You know that slightly annoying email forward about Anybody, Somebody, Everybody and Nobody? The one you’re aways getting from that well-meaning second cousin? The one about how any of us can take action, can do the tiny things that everyone puts off and avoids because we think someone else will take care of it – but no one ever does?
But let’s do it. Let’s be the one.
the one who
puts the big bill in the busker’s hat
calls the police on the neighbor who’s always yelling and slapping his wife
cleans out the disgusting microwave in the break room
tells the 10-year-old girl that she’s amazing
points out that ‘gay’ and ‘retarded’ are not synonyms for ‘stupid’
starts a compost bin out back for the whole apartment building
plans the surprise birthday party
thanks the teacher/nurse/policeman for a job well done
leaves the extra-big tip for the harried student waitress
keeps in touch with grandmaWhat are the things that you’ve been avoiding – thinking somebody else will do them?
Photo by DAPSCR // cc
puts the big bill in the busker’s hat
calls the police on the neighbor who’s always yelling and slapping his wife
cleans out the disgusting microwave in the break room
tells the 10-year-old girl that she’s amazing
points out that ‘gay’ and ‘retarded’ are not synonyms for ‘stupid’
starts a compost bin out back for the whole apartment building
plans the surprise birthday party
thanks the teacher/nurse/policeman for a job well done
leaves the extra-big tip for the harried student waitress
keeps in touch with grandmaWhat are the things that you’ve been avoiding – thinking somebody else will do them?
Photo by DAPSCR // cc
Where to start really…??
*Really look after the environment
*Appreciate my body
*write love letters
*write thank you letters
*help my mum more with housework
* help reduce poverty
Where to start really…??
*Really look after the environment
*Appreciate my body
*write love letters
*write thank you letters
*help my mum more with housework
* help reduce poverty
(sorry about double post)
Gorgeous post Sarah. I hate hate hate people using 'gay' 'spastic' 'retarded' as synonyms for 'stupid' or 'awful'. Note to self: SPEAK.
Fiona
http://www.innerpickle.com.au
When I worked you never heard from the happy people, only from the very pissed off people. I figured it is the same in other places so I made a gift for my great GP and their in-house acupuncturist.
And I got myself involved in a micro loan movement.
I actually try to speak up for whoeve isn't in the room (at work that person gets shit-talked), to pick up the litter, to give the tamale guy a big tip. It used to feel forced, but being nice and doing the right thing turns into a habit before you know it.
Have you heard of givesmehope.com? I love that blog. It's inspired me to do so many nice things for other people like bake a cake for someone when they're down, visit someone in the hospital, and call my grandmother every week just because it's Monday.
Somethings that I want to start doing:
*cleaning our apartment because I want to and because it needs to be done
*meet my neighbors
*start a conversation with a stranger if I'm in line
*compliment someone at least every other day
Danielle! I'd never heard of that blog before – it's so great! I think I'm going to read it every morning as I eat breakfast. 🙂 Thanks for the heads up!
So inspiring 🙂 My mom is always that person… I think people often doubt themselves and wait for someone else to do it because they don't have the confidence. I'm going to try to be more like my mom who sees something wrong and does her best to fix it, no matter what everyone else is doing.
* Remembers to leave a couple bucks for the housekeeping staff at the hotel.
* Sends a letter complimenting that service provider for a job well done so it goes in their employment file (I read somewhere that in the airline industry, they call those letters "orchids". I like that.).
* Resists the urge to complain.
* Stops at the lemonade stand and compliments the kids on their entrepreneurial efforts.
* Packs lunch every day so as to feel virtuous about our thrifty ways.
🙂
I try to do those click to donate things every day, I mean it takes 2 minutes and costs you nothing, there's no reason not to.
In fact…http://www.care2.com/
there we go!
Resist the urge to complain is a great one!
A girlfriend of mine just had a really really bad breakup and I want to send her a care package.
I've been thinking that it's silly and kinda small, but you know what? I bet it'll make a good start for her recovery.
-b-
Sarah Von, maybe a feel-good clicks post is in order? 🙂 operationbeautiful.com is also another great one.
Those are awesome- the only one I can say I really do is give generously to buskers. If they're good, I have no problem giving them my money.