Day Ten

During finals week, I started to slack off on the blogging, unfortunately. (I knew this would happen eventually)! I just had so much going on....papers, finals, studying, presentations, etc. I am now back into the swing of things!! It's amazing how much this one little idea to blog has impacted my life. It may be completely psychological, but it seems like when I'm doing good things for others, more good things happen to me. Maybe it's karma, or maybe it's just that I'm noticing them more. I am beginning to see how truly amazing the world (and the people in it) are. I believe that humans have a natural instinct to help people and create happiness for others. 

Last week, I had a really bad day. This was one of those days that goes in the record books. I overslept, the milk was bad, I stepped in a puddle on the way in to an extremely long shift, I had a hole in my contact lens, I forgot my deodorant, my phone died, you know...one of those days. It was right up there with Alexander's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. After I got off work, I was on my way home and decided that I was going to treat myself. I have recently become obsessed with chocolate covered marshmallows. After Easter, they always go on sale (I'm talking 22 cents a piece!) so I stock up. I had already eaten the entire bag that I had bought a few days before, so I needed to replenish my stash. As I walked in to Rite-Aid, the cashier asked what he could help me with and directed me to the candy aisle. No surprise here...they were completely out of the delectable treats that could have single-handedly turned my day around. I was heartbroken as I started to head out of the store. The cashier (he was probably about 17 or 18) asked if I found what I was looking for and I told him about my unhealthy obsession. He smiled and walked over to the next register. He reached beneath the counter and pulled out one of the treats! I was so excited! I told him that I didn't know they kept some in the back, and he said that he bought the last of them on his break. He said that he had bought 10 of them and he had already eaten 9. He said "I didn't need that last one, anyways". And he gave me his egg. I was so surprised, I just stood there in awe. He had obviously been saving his last one and he gave it to a complete stranger. He had no idea that I had just experienced probably the worst day of my life, either. I could have been a horrible person that didn't deserve the time of day, but he didn't care. He gave me the benefit of the doubt and extended such an insanely kind gesture. If everyone could be as compassionate as this cashier, the world would be a much better place. I'm not sure why success is measured by the job someone has, or by how much money they make, or the clothes they wear. In my mind, this guy is better off than 99% of the people I know....and he probably makes minimum wage. I hope that when he went home that night, he knew that he had changed someone's life for the better, and that he is an inspiration to us all.

Day Nine

As I was pulling in to the parking lot before work, I saw a lady wandering around. I saw her walking around the parking lot, going in circles for several minutes. When I got out of my car, I asked if she was okay, and she said that she forgot where she parked. I have done this SO MANY times, and it is so frustrating! I walked around with her until she found it. I know I didn't really help her find her car (she could have found it just as easily without me), but sometimes just having someone there going through things with you is worth even more.

Day Eight

When looking online for information about ways to get involved with soldiers overseas, I came across a website that really bothered me. It talked about soldiers that did not get any mail. Soldiers that are on active duty sign up for this program to receive mail and other items from people here in the states. You simply write a letter and mail it to the address on the website, addressed to "Any Soldier". They rotate through the list of soldiers who have signed up for it (there are over 15,000). Writing to "any soldier" allows people here to get involved, even if they don't know anyone serving personally. Writing a letter to someone overseas fighting for our lives can make a world of difference. A soldier who has received mail from this program said that just letting them know that we appreciate what they're doing can change their entire mindset. I encourage everyone to write just one letter of appreciation to the men and women who are risking their lives for us, day after day.

Click here for the website.

Day Seven

When I was about four or five, my mom and I were going to a movie. Back then, most places didn't take debit or credit cards-you had to use cash. My mom only had enough for the tickets and apparently I was just heartbroken that I couldn't get any candy. (My parents were brilliant: I remember always having to say "that's okay, maybe next time" whenever they said I couldn't get something I wanted). I don't, however, remember this particular instance. Mom said that the man behind us overheard me asking, and my mom saying that she didn't have enough money. He pulled out some cash and handed it to me to buy my candy! My mom still tells this story and talks about what an impact it had on her at the time. I would be willing to bet that this man had no idea at the time that we would still be talking about this small act of kindness nearly twenty years down the road. You never know how something so simple can impact someone's life.

Day Six

Today I made about 10 little cards with different inspirational phrases ("Believe in your own happiness", "All of the love you've given to the world will find its way back to you", "Nobody can ever replace you", etc.) on them and put them in different places over town for people to find. I put them on the mirrors in restrooms, on the Redbox stations, at the ATM, and on the sign at the bus stop. Hopefully these little notes will make someone's day a little better.

Day Five

I am very observant most of the time, but I tend to not notice little things that are fairly important sometimes. The other day after I was finished loading my groceries into my car, I returned the cart to its designated place in the parking lot. I drove home and started to put the food away when I noticed I didn't have my bag...I had left it in the cart in the middle of the parking lot! I frantically drove back to the store to see if my bag was miraculously still there. Of course, it was gone, and I honestly wasn't surprised. I decided to go in to the store to see if someone happened to drop it off, but I was definitely not expecting it. I had just given up hope when I went to the Customer Service desk to find that it was in the lost and found! All of my cash (about $200) was still there, along with all of my cards, checkbook, textbooks, everything! It's sad that my expectation was for someone to steal it, but this random act of kindness made my day, and inspired me to do the same for someone else.

Day Four

Today, I was babysitting the coolest kids in the world. Seriously...this family is AWESOME! I have babysat for them for almost 2 years now and they are all fantastic!! Such a sweet family. Anyways, we went to see the "African Cats" movie (it's an earth day special). While we were waiting in line to get drinks, a gentleman was leaving the theater after seeing his movie, and he gave us his HUGE tub of empty popcorn. (It gets free refills!) So all we had to do was hand it to the cashier and get free popcorn! Such a sweet thought.  I'm sure he didn't know that he would make my day so easily!

And since I didn't write yesterday, I figured I would double up today. I was planning on limiting this project to humans, but watching the movie today inspired me. It just followed around various African cats (imagine that!) and showed different aspects of their daily life. It mainly focused on a family of lions and a family of cheetahs. It really was a fabulous movie...I highly recommend it! Anyways, the mother cheetah was a single mother, and was out hunting while the five newborn cubs were left alone. Another cheetah came up and started sneaking up on them, getting ready to pounce on the defenseless babies. Just then, and elephant came up and started stomping around the cheetah. The elephant chased him off and saved the cubs while their mother was away getting them food! I was shocked at the kindness and bravery of the elephant. He had no reason to help the poor cubs, but he did anyways. Although this is really touching (yes, I'm a sap!), I can't help but wonder why humans can't seem to do the same thing. Why can't we all help those in need, even if we don't know them? If an animal knows that it's the right thing to do, shouldn't we?