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

Day 358 - Christmas Tip

Merry Christmas!  We are spending the Christmas holiday in Florida and it's so great that all my family was able to make it.  After the traditional gift opening, a Christmas meal and some lounging around the grandparents offered to watch the 3 grandkids so us parents could head out for dinner and a movie.  It was fun evening out and we were able to find one of a handful of restaurants open on Christmas day.  Our server was in great spirits and was super friendly!  As a special Christmas gift, and as our random act of kindness, we decided to tip him over 50% for our bill.  Hope he had a wonderful Christmas!!

Day 358 - Christmas tip

Day 357 - Became a RAKtivist

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation has introduced a wonderful term...RAKtivist!  According to their site RAKtivists "are the limbs of the organizational body. The daily doers, movers and shakers; reaching out to others and not just talking the talk, but using those limbs to walk the walk."

Throughout this year long journey one of my main desires was to inspire people to look for those daily opportunities to help or encourage others.  Becoming a RAKtivist will hopefully motivate me to stay active through 2014 and remain conscious of ways to give and help others.

Day 357 - Became a RAKtivist

Day 356 - Donation to Local Autism Organization

While on vacation we love to hit the local Goodwill.  Today we found some great finds at the Destin Goodwill.  While checking out they asked if we wanted to round up our total to the nearest dollar to support the local children's autism organization.  So for our random act today we said yes!  Hoping our small donation makes a difference.

Day 356 - Donated local autism organization

Day 355 - Treated for a Movie

I love getting together with the family and one of our favorite things to do together is go to the movies.  Our little niece LOVES dinosaurs so the new movie Walking with Dinosaurs was a easy choice for today.

For today's random act of kindness we treated the family to the movie.  It was a great movie and the kids loved the dinosaurs!!

Day 355 - Treated for a movie

Day 354 - Appreciated a Street Performer

We are spending the Christmas holiday in Florida and are road tripping.  Tonight we stopped in New Orleans for the night.  We took the girls out to dinner and then walked around a bit to experience the city.  The girls really enjoyed the street performers and loved watching them and giving them tips.  Their favorite was Silver Man.  So for today's random act of kindness we tipped street performs and had some great conversations!

Day 354 - Tipped street performers

Day 353 - Gave Parent a Break

Every few months through my child care I provide a Parents Night Out for the families at no cost.  I watch the children a few extra hours in the evening so parents can grab a meal together, maybe a movie or maybe just finish up any last minute Christmas shopping and wrapping. 

I love the kids so having them a few extra hours is never a big deal.  I'm just glad I can provide the families that little bit of quiet time together.

Day 353 - Parents Night Out

Day 352 - Gift for the Mail Carrier

The last few weeks have been very tough for our mail servers.  The ice storm in Dallas brought things to a halt and now they are trying to play catch up before the holidays.  I'm sure this is resulting in some upset customers because packages are arriving much later than expected.  So for today's random act of kindness we wanted to show some appreciation to our mail carrier and let them know that not all of us are angry at them these days.  We left them a small treat in the mailbox.  Keep up the good work!!

Day 352 - Gift for the mail carrier

Day 351 - Supported Community Theatre

Founded in 1991 by Sara Akers, Plano Children’s Theatre exists to help children ages 5 to 18 find out who they are. For more than 19 years, the theatre has been a place where kids could be the star and a place where they could gain an appreciation and love for live theatre.  In 2005, McKinney Youth Theatre was founded with the same philosophy.

While both theatres have a reputation for putting on high-quality productions, they are more proud of a reputation where absolutely everyone gets to play.  Everyone has a chance to get involved.
Both locations create opportunities for North Texas families to be a part of a performing arts club that fosters life-long learning, creativity, communication skills, personal discipline, integrity and good citizenship.

So for today's random act of kindness we supported the Plano Children's Theatre by attending Ryan's performance of Snow White.  The kids did great and it was so nice to support the theatre. 

Day 351 - Supported Community Theatre

Day 350 - Scratch Off Tickets for Strangers

Today everyone has been talking about the huge lottery numbers and the millions of dollars that someone could win.  When I went to grab gas today I purchased 5 $1 scratch off tickets.  I told the employee to pass them out to the next 5 guests.  He was very excited and thought it was a great gesture!  I would for some of them to win!

Day 350 - Scratch offs for strangers

Day 349 - Special Gift for a Restaurant Server

Today we had an amazing dinner at a local restaurant.  We had an awesome server!!  The restaurant we visited had it's own winery and gift store attached.  After dinner we decided to go next door and get him a gift card as a little treat to thank him for his awesome customer service.  So wish we could see his reaction!  Thanks Jason!

Day 349 - Special gift for a server

Day 348 - Remembered Sandy Hook

One year ago yesterday, tragedy struck Sandy Hook Elementary School and the residents of Newtown, Conn., resulting in an unimaginable loss. To mark the anniversary of the mass shooting, relatives of the Sandy Hook victims ask that people perform random acts of kindness throughout the day.

Whether it's a monetary donation, extending a helping hand to someone in need or even just a small smile, a little bit of generosity can make a world of difference.

So for today's random act of kindness to remember those lost I made a promise.  I committed to coming together in love to prevent gun violence in our communities and our country by signing the Sandy Hook Promise.

Day 348 - Remembered Sandy Hook

Day 347 - Volunteered with Operation Christmas Child

After a couple of years of participating in Samaritan Purse's Operation Christmas Child I decided to get a big more involved this year. For the first year ever Dallas/Fort Worth is one of 9 national processing centers for Operation Christmas Child.  There are many opportunities to help so myself and a few of my friend volunteered for a few hours this morning.  We were entrusted with inspecting each box to make sure that it was not only packed full of goodies and ready for a sweet child but also free of any items that may be dangerous or slow things down at customs. It was a wonderful experience getting to see how carefully people had packed their boxes and all the cute personal notes and pictures will not only be blessings to the little kids that receive them, but also to all of us that saw them. 

What an amazing organization Samaritan Purse is and seeing the excitement among all the volunteers was awesome!!


Day 347 - Volunteered with Operation Christmas Child

Day 346 - Tip for a Musician

Tonight we went as a family to see a wonderful live performance called the Christmas Journey.  It is a drive thru reenactment following Jesus' life from his birth to his death and resurrection.  After the event we decided to grab dinner in downtown and settled on Spoons, one of our favorite restaurants!  While we were there they had a wonderful life performer.  He played special songs just for the kids at the restaurant and was very interactive with the little ones.  As we were leaving we let the girls each have a dollar to drop in his tip jar as our random act. 

Day 346 - Tip for a musician