After being inspired by a video of a young Pakistani man celebrating his 22nd birthday with 22 random acts of kindness, I mentioned to my girlfriend Tamara that I'd like to do the same for my upcoming 55th birthday in December. Well, she grabbed onto the idea and made it happen.We wore goofy reindeer antlers to make people smile, placed cheery stickers on the shirts of children, cleaned up a park, passed out delicious Mexican hot chocolate to those in the park--many of whom appeared homeless, offered bottled water and compassionate listening in the shopping mall, played rock/scissors/papers with a bored 10 year old boy who was waiting for his sisters to finish shopping, and more.
The highlight for me occurred at the end of the day when we were passing out carnation flowers in a retirement home after their dinner. At first I found myself questioning my motives and how it would be received. It turned out that the local Unity Church had a large group there at the same time singing to the residents.
However, the first thing that took me a bit by surprise was how almost every man also enjoyed receiving a flower, not only from Tamara, but also from me. Then, I found myself giving the women longer deep caring hugs. One commented that she had not been hugged like that for years. But then my heart was permanently touched when another woman told me that she had not been hugged like that by a man for five decades!
I didn't count the number of kind acts we did that day, and neither do I count that birthday as one of the good ones. Without a doubt, I KNOW it was my best!
I'm feeling grateful for Tamara and every person who has ever inspired me.
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- Posted by WaterDog
- Mar 8, 2015
- Comments (20)
Readers Comments
jomartin87112 wrote: Sounds like a fabulous birthday celebration! Good for you and Happy Birthday!
unknown wrote: Love this!
debbe530 wrote: Wonderful. What fun for all of you.
starryskies wrote: Awesome, very creative ideas!! Thanks for sharing! :)
sabrina wrote: Happy Birthday! beautiful way to celebrate it
Naazie wrote: what an inspiration!
chocobella wrote: So cool! What a way to spend your birthday! It's your way of expressing that you were born for a reason, and you demonstrate it!
Mish wrote: Wonderful acts & wonderful to read this! Yes, many elderly people are deprived of compassionate touch. When I practiced massage (gentle touch/relaxation massage) my most appreciative clients were live-alone elderly women & they were my favorites . Blessed be.
nepalcancerfound wrote: God bless on this day of yors.
kperrine wrote: Happy Beautiful Birthday!
