Looking for idea's? Watch for moments of opportunity.

Many acts of kindness come about in moments of opportunity. I was waiting to cross the street one day, and a city bus flew by! Before it got to the stop, an older woman next to me ran to the curb waiving her arms for the bus to stop.... but it was going too fast. It was in the 90's that day, and she was clearly flustered about missing the bus. I did the taboo thing to do. I offered her a ride.

People will tell you that this is always a bad idea. I agree that it is normally risky.... but not ALWAYS a bad idea. The woman ended up only needing to get to a grocery store a mile or two away. She was a dear, and said that the car ride was a blessing. Sweet, right?

There was no mask being pulled off to reveal a serial killer, no weapons drawn, and no scam involved.

Now, I'm not saying to go start picking up strangers. Rather, be conscience of what's happening around you... you may feel like there is something you can do to put a positive spin on your surroundings.

My grandmother was in line at the grocery store a few weeks ago, and the woman standing in line ahead of her paid for her groceries, and then gave the clerk an extra $20 to go towards my grandmother's bill! Grandma was confused. Her first thought was, "Do I LOOK like I need help?!". The woman told her that she hadn't done a kind deed yet that day, and she thought she would pick my grandma as her "kind deed".

Instead of feeling guilty, my grandma found inspiration in this concept, and is planning on paying $20 to some one behind her in line.... when the opportunity presents itself.

Whenever Stacy bought my mom an angel, she bought one for my mom's best friend as well.

A low cost, EXCELLENT way of doing something nice? www.volunteermatch.org

Whether you have time, talents, or books to donate; volunteering is compatible for just about everyone.

Also, look at your talents and interests.

If you love children, volunteer at a children's hospital. If you are a natural sales person, there are surely some fund raiser's in your area. If you are athletic... well, it might be a little late for preparing to run a marathon; but you can initiate a winter-sports-a-thon!

Regardless of the hours your work, or the money you have available... good deeds can work around any obstacle! You just need to look for the niche that fits you and your life style best.

If this doesn't make you smile.....

I have such a great story to tell you! The day after I sent out my e-mail inviting you to participate with this project, I went into New York City, and met up with my aunt and her 2 girlfriends. We walked miles around Chinatown, Little Italy, and lower Manhattan. We had no agenda but to enjoy the weather and each other's company. We wandered down streets I had never been... and to the cobblestone roads of the charming South Street Seaport area. One of my fellow travelers noticed a storefront that opened in the back to a courtyard.

We walked through the dim room to the soft afternoon light of the courtyard. The air had just a touch of Fall, and it was so peaceful. To our right, there were large windows showing the back room of a dress shop where tailors and designers were collaborating.

Around a corner to our left, was a bench with something on it. I found that it was a canvas turned over onto a note. I read the note first which stated, "This painting is yours if you promise to smile at random people more often".

I was flabbergasted.

I looked at the painting, and found a picture that you couldn't help but smile looking at it!

I was thrilled to see that the person who left this awesome gift, also left a website! www.bataclan.com

Please go and check out this man's mission. He started a project called the "Smile Boston Project" several years ago.... and has since left hundred's of paintings all over the world. If you go to his site, you can see pictures of his "drop-off" locations, recipients, and many articles in which his project has been featured.

How many people have smiled and laughed because of this man? How many dreary days have been made bright because of one of his paintings? He is just one man, and he has probably made a positive impact on thousands of people.

We can't all do what Mr. Bataclan does, but we can help. What if we all smiled at random people more often?

Good deed- 1 Anonymonity- 0

I've been contemplating posting this specific blog entry. I'm a bit like my sister in the sense that I love doing nice things, but I don't always want the attention. I prefer not to have my personal being take away from the inspiration of a good deed, or the happiness of a deserving person.

I know if Stacy were alive, she would want all of her blog posts anonymous. I feel the same way... and I also feel like the message I'm trying to convey would be losing something if I was completely anonymous for the below story.

In the future, I will try and keep entries as anonymous as possible.

With that said, I have to tell you of the most rewarding feeling I've had the opportunity to experience. A friend referred me to a website called "AdoptaPlatoon.org" a while back. The site gives you several ways to support soldiers overseas. You can participate in a one-time support, write, or adopt. My boyfriend, Dilip, and I chose to adopt. We write a weekly letter, and send a monthly care package to our soldier (stationed in Iraq).

Soldiers need some of the most basic supplies; sunblock, bug spray, support from home, and in some cases, a pillow. There are plenty of suggestions, and even the Post Office helps by supplying flat rate boxes; which costs only $10.95 to ship (REGARDLESS OF THE WEIGHT)!

There is an excitement of witnessing the reaction of doing something nice for someone. Doing something nice is always fun, but seeing that other person happy is a memory you hold onto. With AdoptaPlatoon, that isn't a possibility. It'll take weeks before your letters and packages arrive. Not to mention, there's a chance your soldier is unable to, or prefers not to, write back.

And yet, there is such satisfaction in my heart.

Regardless of your opinion of the war, I ask you to consider what you can do to show your appreciation of our troops. I promise you, you'll not only feel wonderful, but you would have made some invisible person overseas feel acknowledged and loved.

The Power of Kindness

Many people who know me, know this story.

Nearly a year ago today, I was feeling very sad. I was in a rut, and couldn't seem to climb out of it. One day, I received the "Willow Tree" Angel of Caring. It was beautiful and made me smile and feel warm... yet there was no note. The postmark lead me to believe that it was from my sister, mother, or grandmother. But they all claimed they had no idea where it came from. The next week I received the "Willow Tree" Angel of Happiness. Again, they all claimed some one else must have sent it. Only a few days after receiving the 2nd angel, my sister Stacy died of a seizure. When I came home the next day, my brother-in-law gave me several more angels that Stacy had bought to send me anonymously. The last was called the "Comfort Box". She had started to draft a letter to put in the box, stating that she was an anonymous person who I had once been kind to. She said she thought of me when she saw the angels, and wanted to return the kindness. She signed it "Receiver of a Smile". My sister loved to practice Random Acts of Kindness, and this one was her last.

Receiving the first 2 angels made my day... for a few days! But when my brother-in-law handed me the 6 additional angels... I was stunned. I cannot describe how powerful those moments were for me. None of us could have realized the impact those little angels would have when Stacy first started to send them.

I think too, that people in general don't always know when a seemingly small act of kindness will mean the world to someone else.