Instead of doing 30 Days of Thanks (which I know all my
friends on Facebook got tired of reading every day in November lol), a cohort
of mine and I did instead something much more powerful: “30 Days of Random Acts of Kindness.”
Affectionately
called: 30 Days of Thanks-GIVE-ing.
We held each other accountable by updating each other each
day on what we did. Below are the 30 Days of Random Acts of Kindness and also our comments we had for each
other. You can read our excitement
through our words below and how impactful it was for us, yet alone the people
receiving the random gifts:
Day
1
Helped pack up
decorations at my mom's friend's house
I bought a guy I
didn’t know a couple of shots
We
will rock it out! It's gonna be fun :)
Day
2
- I have 3 bags of clothing that I'm donating to a women's homeless support organization.
- I bought lunch for the guy behind me in line.
This
is gonna be tough! But I'm excited!
Day
3:
- We are doing birthday gift bags for families for the Food Bank and I donated $20 (only b/c i didn't have time to go buy things lol).
- I grabbed a pumpkin muffin and took it to my trainer (he's a pastry junkie!)...along with a thank you note I wrote out quickly...just to express how much of a difference he (and the other trainers) have made in my life.
I
like hearing about yours b/c it helps me
I
think that's why keeping each other updated is a great idea...because I know
I'm going to struggle finding new ideas for 30 days!!! Sometimes the
opportunity just presents itself...and sometimes we will have to rack our
brains to find something cool!
:)
im excited! I hope I don't miss even one day
Day
4:
- This morning...I bought a gift card when I was at Starbucks picking up my grande crack latte...and I gave it to the first friendly face I saw at work :)
- Yesterday I asked the janitor what his fav candy was and so I bought two snickers bars for him for today :)
I
went to CVS yesterday and was all excited about the possibilities! Have some
ideas for future days! I am SO excited. What I didn't think do-able is coming
to a reality!
Awesomeness!
So many people probably just look right past janitorial staff...so that is very
nice that you treated him to a treat!
I
loved the thankyou note for your trainer :)
It's
only 4 days in...but I wake up in a good mood and looking forward to finding
something fun/good to do for someone. I'm glad you're enjoying it, too!
I
am :) And Im honored we are doing this together!
Day 5:
- Surprised my girlfriend today by buying lunch. It was an easy one...but I'm super preoccupied trying to get ready for vacation! Lol.
- My heart is beating fast for some reason about this, but I just paid $60 and ordered a swab testing kit so I can submit my "dna" to see if I’m a match in the future for someone who needs a bone marrow transplant or bone marrow cells.
Omg...that's
crazy! How brave of you!!!
Day
6:
- One of my coworkers LOVES elephants, just like my Mom. I picked one out of my Mom’s collection today and brought it to my coworker this morning. She was practically in tears she was so happy :)
- We had a car service pick us up at 6:45 this morning to take us to airport. I gave him a cup of coffee and a Kind bar in case he had not had a chance to eat breakfast.
Wow.
That is an incredible gesture. I know how difficult the loss of your mother has
been for you...so for you to part with something of hers...it's a big deal. I
love you and how big your ❤ is and how you're embracing Thanks-GIVE-ing!
Day 7:
- I bought my friends’ husband a 24 pack of beer and surprised him last night.
- We bought appetizers and drinks for a honeymoon couple we met on Saturday, and yesterday I just walked around complimenting everyone I could. Trying to make people smile as much as possible!
Day
8:
- I bought a beautiful bouquet of flowers to give to this lady at work Monday that always smiling.
- "30 Days of Random Acts of Kindness continues for Thanks-GIVE-ing month. Handed this amazing bouquet to the lady in the cafeteria this morning who is always smiling and super nice to everyone she serves. i heard someone ask her if it was her birthday, i walked away with the biggest smile on my face”
- Today was our boat captains’ birthday...so after we disembarked, we invited them down to the local bar and bought some birthday rounds. They were amazed that we wanted to hang out with them after the charter.
You've
been coming up with some good ones. I'm gonna surprise someone with flowers
when I get home.
I'm
trying! Lol. It's tough. The person will love them from you!
Day
10:
- So yesterday we ate at the southernmost bar in the US...and it’s run by this adorable family. The 10-11 year old son brought us our food and was so helpful. We tipped him $20 on a $20 meal.
- Hadn't done anything major yet today, but I did just let Lily chew and play (and ruin) one of my fav socks! And we played tug of war, too! Hadn't done that in a long time
That's
terrific. Dogs are people too...in my book at least!
Day 11:
- Today we were roaming around this little town and we stopped for ice cream. There was a veteran in front of us...and I paid for his ice cream.
- I was getting gas and noticed a lady that could not squeeze the handle b/c of arthritis or age and so I helped her. She was very emotional she needed help but of course he helped her. So sad. :(
Yesterday
i bought some g/fs and some other items to be prepared for any random acts of
kindness that arise each day. I have seen opportunities but didn't have things
on me - now I’m prepared!
Day 12:
- Surprised my nail girl with a gift card tonight
- We did a zipline tour yesterday, and noticed that one group didn't tip our guides after the tour. It was a wet, windy day...so the guides were super focused on our safety instead of taking photos...and apparently that pissed those people off. So I tipped them extra to make up for the ungrateful bastards.
Day
13:
- Today we gave away our snorkel gear to some kids because obviously we don't need it at home...lol. They were super happy!
- Mailed this message and a cat candle to my friend today!
Day 14:
- Bought and gave two Starbucks gift cards to the front desk peeps at my gym today. Plus...I gave to a friends’ charity fundraiser.
- I did a lot at the tourney, but the most amazing thing was I bought packages of socks to give out if I saw anyone who could use them. As we drove to the tourney, a homeless guy was begging for money at a light. I pulled out the socks and held them out the window for him to grab and as he walked towards the car he figured out what it was and he started to dance l literally dance with joy! He was smiling SO big and he was SO happy with those socks!!!
Wow...who
knew socks would make such a difference to someone? I guess it's the little
things that you and I and everyone else take for granted! I didn't really find
a good opportunity yesterday...so I'll have to double up today. I'll be headed
to Target to get some socks!
Day 16:
- I just gave a Starbucks gift card to someone who is visiting our office and she always travels :)
- I've made plans to do a charity 5k on thanksgiving, donate plasma for the first time next weekend, and serve dinner to the homeless a couple days next week.
Day
17:
- I gave another package of socks this morning. It was raining and everything : ( then bought more packages after work just in case! And found a place that gives out turkeys, so looking into that soon :)
- Put this in one of the bathroom stalls at work today. An anonymous potty present! Funny stuff...the winner just came running around to show everyone her surprise gift card. I had to sit here with a straight face and act totally surprised..LOL. Now people are running to check other bathrooms...hahahaha! I'm going to have to hide a few more over the next week or two!
Day 18:
- I'm going to practice pool tonight...and I'm going to take flowers to the girl working behind the bar. I have no idea which gal is working...so it'll be a surprise for both of us when I walk in the door :)
- I've been at a conf this week and it's super cold in the room. I brought an extra sweater for one of the ladies to wear so she could be warmer, and told her to keep it and take it home to VA with her Friday.
Day
19:
- I'm shopping tonight...I finally have
time! Toys for toy drive, components for homeless kits, and components for a
care pkg for a friend who is going through a rough patch. Plus I'll be keeping
an eye out for any small goodies or trinkets that might be fun to hide around
the office or at the bus stop by my house.
- Today I bought toys for the toy drive at work from Walmart. Still have a lot of gift cards to give out!
This
task was daunting at first...the more we look around for opportunities...the
easier it gets to come up with ideas! Sometimes the simplest ones are the most
beautiful. I'm sending off my little pieces of Aloha today to the people whose
names I drew from my FB post a couple weeks ago. So fun!
I
get excited every day thinking of things! I think someoif these we would do
anyway, but to find something every single day makes it more fun! The look on
the faces have been priceless!
Day
20:
- I found a place that takes frozen turkeys. I called today and told her I was coming buy to donate and she was SO happy and excited!
- A friend of mine is going on a cruise next week and I just called and was able to give them some gifts for when they get into the room! I sent them cheese, wine and champagne. And on their last night, they get a bottle of wine!
That
is so special! They will be absolutely blown away. I love surprising people,
too! I'm just usually horrible about keeping it a secret!
I
just had a surprise sent to a friend...I think it ships today. I totally want
to spill the beans...but it'll be better if I can just keep my mouth shut for a
couple of days...LOL. I have a tournament this weekend...and I've got a couple
of Hawaii gifts for friends that I'm looking forward to giving out :)
Day
21:
- Was practicing at the pool room last night and this homeless kid was just sitting outside. I told the gal working the counter to let him have whatever food he wanted...on me. He scarfed down a couple hot dogs...seemed real happy. Today...I dropped off some clothes to a friend who is collecting for homeless youths. He was so touched when I handed two bags full of stuff. Maybe I’ll find a treat for our tournament director...who works super hard and just gets a hard time from all the complainers...lol.
- I gave a poker dealer a card with some giftcards
Day
22:
- Yesterday i saw a friend on fb wanted the new Adele CD so I bought that for her and had it shipped from target.com
- Today I asked the cashier at the cafeteria if she liked starbucks and she said she loved them so i pulled out my last giftcard for starbucks and gave it to her :)
she
was so excited. :)
I
saw the lady downstairs that I gave the flowers to, she shared with me they are
still alive and beautiful :)
Day
23:
Melissa
ordered me a very special gift as one of her Random Acts of Kindness! I had planned a gift for her also, but she
was clever and sent it in the middle of the month, instead of waiting until the
end like I did.
She
had trees planted in honor of my Mom.
I
don't think I've ever been so moved IN MY LIFE. And i seriously can't stop
crying. I am soooo moved!
No
one has ever done anything like this for my mom and i.
I
can't stop the tears ! You truly are an angel!
I didn't mean to make you
cry...although I guess if I'd thought about it...I'm not surprised. You have
thrown yourself so fully into our project...and I wanted to do something nice
specifically for you. The idea of associating it with your mother came to me
because I know this is a difficult time of year for you. Hugs!
I
can't even begin describe what you did means to me. And how much. And hoe
thoughtful. It was amazing to do something in her honor.
I'm
so deeply deeply deeply moved.
I
was expecting a gift card, instead, it stopped me in my tracks. I literally
leaned on the counter and cried for abt 10 minutes straight, paralyzed. Then i
leaned on the door and cried more. I didn't even read the note yet, and i was
already so moved with the honor, then cried more after i read the personal
note!
You're a fantastic person Melinda...and
I'm so proud and honored that you've been doing this with me. And you've really
taken it to a great level...so I'm happy that I got to do something meaningful
just for you.
More
crying. ....
YOU'VE
taken it to a great level!
I
feel the same about you!
Day
23:
- I just finally did the rest of the shopping for thanksgiving food for the low income families. We had 3 shopping carts...and had to break it up into 5 transactions to get the discounted price on the turkeys. I felt so bad for the people behind us in line...but what could I do? I was able to get enough for 6 dinners for families who can't afford it otherwise. We tried to explain it to the guy behind us...but he was just giving us that super annoyed face/attitude. Everyone is in such a hurry these days.
- Delivered the turkeys!
Day
24:
- I finally did the flowers thing...bought them for the pool room owners wife...who has had a rough year. But she wasn't here tonight...so I gave them to him to take home to her. He said "why are you so awesome?"
- Mailed 5 surprise gift cards today!
Day 26-29:
- I sent those gift cards which was 5 days worth, but gave a friend $20 for gas yesterday, and also yesterday my other friend got her cruise surprises! And on thanksgiving i gave a friend a cross necklace, that matches the tattoo cross he got in honor of his Mom.
- Wednesday I passed out cute Xmas socks to the gala in the office and gave an anonymous gift card to someone who was having a bad day. Thursday, we went shopping after dinner and I bought a giant teddy bear for toys for tots...which we dropped off at the local fire station. Yesterday, I took a plate of leftovers to the kid working at the gas station right by our house. He works two jobs and didn't really get to have a good thanksgiving dinner with his family. And today...I was shopping at bed bath and beyond...and I had 7-8 extra 20% coupons with me. I passed them out to the people in line around me
Day 30:
- My little sister just got engaged...and I paid for her engagement photos this weekend. I can't wait to see them! She was super excited and thankful. Also...bought Starbucks for the crew at the pool room yesterday. And today...I presented my boss with Boba Fett socks. She is obsessed with Star Wars...as am I...and she mentioned how she loves Boba Fett when we were talking last week. I just happened to find some socks with him on them this weekend...so I picked them up for her. She is completely in love with them.
- I got my gift yesterday when I got home from the tournament! Thank you so much...I was jumping up and down and hugging it like a little kid! I'm so excited...and will post a pic when I use it to pack my lunch the first time :)
I'm
so glad you like it! It's funny... i wanted the last thing to be for
you, and when you did yours to me in the middle, i was like,
damn, she got me!
After:
I
have gift cards left, too...just have to find the right opportunity to hand
them out. We did good, Melinda. I mean...this wasn't about patting ourselves on
the back or anything...but I think it's ok to recognize the effort and thought
that went into this project. I'm super proud of us :)
Melinda, I LOVED doing this with you each day! Each day letting
each other know what random act of kindness we did was so heart whelming and
fun! I am honored we did this together.
Here is Melissa’s blog about our 30
Days of Thanks-GIVE-ing
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