Archive for December 2013
Creating My Own Motivation
Posted on: December 23, 2013
Sometimes it’s hard to get in the holiday spirit when the weather is rainy, dreary, and just plain blah. Yesterday as I fought a monsoon rainfall leaving church, I thought to myself, “Uggggh!” The rain and wind were so powerful, there were literally sheets of rain pounding the street in front of me as I returned home, already drenched.
It would have been too easy to just shut my front door and stay inside all day. Yes, I had errands to run, but who wants to shop for groceries and Christmas gifts in this mess?
But, you know me. I’m a master of creating my own motivation. I went inside, grabbed my raincoat and headed back into the rain.
As I was looking through the various items in my purse (searching for Chapstick, actually), I came across a $10 off coupon from JCPenney. Whoa! $10 of free stuff?! That’s awesome! No sooner had the thought hit my brain about the free merchandise, I knew exactly what I wanted to do… bless someone else with a $10 surprise.
Forget the grocery store – I went straight to JCPenney, searching for “the one”… that person God nudges for me to bless. I walked around the various departments, looking at people, watching, waiting… and then I saw her. A mom about my age, her teenage daughter nearby, hands full of clothes overflowing her arms. Yes! She was the one who needed this coupon! I went straight to her and gently touched her arm as she looked me in the eyes with a smile.
“Hi… I have a coupon I’m not going to use. It’s worth $10… would you like to have it?” I didn’t take the time to explain that I deliberately drove to this store for the sole purpose of blessing her; I simply gave her the coupon and my business card and figured she would find out later if she looked up this blog.
“Thank you so much!” she replied and our exchange was done. We walked in separate directions, but my heart was happy with joy, knowing I had blessed someone else.
I even wrapped up my day by returning a wayward shopping cart stranded in the grocery store parking lot. Sometimes the blessings occur with no one to see. 🙂
On those dreary days where you feel unmotivated… think about blessing someone else instead! I promise it will change your perspective and make you smile! Be blessed my friends! Merry Christmas!
- In: #26acts
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Today, December 14, 2013, marks the one year anniversary of the terrible tragedy that took the lives of 26 students and teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Like so many people in our nation, my heart grieved with a heaviness I could hardly bear. I felt compelled to do something, anything, to overcome the shock and sadness of that day.
That began my journey of completing 26 Acts of Kindness, one act for each life lost. Below are my stories. For those that followed me every step of the way – thank you. Your support for my passion of kindness is overwhelming and humbling. Today in memory of that day, please consider doing one simple act of kindness for someone else… and let me know what you did! 🙂
26 Acts of Kindness
Act 1 – In Memory of Noah Pozner, age 6
https://celebratekindness.wordpress.com/2013/01/06/new-beginnings-act-1/
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Act 2 – In Memory of James Mattioli, age 6
https://celebratekindness.wordpress.com/2013/01/12/new-beginnings-act-2/
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Act 3 – In Memory of Lauren Rousseau, age 6
https://celebratekindness.wordpress.com/2013/01/26/new-beginnings-act-3/
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Act 4 – In Memory of Caroline Previdi, age 6
https://celebratekindness.wordpress.com/2013/02/16/new-beginnings-act-4/
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Act 5 – In Memory of Charlotte Bacon, age 6
https://celebratekindness.wordpress.com/2013/03/05/new-beginnings-act-5/
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Act 6 – In Memory of Dawn Hocksprung, age 47
https://celebratekindness.wordpress.com/2013/03/31/random-act-of-kindness-6-suspended-coffee-26acts/
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Act 7 – In Memory of Emilie Parker, age 6
https://celebratekindness.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/random-act-of-kindness-7-of-26acts/
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Act 8 – In Memory of Dylan Hockley, age 6
https://celebratekindness.wordpress.com/2013/05/03/random-act-of-kindness-8-of-26acts/
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Act 9 – In Memory of Mary Sherlach, age 56
https://celebratekindness.wordpress.com/2013/05/06/random-act-of-kindness-9-of-26acts/
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Act 10 – In Memory of Victoria Soto, age 27
https://celebratekindness.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/random-act-of-kindness-10-of-26acts/
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Act 11 – In Memory of Anne Marie Murphy, age 52
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Act 12 – In Memory of Madeleine Hsu, age 6
https://celebratekindness.wordpress.com/2013/05/22/random-act-of-kindness-12-of-26acts/
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Act 13 – In Memory of Allison Wyatt, age 6
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Act 14 – In Memory of Jessica Rekos, age 6
https://celebratekindness.wordpress.com/2013/05/31/random-act-of-kindness-14-a-heart-for-oklahoma/
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Act 15 – In Memory of Daniel Barden, age 7
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Act 16 – In Memory of Rachel D’Avino, age 29
https://celebratekindness.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/random-act-of-kindness-16-discounts-for-diners/
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Act 17 – In Memory of Jesse Lewis, age 6
https://celebratekindness.wordpress.com/2013/06/29/random-act-of-kindness-17-of-26acts/
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Act 18 – In Memory of Jack Pinto, age 6
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Act 19 – In Memory of Benjamin Wheeler, age 6
__________
Act 20 – In Memory of Olivia Engel, age 6
https://celebratekindness.wordpress.com/2013/07/28/random-act-of-kindness-20-vacation-adventures/
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Act 21 – In Memory of Grace McDonnell, age 7
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Act 22 – In Memory of Catherine Hubbard, age 6
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Act 23 – In Memory of Avielle Richman, age 6
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Act 24 – In Memory of Ana Marquez-Greene, age 6
https://celebratekindness.wordpress.com/2013/10/13/random-act-of-kindness-24-of-26acts-sharing-pics/
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Act 25 – In Memory of Josephine Gay, age 7
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Act 26 – In Memory of Chase Kowalski, age 7
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Cookies for Cancer Patients
Posted on: December 8, 2013
‘Tis the season for holiday parties! One of my favorite parties to attend is the one hosted by a friend who makes her event half party/half benefit. She asks all guests to bake cookies and package them in small bags which are then delivered to cancer patients in our local community. She does this random act of kindness in memory of her dad, who passed away several years ago from cancer. What a thoughtful gesture to pay it forward!
My daughter and I woke up early Saturday morning and started baking with a purpose. Now I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to bake with several kids in the house, but it can be a bit chaotic, especially if they are not baking with you! What would normally take about 20-30 minutes ended up being several hours as we made several batches of cookies in the midst of me getting sidetracked to make breakfast, complete 100 piece puzzles, clean up spills, pick up toys, and all the other tasks a mom is called to do on a daily basis. But it was all worth it! Because in the end, we knew our small contribution would make someone else smile in return.
White Chocolate Macademia Nut
Snickerdoodles
All packaged up and ready to deliver!
As you go about your holiday season, remember those whose holidays may need an extra boost of love or attention. Share the joy with one another! Be blessed my friends! 🙂
Free Coupons
Posted on: December 6, 2013
Yesterday as I picked up a few Christmas gifts for family members, I realized my store coupon was actually three separate coupons attached together. I bet you can guess what I did next!
You’re right! I used the first coupon for my purchases, then found two other customers waiting in the checkout line who had no coupons to use. We all saved money on our selections, and I left the store with a smile about a mile wide. It’s such a great feeling to do something nice for someone else!
Have a blessed day! More RAKs to come! 🙂
celebrate kindness 