We all have something we're putting off.
There's someone you want to call.
There's someone you've been wanting to have lunch with.
You really need to putty and paint that hole, repair a leak, print those photos, hang them...
You've been putting off rearranging furniture even though it's totally not working.
You cry every time you open the fridge but the thought of cleaning it makes you want to die even though you know you'll be so much happier when it's done.
There's a blog that your supposed to write on a weekly basis but instead you just don't...and you don't have a ton of followers so you think maybe no one will notice but what if there's that one person looking forward to it and now you're a huge jerk...for example.
Anyway!
I've been imaginary planning for hens...for six years. I have a Pinterest board with approximately eleventy-billion chicken articles and coop plans. Plus, a few things about goats, donkeys, and cows but there's only so much you can do with an acre on a steep hill...and my county is notorious for being snobby. Not exaggerating the county ordinances read like an HOA contract.
My goal this week is to create a one year plan to have everything ready for 4 hens next spring.
So far I know I need to:
-Take out $20 every time I use my debit card to save for materials and supplies
-Build or purchase a mobile coop with a removable run . Probably build since I'll be a SAHM next year and I have a million ideas which make for a very expensive pre-made.
-Mail letters to my immediate neighbors requesting permission or denial
-File with the Snob County (ask more permission through 9 pages of paperwork, already printed just so I can read it a few times. I won't need to turn it in until like February so maybe the laws will loosen a bit)
-Pay Fees that are more than the cost of eggs (assuming you shop at Aldi, probably less than Publix)
-Freshen up my veggie gardens so they have some good stuff eat when they arrive
Just some ideas to start.
What will you do this week? Write out/sketch your plan in your journal. No cheating by just making a Pinterest page. Make a page a reality...create a dream board like it's 2002! Call someone, make a special meal, plan a fun activity for tomorrow or this weekend, or just get something annoying checked off that list!
Don't forget to share :)
Go!
Monday, March 27, 2017
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Get Mad.
**bad words** Sorry, Grandma!
This is a journal. Not every day is joyful or inspiring, and as much as I preach practicing art every day...not every day is for art-making. Some days are for venting...some weeks are for feeling hyper-sensitive...some topics can instantly piss you off and throw you into a spiral, arguably against your will.
There are two subjects that send me into a fit, okay maybe a rage (but I'm small so people don't take my anger very seriously) ... the word "tolerance" and Generational Stereotypes. Those of you who know me know what's up. I will skip the word tolerance for today since some people would argue it a semantics issue (but it's really the most backhanded word in modern history, note the quotes and italics- super bitter typing ;) ).
Anyway, Generational Stereotypes.
Traditionalists are rule followers to a fault.
Baby Boomers are low tech.
GenXers are assholes.
(Oregon Trail-ers are the kindest, most empathetic people in the history of people because we watched out families die from cho-ler-ia on an Apple Macintosh)
Millennials are babies.
GenZ is basically Wall-E bound.
No one wants to be labeled this way...except Oregon Trail-ers. I cannot understand how a 20 year chunk of people can be labeled as the same. People can't even agree on the dates! Especially, now with the constant changes in tech, information access, tiny world, mobility. I am not an authority-hating, breakfast-clubbing, wolf of Wall Street, and I'm not an unmarried, basement dwelling, tech-drowning loser with a doctorate in underwater basket weaving. But I carry the weight of those labels.
I am one person.
You are one person.
Your kid is one person.
That guys over there is one person.
I was told my whole life to do what made me happy, do what I was passionate about, get a college degree and everything will be right with the world. I then graduated with a teaching degree...the year the market crashed and counties declared hiring freezes. I applied to more than 200, for arguments' sake -fake, over 200 fake jobs and received one rejection letter. Did I have the optimism of a Millennial? Absolutely! Did I quickly learn the pessimism of GenX? Absolutely. Because I am a person, not a generation.
On another personal note, I grew up in a retirement town in Florida. Half of my closest friends were over 65...probably over 70. I knew about cataracts before I had glasses. I know what respect is and no one ever had to hit me, I know what hard work is even though I've never plowed a field, and I know that I know literally nothing of hardship and need. Those qualities don't come from a decade, they come from people and experiences that we all have in common. First love, first concert, best friends, how your favorite songs make you feel- regardless of genre or time, pain, trust, fear, anger, joy, hunger, fullness...the things we're reacting to may be different but I don't believe they're different enough to fight over....so I'm mad and I'm fighting about it obviously.
The point is: If you can't say something nice, shut up. Just shut up. Shut up and listen because the one thing most generations will claim as their own is "caring." So prove it. Be empathetic. Be friends with people because there is more to life than birthdays and who was president when you first went to a voting booth. Literally everyone has stories to share and I bet listening and sharing will make you and your new friend better people. Individual people who require love and attention, and deserve time and respect. All of us.
So this week, or whenever the mood strikes, whatever the topic, write it all out. Rage. Burn the page (in the sink...don't sue me GenXer! ;) ...see what I did there?). Take notes over a few days or weeks or get it all out in one sitting. I've included a photo of my page and after typing this I really do feel better...I still have a very specific Blink182 song stuck in my head but I'm working on it. If you don't know who Blink182 is they are a very angst-y, punk, pop, alternative band with real life bad parents so there are lots of bad words and loud noises.
Go!
This is a journal. Not every day is joyful or inspiring, and as much as I preach practicing art every day...not every day is for art-making. Some days are for venting...some weeks are for feeling hyper-sensitive...some topics can instantly piss you off and throw you into a spiral, arguably against your will.
There are two subjects that send me into a fit, okay maybe a rage (but I'm small so people don't take my anger very seriously) ... the word "tolerance" and Generational Stereotypes. Those of you who know me know what's up. I will skip the word tolerance for today since some people would argue it a semantics issue (but it's really the most backhanded word in modern history, note the quotes and italics- super bitter typing ;) ).
Anyway, Generational Stereotypes.
Traditionalists are rule followers to a fault.
Baby Boomers are low tech.
GenXers are assholes.
(Oregon Trail-ers are the kindest, most empathetic people in the history of people because we watched out families die from cho-ler-ia on an Apple Macintosh)
Millennials are babies.
GenZ is basically Wall-E bound.
No one wants to be labeled this way...except Oregon Trail-ers. I cannot understand how a 20 year chunk of people can be labeled as the same. People can't even agree on the dates! Especially, now with the constant changes in tech, information access, tiny world, mobility. I am not an authority-hating, breakfast-clubbing, wolf of Wall Street, and I'm not an unmarried, basement dwelling, tech-drowning loser with a doctorate in underwater basket weaving. But I carry the weight of those labels.
I am one person.
You are one person.
Your kid is one person.
That guys over there is one person.
I was told my whole life to do what made me happy, do what I was passionate about, get a college degree and everything will be right with the world. I then graduated with a teaching degree...the year the market crashed and counties declared hiring freezes. I applied to more than 200, for arguments' sake -fake, over 200 fake jobs and received one rejection letter. Did I have the optimism of a Millennial? Absolutely! Did I quickly learn the pessimism of GenX? Absolutely. Because I am a person, not a generation.
On another personal note, I grew up in a retirement town in Florida. Half of my closest friends were over 65...probably over 70. I knew about cataracts before I had glasses. I know what respect is and no one ever had to hit me, I know what hard work is even though I've never plowed a field, and I know that I know literally nothing of hardship and need. Those qualities don't come from a decade, they come from people and experiences that we all have in common. First love, first concert, best friends, how your favorite songs make you feel- regardless of genre or time, pain, trust, fear, anger, joy, hunger, fullness...the things we're reacting to may be different but I don't believe they're different enough to fight over....so I'm mad and I'm fighting about it obviously.
The point is: If you can't say something nice, shut up. Just shut up. Shut up and listen because the one thing most generations will claim as their own is "caring." So prove it. Be empathetic. Be friends with people because there is more to life than birthdays and who was president when you first went to a voting booth. Literally everyone has stories to share and I bet listening and sharing will make you and your new friend better people. Individual people who require love and attention, and deserve time and respect. All of us.
So this week, or whenever the mood strikes, whatever the topic, write it all out. Rage. Burn the page (in the sink...don't sue me GenXer! ;) ...see what I did there?). Take notes over a few days or weeks or get it all out in one sitting. I've included a photo of my page and after typing this I really do feel better...I still have a very specific Blink182 song stuck in my head but I'm working on it. If you don't know who Blink182 is they are a very angst-y, punk, pop, alternative band with real life bad parents so there are lots of bad words and loud noises.
Go!
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Make a Pocket
No huge story on this one...there was a baby kangaroo at my kids church party the other night and it was adorable. Did you know that when a kangaroo is born it's only the size of the top knuckle of your pointer finger!? I'm inspired...mostly squealy and I want to squish everything...a totally normal way for an inspired person to act.
This week!
Construct a pocket in or on your journal. Get crazy philosophical or simple, make an interactive Frida Kalo with organs on strings that you can tuck in, or sketch out a kangaroo with a pop-out joey. Fold, glue, staple, stitch, and fill it up with something awesome.
If you want interesting construction tips check out Pinterest/Google and search "paper pocket" ;)
Go!
This week!
Construct a pocket in or on your journal. Get crazy philosophical or simple, make an interactive Frida Kalo with organs on strings that you can tuck in, or sketch out a kangaroo with a pop-out joey. Fold, glue, staple, stitch, and fill it up with something awesome.
If you want interesting construction tips check out Pinterest/Google and search "paper pocket" ;)
Go!
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Inspirational Classroom Poster
For those of you who don't know, I work in a preK-12 school. I know any office with a lounge will have some crappy coffee, maybe a Keurig, a microwave and fridge, leftover birthday cake...but there's always something extra special waiting in a Teacher's Lounge.
Students talk about it like it's a magical palace with spa water, chandeliers, live music, kittens, and ice cream. Teachers talk about it like it's filled with someone's old furniture and busted cabinets. Both are correct. It's a Cave of Wonders. There are many different areas in the 8x8' sanctuary, each with a sacred purpose:
On top of the fridge: No touchie. That's where the office ladies keep the vases. You may ask permission but no is the answer.
Inside the fridge: No touchie...unless someone has email blasted the school saying that the kid whose dad owns a Bruster's had a birthday and there are 80 million ice cream cups in the freezer.
On the counter: Free for all! Crappy Community Coffees all around! Hot chalk-olate? It's yours! How many different kinds of faux sweetener can one cavern hold?! All the different kinds!
...there's also a Coke machine filled with chick flavored Cokes like Diet Caffeine Free Spenda-d Coke Zero Free Lite (barf)
But the Crown Jewel of the Teacher's Lounge is the Coffee Table 🎉
If it touches the table it's up for grabs! The possibilities are endless. Leftover birthday treats? Amateur. Wine, cases of chocolate, lamp shades, books, flyers for all of the crap teachers have to side-hustle to be able to pay a mortgage, luau supplies, sandwiches, clothes and shoes, wheat, obituaries of retired teachers, furniture and linens, stacks of picture frames, a tower displaying 12 varieties of coffee creamers, outdated globes, semi-functioning microscopes, 35 pairs of star-shaped sunglasses, enough beaded necklaces to rival MardiGras, whatever didn't sell at the yard sale last weekend, blank scantron sheets- you know, just in case the tech apocalypse comes and we need to take multiple choice exams, and this morning...homemade hard candy, a homemade pie, and 23 inspirational and instructional classroom posters.
All this leads to this weeks prompt: Think back on your favorite class. Was it loaded with Carson Delosa smiles, or Barney Stinson quotes floating over mountains and rivers? Did you have the cool history teacher with the Janis Joplin poster? Kooky science teacher with Einstein sticking his tongue out? Lit teacher with tons of grammar rules posted like you had time to read them mid-exam? An acrostic explaining how an A-R-T-I-S-T works, or how to R-E-S-P-E-C-T each other?
What was it about those words and images that made you think or feel differently? If you were to put up a poster in your "classroom" what would it say? What is it's purpose? What do you want children to grow up knowing? What do you wish someone had told you? Are you the kitten hanging from a branch type or the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. type? Or both? Design a poster or two for yourself, your classroom, or to share with friends. You're welcome to photoshop but don't forget to print and paste it into your journal!
Motivation is what gets you started.
Habit is what keeps you going.
Jim Ryan
Possimpible
The place where the possible and the impossible meet.
Barney Stinson
Inspired ;)
Go!
Students talk about it like it's a magical palace with spa water, chandeliers, live music, kittens, and ice cream. Teachers talk about it like it's filled with someone's old furniture and busted cabinets. Both are correct. It's a Cave of Wonders. There are many different areas in the 8x8' sanctuary, each with a sacred purpose:
On top of the fridge: No touchie. That's where the office ladies keep the vases. You may ask permission but no is the answer.
Inside the fridge: No touchie...unless someone has email blasted the school saying that the kid whose dad owns a Bruster's had a birthday and there are 80 million ice cream cups in the freezer.
On the counter: Free for all! Crappy Community Coffees all around! Hot chalk-olate? It's yours! How many different kinds of faux sweetener can one cavern hold?! All the different kinds!
...there's also a Coke machine filled with chick flavored Cokes like Diet Caffeine Free Spenda-d Coke Zero Free Lite (barf)
But the Crown Jewel of the Teacher's Lounge is the Coffee Table 🎉
If it touches the table it's up for grabs! The possibilities are endless. Leftover birthday treats? Amateur. Wine, cases of chocolate, lamp shades, books, flyers for all of the crap teachers have to side-hustle to be able to pay a mortgage, luau supplies, sandwiches, clothes and shoes, wheat, obituaries of retired teachers, furniture and linens, stacks of picture frames, a tower displaying 12 varieties of coffee creamers, outdated globes, semi-functioning microscopes, 35 pairs of star-shaped sunglasses, enough beaded necklaces to rival MardiGras, whatever didn't sell at the yard sale last weekend, blank scantron sheets- you know, just in case the tech apocalypse comes and we need to take multiple choice exams, and this morning...homemade hard candy, a homemade pie, and 23 inspirational and instructional classroom posters.
All this leads to this weeks prompt: Think back on your favorite class. Was it loaded with Carson Delosa smiles, or Barney Stinson quotes floating over mountains and rivers? Did you have the cool history teacher with the Janis Joplin poster? Kooky science teacher with Einstein sticking his tongue out? Lit teacher with tons of grammar rules posted like you had time to read them mid-exam? An acrostic explaining how an A-R-T-I-S-T works, or how to R-E-S-P-E-C-T each other?
What was it about those words and images that made you think or feel differently? If you were to put up a poster in your "classroom" what would it say? What is it's purpose? What do you want children to grow up knowing? What do you wish someone had told you? Are you the kitten hanging from a branch type or the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. type? Or both? Design a poster or two for yourself, your classroom, or to share with friends. You're welcome to photoshop but don't forget to print and paste it into your journal!
Motivation is what gets you started.
Habit is what keeps you going.
Jim Ryan
Possimpible
The place where the possible and the impossible meet.
Barney Stinson
Inspired ;)
Go!
 |
| This morning we're gonna party like it's nine-teen eight-y seven! *according to the copyright on the bears ;) |
Monday, February 6, 2017
Monochromatic Collage
1. Anyone doing the F*Facebook activity? I'm going a little nuts...I'm not huge on football so watching the Superbowl was a nice time to nap. I wanted to know what the Pink fans were saying about Gaga's flight, how my buddy felt watching his team come back, I wanted to share a dumb photo of the junk food we declared "dinner." I've been keeping notes on stuff that I would normally share or photograph and I'm feeling pretty lame. Here's a super good one, totally worth sharing: Tilex is great for baseboards and kitchen floors! Yep, I just cleaned the whole kitchen with bleach mildew remover instead of 409. hashtagMyHouseSmellsLikeAPublicPoolMyWindowsWillBeOpenForDaysImDyingALittle
I have a problem. Maybe this really will be good...just another step toward adulting?
2. Those bananas are awesome! They made my morning!
This Week!
Grab some magazines, paint chips, and real photographs! This week we're going to create a monochromatic collage. Choose a color, an expression or idea, cut out letters to tell a story, grab a needle and thread and stitch through the page, find a lighter and a crayon to drip, glitter, paint, stamps, paper clips, staples, lots of glue...it's a collage! Do whatever you can smash into your journal.
Here are some fun links to inspire you (nothing is affiliated because, like, there are 40 of us, the internets are not paying attention):
Basic Google Search for Monochromatic Collage
Pinterest Pop-Ups
Sewing Pinspiration
Don't stress about getting stitches and pop-ups and wax and glitter all at once. We'll have several collaging projects throughout. Just focus on one color this week :)
Go!
I have a problem. Maybe this really will be good...just another step toward adulting?
2. Those bananas are awesome! They made my morning!
This Week!
Grab some magazines, paint chips, and real photographs! This week we're going to create a monochromatic collage. Choose a color, an expression or idea, cut out letters to tell a story, grab a needle and thread and stitch through the page, find a lighter and a crayon to drip, glitter, paint, stamps, paper clips, staples, lots of glue...it's a collage! Do whatever you can smash into your journal.
Here are some fun links to inspire you (nothing is affiliated because, like, there are 40 of us, the internets are not paying attention):
Basic Google Search for Monochromatic Collage
Pinterest Pop-Ups
Sewing Pinspiration
Don't stress about getting stitches and pop-ups and wax and glitter all at once. We'll have several collaging projects throughout. Just focus on one color this week :)
Go!
Thursday, February 2, 2017
F* Facebook February
So, after a fun week of paying it forward I am taking some time to step back.
I am a Facebook addict. I don't check it at work...except at lunch. I don't check it when I'm driving...unless I'm stuck in traffic. I don't check it in the morning...unless I'm awake. So, basically, all the time.
I'm a hyper-emotional person so I always got a pretty great high from seeing babies, vacations, puppies, inflatable t-rex, and whatever other silly things were posted. Lately, in case you haven't noticed, Fb has become a cluster-f of hate and blindness. I actually spent extra time every day searching for something good...something decent...something tolerable. Almost nothing. Only one t-rex video, it was okay.
I absolutely got wrapped up in it. Moved to find counter arguments for everything I saw. I was heart-broken by the words and images being shared by people I love and trust. I cried every day for 10 days and decided that was it.
So here we are with this week's prompt:
Check you phone usage. What do you use way too often? What is no longer bringing you joy or filling its purpose? Can you delete the ap for a day? Week? Month? Forever? "For eh ver foreh Ver" -The Sandlot.
I don't know if I can go forever, I don't think I want to. But I am going to take this very short month off. Try to reset my brain. I'm not saying to walk away from all social media, all media, talk radio, games, shopping...whatever you do most on your phone. Just choose one thing for a day, week, or month and see how you feel. Take note of it. It's been one day for me and I've already noticed that I want to check my phone at every flipping commercial. Now I'm watching commercials like a schmo but I'm also not missing the first minute of every scene after commercials...it's a balance ;)
What will you ditch? How long?
I am a Facebook addict. I don't check it at work...except at lunch. I don't check it when I'm driving...unless I'm stuck in traffic. I don't check it in the morning...unless I'm awake. So, basically, all the time.
I'm a hyper-emotional person so I always got a pretty great high from seeing babies, vacations, puppies, inflatable t-rex, and whatever other silly things were posted. Lately, in case you haven't noticed, Fb has become a cluster-f of hate and blindness. I actually spent extra time every day searching for something good...something decent...something tolerable. Almost nothing. Only one t-rex video, it was okay.
I absolutely got wrapped up in it. Moved to find counter arguments for everything I saw. I was heart-broken by the words and images being shared by people I love and trust. I cried every day for 10 days and decided that was it.
So here we are with this week's prompt:
Check you phone usage. What do you use way too often? What is no longer bringing you joy or filling its purpose? Can you delete the ap for a day? Week? Month? Forever? "For eh ver foreh Ver" -The Sandlot.
I don't know if I can go forever, I don't think I want to. But I am going to take this very short month off. Try to reset my brain. I'm not saying to walk away from all social media, all media, talk radio, games, shopping...whatever you do most on your phone. Just choose one thing for a day, week, or month and see how you feel. Take note of it. It's been one day for me and I've already noticed that I want to check my phone at every flipping commercial. Now I'm watching commercials like a schmo but I'm also not missing the first minute of every scene after commercials...it's a balance ;)
What will you ditch? How long?
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Pay It Forward
This week's prompt isn't a writing or drawing prompt so much as a life one. There is a lot of unrest in the world and our country right now so our little group is going to "be the good we wish to see."
It doesn't matter who you are, your background, your political or religious beliefs, financial standing, age, race, gender...when you get to the drive-thru window and the car in front of you has paid for your lunch, coffee, or van full of happy meals- it feels amazing! It instantly changes your mindset, makes your day, and inspires you.
Then, feeling awake and inspired, you joyfully decide to pay for the car behind you. The person in the next car gets that same feeling and passes it on. Or they don't. Maybe the SUV behind them is packed with 7 hungry teenage boys and the car had planned to just grab a Coke with some loose change. Of course, I'd rather imagine the possibility of it going on all day, and the last person through the drive just hands the cashier a 20 and tells them to start again in the morning and it goes on for a week! You never know, it's possible.
There are lots of ways to go about this, fast food is just quick and easy. If you want to go further think about what makes you happy and pay for someone else to do it - Go to the local art club, write a check for a single class, and let the club use it to help someone who can't afford it. Write some positive reviews on Yelp, Zagat, Trip Advisor, where ever. Compliment a stranger - make it constructive, not creepy. "I love that skirt!"- yes. "That skirt makes your butt look great!" - no. Volunteer to babysit for a friend. It's Girl Scout Cookie time! Buy a few boxes for the office and set them out with a kind note when no one is looking. Be a courteous driver, give space and a friendly wave when you see someone trying to merge. Best friend had a bad day but lives 8 hours away? Order a delivery pizza to her house. Buy a rotisserie chicken for the homeless family sitting in the parking lot at your grocery store. Bake for your neighbors. Buy a car for someone. Check to see if your church or community center has a program to help people pay for utilities and pay someone's heat bill. Ask the school office if you can bring hot chocolate for the safety patrols (or teachers) who have outside duties. Have a quick conversation with your mail person and leave them their favorite snack sometimes to show that you actually listened, or some bottles of water for the guys in the trash truck. Create a kindness poster and post it on boards around town (be safe). If you're having a night away from the kids and you see a parent driving the struggle bus with their kids secretly pay for their meal.
Side Note: I know from experience that being immersed in a food stand-off, even if there's no screaming, can make you forget that there are decent human beings in the world and that not everyone in the restaurant hates you and your child. Me every night: "You Ate (food) LAST WEEK! What Do You Mean You Hate (same food)?!?!" This is a "Pay It Forward" that I have received and given...both feel AMAZING!
Anyway, somebody buy me dinner. That's really what this is about. I'll be at O'Charley's at 6.
Okay, maybe not, but the cost is not important. What is important is that you've consciously contributed to making someone's day better without expecting anything in return. Nationally we are clearly at odds but when it comes down to individuals, we have a lot of love to give. And there is no better way to show true love than to give without expecting anything in return.
You are welcome to share your experiences with the group. There will be no judgies for boasting or keeping it to yourself since the assignment is both exciting and personal. Write, draw, or just post directly on the page. It will be good to see some unadulterated goodness on the Facebook ;)
Go! Do something awesome! Do lots awesome somethings!
It doesn't matter who you are, your background, your political or religious beliefs, financial standing, age, race, gender...when you get to the drive-thru window and the car in front of you has paid for your lunch, coffee, or van full of happy meals- it feels amazing! It instantly changes your mindset, makes your day, and inspires you.
Then, feeling awake and inspired, you joyfully decide to pay for the car behind you. The person in the next car gets that same feeling and passes it on. Or they don't. Maybe the SUV behind them is packed with 7 hungry teenage boys and the car had planned to just grab a Coke with some loose change. Of course, I'd rather imagine the possibility of it going on all day, and the last person through the drive just hands the cashier a 20 and tells them to start again in the morning and it goes on for a week! You never know, it's possible.
There are lots of ways to go about this, fast food is just quick and easy. If you want to go further think about what makes you happy and pay for someone else to do it - Go to the local art club, write a check for a single class, and let the club use it to help someone who can't afford it. Write some positive reviews on Yelp, Zagat, Trip Advisor, where ever. Compliment a stranger - make it constructive, not creepy. "I love that skirt!"- yes. "That skirt makes your butt look great!" - no. Volunteer to babysit for a friend. It's Girl Scout Cookie time! Buy a few boxes for the office and set them out with a kind note when no one is looking. Be a courteous driver, give space and a friendly wave when you see someone trying to merge. Best friend had a bad day but lives 8 hours away? Order a delivery pizza to her house. Buy a rotisserie chicken for the homeless family sitting in the parking lot at your grocery store. Bake for your neighbors. Buy a car for someone. Check to see if your church or community center has a program to help people pay for utilities and pay someone's heat bill. Ask the school office if you can bring hot chocolate for the safety patrols (or teachers) who have outside duties. Have a quick conversation with your mail person and leave them their favorite snack sometimes to show that you actually listened, or some bottles of water for the guys in the trash truck. Create a kindness poster and post it on boards around town (be safe). If you're having a night away from the kids and you see a parent driving the struggle bus with their kids secretly pay for their meal.
Side Note: I know from experience that being immersed in a food stand-off, even if there's no screaming, can make you forget that there are decent human beings in the world and that not everyone in the restaurant hates you and your child. Me every night: "You Ate (food) LAST WEEK! What Do You Mean You Hate (same food)?!?!" This is a "Pay It Forward" that I have received and given...both feel AMAZING!
Anyway, somebody buy me dinner. That's really what this is about. I'll be at O'Charley's at 6.
Okay, maybe not, but the cost is not important. What is important is that you've consciously contributed to making someone's day better without expecting anything in return. Nationally we are clearly at odds but when it comes down to individuals, we have a lot of love to give. And there is no better way to show true love than to give without expecting anything in return.
You are welcome to share your experiences with the group. There will be no judgies for boasting or keeping it to yourself since the assignment is both exciting and personal. Write, draw, or just post directly on the page. It will be good to see some unadulterated goodness on the Facebook ;)
Go! Do something awesome! Do lots awesome somethings!
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