I got asked three times today......"So....what do you want for your birthday?"
I always have the same reply. "Oh, nothing. Really."(sheepish, blushing smile) I don't know why people ask....I've given the same answer for over 25 years. And I REALLY mean it.....well, almost all the time. Every once in a blue moon there is something that I feel the need to hint about when the birthday or holidays come around. For the most part, though, I really have a hard time coming up with things I feel I really want. Now, ask me about buying for someone else, and I can break your bank!
This year.....things are different. I am taking a stand. I am shouting my wants and desires from the rooftops! My birthday wish will not be held beneath closed eyelids, a silent tongue and the linger of birthday candle smoke. No! This year you will all be prevy to giving me the best gift ever!!!!! Are you ready for a challenge?
This year, I am requesting a gift from you that will not only warm my heart, but you will also find yourself on the receiving end of awesomeness! Starting today.....starting right now, I am challenging you and yours to go out in your world and perform as many Random Acts of Kindness as you possibly can.....all in my name, of course! My goal is to reach a magic number of 34+ (don't ask why I picked that number....just know it is magical!) RAK performed by my friends and family. Hearing and reading about these acts will make my birthday more wonderful and fulfilling than even the sweetest of ice cream cakes from Baskin Robbins! The only catch to this birthday wish challenge, is you have to actually share the RAK with me...either send me an email or post on the comment portion of this blog(you can click anonymous if you don't have an account). Heck, you can even post if via Facebook.....just get the info to me so I can add it to our "magical 34" list! Upon reaching my goal, I promise something wonderful.....I promise to take a cake to the face in honor of your hard work.....
See? I told you that you would get something out of this! Who knows...we may even capture the moment on video for all to share!
Random Acts of Kindness can be so simple, taking out the neighbor's trash, giving a sandwich to a homeless person, paying the tab for the person behind you in the coffee line......however simple of extreme you want to go! This will make for the bestest birthday ever! The challenge is on....go out there and make mama proud, and God Bless Us Everyone!
15 comments:
I'll take the challenge... all to make your birthday wish come true. And because I like to be kind sometimes, randomly.
Just last night, Ann and I were at the Flying Saucer, and I decided that the person sitting next to us probably needed a beer more than us, so we gave them a full glass of beer, and took away their empty. How's that for a RAK?
Of course, the beer sucked, and I was going to pour it out anyway. Does it still count?
RAK #2 (I guess. I love the beer one and my vote is it counts!)
Today, I was getting my cart at the grocery store, and I overheard a manager telling a lady that he was short-handed on staff, and did not have anyone to escort her group around the store on this visit. I wondered what this was about, and then I noticed the group of people with the lady all had walking sticks. Apprarently, they were from a blind residential school, and they relied on the help of staff to take them around the store and get the items on their individual list. The poor woman who was leading the group, looked forlorn and overwhelmed. When I stepped up to offer help, her smile and the thank yous from the group around us made my day! We split the group up and just as we started, another kind gentleman who heard of the dilemna (his name was Jared...give hime credit) came and took some group members. I had a blast and met some wonderful folks. I actually made arrangements to meet up with the group and help again in the future! Thanks for the push on postive living! It really does give back! Happy Birthday!
Love-
Tasia
P.S. You should encourage folks to be creative (extra credit points, maybe). Pictures would be cool, too!
Shannon is the one who did a RAK today.
We were at my OBGYN today and she was eating a cheese stick. Another toddler saw her and asked her mommy for a snack. Her mom replied," I didn't bring any". Shannon then went into her backpack and go out her last cheese stick and gave it to the little girl.
Now when I ask her for a bit she tells me no. Go figure.
Now I need to perform my RAK.
I am not sure what happened to my last comment, but I would love to help make your wish come true. Thursday, I bought breakfast for one of the homeless people on the corner. Friday, I helped an older lady take her groceries to her car and unload them. Saturday, I escorted a family to their car with my umbrella because they did not have one. Sunday, I helped hold a coffee & snack for someone at my church and opened the door and assist them to their seat. I going for more so I will keep you posted.
I am counting yours, Andy....I mean, you gave up a beer. That's BIG! :)
Great job, guys! Tiffani is giving you all competition! She's going for the Sainthood award!!!
---Took a couple dozen doughnuts into a local school and placed them in the teacher's lounge with a note of appreciation.
Jason
Happy Birthday!
At the Austin airport, on my way out of town for a weekend without my kids, I stopped in the restroom for one last non-flight potty break. I happened to notice a fairly new mama wandering around, pushing a little baby girl- maybe a few months old- around in a stroller. She had been changing the baby's diaper when I walked in and was now wondering how on earth she was going to pull that big old stroller into the stall with her to go pee. Or how she could possibly manage peeing while holding the baby. Yes, I am familiar with that look and knew that my RAK was in the making.
I finished up with washing my hands, walked over to the lady and offered to stand and "entertain" the little baby while mama took care of her own business. I constantly talked to the little baby so that mama knew that I hadn't run off with her.
She came out of the restroom relieved... literally. And very thankful for the help of another mama who knew the ropes of new motherhood already!
Happy Birthday, Sandra! That one was for you!!
Kaelan came up with her own RAK. She decided to set up a water station for the runners from the Samsung Plant, who come out and run the loop near our house during their lunch break. Although a few runners avoided the station, worried that we were trying to sell them lemonadeor maybe life insurance or something.....the few that stopped were very grateful, and Kaelan thouroughly enjoyed her kind act!
Hey Birthday girl...not so random, but I spent a couple hours Wednesday showing my neighbor how to transfer & share pics from her new digital camera :) Hope you have a GREAT birthday - will be thinking of you!
For you birthday Jake had a great idea. We went to the Parmer Woods Nursing Home and hand out flowers to all the residents and Ethan helped had them out. They really enjoyed it. Thanks for putting this challenge together. Hope you had a great birthday.
Hey Sandra, you have a great group of people who care for you. What wonderful acts of kindness. It ALL comes back around. On Saturday, an older lady was trying to put a BIG tree in her little SUV. The pot was heavy and she was little. So I climbed in a helped her lift it to the front and make it fit. I hope she had help at home. Then yesterday, a wonderful women did the same for me. I was trying to get a tremendous amount of items from a home improvement store to my car, with toddler in tow. She hopped out, grabbed Emerson's had to get her across the parking lot. Then helped load everything in my car. It all comes around. Great stories from all. I hope to read more. Traci
Flying back from DC, first I was stuck on the runway for an hour and a half, then when I got to Dallas, rushed through DFW to my gate, I was not even close to making my connecting flight. So, I had to go to ANOTHER terminal, get on standby, and wait.
I got on, and when I did, I opened up a box of Frango Chocolates (I bought them at Macy's in DC, mmmmm) and shared with everyone around me, the passengers, the flight attendants. I asked the flight attendant to take some up front. As she started walking, I loudly said "All, the way up front to the pilots, not first class." Does that take away from the level of kindness?
What's our count? Are you still going? I made sandwiches the other day and just drove around handing them out to homeless folks at the stoplights. Very gratifying! Hope all is well!
Love,
Di
Last count was at 28! That is including cards and emails sent with messages of RAK. I will keep counting....keep sending them in!
Sandra
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