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?

Day Three

Zach and I went out to dinner tonight, and we were chatting with the bartender (we were sitting at the bartop) throughout our meal. He was giving us excellent service, and was really personable and enjoyable to be around. We were having a wonderful night! However, a gentleman came in and sat in the booth directly behind us about halfway through our meal. He was extremely rude from the beginning. He was upset that the server brought him water with ice, that it didn't have a lemon: you name it, he complained about it. He even told the server that he had almost had his "third strike". I wasn't eavesdropping, but it was fairly easy to hear what was going on: the entire room was looking and watching this man interact with the server. Somehow, he never let the man's demeanor affect him: the server was just as helpful and attentive as before, even after all of the rude remarks and smirks. I had had just about enough, so I worked up the courage to say something to him. (I embarrassed Zach so much that he had to leave before I went up to talk to him!) I walked up to him, and first apologized for interrupting his dinner. Then, I politely told him (at least I think I was polite!) that I (along with everyone else in the restaurant) could hear how he was talking to the server and it was way out of line. He then replied by telling me to "stay out of his business". At this point, I apologized, restated my opinion, and walked out. It turns out that this man was the owner of the restaurant, which makes it even worse, in my mind. I'm not sure how anyone can treat other people (especially their own employees!) this way. I don't care who he is-he is no better than anyone else. Although this may not have changed the way he treats others or made him see the error of his ways, I couldn't stand by and watch this happen. Incidents like this make me genuinely wonder what is wrong with some people. We are all human beings, regardless of whether you are the owner or the server. I strongly believe that we were put on this earth to help those around us...we all need to do our part to better the lives of others. Think of what good could be done if we could all "just be nice".

Day Two

Even though it is only the second day into my project, I have been overwhelmed with the everyday kindness shown that would otherwise go unnoticed. Fortunately, people are much more selfless than I had expected. One of the guys in my class tonight (I REALLY hope he never reads this-he may find it a little creepy that I'm blogging about him!!) was talking about how he had broken his hand. He was at a friend's apartment complex and saw someone (a complete stranger) in a fight with three other people. The kid was laying on the ground, unable to defend himself, with the guys hanging over him throwing punches. This guy jumped in, defending the stranger in need, and had his hand broken in the midst of it.

The world can be changed with one simple idea: Just be nice.

Day One

www.youtube.com: Linda Hamilton

This woman is the inspiration for this entire project, so I thought it would be the only way to begin my journey. I am looking for random acts of kindness, compassion, love, and courage, and this woman displays them all with grace and affection. She is such a beautiful example for us all.

The Project

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel". 

-Maya Angelou

For the next year (yes, a full 365 days!), I am going to be working on a new project. Every day, I am going to try to do something nice, something simple, for someone I don't know. I understand that sometimes life gets in the way, so for the days that I am not able to personally improve someone's life, I will reflect on someone else who has. I'm not talking about anything heroic-simply helping someone carry boxes to their car will do. It's not as much about the actual task as it is showing compassion for someone who hasn't necessarily earned it. I am hoping to show people something they may not have seen for a long time: unconditional love. This is my first step in changing the world.