Posts tagged give

I have this huge goal to complete one random act of kindness a week for a year. To learn more scroll to the bottom for previous posts. 

Firstly, the past few weeks have been so jam packed busy that I’ve had little to no time for myself. Therefore, social networks with mobile access were the only ones updated. Sadly, my tumblr had to be neglected. Forgive me followers. I still completed my goals.

14: I bought the cashier at CVS a drink. Little did I realize, he gave me a discount on all of my items. Before I ever purchased his drink.

15: A little boy was struggling to carry a six pack of cokes. I not only carried them, but I paid for them.

16: I paid for a man’s breakfast at McDonalds. 

17: I paid for the coffee at Starbucks for the woman behind me. 

I still completed them, but I want to start leaving them notes instead of a “God bless you.” I want them to know the story. Why I want to do it. What God says about giving. I want to invite every person who is a recipient to be a visitor at my church. Let’s see what happens. 

The idea/Week One // Week 2 // Week 3 // Week 4 // Week 5 // Week 5 (Part 2) // Week 6 // Week 7 // Week 8 // Week 9 // Week 10 // Week 11 // Week 12 // Week 13

I have this huge goal to complete at least one random act of kindness a week for an entire year. Want to learn more? Scroll to the bottom for links. :)

I do apologize for taking so long to post a new one. I’ve been shuffling between 2 houses, work, and haven’t had much time to sit at a physical computer. I actually complete this random act the day after Week 12. That should give you an idea of how hectic it’s been. 

Any way, I went to go get breakfast on the way to church Sunday. I decided to get an Egg McMuffin. This isn’t the first time I’ve mentioned how much I love those things. They are amazing. 

I ordered myself one, but the woman misunderstood and put me down for two. They were two for three dollars. I didn’t mind paying for two, but had no idea who the second one would go to. As I left the drive thru I pondered that thought when I turned a corner and there sat a homeless man. 

He wasn’t asking for anything. He was just sitting with his backpack. It’s funny how God has a way of letting things fall into place. There was a reason for the extra food. It was meant for that very man.

I rolled down the window and asked if he would like some breakfast. “How did you know I was hungry?” I told him I didn’t know, and I just felt the want to give him that food. 

He then starts talking to me. Saying he wanted to know how he could get a woman like me. He said, “I had it all once you know. I lost it all. There aren’t no pretty women that would give a guy like me a chance.”

I smiled and just told him to pray that God would lead him on a path that would help him get to where he needed to be in life. I told him God had surely blessed him and that it would all be ok eventually.

He said, “You’re right and God bless you.”

I bless him right back and headed to church.

It wasn’t even planned. This act fell right into my lap.

It’s that easy though. There is SO much you can do to help your community and man kind. It doesn’t even have to cost you a dime. Just help how you can.

The idea/Week One // Week 2 // Week 3 // Week 4 // Week 5 // Week 5 (Part 2) // Week 6 // Week 7 // Week 8 // Week 9 // Week 10 // Week 11 // Week 12 

I have a goal to complete at least one random act of kindness a week for a year. Welcome to week twelve. Want to learn more? The bottom of the post has links. :)

Saturday was a wonderful day. I went to celebrate my new friend, Rebecca’s birthday. We had mexican food. Which is REALLY difficult to be around when you’re fasting. I succeeded in sticking with it. 

Anyway, at the dinner my friend Alexis asked if I was still doing my random acts of kindness. I assured her I was indeed and needed to do one by the end of the day. I love that people remember my goal. It holds me accountable to sticking to it.

I left the dinner and went to get gas. Normally I pay at the pump but I knew I’d find my random act inside. I actually found it before I even entered. A couple pulled up and I knew they were the ones before they ever got out of the car. I went inside and paid for a lotto scratch off to kill time as I waited for them to enter. I actually won on it, and more than the ticket was worth. 

They were purchasing a 2 liter and a ginormous can of Red Bull. I told the cashier simply, “Use all the winnings toward their purchase please.” 

The couple looked at me dumb founded of course. They asked if I was sure and assured them I was. 

“Why us?”

I told them about my goal, and that they were week 12. They introduced themselves (I believe her name was Shannon and his was Chris.). Then they informed me that they intended to pay it forward. I didn’t even ask them to, but that made me so grateful.

Think about it. ONE simple thing for someone you don’t know. That can lead to another for someone else through them. And if it continues, there is no telling how many people will receive one. 

We all have the power to make the world a better place. Sometimes all it takes is something small to make a huge difference.

The idea/Week One // Week 2 // Week 3 // Week 4 // Week 5 // Week 5 (Part 2) // Week 6 // Week 7 // Week 8 // Week 9 // Week 10 // Week 11

If this is the first time you have read my blog, I have this HUGE goal. It is to complete at least one random act of kindness a week for an entire year. If you want to learn more, the bottom of this post has links. :)

I do apologize for getting behind. Normally I would have posted my blog by now, but thing were hectic at work. I also had an abundant amount of things to do on the weekend. ANY WHO… Week eleven it is.

This was one of my smaller random acts. I am currently doing the Daniel’s fast for my own spiritual reasons. Not with friends, or with a church. I chose to do this fast for a week to show my appreciation and in hopes of becoming more connected with God through prayer and his word. If you don’t know what the Daniel’s fast is, Google provides some steady information. I’m only doing it for a week (for financial reasons) instead of 3 like most. God knows I’m just as sincere as those doing the full span. 

Anywho, I began my fast on Sunday at 6pm. Considering the foods I cut out, I made sure this past weekend to fit in all those things I couldn’t have. One of those? Egg McMuffin from McDonalds. Those things are delicious and I love them. 

Well, as the lady took my order over the speaker you could tell she wasn’t feeling too hot. When I pulled up to the window, she apologized and said her throat was sore and she had been coughing all day. I asked if she had any medicine. She responded with a no. 

I came down with a cold a few weeks ago, and had a stock pile of cough drops in my purse. I asked if she would like a cough drop, where she thankfully said yes. I handed her right around 10 and she thanked me sincerely. 

It was small. That’s the thing though. All it takes is something as small as a cough drop (literally) to help someone or make their day. If more people did things like this, the world might be a lot better of a place to live. The Lord has blessed us all with more than we deserve, so try and give back however you can.

The idea/Week One // Week 2 // Week 3 // Week 4 // Week 5 // Week 5 (Part 2) // Week 6 // Week 7 // Week 8 // Week 9 // Week 10

Don’t you love the Christmas season? Everyone seems so much more giving and kind to others. Well, it doesn’t have to be limited to just ONE time of the year. 

My goal is to complete one random act of kindness a week for an entire year. To learn more, scroll to the bottom of this blog for links.

I did a similar random act of kindness as I did last week, but regardless it was still done. 

I had decided that I would have all of my shopping before it was almost Christmas so i didn’t need to fight traffic. I didn’t really eat out either, so I purposely had to find a random act of kindness instead of the idea just “hitting me.”

I went to our local Starbucks drive thru. I got a simple order for myself. This is my 2nd Starbucks trip in a month. My 4th overall this year. (NOT a big coffee drinker)

A woman behind me was the recipient of my random act of kindness. However, this one made me smile. 

I told the man at the window to put the woman’s drink on my card, tell her Merry Christmas and God bless. He smiled and said, “Of course I will. Merry Christmas ma’am.” Thanks to awful traffic, I couldn’t pull off quick enough. 

I was able to witness the woman smile, and give the man HER card as well. I could be assuming, but I believe she did the exact same thing. I think she paid it forward!

This goal is a huge deal to me. I currently have a broken down car, and a few other little things going wrong here and there but I refuse to let any of life’s little curve balls keep me from achieving my goal.

It may not be for everyone to do, but I did this for 3 weeks with NO job. Using the last bit of my money. It’s not easy, but if you want to join in please do. Share your story! Make someone’s heart smile! 

There is so much bad in there, and you can be that little glimmer of good for someone.

God Bless,

SayrahAnne

The idea/Week One // Week 2 // Week 3 // Week 4 // Week 5 // Week Five (Part 2) // Week 6 // Week 7 // Week 8

If this is your first time reading my blog, I have a goal to complete one random act of kindness a week for an entire year. To learn more, go here: http://sayrahanne.tumblr.com/post/11864874657/a-big-idea

Also, If you would like to blog about doing a random act of kindness, use the tag sayrahanne and message me for a reblog!

Yesterday was the last day I had to complete my random acts of kindness goal. I had a long list of busy things to do. I knew that the opportunity would arise by the end of the evening. 

It was my friend Alexis’ birthday party yesterday evening and we began the night at one of our favorite places. CHILLI’s! Due to it be Christmas time, I’m of course a bit strapped for cash. I refuse to give up on my goal, no matter what.

Now I do random acts of kindness like opening doors, donating to salvation army, and things of that nature. Those are not ones I blog about. Those are still a big thing! I just prefer to let you know the story behind my act.

While we were all eating, I decided I would use some of my “play money” fund toward a Chilli’s gift card. 

Who doesn’t love a chilli’s gift card right?!

So, I purchased a gift card that came to a total of ten dollars. That is a bit more than I’ve spent thus far, but it felt like the right decision. 

Alexis knows about my kindness goal. She asked who I was going to give the gift card to. The plan was to have her pick the recipient since it was her birthday. Then, I would sit the card at the table of that person. 

As we were about to leave we looked around and spotted a cute little elderly couple in the corner. She said, “Them. They’re who I want.” I had wrote inside the gift card holder “Merry Christmas and God Bless.” I walked over to them and said, “Hello. Merry Christmas.” Then I put down the gift card on the table. They said, “Thank you,” and I walked out with my friends.

It’s not about how much money you have, or how often you do kind things… IT’S ABOUT DOING THEM! Everyone you meet faces a battle on a daily basis. You can be that positive thing that turns their day around.

God bless,

Sayrah Anne

If you don’t know, I have this huge goal. To commit one random act of kindness a week for a year. If you want to learn more, go here: http://sayrahanne.tumblr.com/post/11864874657/a-big-idea

So here we are. Week six. It’s crazy to believe I’ve truly came this far with my goal. Hard to believe I have managed to get some people on board with this. I want to be that difference, and I want to be the inspiration to make someone else do it as well.

So today, I took my lunch break at work. The first half I ran important errands, then went to subway. As I sat to eat, I looked out the windows and saw an older black woman walk by. She was wearing ratty clothes with a plastic bag in her possession. 

I immediately knew this was it. However, this random act of kindness is different than the rest. BIG TIME. See, the devil knows I’ve been so desperately seeking to accomplish this goal. He also knows that it’s good things. He isn’t a fan of that and decided to throw me for a loop on week 6. He did not succeed.

I continued to eat and saw her walk by at least 5 more times. I debated saving half of my sub for this woman, and decided I would buy her one. I walk out, and as luck would have it she was no where to be seen.

I get in my car and see her turn the corner. I got out of my car and asked her if she was ok, and I’d noticed she had been walking back and forth. I have 10 minutes before I had to be back to work. I asked her if I could buy her a sandwich. Immediately she says, “God bless you” and hugs me. 

That’s not the kicker. Immediately following she informs me, “I’d rather have a pizza from domino’s.” This is directly next door but the fact that I offered her something out of the kindness of my heart first made me want to give up on the random act of kindness. Truly. I just knew that this was the devil trying to sway me. 

I wanted to say how could you be ungrateful and take for granted that I wanted to provide you with nourishment for your bodies, but I choked those words back. Instead, I gave her about 4 dollars and said God bless.  

Why did I still give her money after such a thing was said? 

Great question. 

You know how you and I have these awesome lives? We have a life better than most people. Yet, we always seem to want a life that we don’t have that is “better.” We become jealous and envy a life of someone else. We should be grateful for the life we have right?

Well God did that for us. He gave us what he saw fit for us, but we’re never truly satisfied. We want more even after he’s given it to us. Too often, we ask for the better before we take the time to thank him for what he’s provided thus far. 

That’s why I still gave that woman money. Even though she didn’t seem as grateful as she should have, God gives us what we need EVEN when we forget to thank him for it. Therefore I didn’t deny her.

She may not have been homeless. Or poor. But I gave what I had.

I just complete week 6’s random act of kindness. Have you started?

My goal is to do one random act of kindness a week for a year. To understand better what I’m trying to accomplish, go here: http://sayrahanne.tumblr.com/post/11864874657/a-big-idea

Yes, I’ve already done my random act kindness for week five. However, it is THANKSGIVING and being compassionate on such a lovely day was a must. :)

I was on my way home from stuffing my face and I thought about how four years ago, I spent my thanksgiving working. Yes I got paid great money that particular day, but I didn’t spend it with my family. 

Tons of people are working on Thanksgiving, and some are even stuck working black Friday. Most of the things I passed on my way home were closed. However, like a little beacon I see blockbuster. 

It was the only thing open in its entire plaza. So I decided that I should stop there and do something similar to what I did earlier this week. I searched through the previously viewed movies and the 2 men working assisted me in finding one I desperately wanted.

When it was done I asked what they liked to drink. They both said they were fine until I explained my goal. I also explained how Thanksgiving is a time to be spent with family but instead they are spending part of it with strangers who don’t realize they should be thankful that they don’t have to work on this holiday.

They finally agreed. Turns out I got a free bag of popcorn with my purchase and I decided the lady in the line next to me deserved that. I’d overheard her saying how she’s a nurse and hadn’t slept since the day before because she worked night shift. 

So 3 people reaped the benefits of my goal today. :) One of the men was around my age and he wouldn’t quit expressing his gratitude. He also asked what possessed me to make the goal. I simply explained I wanted more good in the world and how if God had blessed me, it’s my duty to bless others. 

He told me to come back so he could repay me. Here is where the story makes a turn. I told him that if they wanted to pay me back, they should come to church on Sunday. I told them where, and when and directions. They seemed like they really might. Even if they don’t, i’m glad to have been a reason for the smiles on their faces. 

As I left, they thanked me once again. And I left with a simple, “Bye. God bless!”

Do you have a random acts of kindness story you want to share?

I went this evening to dollar general. Yes, I shop there. Yes, I live in the middle of nowhere. And yes, it is the CLOSEST store. 

I had to pick up some things and when I got up to the front, a cashier opened up her register just in time for me to check out. 

These people are always there when I go. I honestly feel like they never have time off because I always see them when I go. After I checked out, she thanked me and handed me my change. 

Out of habit, I put all of my coin change in a donation thing. It was for literacy. I do these things all the time. The first time I was ever thanked by a cashier for doing it though. The fact she thanked me showed she had a heart. 

So I asked her if she was thirsty. Then I asked her co-worker the same. They both agreed they were. I asked what drink they wanted and got each of them a coke. The look on their face made my day. “You’re probably one of the nicest customers we have here, and you just proved it a step further.”

It’s simple things you can do that will make someone’s day. Even if you’re as poor as me, you can help somebody. It doesn’t take much. I have only one follower who is doing random acts of kindness and blogging about it. She made a promise. I’m not even asking for a promise. I just want more people to attempt!

I just completed week 5 of my random acts of kindness. Have you started?

To learn more about my random acts of kindness goal go here: http://sayrahanne.tumblr.com/post/11864874657/a-big-idea 

My goal is to do one random act of kindness a week for a year. To learn more about this goal go here: http://sayrahanne.tumblr.com/post/11864874657/a-big-idea.

So it’s week four. I’ve committed myself to making a healthier life style for myself. So fast food is no longer an option. Sad I know. On a side note, I did walk 21 miles collectively last week. I’ve been eating healthy (for the most part), and have no drank anything but water or milk. 

My favorite way to do a random act of kindness is through a drive-thru. They don’t know you paid for them. You can escape quickly. Now I will have to be visible but it is ok. 

Today I went to pay for some gas after an AMAZING church service. I wanted some lunch, but they didn’t have any sandwich’s on whole grain bread so I decided against. I went toward the counter to pay, and a man was behind me with a hot dog, chips, and a drink. 

He looked so upset. Like MAD kind of way. Even if he looked intimidating, that is who I chose. I paid for my gas, a bottle of water and told the lady I was also paying for everything the man had in his hands behind me. She looked at me like I was crazy. He told me NO. I explained I didn’t want anything, just to bless him with kindness.

He about argued it, but I wouldn’t allow it. He said thank you, but he never cracked a smile. In my opinion, it’s those people who need those little blessings the most. 

Some people are having a rough day. It may not always be written across their face, but it’s important that we are compassionate and bless others just as God blessed us. I pray that more people/followers start doing this with me. It’s such a great feeling. It doesn’t even take much. I’m broke as a joke, but I still take that 5 dollars I’d use on something pointless and put it toward someone else. 

I just finished week four of random acts of kindness… What week are you on?

I currently am beyond poor. (We’re talking 9 dollars until I get paid for odd jobs, and until I start my full time.) However, one random act of kindness a week is still a priority. I may not have much money, but I did one anyway.

Today, I drove to a local grocery store. It was a little out of the way from the errand I was running, but I felt compelled to go to that particular one. I had my niece with me, well she isn’t really isn’t my niece but she might as well be.

I had her go up to the drink machine and find out how much a drink cost at that particular machine. It was 75 cents. I happened to have enough silver change to do that. So, I put it in a plastic zip lock bag and left a little note with it. I didn’t leave my name, just my initals S.W. 

I waited until this man walked away from the machine. Then I went and taped the bag on the machine. It was simple, and might not have been much… But it was something. The only thing I would have changed is that I forgot to write “God Bless” on it. I normally say that with all my random acts of kindness, but I ran out of room on the paper. :/ NEXT TIME!

It isn’t about how much you do, or what you do… It’s the fact you even took the time to do it. 

If you want to learn more about my random acts of kindness goal, go here: http://sayrahanne.tumblr.com/post/11864874657/a-big-idea

Right now I’m officially unemployed with my nanny position. I watched the little one for the last time on Monday. However, I haven’t started my other job yet. So, right now i’m at that I’m bored and have plenty of time to do whatever I choose, but poor so can’t do diddly squat. 

So here I am, with less than a hundred dollars to my name. This has to last me until I start my job. This could be next week, or the following. I needed food yesterday and went through a drive thru. I still paid for the person behind me. 

Even if I don’t really have the money, I know that was something that blessed that person. I never stick around to see their face. I don’t want their thank you. I tell the cashier to simply tell the person I said “God bless” and I leave it at that.

A random act of kindness is helping be that change in the world. You can’t sit back and expect for the world to change. YOU have to go out there and do something. I want for all of my friends and followers to do this with me. It’s a long shot, but if I can get just one other person to do this with me, it is all that matters. 

So I’m keeping up with what I promised. One random act of kindness a week for a year. I just completed my second week. Have you started?