It’s great to have people in your life who truly know you, and are great gift givers. My best friend is the best gift giver I know, and I’m not talking about anything extravagant, just thoughtful. Which I believe are always the best gifts. For Christmas this year she gave me the book pictured above. One Good Deed by Erin McHugh. I absolutely adore this book.
I’ve been talking a lot about Random Acts of Kindness or RAK (check out the concept click here.) One of my 2013 resolutions is to do better at things like this. Just doing small things to make someone else’s day better. The best part is it doesn’t have to be anything over the top. Keep it simple. Compliment a co-workers new outfit, hair style, nail polish, whatever it may be. At Christmas time I taped $1.25 to the vending machine in the break room at work with a note that said enjoy this random act of kindness. Merry Christmas!’ I always go out of my way to hold the door for the person behind me even IF they are an awkward 8 steps behind me. If I see something a loved one might like during the day, a funny picture, e-mail, or maybe something cute at target pick it up or send the text that says I’m thinking of you today. Just be a bit more aware. A bit more present. I set reminders in my phone to text someone if it’s the day of a big test, or doctor’s appointment or whatever it is, just so I don’t forget to wish them luck. It’s so easy to get caught up in your daily routine, I believe it’s very important to let people know you care.
Anyway I’ve been talking about this concept for a while. Luckily Jenna had come across this book in a magazine and this woman commits one year to doing one good deed every single day and of course she writes about it. I absolutely love it and would recommend it to anyone looking for ways to be better. Which is great because it’s exactly what I was looking for. I know I have 101 ideas for things I wish to do to make myself better this year, so I doubt I can fully commit to one thing a day, but be on the lookout for my good deeds. I’m excited to share and hopefully inspire. Think of what could happen if everyone tried to live the way Erin McHugh did.
A few of my favorite ideas or deeds from the book:
- Clean it up, even if it’s not your mess
- Say yes to a friend in need even when you are exhausted and just want to head home
- Support a local cause
- Share a favorite experience and experience for the first time again
- Bite your tongue
- Buy two. Give one away
- Share a favorite memory
- Create a tradition
- Give credit where it’s due
- Nothing beats a kind word
- Don’t complain
- Toot someone else’s horn
- Take one for the team
- Be nice
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