Ghosts, Goblins and Ghouls, Oh my!

Halloween is just around the corner!  Kids everywhere will be dressing up in their favorite costumes and hoping that everyone thinks they look the coolest!  On way you can brighten those adorable little buggers up is by telling them HOW AWESOME their costume is.

I mean, honestly, how can you deny these little ones a quick comment on their creativity?  And if the kids are scary, act a little scared!!!  They'll feel like a million bucks!!!

These are some of my favorite costumes for kids!  They're so cute!!!  Let me know some costumes you see over the weekend that stood out!  I love creative costumes!

Have a safe and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

-Spook

Random Acts of Kindness Foundation

Upon googling Random Acts of Kindness, I found out there is a foundation that is all about random acts of kindness!  Click here to check out their website.

One thing that I found very helpful was their monthly calendar that shows something daily that you can do to help others out!  (The link to their calendar is http://www.actsofkindness.org/calendars)

Try the challenge for today!  "Smile and say thank you to the bus driver or toll collector."    

Happy Navigating!
-Daily-Do-Gooder

A Little Excitement Never Hurt Anyone...

My Aunt Sue is one of the LOUDEST people I know.  Let me tell you, she is also one of the most excitable person I know.  I remember one time I arrived at her house in D.C. at 11:30 after her whole family had gone to sleep, but regardless, she hooted and hollered as soon as that door opened, saying "OH MY GOSH!!! NICOLLE, I AM SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE!" Everyone in the house woke up.  I love my Aunt Sue.

Loud aunt's aside, I want to talk about being excited for other people.  Regardless if you are having a bad day, or you're late to work, or you really could just not care about what the other person is excited about...show some enjoyment for the other person.  

My cousin just got his first car.  It's a Saturn and he's wanted it for quite some time now.  He texted me on Saturday night with a picture of the car and said, "It's Mine!!!"  To be completely honest, him getting a car had no direct connection to my life.  However, I asked him a couple of questions and told him how excited I was for him.  He was just like a kid on Christmas morning...so happy!!! I was glad I could talk to him and share in his joy. 

Just being happy for someone else brightens their day.  And it could possibly brighten yours too?  

So go ahead, get excited for someone else!!!

Cost: $0

Time: 15 minutes total time of texting

~Your  Cheerleader. 

Make a Difference!

Hello Friends!

Today is National Make a Difference Day!!!  For 20 years, USA WEEKEND and HandsOn Network have joined together to sponsor this day, which is the largest national day of community service.

Personally, I love community service and volunteering.  One of my most memorable volunteer experiences was in high school when I volunteered for a inner city ministry for an after school program.  The kids came from very broken homes and lived in pretty harsh conditions.  Most of the kids were around the age of 10 (give or take a few years).  I remember one time the minister asked the kids how many of them knew drug dealers or crack heads.  Almost all of the kids raised their hands.  I was in complete shock.  At that age, I don't even think I knew what drugs were other than what D.A.R.E. had taught me.  I just realized how much they needed some place that was a safe haven and some place where they could be kids and joke around.  It was quite a rewarding experience.

Have you ever had a memorable volunteer experience?  What did you do?
I challenge you to make a difference today in someone's life.

Cost: $0
Time: For high school volunteering, maybe 2 hours a  week.

Signed,
Community Service Participant

Compliments do the body good!

Let face it, we love compliments.  Not only does it boost our self-confidence, but we love hearing that our efforts to look good, do good or be good have been noticed.  So why not give everyone else a compliment from time to time?

Yesterday, I received a compliment from a friend about a cardigan I was wearing.  It felt great!  I actually got ready in the morning (a rarity for going to class) and someone noticed.  It was a delightful way to start the day.  And I knew she meant it.

I love honest compliments.  If you ever receive a compliment from me, you can be rest assured I meant it!  Otherwise, I would just keep my opinions to myself.

So I urge you, compliment someone today.  Give them that extra boost!  Perhaps you will receive one in return?

Cost: $0
Time: Maybe 10 seconds.

Sincerely,
Endorphin Booster

Honesty is the Best Policy!

I apologize for most of my blogs starting out with "At work the other night..." but seriously, the other night at work we had a pretty busy night.  There was a wedding reception for 50 people and it was Sweetest's Day, so we were busy in the restaurant too.

I don't know if you have ever worked in a restaurant or in a kitchen, but chefs can become quite testy when you're busy.  Understandably, however they get in their moods where no one can tell them anything...they are "in the zone."  After the night finishes up, they are usually exhausted and crabby from such a busy night.  Saturday was no exception.

After cleaning up the entire kitchen, our chefs were leaving around 11:30, until some frying oil spilled on the floor and they spent another 30 minutes cleaning it up.  It was midnight and our one chef was leaving.  I was still cleaning up at this time too when he came back in and asked, "Do you have a red car?  You should probably go check it out."  First of all, no one wants to hear these words.  Give me some kind of clue as to what happened to my car, was it broken into?  Did someone hit it head on?  What KIND of damage just happened to it?

Our chef felt real bad because he just got his first car, he's only had it for a week and he swiped my car with his front bumper.  Funny thing is, the mark that he thought he left on my car, wasn't from him and there was no damage from him on my car.

Moral of the story is, I'm sure he was pretty nervous to come talk to me.  Some people are SUPER protective of their cars and if there is one scratch on their car that wasn't there 5 minutes ago, they know. Fortunately, I am not one of those people and I was just really happy he told me.  It just shows he is an honest person and I like to know those are the kind of people I work with, so thanks!

Cost: $0
Time: 10 minutes, but gained a lot of respect in those 10 minutes

Signed,
Short-nosed Pinocchio

PINK PINK PINK!!!

Everywhere you look in the month of October you see SOMETHING with PINK!!! I love pink and this it is quite fun to see such a fun color everywhere, however, the meaning behind it is much more powerful.  

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  

Every 69 seconds, somewhere in the world a woman dies of Breast Cancer.  It is one of the most common causes of death for women.  

Thankfully, there are ways you can help!  The Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation is the global leader for breast cancer research.  Since it's beginnings in 1982 it has raised over 1.5 billion dollars towards the cure! 

 I know what you are thinking...how can I donate my money to the Susan G. Komen fund without going through PayPal online, or sending in money, or jumping through 50 hoops just to donate $5.  But they have made it really easy!  Most of the time, when you purchase an item that is pink in a store, some of the profits go towards the cure for breast cancer.  There are several "pink" games at colleges and universities that accept donations.  There is even a 3-day for the Cure Walk that happens throughout the year in several locations that benefits the Susan G. Komen foundation.  Check out more ways you can help at: www.komen.org 

Happy Helping!

~Supporter of the Cure

Smoothies can make a smile! :)

I had to work again Thursday, and since last Thursday didn't go so well I thought I should give myself a pick-me-up.  So, before I went into work I grabbed myself a delicious Caribou Carmel Cooler.  But then I remember that I wasn't the only server for this Thursday.  I knew there was going to be another server, and since I knew he didn't like coffee, I figured I'd pick him up a smoothie.  Everyone needs a pick-me-up when it comes to work...

Turns out, he was having a rough day.  His cat had babies and only 1 of the 3 survived, he didn't get much sleep and his grandma had to go into the hospital for an immediate surgery (she is 93 and pretty fragile).  The little wild berry smoothie made him smile.  I was so happy I could do just a small gesture to pick his day up just a little bit.  

What have you done to brighten someone's day?  

Cost: $4.59

Time: 3 minutes

~Part-Time Barista

The Boys of Fall

In one of my classes the other day, my professor brought to our attention an organization that a high school senior football player, Matt Galland, put together.  He has started a non-profit called "Rush For A Cause" that raises money for high school athletes that are severely injured on the field.

Matt got the idea after a local football player was paralyzed in a football game.  He wanted to help out the player and his family, and he came up with his non-profit.  Starting a non-profit is not easy and it takes a lot of time and effort from Matt.  It is quite impressive that he has been able to accomplish such an amazing foundation, ALL FOR OTHERS.

It's great to see people helping people.  Great Job Matt!

Time: Not sure, but probably a decent amount of time.
Cost:  Unsure again, but raising lots for families in need.

-Delighted

Thank You Customers!!!

I am a waitress at a local restaurant and since we are located in the bottom of a hotel, we don't see a lot of business.  (It's Buccis in Crowne Plaza on Engle Road...check out our menu!)

With that being said, sometimes I am the only waitress.  This is sometimes a blessing, when we are steady but not out of control so I get to make decent money, sometimes a bore, because I'm all alone with no business and sometimes a complete mess because there are too many tables for anyone to handle and no one gets good service.  Unfortunately, Thursday was a complete mess.

I started with a 2 top (that's a table of 2 people in restaurant talk), then a 3 top with an old woman that wanted the lights turned down because it was "too bright" and the music turned down because the music was "too square" (which I'm pretty sure NO ONE knows what square music is), then a 5 top, and on and on...Alone.  Needless to say, I got behind on some of my tables, a woman told me it was by far the worst dining experience she's ever had and she would never come back, I spilled spaghetti when I was serving it, and got stiffed on several of my checks.  Honestly, I don't blame customers when they don't give me a good tip if I haven't given them my best service, however it just added to my frustration.  I started tearing up, but in serving, just as in show business, the SHOW MUST GO ON.  I sniffled back my tears and started smiling through my tears.

My saving grace?  A couple that are my regulars and a single man that both gave me encouragement to make it through the night.  The couple soothed me and said mistakes happen and told me I do a great job and that I just was really busy and sometimes that happens.  The single man wrote on his bill, "Keep that Smile."  If it weren't for them...I for sure would have lost it.  I appreciated them just sitting back and accepting me taking a little bit longer to get them things.  THANK YOU.  YOU HELPED ME KEEP MY SANITY.

Time: ~5 minutes.
Cost: $0

If you ever see a worker a little stressed, remind them that they are great at what they do.  They'll appreciate it if they are having a rough day.

Love,
Stressed Server

A Little Sign of Karma

Something that I always try to do when I am at a restaurant or clothing store is give out coupons that I won't use.  It really isn't any skin off of my back, and at the end of the day, it helps others out!

 I remember one specific event when I went to IHOP (don't judge me) and I had two coupons for one free meal when you purchased another.  I could only use one of the coupons and there was a single mother and her son sitting behind us.  I figured she would be the perfect person to give it to...she graciously accepted it.  A deed well done.  Easy. Simple. And Rewarding.

Now, where the karma bit comes into place.  I'm by no means a complete believer karma (which is an action, seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad), however I'm starting to believe that the more you give, the more you receive.

For example, I gave out those coupons about a month ago.  On Sunday, I went to Ohio Mart at Stan Hywet, which is a craft fair and I go just about every year (it's usually close to my birthday and it's tradition for my family).  The bad part?  It costs about $8 per person just to get in, and then if you want to buy anything from the vendors, that costs as well!  BUT, this year, as my boyfriend and I were fumbling through our wallets to get out our money, a couple came up behind us and gave us 2 tickets they weren't using!  It was the perfect birthday gift!  So, thank you anonymous couple, you made my day.

Has anyone ever given you a coupon they weren't using?  Have you ever given a coupon?

Time: 0 minutes
Cost: $0
Reward: $16 (THANK YOU!!!)

You get what you give,
Coupon Giver

The Beginning...

Let's be honest...most news stories are about murder, stealing, fraud and on and on.  They usually leave me feeling scared, unhappy and upset at mankind.  So I wonder sometimes, where did all of the good people go?  Jack Johnson's song "Good People" explains my feelings (where my blog name came from). 

In order to combat all the negative attention and to remind myself that there are still good people in the world, I am going to do a few "random acts of kindness" each week and let you know how each one goes.

My first act of kindness I'm going to blog about was today.  My friend has a job that is down the road from where we live.  She doesn't have a car but is working about 20 hours a week in hopes of saving money to buy a car.  The total time it takes me to take her to work is approximately 10 minutes, however if she rode her bike like she usually does, it takes about 25 minutes.  It's actually nice for me to take her to work because we get to talk about what is going on in each other's lives. 

Time: 10 minutes
Cost: $0 (well, maybe a $.50 if you count the gas)

Until next time, see ya!
-Free Taxi