Do what you can...

It's been a crazy week at work, but thankfully I think that makes the good things seem that much better.

 

On Monday morning I had planned on going to a Petro Canada station and giving a way a $50 gift card.  I figure, most people have scrambled or rushed Monday mornings, and it would start somebody's week off with a pleasant surprise.  I'm not sure why, but when I set out to do so I had to go to two different stations, and neither one felt "right".  Now, I'm not saying that I'm picking and choosing, or profiling who I do these "acts of kindness" for, but... do you ever get that gut feeling that maybe it isn't the right time?  Well, I did.  And so on Monday, I ended up going to work feeling discouraged and like I had let someone down.  I know that logically, I didn't disappoint anyone because nobody was expecting it, but I did disappoint myself.  I've started to feel like maybe I've given myself unrealistic expectations of how this will unfold, so I'm now taking a step back and trying not to OVER plan it.  Yes, I need to give it some thought, but I think that my instincts will play an important role here too.  May it was the universe's way of telling me "not yet- there's someone else who needs it more" I really don't know. 

 

When I got to work, I was feeling disappointed but decided to carry on.  At our work there's this rewards system where you can give eachother points once a month for good work or team work and so on...and then redeem your points for gift cards or other items.  One of my co-workers actually sent some my way and thanked me for telling him about my little project.  I didn't think I really deserved it, but it just so happened that it brought me to my next "rewards level" and allowed me to make a donation (which I didn't know I could do until he informed me of it!) So, there it was... my Monday opportunity to do some good.  I "cashed" in my points and made a $50 donation to the Ottawa Humane Society. 

 

Sure, it wasn't a lot... but it was what I could do, and I think that what I need to try and remember is that we can only do what we can do and that really it's the thought that counts.  I'm not saying I quit. I'm not saying I plan on stopping any time soon.  But I think I need to be more reasonable, and take baby steps.  I honestly just hope that I'm motivating others to do a little bit as well, and that the little acts of kindness will spread and become something bigger.

 

I'm just some girl, but I honestly think that if we work together we can make a difference.

 

What little things will you do today?

 

xoxo JSG

The Birthday Project: How it started

Under normal circumstances, I would start a new blog by introducing myself and where I'm from or what I do. Today, I'm just some girl. Who I am is not important, what I do isn't important either... Or at least it hasn't been, until now.

My 25th birthday is just around the corner (I won't say when, because that doesn't matter) and my current circumstances have forced me to think about life and the world around me.  It makes me so sad to see so many people taking the little things for granted when there are so many people with nothing.  I hate watching as someone could struggle to open a door with their arms full while the people nearby do nothing. What is our world coming to when we can't, or won't, help the people around us? Even when it's convenient to do so!

I'm not saying that I'm a saint. I've been labelled as spoiled and seen as materialistic. I've harboured grudges and turned my back on friends or those who have wronged me, regardless of why. I've been self absorbed and hurtful.... But I don't want to be that person any more. 

I'm not really sure what brought about this desire to be a better person. I could have coasted by, doing the bare minimum, thinking "hey I should do more" but never acting on it, I could turn the other way if I see someone being wronged... Or I could stop, and make a difference. 

In the spirit of trying to make a difference, I want to start with myself. For my 25th year of life I'm setting out to do a series of 25 acts of kindness. So, maybe 25 isn't a lot, and maybe it won't make a difference, but it's making me think about what I'm doing. It's making me consciously make the effort!  It's a start.

This weekend I will be preparing for my first act (the one I'm most excited for!) that starts the night before my birthday, really.

Follow my blog and share the kindness.   I'm just some girl, but if we all do a little something, it can go a long way!

Xoxo JSG