Giving out inspiring quotes randomly

I find inspirational quotes or make up my own sayings and write them on scraps of paper that I then distribute ramdomly while walking around.

I would like to think that it is destined for the recipent to read the note and that it makes a difference in their life, but even if it makes them simply stop and smile then I suppose it has had the impact I desired.

Posted 4 October 2007 | Link to This Entry

Sometimes the universe really does provide.

I live in Chicago and right now, the recycling program is non-existent as it changes over from one format to another. I had a gargantuan bag of aluminum cans that my husband pressured me to just dump into the garbage.

I finally caved in and was taking them to the garbage when a can man rolled by with his cart. It was hot, he was shirtless, his cart was half empty and he looked like he was either going to cry or pass out. He had the 1000-yard stare that people get when they don’t wnat to be hassled. I startled him when I called to him and gave him the bag, as well as some clothes, Gator-Aide and water. His cart was full.

My porch was empty. I felt good knowing someone could use something and someone got some stuff they needed. It’s small, but I had to stop and think, “Sometimes the universe really does provide.” And it is so simple.

- Alyse

Posted 10 August 2007 | Link to This Entry

Make An Animal’s Day

I was waiting for my turn to see the doctor and decided to wait outside the clinic to prevent myself for spreading the flu virus to others.

I noticed a bird with a broken wing flipping on the grass patch and a fat cat few feet away - on his mark to jump at the poor bird.

Without wasting anytime, I lifted the bird in time before it could be the cat’s lunch.

On closer look, I noticed that its wings were clipped together with a paperclip and that prevented the bird from flying. I removed the paperclip and put the fowl in a small holed-box with intention of nursing it.

An hour later, I opened up the box and the bird flew away.

-Azizah

Posted 17 July 2007 | Link to This Entry

Courageous Souls

Author Robert Schwartz made my day by sending me his book “Courageous Souls: Do We Plan Our Life Challenges Before Birth?” It’s a fascinating look into an idea that I haven’t given much thought to. Well written and presented. Perhaps the best thing I gained from reading it is the question: What if I did plan my life challenges before birth? How would I respond differently and more powerfully to my own challenges?

Posted 24 February 2007 | Link to This Entry

Helping People Help Themselves

My wife and I moved to Costa Rica. A wildlife artist, she wanted more animals to portray in many media. I was working on my third book. Then we met Pedro, a 79-year-old Bribri Indian who was doing his grocery shopping in the garbage cans of Puerto Viejo. We fed him some soup.

That began a three-year development, in which we continue to make many someone’s day. Last year we put 31 Bribri kids in school. We made 23 microloans, helping nearly as many families to independence - and a happier life. We feed about 150 people a week at a soup kitchen “community” that forms three times a week in our yard. The Health Ministry had a clinic on our porch, since it’s hard for their doctors to get up into the jungle.

And as we touch the lives of more and more people, we ask “how much better can it get?” Every day, we get another answer to that question. About 150 donors and 25 volunteers have so far joined in this project. Each day, more “someones” are made happy. I have to tell you this really feels good. Come see for yourself at www.elpuente-thebridge.org.

-Barry

Posted 12 February 2007 | Link to This Entry

A Kind Word to a Stranger

I was catching the train on the way to my university. I had a horrible headache I didn’t sleep well the night before and I had a 3-hour lecture and another 3-hour lab waiting for me. I felt like crying, I just felt so depressed. I didn’t get a seat and I had to stand the whole 45 minutes. I also realised I had left my lab book at home and would have to buy a new one on campus. I was having a rotten day and it was only 8:00 am.

I was just about to start crying when I heard someone sob. I looked up and saw this lady facing the door drying her tears. Her husband was standing behind her with his hand on her shoulder. My heart just melted when I looked at her. She was trying so hard not to cry and bring attention to herself. I felt so sorry for her. I knew I had a hard day ahead but I knew I would survive. I didn’t know who this lady was but I wanted to say something to her.

So before I got off I walked over to her and told her “Smile, you are much too pretty to be crying.” I got off the train before she could reply. I felt much better. So whoever she was I hope she is ok and I hope she knows that she made me smile that day.

- Tania

Posted 1 October 2006 | Link to This Entry

Little Miss Helpful

The senior member of staff at my work has a PA who looks after his every need. This is her job. However, she also looks after all of the staff who work for the senior staff member. This is not her job. She does it with a smile and such pleasure at being able to help. Sometimes I wonder if she realises how much she means to us all.

Yesterday, I read my book “365 ways to change the world” and it said “make someone feel good, make someone smile.” I thought of our senior staff member’s PA. I went to our local book shop and found one of the Little Miss books - “Little Miss Helpful” and left it on her desk.

- Vicky

Posted 26 September 2006 | Link to This Entry

Musical Karma

On a flight back from Ireland, I gave one of my music CDs to a woman sitting next to me. Just giving gifts, especially to strangers, is such a pleasure, but then, I received this email 6 months later from her, which made my day:

“You so kindly gave me a gift of your ‘Googol On’ CD for my daughter Leah. Well, 6 months on and, every evening in the car, she demands her music. Not only that, it has to be track 6, Babies and Butterflies. She sits in the back of the car conducting the music. I have to say, the more I listen to the music and lyrics, the more I realise that you have a real gift and I just wanted to thank you for giving me that CD. It’s given us a lot of enjoyment.”

-Scott J. (Boulder, CO)

Posted 7 April 2006 | Link to This Entry

Seek Out A Homeless Person

We made our own day when my mom and I bought some food and went looking for a homeless person to give it to. We found a woman on the street corner and when we gave her the food I think she was surprised, but thankful. If anything, it made our day.
Eva J.

Posted 9 March 2006 | Link to This Entry

BookCrossing Story

I have found many wonderful opportunities to make someone’s day by bookcrossing, that is, by registering books on the bookcrossing.com site and leaving them in public places. If I’m lucky, the person who finds the book will make my day in return, by writing a journal entry on bookcrossing.com to say what they thought of the book. But I’ve found that releasing books I really care about brings the most reward.

My favorite book to release is Traveling Light, the first novel of a good friend of mine. She had a story she felt so compelled to tell, she quit her job to write the book. Time Warner published it about 5 years ago, and although the book received good reviews, it never found the success I thought it deserved. So, I decided to release a few copies out into the world. I bought 10 inexpensive copies, released them around town, and watched in amazement as the journal entries rolled in. I rushed out and bought 15 more copies of the book to release, and got the same amazing results. People were excited by both the book and the concept of BookCrossing.

Then I spread the gratitude again by forwarding all the journal entries to my friend Katrina, so she could see what everyday people were saying about her book! One of my favorite journal entries is below:

I picked up this book at the Magnolia Cafe on Congress Street. I had only been in Austin for about five weeks at that time and felt like finding this book was like receiving a present, especially because sometimes it’s very hard to eat alone. I enjoyed the book very much, it was so sad at times but what made it so good for me was the strong bond between a brother and sister. I have a son and a daughter and I have always hoped that they would love each other like that. I have sent this book to Albuqerque, NM with a good friend of mine who works at the University of New Mexico Hospital in the pediatric oncology department. She has promised to release the book after she is done reading it. Thanks for my welcome to Austin gift!”

With an entry like that, how could I resist releasing still more copies of the book!

— Rebecca R.

Posted 9 February 2006 | Link to This Entry