Day 7 - Sunday - I spent most of my day at home reading which made it a little difficult to do something randomly kind; however, I was given the perfect opportunity to do something nice on my quick trip to the grocery store. On the way back to my apartment I slowed down to let someone merge into traffic in front of me. Once again, this is something that too seldom happens in my city of residence. People either don't notice signal lights or simply cannot be bothered to let other drivers in.
Day 8 - Back to work Monday and an act of kindness first thing. I left a bouquet of flowers outside the door of my hair stylist's salon. I left a little anonymous note, but since she knows that I am doing this challenge, she knew right away that it was me. I made her day and her happiness made mine!
The flowers were my only plan for the day, but something truly random popped up. At lunch, I noticed a colleague was a lot quieter than she typically is during our lunch breaks. Not wanting to put her on the spot, after lunch I sent her a short little email with a funny picture attached and told her I hoped all was well. She responded that she was having a rough day and thanked me for the reminder to smile!
I really love this challenge!
Welcome to Brandy's Bustlings and B(e) Kind 366. I'm B (short for Brandy) and in 2016 I'm performing an act of kindness (random or not) every day of this year. I'm also taking on monthly challenges and offering monthly incentives to the lovely people who donate to my project. I'm raising funds for three organizations that have touched my life: World University Service of Canada, The Women's Resource Centre, and the Canadian Cancer Society. I hope you'll join me in your own unique way!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
#6
A little more low-key today, but still kind none-the-less. As a man was struggling to pull a load of boxes on a trolley cart out two sets of doors, I quickly changed my point of exit so that I could assist him with his feat. Too many times I've had my arms full and/or had a door slam shut in my face. Too many times I've seen someone struggling to open a door for themselves with their arms full while people just walk right on by as if the person struggling is completely invisible. It's not that difficult to hold open a door - so I do it at every opportunity I can.
On a side note to Day 6 - in response to my boyfriend's phone call in which he told me he was thining of buying a big screen tv and all of the technological fixings to make it double as a computer, I said, "Ok Hunny." - I think that counts!
On a side note to Day 6 - in response to my boyfriend's phone call in which he told me he was thining of buying a big screen tv and all of the technological fixings to make it double as a computer, I said, "Ok Hunny." - I think that counts!
Day 5 and 1/8
40 divded by 5 equals 8; therefore, I am 1/8 of the way through the 40 Day Challenge; Act of Random Kindness. Not that I want it to end; in fact, I think I will keep going with this for as long as I can. I do try to live my life like this on a daily basis, opening doors, giving out compliments, smiling at people, but making a conscious effort to do something a little different and extra kind usually doesn't happen daily and that's why I love this challenge.
So day 5 (which was actually yesterday, but I didn't post yesterday) I bought two people, who I know stop for coffee everyday at the same little shop that I do, their coffee before they came in to get it. My friend is the manager of the place so I told her I'd pay for the coffees and when they came in she was to tell them it had been paid for, but not tell them who had paid for it. Apparently it was quite a funny scene when they came in to get their daily dose of caffeine. He thought she paid and she thought he paid and then they both thought that my friend, the manager, paid. After some figurative arm twisting my friend let my secret slip and revealed my identity. It couldn't have worked out more perfectly!
For my second act, I delivered an order from our campus print shop to someone so they wouldn't have to come and pick it up themselves.
This gal is all smiles 'cuz she does good things for people!
So day 5 (which was actually yesterday, but I didn't post yesterday) I bought two people, who I know stop for coffee everyday at the same little shop that I do, their coffee before they came in to get it. My friend is the manager of the place so I told her I'd pay for the coffees and when they came in she was to tell them it had been paid for, but not tell them who had paid for it. Apparently it was quite a funny scene when they came in to get their daily dose of caffeine. He thought she paid and she thought he paid and then they both thought that my friend, the manager, paid. After some figurative arm twisting my friend let my secret slip and revealed my identity. It couldn't have worked out more perfectly!
For my second act, I delivered an order from our campus print shop to someone so they wouldn't have to come and pick it up themselves.
This gal is all smiles 'cuz she does good things for people!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Random Acts on Day 4
I find it quite enjoyable making a conscious effort to pay attention the good things I do everyday.
Today I made a point of filling the communal photocopier with paper BEFORE it totally ran out. I honestly don't think anyone ever does this. Everytime I went in to copy something today, I checked the paper tray and made sure it was full. While this may seem insignificant to some, to anyone who works in an office, an empty paper tray in the middle of a job is in the running for the most frustrating thing that can happen in a busy day. I hope, by keeping that tray full, I made someone's day a little less frustrating.
My second good deed technically will not take effect until tomorrow, so it may count for today or it may count for tomorrow. The end of my work day consists of making a round of the first floor of my building to turn out all of the classroom lights and lock all of the doors. Today, on the chalkboard of each open classroom, I wrote, "Have a Fantastic Friday!" Tomorrow, I hope my random message brings a few smiles to a few strangers' faces.
On a final note, I don't like wine. I wish I liked wine. In fact, I hope to train myself to love wine. My boyfriend, however, does love wine and so, on the way home from work, I stopped and bought him a bottle of wine from his favorite line of Chileans. Perhaps I can love wine by osmosis!
Today I made a point of filling the communal photocopier with paper BEFORE it totally ran out. I honestly don't think anyone ever does this. Everytime I went in to copy something today, I checked the paper tray and made sure it was full. While this may seem insignificant to some, to anyone who works in an office, an empty paper tray in the middle of a job is in the running for the most frustrating thing that can happen in a busy day. I hope, by keeping that tray full, I made someone's day a little less frustrating.
My second good deed technically will not take effect until tomorrow, so it may count for today or it may count for tomorrow. The end of my work day consists of making a round of the first floor of my building to turn out all of the classroom lights and lock all of the doors. Today, on the chalkboard of each open classroom, I wrote, "Have a Fantastic Friday!" Tomorrow, I hope my random message brings a few smiles to a few strangers' faces.
On a final note, I don't like wine. I wish I liked wine. In fact, I hope to train myself to love wine. My boyfriend, however, does love wine and so, on the way home from work, I stopped and bought him a bottle of wine from his favorite line of Chileans. Perhaps I can love wine by osmosis!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Day 3
I did a few kind things today.
1. Paid special attention and held doors open for everyone coming behind me through the same doorways.
2. Made a point of checking in on a colleague I knew had a root canal done yesterday.
3. Tipped my esthetician twice as much as I normally would.
Those are the smaller things I did that just happened to come my way today. On a more planned note, I sent emails, text messages, and photo facebook messages in an attempt to get my friends and family to smile! I was quite successful if I do say so myself!
Day 3 done and lovin' this challenge!
1. Paid special attention and held doors open for everyone coming behind me through the same doorways.
2. Made a point of checking in on a colleague I knew had a root canal done yesterday.
3. Tipped my esthetician twice as much as I normally would.
Those are the smaller things I did that just happened to come my way today. On a more planned note, I sent emails, text messages, and photo facebook messages in an attempt to get my friends and family to smile! I was quite successful if I do say so myself!
Day 3 done and lovin' this challenge!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Day 2 of 40-Day Challenge; Random Act of Kindness
Today my random act of kindness really wasn't all that random, but it was kind and it was a surprise to the recipients none-the-less.
On my morning trip to the coffee shop to get my daily dose of caffeine, I also purchased two small mochacinnos for two ladies I work with. I was thanked with hugs of enjoyment!
In case you are wondering, a mochacinno is espresso with steamed chocolate milk, topped with whipped cream. Yum!
On my morning trip to the coffee shop to get my daily dose of caffeine, I also purchased two small mochacinnos for two ladies I work with. I was thanked with hugs of enjoyment!
In case you are wondering, a mochacinno is espresso with steamed chocolate milk, topped with whipped cream. Yum!
Monday, November 1, 2010
40-Day Challenge; Act of Random Kindness
I got this invite on facebook and really couldn't resist:
For 40 days starting on November 1 and ending December 10, see if you can do one nice thing for someone else. You can take it to the next level and complete random acts of kindness each day. If you miss a day of kindness, you start over as day one again.
I am seeing way too many declines. There is no reason why you should decline this. What, you can't do a simple Act of Random Kindness for one day or 40?
What are the benefits? It makes the world a better place.
When we give from the heart, we do so out of a joy that springs forth whenever we willingly enrich another person’s life. This kind of giving benefits both the giver and receiver. The receiver enjoys the gift without worrying about the consequences that accompany gifts given out of fear, guilt, shame, or desire for gain. The giver benefits from the enhanced self-esteem that results when we see our efforts contributing to someone’s well being. ~ Marshall Rosenberg
I feel the need to reiterate: "There is no reason why you should decline this." It's that simple; so I didn't.
Day 1 of the 40-Day Challenge - I took the spare change out of my wallet and put it into random parking meters at the university where I work. Parking is such a hassle there and the parking guard does her job very well. I hope I saved a few people unwanted parking tickets today!
For 40 days starting on November 1 and ending December 10, see if you can do one nice thing for someone else. You can take it to the next level and complete random acts of kindness each day. If you miss a day of kindness, you start over as day one again.
I am seeing way too many declines. There is no reason why you should decline this. What, you can't do a simple Act of Random Kindness for one day or 40?
What are the benefits? It makes the world a better place.
When we give from the heart, we do so out of a joy that springs forth whenever we willingly enrich another person’s life. This kind of giving benefits both the giver and receiver. The receiver enjoys the gift without worrying about the consequences that accompany gifts given out of fear, guilt, shame, or desire for gain. The giver benefits from the enhanced self-esteem that results when we see our efforts contributing to someone’s well being. ~ Marshall Rosenberg
I feel the need to reiterate: "There is no reason why you should decline this." It's that simple; so I didn't.
Day 1 of the 40-Day Challenge - I took the spare change out of my wallet and put it into random parking meters at the university where I work. Parking is such a hassle there and the parking guard does her job very well. I hope I saved a few people unwanted parking tickets today!
Done Deed
Alright folks, I know I've been a tardy blogger, but I have been BUSY - you know, shaving my head and stuff! This post is going to be a whole lot of photos for your viewing pleasure. This is the beginning of the end of my lovely long locks. After quartering into ponytails, Shelley brought out the clippers, with no guard, I might add!
Those four little ponytails will be donated to Pantene Beautiful Lengths where they will be made into wigs for women with cancer. On their website, Pantene states, "A real-hair wig allows a woman to look in the mirror and at least see a familiar face while she fights to regain a sense of normalcy in her life." After a little googling I found out that to buy a human-hair wig, a woman is looking at spending at least $1000. Through Pantene Beautiful Lengths, women across Canada, are provided with these wigs free of charge.
I swear I am not about to cry in this photo as much as it may appear that way. At this point the back of my head is fully shaved and Shelley is working her way up to the top and front.
Ok, now this one really does look like I am crying - ha! I'm not, I promise. I think my mom may have shed a few tears for my lengthy locks, but I was A-ok the whole time.
See - all smiles! Four ponytails to donate to the Canadian Cancer Society, at this point - $3050 to turn the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa, and I really could not be more pleased. Since then, I've made it to nearly $3500 which is $1500 away from my final goal of $5000. I met phenomenal people who work and volunteer with the Stephen Lewis Foundation. I met three incredible women from Malawi who are working with and benefiting from the funds that are being raised by things like my head shave.
These are those inspiring people. Tanja, Joanne, Manass, Ruth, Carol, Healy, and Rosemary. A piece of my heart is with them always. I am truly blessed to have spent a little over 24 hours each of them.
These are my people; my groupies; my minions; my life loves. Without them I could not do what I do each and every day. Every one of these smiling faces has had some part in the long road to this head shave. Starting at the top left: Gemma, Jocey, Shannon, Corissa, Amy. Bottom left: Abraham, Elias, Haley, Immaculate, Ang.
Those four little ponytails will be donated to Pantene Beautiful Lengths where they will be made into wigs for women with cancer. On their website, Pantene states, "A real-hair wig allows a woman to look in the mirror and at least see a familiar face while she fights to regain a sense of normalcy in her life." After a little googling I found out that to buy a human-hair wig, a woman is looking at spending at least $1000. Through Pantene Beautiful Lengths, women across Canada, are provided with these wigs free of charge.
I swear I am not about to cry in this photo as much as it may appear that way. At this point the back of my head is fully shaved and Shelley is working her way up to the top and front.
Ok, now this one really does look like I am crying - ha! I'm not, I promise. I think my mom may have shed a few tears for my lengthy locks, but I was A-ok the whole time.
See - all smiles! Four ponytails to donate to the Canadian Cancer Society, at this point - $3050 to turn the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa, and I really could not be more pleased. Since then, I've made it to nearly $3500 which is $1500 away from my final goal of $5000. I met phenomenal people who work and volunteer with the Stephen Lewis Foundation. I met three incredible women from Malawi who are working with and benefiting from the funds that are being raised by things like my head shave.
These are those inspiring people. Tanja, Joanne, Manass, Ruth, Carol, Healy, and Rosemary. A piece of my heart is with them always. I am truly blessed to have spent a little over 24 hours each of them.And now, avid blog readers, you are in for a special treat.
These are my people; my groupies; my minions; my life loves. Without them I could not do what I do each and every day. Every one of these smiling faces has had some part in the long road to this head shave. Starting at the top left: Gemma, Jocey, Shannon, Corissa, Amy. Bottom left: Abraham, Elias, Haley, Immaculate, Ang.$1500 away from $5000 - open your hearts and your wallets and donate!
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