Thursday 22 November 2012

Give a little bit

 This was my Facebook status on my page yesterday:

Today was busy. I managed to get to Michaels and the Petsmart after the Monkey got on the school bus and I dropped the hubby off at work so I could use the car today. Got home, put the Kitten in the living room to watch a little Treehouse TV, and went outside to shovel the walk.
My back is behaving itself today, I don't have a migraine, and no joints aching.
The weather is snowy but not too windy, so the cold isn't unbearable. So.


I started shoveling the sidewalk, and finished the 20ft or so that fronts our house in about 5 minutes. Then I noticed our neighbours hadn't made it out to do theirs yet, so I did that too. And I kept going. To the corner. About 8 houses down. It felt good. I have had a lot of people do me small kindnesses that made my day a little brighter, and I don't want to take that for granted. I know I notice the little things when I am deep in a low, and a smile when my mood isn't so good can make all the difference.
So today I shoveled a few people's sidewalks. I know it isn't much, but I hope that when people see that someone has done a little something for them, that they think about it when they have the opportunity, the ability, and the time to do a little something for someone.
 
It was nice because I was feeling good enough physically to do it. I like that I was able to be the giver today, because I so often am on the receiving end.

I am putting this here, because I realized what I was feeling was a need to connect to the world as a human being. To go beyond the special needs mom, stay at home housewife role, and feel like a part of the big wide world again. 
What I want now, and what I hope you will help me with, is other people's stories. If you have done some little thing for someone without expecting recognition or reward tell me about it here. I need to renew my belief in human beings. Whether you think of these as Random Acts of Kindness, as Paying it Forward, Karma, whatever. Tell me something nice you did for no particular reason. If you can't think of anything, then do something today, and tell me about it. You have helped me so much with your kind comments and support. Who else have you helped?

5 comments:

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  2. sorry spelling is not my strong point =) in the last week I have taken in the neighbors bins, I looked after a friends little boy so she could read a book, I helped a lady with information about finding a work placement for her special needs son. I brought my support group treats, I watched someones child while they tried some clothes on in the change room. I helped a mum and her two young boys off the bus. I try to do nice things for people often as I feel good about myself when I do. My mum has always been a doer and a person who offered up help. I don't have alot of money (any money) so the way I see it is if I can give someone some of my time then I feel good and so do they knowing someone is thinking of them

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    1. Spelling is optional around here. :) You sound like a lovely neighbour, and a good person. People who use the excuse that they have no money or time (and I have been guilty of this) are not seeing the big picture. It takes so little to do just a bit more than you have to, to be just a bit kinder than is expected. I am glad you get it. And thank you.

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  3. Love your story. It feels great to be able to connect with the world... and give something back when you can. I like the spontaneous and randomness of it. Makes it even better somehow. I should do more of that. For me, I always try to act when I see a need and I'm in a position to give. We gave food for the food pantry (our local grocery was collecting) to help with holiday meals. Earlier this fall I was inspired by the story of a young boy with cancer and his mom telling about the shortage of blood platelets in many areas. I went and made my first platelet donationt the next week.

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  4. That connection can be hard to find when we get so focused on our own lives and kids, but it is so important. Amazing how small things can help us remember how big a world we are part of. You have a great attitude, and responding to a need in any way is a gift to yourself and the community. Well done to you! I haven't been able to give blood since my son was born, I should check in to platelet and plasma donations. Thank you!

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