Kindness....

I started December with "Random Acts of Kindness" to celebrate the giving season.  I find pleasure in giving to others and I am determined to make this my life long commitment.  Even though I find that I am automatically programmed to be kind to others, this challenge for me is to look at purposeful acts of kindness.  I do believe that small things done with great love will change the world and we can make a difference.  I bought a journal book a week or so ago that says "One person can make a difference and everyone should try."  If we all try we will make the world a better place.  I am reminded of the song "Imagine" by John Lennon. "I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope some day you'll join us
and the world will be as one." 

When I think about kindness I also think about peace and being as one.  My challenge for you with blog #3 is to "suspend judgment of others."  Practice random acts of kindness as much as possible.  Here is my list so far.....

On Day #1 I sent two dozen doughnuts to Save-a-lot.  The first day of the month is very busy in a grocery store and I thought breakfast would be helpful.   I also have a co-worker that has been very helpful in helping me adapt to new work responsibilities.  I sent her a note and a HUGE tin of Lifesavers and told her that she has been a "lifesaver" in helping me.  I also donated $1 when I went to Bob Evans for Big Brothers Big Sisters and sent co-workers special positive inspirational December calendars.

Day #2

I put a stocking on one of my most favorite co-workers (and cousins) door.  I thought I would add some Christmas decor to her room!  I gave a friend $20 off coupons to a Department Store and I went to get a co-worker tissues because she was out.

Day #3

Lucas and I went to his Christmas Shop on Saturday the 3rd and we donated extra money to the Shop.  I also taught him about the importance of giving instead of receiving which is a big job when you have a 5 year old.  I think he was receptive to the idea.  We came home and spent extra time wrapping the gifts and putting them under the tree.  I also took my mom and dad personalized stockings to hang up.  Yes, Santa will fill them for Christmas morning!

Day #4

I went shopping on Sunday and ran into someone I knew who needed "someone to listen."  We talked in a store for one hour and then after the store closed we talked outside for an additional 20 minutes.  I was in the right place at the right time because she needed someone to talk to.  I purchased some special gifts for my mom so that she wouldn't have to make a trip to town.  Lastly, as a meat manager/cutter Jeff has pain in his hands.  I gave him a hand massage. 

Day #5

I played an internet game that offers food to those who are hungry.  I was able to supply quite a bit of rice to those in need.  You can check it out and starting helping too.  www.freerice.com. 
I also researched www.operationbeautiful.com ideas which I delivered on day #6.

Day #6

The operation beautiful idea is awesome and I shared the message on mirrors in bathrooms.  I also gave co-workers Dove Chocolates in their mail slot!

I am glad that I can share with you my "Random Acts of Kindness" journey.  Christmas is such a special time of the year.  I will leave you with a Christmas thought to ponder

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas." ~ Peg Bracken

ThanksGIVING

"Giving to others is often the very way to bring happiness to oneself."  I know that I personally think of this often and try everyday to make the lives of others a little better.  Sometimes I am less likely to be successful at this with my family during fits of frustration.  However the concepts of what make people happy and giving to others is always a thought close to my mind.  This is something that I work towards daily in my personal life.

When I began this blog a couple of weeks ago, I starting writing down ideas  throughout my days that makes me think about my "challenge"  for you as a blog reader.  I think about ideas or little acts of kindness that bring out the true heart of a person.  My challenge to you for blog #1 was "Listen to someone's story."  I wonder who listened to someone's story.  Who took the chance to step out of their comfort zone?

This past Tuesday working at a soup kitchen I met a sweet lady who was with her disabled sister.  Her mother had recently passed and she had taken on the care of her sister full time.  What a selfless act; caring for others who cannot care for themselves.  I started listening to their story by starting with a simple hello and "did you get enough to eat?"  This opened the door for more conversation and ended with all of us singing Jingle Bells and Rudolf.  Kathy had such a fun time singing to the top of her lungs and enjoying conversation with others.  I wonder how many people take the time to talk to her and often do not because of her limited communication skills.  Looking at her dis-ability instead of her ability.

I week prior to this I was taking Lexie to the YMCA for her 5:15AM (yes AM!) swim practice and a gentleman was sitting on the steps of the YMCA petting a cat.  Lexie said "see that guy, he feeds that cat everyday when he comes to the YMCA."  As I sat and watched the interaction with the gentleman and the cat, I found it such a sweet act of kindness.  When the doors to the YMCA opened, he picked up the empty little baggy that had the food in it and made his way inside to start his day.  A simple selfless act.  Bring the cat food, pet the cat a few minutes and move on.....  I am sure each day that cat waits patiently for 5:15 AM.

This week we celebrated Thanksgiving.  The time for family get-togethers, football and FOOD.  What a special season of togetherness and giving we enter at this time of the year.  My "challenge" for you today is "How can you simply give" this season? 

with ThanksGIVING,

Kelly

The StarFish

It is fitting to start my blog spot with "The Starfish."  Why?  This sums up most everything to me.  I believe that we make a difference one person at a time and one moment at a time.  I am someone who wants to save the world, cure all ills and make everything okay.  I think we always need to practice acts of kindness, show love in small ways and make people smile.  I love quotes and one that I read recently stated.... "be kind to others, you never know what battle they are facing."  My favorite quote is "No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care."  Working in the social service field I think about this a lot.  Some of my passion is the realization that many people just need someone to listen.  They want someone to care enough to listen to their story.  With this blog I am going to offer "challenges" and ideas on how we can "make a difference."

Recently my family and I were on an island at the beach looking for seashells.  I found it interesting how many people were looking for "starfish" in the water.  I found myself feeling sad that the starfish would not have any chance of survival if they were pulled from the water.    Challenge #1 (care enough to listen to someone's story).  I ponder the Starfish.  The ones that are washed to shore and the ones that are given a fresh start because they were thrown back in the ocean.  By listening to someone's story, we may be giving them a fresh start.

If you have never heard of "The Starfish Theory" or "The Legend of the Starfish" check this out......

The Legend of the Starfish
A vacationing businessman was walking along a beach when he saw a young boy.
Along the shore were many starfish that had been washed up by the tide and were sure to die before the tide returned.
The boy walked slowly along the shore and occasionally reached down and tossed the beached starfish back into the ocean.
The businessman, hoping to teach the boy a little lesson in common sense, walked up to the boy and said, "I have been watching what you are doing, son.
You have a good heart, and I know you mean well, but do you realize how many beaches there are around here and how many starfish are dying on every beach every day. Surely such an industrious and kind hearted boy such as yourself could find something better to do with your time.
Do you really think that what you are doing is going to make a difference?"
The boy looked up at the man, and then he looked down at a starfish by his feet. He picked up the starfish, and as he gently tossed it back into the ocean, he said, "It makes a difference to that one”.

-Author Unknown