I always think about sending people cards and notes, and then I rarely do. Well, I have five notes/cards that I would REALLY like to send for 3 birthdays, 1 sympathy, and another is a thank you. Then there are a few more "just because" type notes that I hope to get out soon.
Just think, paper cards, handwritten, with a stamp, a postmark, and maybe even a few stickers...ahhhh, the good old days. I think we can muster up more than Facebook happy birthdays for our very closest of friends and family. Think how you feel when you get a birthday card. All right, it's even better when money falls out, but that's a bit much to ask!
On a more personal note about goings on in my life, I have been trying really hard to keep promises to myself. There are so many things I WANT to do, but getting around to them is a challenge. But sometimes I specifically promise myself that I will do something or other. It doesn't always happen. This is sort of my unofficial New Year's Resolution. If I can't keep the promise to myself, don't make it. Then, if I do make a promise to myself, muster up the motivation and energy to follow through on that. I have noticed that if I complete even one or two of those little promises to myself, it really gives me a burst of pride and seems to generate more motivation!
YEAH! I may not do everything I want to do, but it feels good to follow through on a few little things I have promised myself!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Supermarket
So as I put my donation into the barrel tonight, it didn't feel as good as it normally did. Is it because I told myself I need to do that every time I shop? Don't get me wrong, I REALLY want to help feed the folks who need a hand right now. But usually my heart feels bigger. Is something wrong with my approach? For now I'm just going to answer no to this question because my intention really is to help others, not to feel like a saint every time I do something good. In fact, have you ever noticed that sometimes a good deed almost feels better when no one else knows? That gets me to thinking....
Friday, January 1, 2010
A Kindness Revolution
Little things add up to be big things in so many areas of our lives. Many, many examples, exist, but two specifically popped into my head right now.
Here's one - procrastination. Pretend you have daily filing to do at work and you put it off for three or four weeks. Suddenly you have a huge pile and you ask yourself how you will carve out the time to get all that STUFF filed. Been there, done that! Wouldn't it have been easier to put a few pieces of paper in the filing cabinet THAT DAY? That is what I do now, and I can proudly say that my filing at work is not out of control!
Another example is spending money. A $1.69 soda pop at the gas station, another one there, a bag of chips out of the vending machine, I could go on and on. Suddenly you hop online to check your bank account and realize you overdrew on a few small transactions and the bank is charging you upwards of $90 in overdraft fees. Been there, done that as well! Needless to say I signed up for overdraft protection and am trying to keep a better eye on spending.
But here is what I really want to focus on - kindness. Have you ever gotten a little hand-written note in the mail and it really made your day? Have you ever been carrying a crock pot on the elevator for food day at work and someone was kind enough to press your button for your floor? Or maybe you have been driving and were trying to turn left onto a very busy street and someone let you in? You get the idea.
Some of the ideas require more effort than others. Maybe we can all work into this by starting with some of the easier ideas, like the letting someone into traffic idea above. But guess what? We set the example. If enough of us do small kindnesses enough times, it becomes the NORM! If someone cuts you off in traffic, can you take a deep breath and resist the urge to flip them the bird or throw up your arms in disgust? Ok, that is harder! But you can stop the aggression right there. And maybe if you tell yourself it's just a little thing, it won't spoil your mood. I'm sure you are kinder when you are not in a bad mood!
I challenge you - can you commit to something small like this? What do you see in your little piece of the world that you could help make better by your kindness? Picture yourself with the different people you will encounter in your day. Decide on an idea, and really commit to it.
Here is what I want to do. There is a food pantry donation barrel by the exit doors of the supermarket where I usually shop. Whenever I remember, I try to buy something wholesome to put in, such as a can of spaghetti sauce and noodles, or canned tuna, or mandarin oranges. I really commit to doing that now.
There are a lot of other things that I will try to do, but for now that is my one. Please commit. I am no president or pope, but I truly believe our leaders should be challenging us to change the world, one step at a time. Will you join the movement?
Here's one - procrastination. Pretend you have daily filing to do at work and you put it off for three or four weeks. Suddenly you have a huge pile and you ask yourself how you will carve out the time to get all that STUFF filed. Been there, done that! Wouldn't it have been easier to put a few pieces of paper in the filing cabinet THAT DAY? That is what I do now, and I can proudly say that my filing at work is not out of control!
Another example is spending money. A $1.69 soda pop at the gas station, another one there, a bag of chips out of the vending machine, I could go on and on. Suddenly you hop online to check your bank account and realize you overdrew on a few small transactions and the bank is charging you upwards of $90 in overdraft fees. Been there, done that as well! Needless to say I signed up for overdraft protection and am trying to keep a better eye on spending.
But here is what I really want to focus on - kindness. Have you ever gotten a little hand-written note in the mail and it really made your day? Have you ever been carrying a crock pot on the elevator for food day at work and someone was kind enough to press your button for your floor? Or maybe you have been driving and were trying to turn left onto a very busy street and someone let you in? You get the idea.
Some of the ideas require more effort than others. Maybe we can all work into this by starting with some of the easier ideas, like the letting someone into traffic idea above. But guess what? We set the example. If enough of us do small kindnesses enough times, it becomes the NORM! If someone cuts you off in traffic, can you take a deep breath and resist the urge to flip them the bird or throw up your arms in disgust? Ok, that is harder! But you can stop the aggression right there. And maybe if you tell yourself it's just a little thing, it won't spoil your mood. I'm sure you are kinder when you are not in a bad mood!
I challenge you - can you commit to something small like this? What do you see in your little piece of the world that you could help make better by your kindness? Picture yourself with the different people you will encounter in your day. Decide on an idea, and really commit to it.
Here is what I want to do. There is a food pantry donation barrel by the exit doors of the supermarket where I usually shop. Whenever I remember, I try to buy something wholesome to put in, such as a can of spaghetti sauce and noodles, or canned tuna, or mandarin oranges. I really commit to doing that now.
There are a lot of other things that I will try to do, but for now that is my one. Please commit. I am no president or pope, but I truly believe our leaders should be challenging us to change the world, one step at a time. Will you join the movement?
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
An American Revolution?
Tonight I decided to start this blog because I think a passion sparked within me. There are so many good changes we Americans want for our nation, for our world. Times are different, though, and it doesn't seem to be in our blood to protest, picket, or ask our friends and neighbors to stand behind us for a cause. Heck, we might get arrested, and then who would want to employ us?
So, what does it take for us to be motivated enough and coordinated enough to make a change? I think right now we lack the commitment for a large, detailed plan. I do believe, however, that if we can take little steps in the right direction, the picture will begin to unfold before our eyes.
I believe we can take small steps together, lacking too much pain or effort to interfere greatly with our current lifestyles, and then slowly build a revolution of positive change.
I want to ask you to muster up just a small amount of courage and act for the greater good of humankind, knowing full well that some of your small changes won't even directly benefit you.
To be continued. Tonight I am not asking for a large monetary charitable donation, hours upon hours of community service, or a large grassroots uprising. Just start thinking.
So, what does it take for us to be motivated enough and coordinated enough to make a change? I think right now we lack the commitment for a large, detailed plan. I do believe, however, that if we can take little steps in the right direction, the picture will begin to unfold before our eyes.
I believe we can take small steps together, lacking too much pain or effort to interfere greatly with our current lifestyles, and then slowly build a revolution of positive change.
I want to ask you to muster up just a small amount of courage and act for the greater good of humankind, knowing full well that some of your small changes won't even directly benefit you.
To be continued. Tonight I am not asking for a large monetary charitable donation, hours upon hours of community service, or a large grassroots uprising. Just start thinking.
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