Ouch.
One false move and splat!
I was flat on my face.
That was not planned.
I was finishing up my workout, with some GHD back extensions for the day, when, on the last set, I failed to lock my feet into the foot holds, and whoops—I took a nose-dive, resulting in this…
A busted lip was NOT my intention for the day.
However, thanks to my moment of clumsiness, a trip to the Urgent Care, two unplanned hours spent waiting, getting six stiches and a tetanus shot, and a $50 co-pay ended up being my fate.
#Unplanned. #RollWiththePunches.
Now, four days later, I am in that fun “waiting zone”—waiting on time to ‘heal all wounds’ as I vigorously apply tea-tree oil and Burt’s Bees Wax to promote the mend, and explain to others I meet that “you should see the other guy” (from the ‘fight’) when they look at my face funny.
Sigggghhhh….
What do you do when life, or your day, does NOT go according to plan?
After all, it can happen in the blink of the eye, and quite frequently:
A fender bender car wreck.
Unforeseen traffic.
Spilling coffee on your white shirt.
Cancelled appointments or clients.
Rejection.
A detour in your schedule.
A forgotten to-do, assignment or project that needed to get done.
Unexpected news (i.e. “I’m pregnant!”…or “You’re fired!”…or “It’s over.”)
Laughing so hard you pee your pants (wait, was that just me?)
And while all these are perhaps somewhat negative mishaps, sometimes life does not go according to plan in more positive ways too. Such as:
Finding $5 on the street (Yes, this DOES happen—actually happened to me Friday night…silver linings to my bad run of luck?)
Acceptance to a program you applied for.
“Getting” a call back for the job you wanted.
Winning a raffle or contest you “never win.”
The underdog beating the top team.
A bonus check.
Receiving snail mail from an old pal.
Recognition or nomination for an award.
Stumbling upon a sale in your fav store.
A random act of kindness from someone.
Yes, there is also lots of goodness to be had that we equally do not plan.
Thus, with arms wide open, the only thing we can really do is take each day one day at a time; knowing, ultimately that, while we CAN plan out our daily schedule, prioritize our to-do list, or script our 5 year and 10 year life vision…life rarely goes 100% according to plan.
That being said, on the brink of a NEW week—with LOTS of unplanned happenings, adventures, misfortunes and blessings along the way, YOU have a mission, a THRIVE project, if you will:
To make someone else’s day NOT go according to plan (in a positive way of course).
In other words: Perform a random act of kindness for someone this week.
It’s Sunday, meaning tomorrow is Monday. And, if you’re like the majority of Americans, you’re kinda bummed it’s Monday. Or a bit jaded it’s Monday. I get it (sort of…Mondays are actually my favorite day of the week).
So why not spice it up?
Today your mission is to make someone else’s day surprisingly better by thinking of THEM!
Why?
Because when we live with intention and purpose, and when we think of others before ourselves, we begin to get outside our otherwise self-absorbed, negative or ho-hum state of thinking and being.
And isn’t that what life is really all about (i.e. It’s not just about us!)?
A quote my highschool principal used to keep on her wall read this: “Be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
(Something EVERY highschooler in particular needs to read).
Keeping this perspective in mind, a random act of kindness becomes so much more.
I’ll leave you with this story:
8-year-old Alex McKelvey who set out to complete 600 random acts of kindness over the course of several months, in honor of her mom’s 60th birthday after passing from cancer.
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
Need some inspiration?
Here are a few ideas to get the ball rolling:
- Pay for someone’s coffee or meal in line behind you
- Lend a helping hand
- Smile at a stranger and connect
- Visit a sick friend
- Give someone a flower
- Write a letter to someone
- Go through your closet and find things to donate, or give to a younger girl who would love your hand-me downs
- Take a moment to tell your boss they are doing a great job
- Leave a note of kindness in a book at the bookstore or library
- Make dinner for a friend for no reason
- Thank a soldier, firefighter or police officer
- Leave a note on someone’s car windshield
- Place 25-cents inside a purse at a store—surprise for later
- Give an unexpected gift
- Clean your apartment/home without anyone else asking
- Pray for that request and then let the person know you prayed.
- Tip the grocery bagger.
- Compliment someone on social media.
- Bring coffee or tea to someone else at the office
- Talk to someone who appears lonely
- Make 2 lunches and give one away
- Take your hair dresser or car mechanic/oil change person a treat
- Take flowers to those living at a senior living center
- Run an errand for a friend
- Tape a package of microwave popcorn to a Redbox center
- Give a $10 gift card for a restaurant to someone entering that restaurant
- Take time to really listen to someone’s story.
- Give up your seat for someone else
- Tape signs to bathroom mirrors that say, “You are beautiful!”
- Pass along your favorite book to a co-worker or friend
- Send your sister, your mom, your best friend, etc. a book that has been influential in your life with a sweet note
- Ask the frazzled cashier how his day is going—and seek to lift him up!
- Let someone have your seat (or cut in front of you in traffic)
- Leave a surprise on your neighbor’s doorstep (your favorite tea and a note, cookies, flowers, etc.)
- Take a young teen or little kid out to a park, a cool coffee shop, a movie—be a mentor for the day
- Randomly drop into a nursing home and visit with the sweet folks there—many are lonely
- Invite a few friends over for dinner and cook for them
- Meal prep some staples for a friend this week to have on hand
- Call someone on their birthday (or half birthday ; )—don’t just text them or Facebook message them
- Be the change you wish to see in the world
Got another idea?! Post your random act to comments! Would love to hear your experience.