Two things about today and then sleep for Mama — it's late, it's been a full wonderful day, and now I'm ready for bed.
First, during Marley's Upward basketball game this morning, the half-time devotional was all about how kids should do what their parents ask of them because it pleases them and makes them happy. Just like it makes God happy when we do what he asks of us. Does this sound familiar, or what? I have discovered that "coincidental" things are anything but. So I'm taking today's basketball an "Upward. Awesome. Toe-tally" (inside joke for anyone who enjoys the Upward cheerleader's favorite chant!) sign of being on a good path.
The other thing I stumbled on today was a website called www.dothedeed.org. It's a collaborative community do-gooding project led by The Witichita Eagle and a marketing firm in Kansas, along with some other organizations and groups. The group is called, Do the Deed. I would encourage anyone to check it out for some most excellent suggestions. This project is so interesting because it is not driven by a desire to please God. Instead, it takes a more practical approach: that being nicer to one another can be a transformative human experience.
Here's the "about" section of the movement's site:
As we dig out of this downturn, it helps to remember some fundamental truths and to focus on things that really matter.
Moments – not merchandise – make memories. A simple act of kindness can stop us in our tracks. And turn our lives around.
Do the Deed is about attitude and action. Sometimes it just means being a bit more aware. Less wrapped up in our individual lives, racing from here to there, mobile devices clutched to our ears.
It could be as simple as looking the cashier in the eye and smiling when he hands us our change. Or seeing a mom struggle to get her groceries and children in the car – and stepping up to provide a hand.
We’re not suggesting that being nicer to one another will cure all the world’s ills – but acknowledging people, giving them respect, showing them a little kindness – it can be transformative. If our personal experiences teach us anything, it’s that change starts in the heart.
Isn't that a great idea? And to think it is an initiative sponsored by the city's daily newspaper, and an agency willing to produce a slick campaign for — yep, Do-gooding. The thing I like most is how doing unto others crosses all lines of humanity. That is, you don't have to be of a particular religion, race or level of enlightenment to do good. It's a very basic move yielding important results. This list of "common deeds" will be a helpful tool to keep in ye 'ole bag of tricks:
BE THE GOOD VIBE YOU WANT IN THE WORLD...ONE ACT OF KINDNESS CREATES A RIPPLE THAT SPREADS AND GROWS...FLIP SOMEONE THE PEACE SIGN... SMILE AT A STRANGER, BUT ANYTHING OVER 30 SECONDS IS CREEPY... HELP AN ELDERLY PERSON ACROSS THE STREET, OR A HOT BLONDE... GIVE BLOOD...DONATE CLOTHES TO GOODWILL, AND NOT JUST THE EMBARRASSING CRAP YOU WORE IN THE ’70S ...BE AS NICE TO YOUR FAMILY AS YOU ARE TO YOUR BUDS GALLANTLY GIVE AN ELDER YOUR SEAT...DOLE OUT SWEET COMPLIMENTS LIKE CANDY...TAKE ACTION WHEN YOU SEE AN ANIMAL IN NEED...BRING COOKIES TO WORK, OR IF YOU'RE IN ONE OF "THOSE" OFFICES, SOMETHING HEALTHY...PUT A BUN IN THE OVEN, BAKE SOMEONE A LOAF OF BREAD...CALL YOUR MOTHER, AND LISTEN... SAY PLEASE AND THANK YOU, A LOT...PUT THE LID DOWN, YOUR MAMA TAUGHT YOU BETTER...PICK UP TRASH, EVEN IF IT ISN’T YOURS...WRITE A FORMER TEACHER, NO MISSPELLINGS...PLEASE SCOOP THE POOP WHEN WALKING YOUR DOG...GIVE PARENTS A BREAK, BABYSIT...LEAVE THE WAITER A LITTLE EXTRA...PASS ALONG STUFF THAT’S WEIGHING YOU DOWN ANYWAY ...HOLD THE ELEVATOR FOR SOMEONE...INVITE SOMEONE TO CUT IN FRONT OF YOU...GIVE SOMETHING ANONYMOUSLY AND TELL NO ONE...SOME LIKE IT HOT, TAKE THEM SOME SOUP...PRAISE A WORKER WHO GAVE YOU GREAT SERVICE...SHOVEL A SHUT-IN’S WALK... STICK IT TO THE MAN AND PUT A QUARTER IN AN EXPIRED PARKING METER...
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