Monday, April 22, 2013

With Love

Initially, I planned on writing a post about Earth Day, since (obviously) it is today. 

However, awful news arrived this morning of a death of one of the sweetest, kindest young men I ever had the pleasure of knowing. He passed away suddenly, leaving only memories of his loving spirit and warm smile, which will be remember by all those who had the pleasure of ever knowing him. 

It hits you hard to realize how precious life really is, and how harshly it can be ripped away from you. And that it is not fair. The past week has been filled with tragedies around the world: bombings, explosions, earthquakes. So, today, I don't have any inspiring message or helpful advice. My only words to you are appreciate each day and help however you can, in big ways or small ways. Reach out to those you haven't spoken with in awhile, and just support those who need it. 

Sending love to all those who need it today, and always. 

Monday, April 15, 2013

Day Off to Plant Trees... Please?

Sometimes this song gets stuck in my head... and I wonder about the lyrics- if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with. Maybe it is idealistic to hope that everyone can be with the ones they love. But anyways, in terms of our plant, there is no question- you have to love the one you're on (at least for now... who knows what the future will bring!). We only have this Earth, and we need to love it and care for it. 

Earth Day is fast-approaching, and we can all lend a hand in helping out the planet. Brainstorming is step one, so that is all I am doing for now. Looking for some ideas here, but also want to hear what you have done in the past, or are planning to do this year! I took the global footprint quiz... if everyone lived like me, we would need 5.3 planets to support us! Time for some changes!

Credit to Amazon for photo

Great book I read... which I clearly need to re-read... Sleeping Naked Is Green provides ideas as it follows the author through her year of changing one thing a day to a "greener" alternative. 

Any creative ideas for those of us who will be trapped in the office for most of Earth Day? I am not sure if my boss will accept "planting trees" as a valid reason for a day off.

Leave a comment with your ideas about how to give back & improve our planet! 

Friday, April 12, 2013

"Blind Inspiration"?

I have been off the grid, but not due to inactivity, I promise! I just didn't realize quite how much went into keeping up with a blog- and I don't want to post just for the sake of posting. 

Quick update: we made wonderful goodie bags for the kids at the Children's Hospital, with all fun things for the kiddies like play-doh and little toys, and for the older kids we got Mad Libs (great idea by my friend!), giant pencils, and deck of cards! It was really fun to make up all the bags, and if you reach out to your local Children's Hospital, most actually have wish lists from these kids- a really sweet thing to do it you're feeling inspired! 

Unfortunately, sometimes I feel what I think I will call "blind inspiration"... I see something that tugs at my heart and makes me feel desperate to help... but I have no idea how. It struck me today while watching this video about two brothers both plagued with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and only one is receiving an experimental treatment to save his life. Listening to the brother not getting the treatment, my heart was breaking. But how can I possibly help this boy left aside by science? 

Any ideas? Let me know, please!



Monday, February 4, 2013

Weekend Woes

The weekend is always my downfall. Nothing worthwhile gets done. The only thing I got to give was my friend some gas money when we pulled up to a "cash only" (really??) gas station... and she was without cash. I guess that counts for something, right? 

Today I will just be waiting to hear back from the coordinator at the Children's Hospital to specify how many kids & their ages (I'm thinking teenagers won't be too excited to receive a coloring book and some stickers). 

Also watched a haunting movie this weekend, We Need To Talk About Kevin. If you are looking to have an insight into a mother's battle with a disturbed child, this will provide that window. 

Leave comments with your ideas for giving! 

Friday, February 1, 2013

Hello February, I am ready for my month of giving. Kicked it off by sporting red for National Hearth Month and tacking on an extra breakfast sandwich to my order for my coworker. So far, so good.

Some acts of kindness are simple & spontaneous... like saying yes if someone asks for some spare change. However, some require a bit more planning, such as what I have in store for next week: donating much needed items to a local homeless shelter. Research somewhere in your area that provides such services and find out what items they desperately need that you can provide. 

Another item in the works for me currently is making Valentine's Day goodie bags for the kids at the children's hospital. I am requesting that in lieu of the standard flowers and chocolate, my boyfriend use that money to help me make sure I can provide something for all the children (and I also recruited some awesome friends). Check out if there are some kids who are in need of some cheering up around you as well! 

Feeling a movie night? If you've never seen it, check out Pay It Forward, a touching film that goes perfectly with the theme of giving...doing good deeds for those in need, and then hoping that when the receivers are able, they will pay the favor forward to others in need... and soon everyone is helping everyone else. Okay, a little idealist, but here's hoping. 

Let me know your ideas for giving back, or ways you already have :)

Thursday, January 31, 2013

My Own Generosity Experiment

I'm no saint. Actually, on a typical day, I may only be nice to half the people I encounter. I can't help it, they are annoying. But I am trying to change that; be a little nicer, give a little more, complain a little less. My inspiration? Generosity Day. Which led me to the Generosity Experiment... which led me to here. Can I say "yes" to EVERYTHING I am asked to give, for the entire month of February? Yes (so far so good). 

Seems that February is the perfect month to kick-start a kindness campaign... it's National Hearth Month (why not open yours to others!), Valentine's day is smack in the middle, Random Acts of Kindness Week  occupies some February space...and, of course, it doesn't hurt that it is the shortest month (hey, baby steps). 

Do it with me! Even if you just smile at that annoying girl who condescendingly "compliments" you instead of slapping her across the face... it counts. Be slightly nicer on day one and who knows what you will accomplish by day twenty-eight. 

A smile for a smile makes the whole world happy :)