Day 304
I had to miss work today, as I needed to spend the day at home, unexpectedly, with my son who was under the weather. While he slept the morning and part of the afternoon away, I tackled a disorganized and messy closet, a task I had planned and then put off at least half a dozen times.
The result; a bag of clothes for the boys who live next door, a bag for the donation center near my office, a clean closet and a completed act of kindness for the day.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Just As I Planned
Day 303
When I started this project, I imagined I would be doing kind things for strangers every day, like helping someone when their car broke down, or assisting with putting groceries in an older person's car. I very quickly learned that, although I had committed to an act of kindness for a stranger every day, the opportunities were not always obvious, or not what I expected.
But today I actually did get to help someone put their groceries in their car. On my way out of the store I noticed a woman having trouble managing the car door due the close proximity of the large snow pile. I offered my assistance and it was gratefully accepted.
Once in a while, things do turn out as planned.
When I started this project, I imagined I would be doing kind things for strangers every day, like helping someone when their car broke down, or assisting with putting groceries in an older person's car. I very quickly learned that, although I had committed to an act of kindness for a stranger every day, the opportunities were not always obvious, or not what I expected.
But today I actually did get to help someone put their groceries in their car. On my way out of the store I noticed a woman having trouble managing the car door due the close proximity of the large snow pile. I offered my assistance and it was gratefully accepted.
Once in a while, things do turn out as planned.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Trying To Trick The Groundhog
Day 302
Even though it was Give Flowers to a Stranger Day already this week, today I decided I needed to do it again. I saw some daffodils for sale and instantly became tired of winter.
I'm not usually a big complainer when it comes to weather. I love that I live in a place where there are four seasons and each of them usually seems to go by quickly. But this year between trying to negotiate driving around roads narrowed to one lane because of the snow, and feeling like I am taking my life in my hands every time I try to pull out in traffic around huge piles, I'm getting a little winter weary. Even my dogs are looking at me with “you've got to be kidding me” faces when I let them out and only place they can go without the snow being over their heads is the driveway (and they're not those little drop kick dogs either).
So when I saw the daffodils, I saw spring. And I had to have it. I stopped for coffee this afternoon I gave the bouquet to the young woman who waited on me, and told her they represented my hopes that perhaps the groundhog wouldn't see his shadow next week, and that spring was around the corner. Ironically, another storm is forecast for Groundhog's day. Thus I suspect my kind gesture will not be rewarded with mild weather.
However, it was rewarded with a coupon for a free cup of coffee that the woman gave me by way of thanks. And next to a melting snow pack, there is nothing I love more than coffee!
Even though it was Give Flowers to a Stranger Day already this week, today I decided I needed to do it again. I saw some daffodils for sale and instantly became tired of winter.
I'm not usually a big complainer when it comes to weather. I love that I live in a place where there are four seasons and each of them usually seems to go by quickly. But this year between trying to negotiate driving around roads narrowed to one lane because of the snow, and feeling like I am taking my life in my hands every time I try to pull out in traffic around huge piles, I'm getting a little winter weary. Even my dogs are looking at me with “you've got to be kidding me” faces when I let them out and only place they can go without the snow being over their heads is the driveway (and they're not those little drop kick dogs either).
So when I saw the daffodils, I saw spring. And I had to have it. I stopped for coffee this afternoon I gave the bouquet to the young woman who waited on me, and told her they represented my hopes that perhaps the groundhog wouldn't see his shadow next week, and that spring was around the corner. Ironically, another storm is forecast for Groundhog's day. Thus I suspect my kind gesture will not be rewarded with mild weather.
However, it was rewarded with a coupon for a free cup of coffee that the woman gave me by way of thanks. And next to a melting snow pack, there is nothing I love more than coffee!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Snow, Coffee and Kindness
Day 301
Is silence golden? Or is it kind to complain?
Yesterday I stopped by my usual coffee place on the way to work. Usually I am there around 7:30 AM but because of the snow storm the night before that dumped over a foot of snow in my area, work opening was delayed a few hours. Every school system in the entire state, except for two, was closed or delayed. It was a slow start to the day all over.
So as I was getting my coffee around 10, I asked the young woman waiting on me what time the shop opened. She replied that they were required to open at the regular time “no matter what” per directive of the district manager. As a result, she got stuck on an unplowed road and was stranded there for a couple hours until a plow driver came by and helped her out. All so folks who wanted their coffee at 6 wouldn't go without in the middle of a huge storm. I found this absolutely appalling.
Today I sent an email to the district manager (whose business card was conveniently located on the counter, inviting customer feedback). I expressed that I found it outrageous and irresponsible that, in pursuit of the almighty dollar, employees were required to drive through a storm when it was obvious no one should be on the road unless it was an emergency. I didn't include my belief that, now matter how much I love coffee, there is no such thing as a caffeine emergency.
I'm fairly certain my opinion and email will have no effect on opening time during the next storm. But it seemed kind to try.
Is silence golden? Or is it kind to complain?
Yesterday I stopped by my usual coffee place on the way to work. Usually I am there around 7:30 AM but because of the snow storm the night before that dumped over a foot of snow in my area, work opening was delayed a few hours. Every school system in the entire state, except for two, was closed or delayed. It was a slow start to the day all over.
So as I was getting my coffee around 10, I asked the young woman waiting on me what time the shop opened. She replied that they were required to open at the regular time “no matter what” per directive of the district manager. As a result, she got stuck on an unplowed road and was stranded there for a couple hours until a plow driver came by and helped her out. All so folks who wanted their coffee at 6 wouldn't go without in the middle of a huge storm. I found this absolutely appalling.
Today I sent an email to the district manager (whose business card was conveniently located on the counter, inviting customer feedback). I expressed that I found it outrageous and irresponsible that, in pursuit of the almighty dollar, employees were required to drive through a storm when it was obvious no one should be on the road unless it was an emergency. I didn't include my belief that, now matter how much I love coffee, there is no such thing as a caffeine emergency.
I'm fairly certain my opinion and email will have no effect on opening time during the next storm. But it seemed kind to try.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Flowers For Just The Right Stranger
Day 300
Despite another foot of snow last night, we were not snowed in today, so I am happy to report it was another successful Give Flowers to a Stranger Day. I didn't have a plan, and hoped the right opportunity would present itself. At the end of the day I left work for home, still in possession of the flowers.
I stopped at the shopping plaza near my home and waited for a few minutes, still thinking I would just “know.” But when I finally realized there would not be a sign, I walked up to a woman loading groceries in her car and said “These are for you. It's Give Flowers to Stranger Day.” She looked surprised and asked “Really? Thank you.”
And her smile indicated to me that I had indeed, found just the right person
Despite another foot of snow last night, we were not snowed in today, so I am happy to report it was another successful Give Flowers to a Stranger Day. I didn't have a plan, and hoped the right opportunity would present itself. At the end of the day I left work for home, still in possession of the flowers.
I stopped at the shopping plaza near my home and waited for a few minutes, still thinking I would just “know.” But when I finally realized there would not be a sign, I walked up to a woman loading groceries in her car and said “These are for you. It's Give Flowers to Stranger Day.” She looked surprised and asked “Really? Thank you.”
And her smile indicated to me that I had indeed, found just the right person
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Planning For The Holiday
Day 299
Tomorrow is the 27th of the month and you know what that means...Give Flowers to a Stranger Day, of course! There has been a storm in the forecast for a few days now and while everyone else was worrying about how it might effect their work schedule or if school would be cancelled or delayed (as my kids were hoping as they went to bed) I pondered how the storm might effect this holiday.
So I planned ahead, picking up a nice bouquet of Gerber daisies to be given to someone, I'm not sure whom, tomorrow.Even if, by chance, I'm snowed in I can leave them for one of my neighbors. Neither rain nor sleet nor snow will cancel GFTASD.
While I was at the store getting the flowers I bought a jar of peanut butter for the local food pantry bin. Planning for kindness tomorrow while acting kind today.
***********
Are you a new reader of this blog? Are you unsure what Give Flowers to a Stranger Day is? It happens on the 27th of every month. Some history of the day can be found in these previous entries.
It's That Time of the Month; GFTASD That Is
Monthly Feature
Flowers For A Stranger
Controversial Kindness
It's Sweeping the Nation
GFTASD
Flowers Anonymous
Tomorrow is the 27th of the month and you know what that means...Give Flowers to a Stranger Day, of course! There has been a storm in the forecast for a few days now and while everyone else was worrying about how it might effect their work schedule or if school would be cancelled or delayed (as my kids were hoping as they went to bed) I pondered how the storm might effect this holiday.
So I planned ahead, picking up a nice bouquet of Gerber daisies to be given to someone, I'm not sure whom, tomorrow.Even if, by chance, I'm snowed in I can leave them for one of my neighbors. Neither rain nor sleet nor snow will cancel GFTASD.
While I was at the store getting the flowers I bought a jar of peanut butter for the local food pantry bin. Planning for kindness tomorrow while acting kind today.
***********
Are you a new reader of this blog? Are you unsure what Give Flowers to a Stranger Day is? It happens on the 27th of every month. Some history of the day can be found in these previous entries.
It's That Time of the Month; GFTASD That Is
Monthly Feature
Flowers For A Stranger
Controversial Kindness
It's Sweeping the Nation
GFTASD
Flowers Anonymous
Monday, January 24, 2011
Kindness in the Classroom
Day 298
I found an inspiring Facebook page today. It's called “Mrs. Andrew's 2nd Grade Kindness Project.” Their goal? To see how many people they can get to commit to one act of kindness. They are hoping for a million fans for kindness. I was excited to discover this for several reasons. One is obvious. How amazingly cool is it that a class of 2nd graders have made a commitment to convince people (hopefully a million of them) that being kind is important. It is apparent that this is a very special group of kids being taught by a very special teacher.
The other reason I was excited to find this page is that my motivation to write this blog, the kind act of a stranger who stopped to help me on the highway 25 years ago, happened right near Oneonta, New York, the very town where Mrs. Andrew's class is working from to spread kindness around the world. It seems to me that this that this area of Upstate New York clearly has an above average number of kind caring people.
So let's help Mrs.Andrew's class reach their goal, and show there are kind people everywhere. Please commit one act of kindness, and if you have Facebook account, become a fan of their page.
I found an inspiring Facebook page today. It's called “Mrs. Andrew's 2nd Grade Kindness Project.” Their goal? To see how many people they can get to commit to one act of kindness. They are hoping for a million fans for kindness. I was excited to discover this for several reasons. One is obvious. How amazingly cool is it that a class of 2nd graders have made a commitment to convince people (hopefully a million of them) that being kind is important. It is apparent that this is a very special group of kids being taught by a very special teacher.
The other reason I was excited to find this page is that my motivation to write this blog, the kind act of a stranger who stopped to help me on the highway 25 years ago, happened right near Oneonta, New York, the very town where Mrs. Andrew's class is working from to spread kindness around the world. It seems to me that this that this area of Upstate New York clearly has an above average number of kind caring people.
So let's help Mrs.Andrew's class reach their goal, and show there are kind people everywhere. Please commit one act of kindness, and if you have Facebook account, become a fan of their page.
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