Day 365 & Act 366 - Carpe Diem!

Carpe Diem!!

Seize the day.  To put aside all differences, all fears, all worries, and just go for it.  To make the most out of that part of time.

Such a common saying but one that perfectly encompasses how I feel after this whole year and how I will live my life moving forward.  My emotions are going crazy right now thinking that the year is over.  I am happy and proud that we were able to complete all 366 acts without missing a day.  I am saddened by the fact that it is over.  I am shocked by just how quickly the year went by.  I am excited to see where 2014 and beyond takes my family.  This year we have many ups and a few downs.  We have had friends and family battle illness, lost friends to illness and have had old friends and family return to our lives.  We've traveled, made memories, started a non-profit and have grown as a family.  These random acts have allowed me to connect with people across the United States, and it has made me realize that, while there is more kindness around us than I could ever have imagined, there are still more opportunities to make a positive impact in people's lives. 

I hope this blog can be used as a tool to encourage and motivate others to seek out those daily opportunities to share joy and love with strangers as well as those they know and love.  To spread hope and reignite and restore faith in humanity.  To turn feelings of compassion into acts of kindness.

So for today's random acts of kindness, the final 2 of this year long journey, I allowed my daughters Kailey and Ryan to each choose an act.  Ryan choose to bring donuts to our neighborhood firemen and Kailey decided to help Baby Booties Diaper Bank with her act so we are donating 366 dimes to help families in need.  I just hope this year of giving has helped plant those seeds of generosity, selflessness, and thinking of others in these two young ladies and that those seeds will continue to grow and blossom as they navigate through life.  Carpe Diem girls!!

Here's to an amazing 2014!! 

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” - Dalai Lama

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”

― Mother Teresa

 

 

Day 365 - We made it!! 

  

Day 364 - Helped Send Angel Home

This is a heartbreaking story out of my home state of Ohio.  I saw this posted on a friend's Facebook page and had to help and share.

"4 year old Angel Hernandez died in a tragic car accident a few days ago on 12/26 in Central Ohio when his father accidentally ran over his tiny body after he fell from the family's minivan. We are comforted that Angel is walking with Jesus today, but his father is left devastated, while his mother's empty arms long to bring her child's earthly body home to her in Honduras. The cost to fly Angel's body home and hold a proper burial is far more than the family can bear. Unable to afford even a local burial, Angel's body is temporarily being held in an Ohio funeral home until we can raise the necessary funds to send him home."

Here is the GoFundMe page that was started to raise funds to send Angel home.  I can't even imagine how this family must feel and what they are going through.  If you are able to donate please do and help Angel get home to Honduras for a proper burial.  Heartbreaking.

Day 364 - Helped send angel home

Day 363 - Helped Bo and His Momma

A friend of mine and her family are wonderful about fostering and rescuing dogs.  I recently saw a post that they were trying to raise funds for medical care for a doggie and his mom in a kill shelter.

From their GoFundMe page:

"We recently lost our precious Bo (family doberman for 13+ yrs) last month, then after saying a little prayer on our holiday road trip we found a sweet doby and his mother in the kill shelter also named Bo; but he needs some vet care that is out of our financial ability. We believe we can raise the money needed and plan to pick them both up this Sunday to care and love him until death do us part! Can you help provide good care for Bo and his momma? We are so incredibly grateful and blessed to be able to provide a loving home for them."     

So for today's random act of kindness I supported their family's efforts and helped Bo and his momma Bessie!  Hope they are able to get them the medical care they need and both can live long and happy lives with such a wonderful family.  Keep it up Fishers!!  You guys rock!

Day 363 - Helped Bo and his momma

Day 362 - Small Acts Big Change

Small Acts Big Change’s mission is to teach, guide, motivate, and empower children of all ages to make changes in the world through small acts of kindness and volunteerism. They coordinate groups of children to participate in a variety of community service opportunities that positively impact people, animals, and the environment.

Through their participation in projects such as beach clean-ups and book drives, kids learn that even the smallest acts of kindness can make an immeasurable difference in the world around them. Small Acts Big Change helps everyone win. The children who are volunteering gain self-esteem and self-worth, confidence, leadership skills, and social awareness. People, animals, and the Earth are strengthened in countless ways as a result of their volunteering.

For today's random act of kindness I supported Small Acts Big Change by making a small donation.  Keep up the great work!!

Day 362 - Small acts big change

Day 361 - Supported a Rescue

While we were on vacation we boarded our guinea pig Brownie at the local guinea pig rescue.  The rescue is a family owned organization that takes in guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters and other animals that have been abandoned, forgotten or left to die.  They have some of the biggest hearts and take such great care of all those little guinea pigs.

So for today's random act of kindness we purchased a few toys for Brownie after we picked her up and left a small donation for the organization. 

Day 361 - Supported the guinea rescue

Day 360 - Supported a National Park

National parks need all the support they can get and they just love to see visitors and tourists.  Today on our way back to Texas from Florida we found a quant little town in Mississippi to visit.  As we entered Natchez, Mississippi the first thing we noticed was the National Park.  We decided to visit before heading to our hotel.  It was a great staff at the visitor center and they were very excited to talk to us about the park and a little history.  The girls had a blast and it was great to support a national park and it's employees after they were all closed down during the shut down.

Day 359 - $1 for Toys for Tots

Today my brother and sister and law offered to take the girls shopping for their Christmas gift.  They both had some money to save, spend and share and were very careful with their spending money.  Kailey decided on a small Build a Bear toy.  After choosing her bear, stuffing and naming her bear she went to check out.  After they rang in her toy they asked if she would like to donate $1 to Toys for Tots.  Without hesitation she said yes.  So for today's random act of kindness we supported Toys for Tots and all the amazing things they do for kiddos around the county.

Day 359 - Toys for Tots