Make a day- or even just a moment

Monday, January 5, 2015

Yesterday was winding to a close, it was late and I was tired and still had my favorite weekly social engagement to attend. I decided to stop by my neighborhood Dutch Bros. and snag a comforting you-can-stay-awake beverage before meeting up with my buddies. I still hadn't done my give for the day, but I didn't want to do something online, I wanted something personal and I was running out of time.

Hello, inspiration! I left a $10 tip for a $5 drink. It doesn't seem a big deal, but I remember being a barista and I still remember when people tipped obscenely large in comparison to their order.  It was like they were sitting me down in a chair and saying "You are special, you deserve to be recognized." with their money, which a pretty darn awesome thing to hear from a stranger and someone you are serving.

Did the girl who made my drink feel the same? No idea, but I hope so.  Isn't that what giving is? Telling someone that they are worthy of bounty just because, and that someone cares?

Be the person who makes others feel special. Say it however you can- with words, with money, with action. The world will be much better for it and so will you.

Friends of Trees

Saturday, January 3, 2015

I went to plant trees with Friends of Trees for my give today.

I had so much fun!

The entire drive to the meeting spot was a reminder of how far I've come in overcoming obstacles. I grew up shy and uncomfortable in new places. I've pushed through and lived/worked with horses in other states for strangers, traveled alone through Spain and Portugal, but the discomfort is still present every time I voyage to unknown place with unknown people.  Anxiety and thoughts of writing off this particular give in favor of something less painful were hovering in the background and could easily have taken over had I let them.

I persevered and found great signage leading to a field with friendly tree-planters.  I hopped into the group with the main guy and ended up learning a ton of 'didn't know I didn't know' information about trees and planting.

My big dream is to have an incredible self-sufficient and stunning horse property and home using environmentally friendly technology. I didn't know that today I would be volunteering and coming one step closer to that dream with the knowledge and connections I made today.

In my first post I said I wanted to be less 'me' and more others. But that really isn't true. Giving means receiving and I received so much more than I gave.

I saw a watercolor sunrise this morning while I cleaned out my car, getting ready to go. I met great, positive people and future resources. I feasted on bananas and KIND bars. I learned how to set up a tree for success. I pushed my body beyond my normal level for horse chores and felt the joy of challenging my muscles until they sang. I looked across a field and saw my impact on the world, a legacy of new life. We planted trees and shrubs that could live for not hundreds, but thousands of years. 

The Idea

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Last year was full of incredible changes. I had decided at the beginning of 2014 to change my life and to do that by being truly grateful for something everyday.  I succeeded beyond what I could even conceive of initially.

As 2014 drew to a close, I realized I wanted to do more in 2015. Being thankful is essential to happiness, but it was all about ME (notice an overabundance of I's in this post? Me too!). I wanted, needed to do something for others.

A few days ago I realized how I needed to change my life. I decided to give something, everyday, in 2015, in a way I haven't done previously. To expand the people I show caring for outside of my own circle. To make giving a way of life and release my own feelings of 'not enough' in the process.

Tonight, at 11:50pm, I stumbled across my first give, by way of a news site I had never heard of previously.

Woman goes to hospital for unexplained stomach pains and gives birth to twins
http://oregonoptimist.com/news/woman-goes-to-hospital-for-unexplained-stomach-pains-and-gives-birth-to-twins/

A young college student went in with stomach pains and delivered high-risk NICU twins safely, after no prenatal care, at 34 weeks.

Can you even imagine what she and the father are dealing with?

Bringing one planned baby home is overwhelming, even with months of preparation and help! But surprise, NICU twins as first time parents??? I can't even imagine!