Anything Helps

A great way to make people smile with very little effort is to just acknowledge them. A few nights ago my friends and I went out to the bars in downtown Sac. It was a bit chilly and a as we were walking around we noticed many people hangin out in the cold talkin about not having enough money or enough drive to have fun that night. We simply approached these groups of people, introduced ourselves and made conversation just to be friendly. Before we walked away, we would offer up a dollar. Not five or ten; just one dollar. Most people acted as if no one had ever done anything so selfless and honorable. It was kind of an amazing feeling actually. Ironically, most of them turned it down and seemed unsure about the whole deal. I can understand their thought process though. Someone approaches you outside a bar in Sac at 1 AM and offers you money with no strings attached? Get real. HOWEVER, those who did accept our very modest offering of ONE dollar seemed to like up like a damn Christmas Tree.

Opportunities present themselves everyday. You just have to be willing to act upon them. 

Not Convoluted, But Simple... and f***ing delicious

       
            Work, paired with the obstacles one must overcome on a day to day basis, can be very exhausting. This can create a large amount of stress in the family, with friends, or even at the workplace. You can help chill these hot tempers with some nice, creamy, warm cocoa. Real drinking chocolate or even the simple powdered variety can bring an epic, exultant look to any body's face.

After work today, I went next door and purchased a few boxes of this amazing, dehydrated beverage mixture. I handed out packets to all of my co-workers, one by one; each time taking a moment to watch that childish little grin grow across their face. It only set me back a couple of dollars but it gave everyone a boost to finish out the night. Of course, some chili powder or some peppermint Schnapps would have given it a little extra kick, but the spice rack at my work is kinda sparse and alcohol isn't really allowed on the sales floor.

As the days get colder, give this some thought and maybe try it out at your work. It takes very little effort, but the return is totally worth it. Maybe pick up a small pack of gingerbread cookies while you're at it and really show everyone how bad ass you are.

Not Human, But Humane

I read today, on Lindsay Ostrom's blog (see link) a story about a humpback whale caught in a net. Four divers went out to help, and were successful in cutting the lines. The whale actually danced in circles, and shook hands (fins?) with each of her rescuers before swimming away.
Now that is gratitude.
Even if you are not a diver, or a swimmer, or someone who even knows how to swim, you can appreciate the skill and open-heartedness it takes to do something like that. I don't think most people have even seen an animal bigger than themselves, let alone one of the largest mammals of the ocean-a place humans clearly have the disadvantage. So three cheers to those helpful divers! huzzah huzzah huzzah!

What is your favorite animal? Tigers? Elephants? Eagles? Find out what you can do to help save their habitats, or get them out of abusive zoos, or support the no-euthenization animal shelters near you. If we all do what we can, maybe things will get brighter for everyone... not just the human race.

Not Expensive, But Helpful

Some other ideas that are quick, easy, and inexpensive... and can make someone smile.

-Pay for the person behind you in a drive through line. (I did this this morning.)
-Put quarters in a coin-op washer and dryer, or parking meters.
-Bring a box of donuts to work and don't tell anyone it was you.
-Tip your coffeshop barista.
-Bring flowers to someone in a random office building.
-Send a holiday card to someone you find in the phonebook.
-I lost the game.
-Print a funny cartoon, cut it out, and tape it on the nearest public surface.
-Smile at everyone you see.
-Drive behind your local craft store, pick up 4 huge bags of bubble wrap, and pile it in your living room. Let your 5-year-old little brother play in it for as long as he wants. (We did this recently.)

It's Not the Destination, But the Journey

We Stumbled upon this video and thought it clearly illustrated the reality of... the situation. The Situation in which every person is forced into at a very young age. How unfortunate this is.

Do something nice and help break this cycle... because it blows.

 The Journey of Life

Thanksgiving

Not Christmas Yet, But Almost Thanksgiving (you eager beavers) 

As always, Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and it is almost completely forgotten amidst the open season early Christmas shoppers. This year, take some time to think about friends and acquaintances that may have had a difficult year and invite THEM to dinner at your place. It's not out of pity or charity and  it's no hand out. It's just a kind gesture and a way to surround yourself with great people around a table full of STUFF YOUR FACE! And be honest, there are ALWAYS leftovers... but do you really need those leftovers? But hey, if this idea of non-blood or marriage related guests consuming delicious food at your house freaks you out, see if THEY would like to host the event instead. AND IF THIS sounds too crazy, maybe take all of those leftovers and give some of them to that guy you see on the sidewalk, everyday, on your way to work. Share the wealth and show people that your love for them and their friendship is not forgotten this year.

Not Unappreciated, But Unexpected

Barista Love

So about a week ago, I came face to face with one of the most generous human beings I have ever met. Her name is Shaunee (forgive me if I spelled it incorrectly.) She is an employee at the Flour Garden Bakery, off of Brunswick in Grass Valley. 

ANYWAYS... here's the story. My friend called me from work in an act of desperation, saying she was about to go INSANE and needed coffee, STAT! She said she wanted fresh coffee if available, otherwise just grab a hot mocha and deliver that shit quickly. I arrived at the cafe in about a minute and I ran over to the counter with haste. I asked politely if the coffee was fresh or if it was static and old. She told me that it was pretty stagnant but if I wanted to wait she could brew a fresh pot of anything I wanted. I told her it was no big deal and I would just take a sixteen oz. mocha.

This is when she kicked it up a notch. It was like she manifested into an angel before my childish eyes. 

She asked if I wanted white or dark chocolate. "Dark," I answered politely. She then did a slow turn over her left shoulder and asked, slowly, if I would like an extra special mocha. I was so intrigued and I just had to ask; "what is a special mocha?" She said "it's white and dark chocolate mixed, with a tower of whipped cream and fresh cocoa powder on top." I said... "HELL YES! That sounds amazing; No whipped cream though please." She turned around, once again, and said... "NO WHIPPED CREAM, REALLY?" She then told us that it was her favorite phase of the coffee making and we wouldn't regret it if we allowed her to bless us with the fluffy white substance. She then asked us if she could up the size of the drink... ON THE HOUSE! At this point my mind was just blown and I told her that was it unnecessary; But, I would very much appreciate it. As she was just about to finish up the mocha, she told us that all of the baked goods were going to be marked down at the end of the night and anything we wanted off the shelf was only ninety nine cents! 

We flew to the shelf, grabbed six muffins, payed for the mocha and said our goodbyes. As we turned to leave, she grabbed a baguette and handed it to us for FREE! she said they were going to be thrown out anyways and she wanted US to enjoy it.

My heart broke. I took a deep breath, looked her in the face and said "Thank you. Thank you sooo much." She replied, "thank you for what?" "For being soooo... nice, I said" I told her that it's not very often that a total stranger will just do things like that. Nobody ever just gives you free food. I wanted to give her a huge hug but the coffee was already starting to get cold. Instead, I did what any person should at that point. I said thank you one last time, gave her an heart-felt High 5 and proceeded to deliver the epic mocha of awesomness to my friend! 

Shaunee made me so happy and all it took was a little acknowledgment (and some free upgrades.) But seriously; How often do you meet people like that anymore? I was once again reminded that some people actually do have souls and that some of them are not afraid to show it.

It's that easy

Not cruel, but an honest good time

within a matter of seconds, you can use one of the thousands of Social Networking tools available to brighten someones day and prove that nobody is safe from The Game, Exhibit A. 

Ideas

Guerrilla Acts of Kindness... Ideas

For those of you who are still confused by this idea or don't know how to start, here are some random notes my friends and I made up. These notes are supposed to inspire and put a smile on a stranger's face. You can write or illustrate anything that would make you smile or feel better if you were to find it randomly behind the cereal at Raley's or the stacks of used DVD's at Blockbuster. Don't be afraid, just be genuine. 

It's not hard work, but an act of generosity.

Enjoy the little things in life

It's a Great Day

Fall is here and winter is just around the corner. It's the season to be thankful, to be kind, to be humane, and to appreciate the little things in life. Unfortunately, people get lost this time of year and forget about all of that "pussy emotional crap." The idea of purchasing a Christmas present six months before it will be opened and forgotten about is MORE important then giving someone loose change for gas to get home. The idea of beating last seasons sales is more important than throwing your employees a bone. It should be the goal of every person this season to change someones life, in spite of their own. It's the little things that count, and it's the little things that can inspire change in a person. So don't be a selfish prick. You don't REALLY need the new iPhone or a 3D TV to watch Avatar... do you?

Instructions on how to be Kind!

For those of you that are emotionally challenged and would like to get over that... check out this wiki page on HOW TO BE KIND!

YOU MUST SUBMIT!!!!

Please send us photos and/or stories about your own random experiences with kind strangers!
(Please keep it PG, folks) -thank you

Random Acts Of Kindness

This is an activity every person should take part in every once in a while. 

STEP 1: Summon a group of your most inspirational friends.  

STEP 2: Gather every art supply you can find. 

STEP 3: Create random notes with positive messages on them.

STEP 4: Deliver the messages to strangers by using various methods (mail boxes, wind shield wipers, on store shelves etc...)

 You could also refer to this as Guerrilla acts of kindness...