about them and notice their efforts and ... Read Full Story >>

Repaying kindness

There are so many people who have done wonderful things for my son and me: family, friends, medical professionals, and complete strangers.

I have a friend who paid my rent for me when I couldn't. I have another friend who drove me to apply for food assistance because I was too depressed to drive. I had a counselor who helped me come out of the abyss -- she and my friends and family helped me so much. I have a very old car and a great mechanic. He fixes my car and doesn't try to take advantage of the fact that I don't know much about cars.

Regarding paying it forward: I was standing in line waiting to get my prescriptions when I noticed a woman and her two crying children having a discussion with the cashier. The Mom was trying to pay for her children's medications and she was $1.00 short. I thought to myself, she needs this dollar more than I do, so I went to the front of the line and gave her the dollar. I will never forget the way she smiled at me.

Life is Easy

"Life is easy" says Jon Jandai. "Why do we have to make it so difficult?" After pursuing "success" in Bangkok for several years, Jo dropped out of university to return to village life.

There, he went back to the life he knew as a child, working 2 months of the year to grow rice (with an additional 15 minutes a day to grow vegetables), dug a couple of fish ponds, built his own homes using earthen bricks, and gave up buying clothes (he has so many clothes from friends and visitors that he has to give them away).

Jon contends that to be happy, we cannot just rely on money; we have to reconnect with each other.

Check out this inspiring video to hear more about Jon's amazing story!




 

Volunteering At An Orphanage In Tijuana, Mx

Today I'm grateful for the joy and grace of the children at Los Angellitos orphanage in the Tijuana area of Mexico.

I go with a bus load of volunteers from Corazon de Vida foundation to spend the day every now and then. We bring them art projects, balls, balloons, a special pizza lunch, and most of all, one on one attention. In return they give us unconditional love and teach us to be grateful for the simple joys of giving and receiving.

State ID for elderly neighbor

I took my elderly neighbor to get her State ID today and then took her on the errands she needed to do. She has a daughter that lives only 4 miles away, but she doesn't drive due to a car accident. This was our second trip to the DMV/Secretary of State because the first time she didn't have everything she needed.

An Unexpected Blessing

Years ago a college friend and I set out across the US on a post-college adventure. Our vehicle broke-down in New London, Ontario, Canada on a Sunday afternoon.

We were towed to a garage where we spent the night sleeping in the van waiting for the owner to open the next morning. We left the van to be repaired and set out raising money working odd jobs throughout the day.

When we returned the mechanic had finished the work, but the job cost $100 more than we had earned that day. Tired and now more than a little disconsolate, we decided to ask the mechanic if we could send him the remainder of the money from our destination in Boston, MA.

To our surprise and relief he agreed. When we arrived in Boston three days later, we immediately sent the balance to him as well as a note of great appreciation for the trust he shared with two, young strangers.

Truck breakdown

My truck broke down this weekend out of state and leaving me stranded over the weekend. The people I met in the process of trying to figure out how to get it fixed and what to do made an unfortunate situation become an opportunity to meet others and witness how kind people can be without expecting anything in return.

I had a transmission mechanic examine my truck free of charge while he was not even supposed to be at work. Many things happened "by chance" but I couldn't help but feel like I was being looked out for.

I was able to get my car back home, find a loaner car and not miss out on work. My problem isn't solved yet but I have a very different outlook on the situation and peace in my heart.

All I did was try to put out hopeful good energy and use patience. Things lined up. "Move and the way will open" - Zen Proverb. Feeling blessed.

Mere Glance at Crosswalk

I feel like I'm always running around. And life, in its gentle ways, tries to slow me down. To stop, look, and listen to the beauty that surrounds us every day. As I rushed down the street, late for a meeting (again), I found myself behind a woman in a wheelchair (going at a pretty normal pace). Not wanting to rush past her in my haste, on a crowded street, I slowed down and stayed behind her. When we stopped at the signal light, I noticed that on the other side of the crosswalk was another woman around the same age -- also in a wheelchair. Something really simple, yet deeply beautiful happened as they crossed one another. The face of the woman coming towards us changed, from tired, worn-out, and blossomed into a huge genuine smile. Then I looked to the side at the woman next to me, they both locked eyes for ... Read Full Story >>

A little encouragement can mean the world!

A few days ago I was at the gym and a soldier was running a timed physical fitness test. He had lapped me once when I decided to catch up to him and just quitely push myself for the last few minutes of my jog. It was just at that moment that he let out an exhausted sigh...a resignation to stop trying SO hard if you will. It was at that moment that I said to him, "Come on...let's go. Don't quit now. I'll run right behind you and we'll do it together." He was so shocked but managed to say, "You don't know how much I needed that. I was going to quit." So as we both ran the track together he introduced himself and wanted to know my "time". Well, sadly enough, I am just beginning to get back into shape and simply said that I didn't keep ... Read Full Story >>

Everyday Kindness Hero

My friend K is truly an inspiration. Since I met him, I have come to realise the real meaning of kindness and selflessness. He is so giving, will do anything for anybody, always offers to help out a friend, neighbour, relative or stranger no matter how close or faintly related!

He turns up at the gym and gives a box of chocolates to the lady on reception, he will fix anything that is broken, he mended my aerial on my car and fitted a stereo in my mum's car, goes out of his way to pick someone up or drop them off, went searching in his basement for a tiny washer that my dad mentioned he needed, buys me lunch all the time, ALWAYS gladly and never expects ANYTHING in return. ALWAYS has a cheerful smile on his face. What a guy!! xxx

Bearing Smiles

Recently I went to a restaurant with my grandparents. I decided that it was time to use a card. We ate our dinner and got ready to leave, but before I left, I layed a smile card on the table along with a tiny bear figurine that I had made. Then, I hurried towards the door.

Before I got there, the waitress saw what was at the table and called out to me that I had forgot something. I told her no, it was hers! She smiled, and that was the last time I saw her. It was really exciting, and a new way to spead smiles! Plus, one of my bears now has a home, and is "bearing smiles!"

A Stop Sign Moment

It was one of those awkward stop sign moments.  You and the car on the cross streets both arrive at the stop sign together.  Both want to rush first but both are a bit hesitant.  And then, one person gives in -- usually the person with the faster car. :)

Well, it just so happened that I had one of those stop sign moments the other day.  But I had decided to let the other person go and the lady on the cross street had decided the same.

So here we are -- both of us trying to be kind to each other. 

I was determined to stick my ground, so lifted my hand and signaled her to go ahead of me.

She gave me the best smile, and I saw an inaudible "thank you" through some lip-reading, and it just made me feel so good.

All it takes is a moment to be kind.  Try it next time.  It feels good.

Pay It Forward Coffee (Video!)

Just saw this on CNN today:

Perhaps all our collective good karma is impacting the world after all! Keep spreading the goodness, friends.

A Perfect Stranger Restored My Faith

Anymore, it seems like all we ever hear about are the horrible things people do to others. I can't even turn on the news at night (we get Kansas City, Mo. news) without hearing of at least 3 people who were shot and killed plus numerous other acts of violence. Also, with families everywhere pinching pennies everywhere they can, not everyone is feeling as generous as they normally would be. But I found out that even in tough times, people can do simple things that might greatly improve a stranger's day. Not long ago, I was having one of those end of the week, everything fall apart, rotten days. I had a hard day at work, my week didn't go well and problems just kept popping up everywhere. Things broke or quit, unexpected bills came in and I was struggling to keep from loosing my cool from all the stress. Then ... Read Full Story >>

Morning Kindness Delivery Route

At a recent breakfast to say good-bye to a couple moving from their retirement community in Stone Mountain, GA, my Mom was surprised at the number of people in attendance. What was more surprising was the revelation that Patricia's kindness had endeared herself to so many of the people on her block. My mother and I would often speak of Pat with great admiration for her steadfast service.  For example, she would move my 89-year-old mother's newspaper from the end of the driveway to right outside her door. While my mother is quite able, this little kindness was deeply appreciated, especially when the weather was dicey. What she didn't know until this breakfast gathering was Pat did this same little deed for everyone on the block who had newspapers sitting in their driveway. She was an early riser and she'd time her morning walk to follow the newspaper delivery person and make her rounds, which include a trek down and up ... Read Full Story >>