Day 37: Brownies with a smile

Tonight, a card and brownies were handed over to someone that I wanted to make smile. And smile they did.

Result: I didn't eat the entire pan of brownies. That was a huge act of kindness :-p also, baked goods win everytime.


"Anything is good if it's made of chocolate." Jo Brand

Day 36: Collect pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House

Nothing better to do on a Super Bowl then to collect pop tabs of the cans for Ronald McDonald House. This is one of the continuous collections I'll do year round.

http://rmhc.org/how-you-can-help/pop-tab-collections/

'Still don't think it can make a difference? While it does vary by Chapter, RMHC Upper Midwest raises approximately $30,000 a year through their pop tab program. Now that is a lot of pop tabs! Did you ever think it could be so easy to help families in need?'

Small acts create big change :)

Hope your Super Bowl Sunday was great!

Day 35: Boom Boom Cards

My act of kindness today is to share about these cards and maybe someone will be inspired to get them and carry out acts too!

A friend sent me a link to these

http://blog.boomboomcards.com/ideas-info/aboutcards/

What's cool about it, is that you carry out the act that's on the card and then you give it to the recipient to pay it forward. The cards have unique ids on them, and you can track it online!

How cool is that?

Day 34: Send warmth to the neighbor

Today was a tough day. I'm a pretty open book, I wear my heart on my sleeve. I know I'm not the only person that goes through things. My relationship ended today. Nothing hurts worse then a break up.

And nothing is harder then trying to think beyond your own hurt and think of someone else. Today I felt deflated and just going through the motions.

As I was sitting here tonight, I thought to myself what would my act of kindness be. What could I possibly do to make someone else's day when I couldn't really make my own day!

And then I realized, this is the perfect moment to do an act of kindness. People experience unlucky, unfair things. Noone is exempt. And it's what we do when it happens - that defines our new path. And I choose to bounce back and continue to focus on positive things, like this blog. :)

So the act of kindness happened. I got a candle and wrote a note. I walked outside, the cold air - breathing life back into me. I opened the neighbors mailbox and placed the gifts inside.

Who knows. That candle may warm my neighbors soul, which may have been needed. I know it did me.

When I walked back, I realized I have so much to be grateful for. My health. My daughter (Its her birthday today!) My best friend. Her son. The roof over our heads. And my strength.

Thanks for reading and following <3

And to those that bestowed acts of kindness towards me today - a simple thank you just doesn't seem like enough.

Day 33: Offer to help a new mom

As we boarded the plane today, I noticed a new mom and her young infant.

Those that have come before us all know how tough it is to maneuver a newborn, all the stuff that comes along with them: diaper bag, bottles, blankets, extra clothes, car seats, strollers, pack and plays - you're basically moving an entire house. A compact seat in a plane is just the worse!

I knew how she felt. She was alone with her baby, with all this "stuff" with her.

I offered to help. She was very appreciative but was going to wait till everyone got off the plane (I had a string of people behind me waiting) and one of the flight attendants was going to help.

Offering still shows genuine kindness :) While I was disappointed that she didn't need the help, I could tell it meant a lot to have someone offer.

Day 32: Appreciate the housekeeper

I met the housekeeper for the hotel for our floor. Her name was Maria. I've never been around when the housekeepers come clean the rooms, but this time I was. I felt so guilty our room was a mess, I cleaned along with her and chatted her ear off. Towards the end of her cleaning, my futile attempt to help, and her trying to get me to stop cleaning with gestures, smiles and shooing, I realized she didn't speak a lot of English.

Our room has been immaculate every single day. And our things neatly placed and with extra care.

I got her a box of chocolate and I'm going to attempt to write her a thank you note in Spanish tonight :)

Day 31: Inspire someone

Yesterday I kept racking my brain on what my act of kindness would be. In fact, it closed in on midnight and I had my entire group thinking of ideas...when I realized I had already committed an act of kindness. And in my opinion, the best one yet.

We went to dinner with this incredible couple. The husband, Tony, and I are both 'cancers', and I could tell that we were a lot alike in personality. The wife, Misty, spot on southern belle. Beautiful, charismatic, she had all the traits that most woman would envy. The self assured beauty, inside and out, with a beautiful heart.

As we ate dinner, I shared about my new years resolution, this blog and the goal of it.

They listened intently. Asking questions. I shared. We all batted around ideas of what I could do while here.

Towards the end of the meal and wide range of discussions of many varying topics, we came back to this blog. Tony shared that because he met me, he'd think more on his surroundings, his employees, etc.

Result: I'm pretty sure Tony is going to not only continue what he does in kindness, he will raise the bar. And so will Misty :)