As is my usual fashion, I blog for a while and then get distracted by life. As you may know, I have been working on a challenge to myself to do 111 kind deeds in the last 111 days of 2010. Did I do it? Well...yes and no.
There was a Friday when I was at a Christmas Bazaar at a retirement community. I brought my boxes inside and then went back out to help other people bring their products and displays into the building. Then my display got set up after I finished helping.
We had a Christmas Gift Exchange at LOTH, and one of the ladies had to bow out due to a family tragedy. That left someone else without a Secret Sister. Even though I was not participating in the exchange, I stepped in and played the part of that person's Secret Sister.
I could go on and on, and I very well may have reached my goal. However, my challenge to myself was to do kind deeds that were purposeful for this challenge, and that proved to be difficult since it
is my nature to do for others, anyway. Thus, I may also have failed at reaching my goal.
You know what they say, though: If at first you do not succeed, then try, try again.
Update to challenge! Since I have documented eleven deeds, that leaves 100 to go. My new challenge to myself will be to do 100 focused, kind deeds in the first 100 days of 2011. That makes my new deadline April 10th.
Bear in mind that the intention for this challenge is not to come on here and brag about kind deeds that have been done. The intention is to challenge myself to be more focused on other people and doing what I can to bring a smile to their faces or to help them with something or to make their lives just a little bit easier.
PS I am also going to try to get up to 100 Followers of my blog because the more people who I have holding me accountable (and encouraging me), the better I believe that my odds will be of reaching my goal!
As a member of LOTH, I think you should pat yourself on the back several times for organizing the LOTH Holiday SS Gift Exchange, suggesting the Card Exchange, and the LOTH Trivia! That was a tremendous task you took on and handled it like a real trooper even when there was adversity with Elfster! I know that was a 2010 thing, but I really think you did such an excellent job it ought to carry into 2011. Because you organized this, so many ladies had so much fun with it and got some great gifts and are anxious for next year's to roll around. It's the talk that we want to do some kind of exchange for the celebration of the beginning of LOTH in June! I don't know just how this would work, but someone must have an idea! I know more ladies participated this year and I'm really hoping even more will participate next year after they've seen how much fun we had.
ReplyDeleteSo sad the lady had to drop out 'cause of her son's death. But we never know when things like this are going to happen. My heart and prayers go out to her. I'd like to thank you for stepping in for her!
RE. you challenge...I think doing things for others is just a part of my life everyday. It really shouldn't have to be a concerted effort to do this! However, there are days when it's when you just can't do things for others. But I consider letting someone into busy traffic a kid deed. I know I really appreciate it when someone is kind enough to let me into traffic! I always give them a friendly wave of thanks! That's just one suggestion of how I am kind to others. I know there are millions and we really just take them for granted and don't think of them as such!
Freida, you are right. Doing for others should be a part of everyday life -- and for many people, it is. My challenge, though, is to find opportunities that are not obvious and that do not easily present themselves. My challenge is to really look and see what might be some thing, big or little, that could make a difference to someone or make life just a teeny bit easier for someone.
ReplyDeleteYou are also right that some days it is all that we can do to deal with our own lives, let alone worrying about others. These are the days when the challenge might be even bigger.
I have been really self-centered this year because of my job loss, but a wise woman (a breast cancer survivor) told me that when I find the joy in my unemployment, things will get better. She found the joy in her cancer, she said. It has given me a lot to think about the past couple of weeks. Next year needs to be my year to use the time I do not have a job to reach out to others.
ReplyDeleteNow, how to go about it.....