Random Acts of Kindness: Day Seven
Our mission: to buy someone dessert
Our Location: Barnes and Noble.
Our target: two college students with their books all over the table busy studying (which became three students after our order was placed, thank goodness the desserts were big enough to share).
We chose a large square Oreo Stack dessert that the cafe clerk placed on a large plate surrounded on both sides with whip cream and chocolate drizzle...dessert number two was an oversized chocolate chip cookie. We wrote a note "Have a Nice Day! Enjoy" and had our accomplice, the B&N cafe clerk, deliver the goods as we made our getaway. We all watched from strategic locations near the cafe (well, Jonathan was closer to the scene of the "act" as I had to take two very excited boys further away as not to blow our cover). We watched from a distance to see their shocked faces, they looked around in disbelief...The cafe clerk even read them the note as they seemed to be shocked that someone had sent them desserts. Jonathan overheard them saying "Who did this? Oh my goodness that is so nice". Sweet Rewards ♥
We joked that we need to video tape them...we are so giggly and excited when we watch from the distance, I am sure we'd be a dead give away with a camera as we run off!!! We plan to keep do keep doing random acts once a month and maybe we'll start video taping them (as the boys already want to repeat some we've already done)
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. ~Leo Buscaglia ♥
Happy Leap Day....Today is day Seven of our Random Acts of Kindness...marking one week of an amazing experience for our family. We share our experiences in hopes that others may pay it forward, or pass it on. We plan to continue on after our 40 days and make this a monthly family "holiday"....we do not take for granted that each of us participates in "every day" kindness.....opening a door, lending a hand, being a courteous driver, a handwritten note "just because"....May we all "leap"and jump in puddles of kindness today!
Happy Leap Day....Today is day Seven of our Random Acts of Kindness...marking one week of an amazing experience for our family. We share our experiences in hopes that others may pay it forward, or pass it on. We plan to continue on after our 40 days and make this a monthly family "holiday"....we do not take for granted that each of us participates in "every day" kindness.....opening a door, lending a hand, being a courteous driver, a handwritten note "just because"....May we all "leap"and jump in puddles of kindness today!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Random Act of Kindness Day Six
Random Act of Kindness: Day Six
Our Mission: Bouquet of Smiles
Our Location: McDonald's Drive thru
Our target: The Drive Thru cashier
We stopped by Sam's on our way home from our Cub Scout meeting. We found a large bouquet of purple and yellow flowers. We took the huge bouquet of flowers and went through the McDonald's Drive Thru. The attendant asked us to place our order. We said we didn't want to place an order, that we had a delivery. We drove up and the unsuspecting cashier as she opened the window thinking we were there to pick up an order. The boys handed her the flowers and she said "these are for me?" The boys said "Yes, thank you for all your hard work and we hop you have a nice day"....She placed her hand over her mouth looking rather shocked and said "you all just made my day, I am about to cry" And then she gave us the biggest smile as we drove off.....
Our Mission: Bouquet of Smiles
Our Location: McDonald's Drive thru
Our target: The Drive Thru cashier
We stopped by Sam's on our way home from our Cub Scout meeting. We found a large bouquet of purple and yellow flowers. We took the huge bouquet of flowers and went through the McDonald's Drive Thru. The attendant asked us to place our order. We said we didn't want to place an order, that we had a delivery. We drove up and the unsuspecting cashier as she opened the window thinking we were there to pick up an order. The boys handed her the flowers and she said "these are for me?" The boys said "Yes, thank you for all your hard work and we hop you have a nice day"....She placed her hand over her mouth looking rather shocked and said "you all just made my day, I am about to cry" And then she gave us the biggest smile as we drove off.....
The look on her face was priceless...I could deliver flowers every day.... we get very choked up ourselves after each day....and the boys journal about it writing what was they liked about each random act....we were on our way to Cub Scouts when we came up with this random act......we knew we wanted to give someone flowers, the boys wanted to do another ding dong ditch dropping the flowers off at someones house...and as we passed McDonalds I said why don't we give it to who ever is working in the Drive Thru tonight. It was my first job many years ago....Cooper asked me if anyone ever brought me flowers when I worked there, I said no, but it would have been nice!!
Life Vest Inside - Kindness Boomerang - "One Day"
In a world full of people who couldn't care less, be someone who couldn't care more. ~ Author Unknown ~ Kindness matters. What would life look like without kindness? Share your smile
Monday, February 27, 2012
Happy Monday..yes, it's Monday...the workweek begins, tiredness creeps in, and once again we may feel like Bill Murray in the movie Groundhog Day....but if for a moment you could see yourself through someone else's eyes....know that you are loved, that you matter, and that Monday is just another day to be thankful you are alive. Wake up, start living! We have been so blessed in just a few days of practicing random acts of kindness....we don't do it just because we can.....we do it because we can't afford not to....Recently I visited a website called 4000 Saturdays....just on average how many "Saturdays" you've lived and how many you have left. Kind of makes you appreciate your Mondays a little more..... Join us, and spread a little kindness today!!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Random Act of Kindness Day Four
Random Act of Kindness: Day Four
Our Mission: Gratitude
Our Location: Greenville Fire Department
Our Target: Firefighters
The boys made a handmade Thank You card with stamp art and drawings of fire trucks, a house on fire and firefighters rescuing the people inside. Inside was heartfelt note thanking the firefighters for all that they do in our community. We made a quick stop to our local Krispy Kreme to pick up a dozen Hot Fresh Now doughnuts. But we were told that Krispy Kreme only makes them between the hours of 6-10 AM and 6-10PM each day. We'd have to wait over 45 minutes to get them. Not to be discouraged, we opted for a dozen dark chocolate filled doughnuts covered in chocolate. We proceeded to the Greenville Fire Department with goodies in hand. We pulled up and some of the firefighters were outside grilling chicken for their dinner. The boys thanked them for their service and they all shook their hands. One firefighter knelt down and said his name was Raol and offered to take the boys inside to sit inside a fire truck. He told the boys that half of the men were on a call that had just come in, that a car was on fire somewhere in our town. He told them that this happens a lot. We got in the car to leave and the boy said it was a good thing that we didn't bring any hot, fresh, now doughnuts because they would be cold by the time the firefighters finished eating their dinner. Cooper said the chocolate doughnuts would make a great dessert. Elliott said he liked it when all the firefighters shook his hand. Cooper said it made him feel good to give them the doughnuts, even though he really wanted to eat one too!!
We are getting so much more out of doing these random acts of kindness. Quite honestly, this is the best thing we've "given up" for Lent. And if it inspires just one person to do just one random act of kindness over the next 40 days, that is what it's all about! We've already heard from a few who have joined in and each night they share with us their own acts of kindness. The boys continue to journal about this each night, about what we did, how they felt, etc. I hope the memories we are making of how the little things we do can mean so much will be what they treasure most from this experience.
Our Mission: Gratitude
Our Location: Greenville Fire Department
Our Target: Firefighters
The boys made a handmade Thank You card with stamp art and drawings of fire trucks, a house on fire and firefighters rescuing the people inside. Inside was heartfelt note thanking the firefighters for all that they do in our community. We made a quick stop to our local Krispy Kreme to pick up a dozen Hot Fresh Now doughnuts. But we were told that Krispy Kreme only makes them between the hours of 6-10 AM and 6-10PM each day. We'd have to wait over 45 minutes to get them. Not to be discouraged, we opted for a dozen dark chocolate filled doughnuts covered in chocolate. We proceeded to the Greenville Fire Department with goodies in hand. We pulled up and some of the firefighters were outside grilling chicken for their dinner. The boys thanked them for their service and they all shook their hands. One firefighter knelt down and said his name was Raol and offered to take the boys inside to sit inside a fire truck. He told the boys that half of the men were on a call that had just come in, that a car was on fire somewhere in our town. He told them that this happens a lot. We got in the car to leave and the boy said it was a good thing that we didn't bring any hot, fresh, now doughnuts because they would be cold by the time the firefighters finished eating their dinner. Cooper said the chocolate doughnuts would make a great dessert. Elliott said he liked it when all the firefighters shook his hand. Cooper said it made him feel good to give them the doughnuts, even though he really wanted to eat one too!!
We are getting so much more out of doing these random acts of kindness. Quite honestly, this is the best thing we've "given up" for Lent. And if it inspires just one person to do just one random act of kindness over the next 40 days, that is what it's all about! We've already heard from a few who have joined in and each night they share with us their own acts of kindness. The boys continue to journal about this each night, about what we did, how they felt, etc. I hope the memories we are making of how the little things we do can mean so much will be what they treasure most from this experience.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Random Act of Kindness Day Three
Random Act of Kindess: Day Three
Our Mission: Sweet Treats
Our Location: In Front of Barnes and Noble and then Target
Our Target: Customers coming in and out to shop
With two baskets full of Hershey Kisses, we began our afternoon in front of Barnes and Noble and ended up in front of Target. In just over an hour, 330 "kisses" were given today. The boys got a few hugs, and a few "kisses", and some wanted to donate money! When the boys told them we were doing a Random Act of Kindness, we received lofts of sweet comments, a ton of smiles, lots of "how sweet" and a couple of "you just made my day"! One nice lady even said she was going to "facebook" about us!! The boys had a blast and said this was the best one yet!! They journal about each day when we get home. Elliott said it made him feel good when he gave someone a Hershey Kiss and they smiled. He said he thought it was weird when they lady have him a kiss, but "at least it was on the cheek". When we were in front of Barnes and Noble....lots of people took the time to stop and talk to us and tell the boys what they were doing was awesome. We had some that were in a rush, didn't take the time to stop, and even said "no" at the offer of free chocolate. It showed the boys that in life, we are in a hurry and sometimes do not realize that we are passing up the sweet things in our life. It also taught them that if someone says no, not to give up, what they were doing was a good thing. One lady said "she was allergic" and was rushing off when she overheard them say that it was a Random Act of Kindness. She turned back around and said "that is the sweetest thing, you know what, I will take one...I can give it to my husband" And we thanked her for passing along the act of kindness. Random Acts of Kindness are so easy to do, after our 40 days...we just may not stop!!
Our Mission: Sweet Treats
Our Location: In Front of Barnes and Noble and then Target
Our Target: Customers coming in and out to shop
With two baskets full of Hershey Kisses, we began our afternoon in front of Barnes and Noble and ended up in front of Target. In just over an hour, 330 "kisses" were given today. The boys got a few hugs, and a few "kisses", and some wanted to donate money! When the boys told them we were doing a Random Act of Kindness, we received lofts of sweet comments, a ton of smiles, lots of "how sweet" and a couple of "you just made my day"! One nice lady even said she was going to "facebook" about us!! The boys had a blast and said this was the best one yet!! They journal about each day when we get home. Elliott said it made him feel good when he gave someone a Hershey Kiss and they smiled. He said he thought it was weird when they lady have him a kiss, but "at least it was on the cheek". When we were in front of Barnes and Noble....lots of people took the time to stop and talk to us and tell the boys what they were doing was awesome. We had some that were in a rush, didn't take the time to stop, and even said "no" at the offer of free chocolate. It showed the boys that in life, we are in a hurry and sometimes do not realize that we are passing up the sweet things in our life. It also taught them that if someone says no, not to give up, what they were doing was a good thing. One lady said "she was allergic" and was rushing off when she overheard them say that it was a Random Act of Kindness. She turned back around and said "that is the sweetest thing, you know what, I will take one...I can give it to my husband" And we thanked her for passing along the act of kindness. Random Acts of Kindness are so easy to do, after our 40 days...we just may not stop!!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Random Act of Kindness Day Two
Random Act of Kindness: Day Two
Our Mission: Treat Someone to Coffee
Our Location: Starbucks Drive Thru
Our Target: An unsuspecting car behind us
After we went out to celebrate Jonathan's birthday. We drove through Starbucks and waited by the drive thru line for a car to pull up behind us. The rain was pouring down and it took only a few minutes before a minivan pulled up behind us. The cashier asked to take our order and we said we were not ordering but we were going to pay for the vehicle behind us. The boys looked back anxiously to see an older couple in the minivan ordering something. We got to the window and paid for their order. The cashier was smiling,the boys were giggling with happiness and filled with excitement. The rain was coming down even harder, and there was a lot of traffic, so we couldn't just "dash" off like we did yesterday. Elliott was very concerned that they were going to "catch us" and ordered his dad to drive faster. They turned back as we rounded the corner to see the couple getting their order. We talked on the way home about how the couple must have felt to get their surprise. We talked about how we felt doing it. Elliott said "if they bought coffee for the next person , and then the next car bought coffee for the next person, if everyone did something nice we could change the world!" Yes, indeed...we certainly could. In just two days, we have received more joy in giving...the rewards to what our family is learning are priceless. This is what it's all about!!
Our Mission: Treat Someone to Coffee
Our Location: Starbucks Drive Thru
Our Target: An unsuspecting car behind us
After we went out to celebrate Jonathan's birthday. We drove through Starbucks and waited by the drive thru line for a car to pull up behind us. The rain was pouring down and it took only a few minutes before a minivan pulled up behind us. The cashier asked to take our order and we said we were not ordering but we were going to pay for the vehicle behind us. The boys looked back anxiously to see an older couple in the minivan ordering something. We got to the window and paid for their order. The cashier was smiling,the boys were giggling with happiness and filled with excitement. The rain was coming down even harder, and there was a lot of traffic, so we couldn't just "dash" off like we did yesterday. Elliott was very concerned that they were going to "catch us" and ordered his dad to drive faster. They turned back as we rounded the corner to see the couple getting their order. We talked on the way home about how the couple must have felt to get their surprise. We talked about how we felt doing it. Elliott said "if they bought coffee for the next person , and then the next car bought coffee for the next person, if everyone did something nice we could change the world!" Yes, indeed...we certainly could. In just two days, we have received more joy in giving...the rewards to what our family is learning are priceless. This is what it's all about!!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Random Act of Kindness Day One
Random Act of Kindness: Day One
Our Mission: Ding Dong Ditch ~ Girl Scout Cookies
Our Location: A random house in our neighborhood
We drove through our neighborhood about twilight. The boys at first wanted to drop the cookies off at houses of friends that we knew. I told them that wouldn't be a random act, that would be an everyday kindness act. They decided to look for a house that might show signs that kids lived there, because they said kids love cookies. We looked for a house that we knew someone was at home, so the cookies wouldn't be sitting out overnight. We spotted a house with their lights on. The boys spotted a basketball goal. Two very excited boys ran, they knocked (there wasn't a doorbell). They left the packages of cookies and the note. Then they ran like wild men running for their lives back to my car. They jumped in "yelling..GO MOM, GO, GO GO!" As we drove off the boys looked back and saw someone coming to the door reaching down to get the cookies. We are going to have so much fun with this....Ding, Dong, Ditch a success!!
Our Mission: Ding Dong Ditch ~ Girl Scout Cookies
Our Location: A random house in our neighborhood
We drove through our neighborhood about twilight. The boys at first wanted to drop the cookies off at houses of friends that we knew. I told them that wouldn't be a random act, that would be an everyday kindness act. They decided to look for a house that might show signs that kids lived there, because they said kids love cookies. We looked for a house that we knew someone was at home, so the cookies wouldn't be sitting out overnight. We spotted a house with their lights on. The boys spotted a basketball goal. Two very excited boys ran, they knocked (there wasn't a doorbell). They left the packages of cookies and the note. Then they ran like wild men running for their lives back to my car. They jumped in "yelling..GO MOM, GO, GO GO!" As we drove off the boys looked back and saw someone coming to the door reaching down to get the cookies. We are going to have so much fun with this....Ding, Dong, Ditch a success!!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
What to Give Up For Lent
Ash Wednesday, what is everyone giving up for Lent? Thought about this a lot today...I think I am going to give more of my time, instead of giving up something as meaningful as that is...I read somewhere where teens came up with unconvential ways to celebrate lent..and one way was to write one letter each day to special people in your life for the next 40 days, others had volunteer or pay it forward, random act of kindness type things...I kind of like that idea.
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