40 days of giving back, day forty: celebrate.

Happy last day of the 40 Days of Giving Back Challenge!

Today's task was to have a party and invite friends and neigbours alike over to my house. I'll be honest: I didn't do that. But that's because I'm having a small dinner party for a few friends at home on Monday night, so I took today to enjoy my first day home alone and have a little celebration for myself. Call me greedy.

My parents left this morning to visit my brother for a few days, so I have the house to myself until Thursday. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents, but I love having the house to myself every now and then. I love the peace and quiet, being in control of the remote - hello, Braves games every day - and generally just moving at my own pace. I don't know that I could necessarily live alone all the time, but every now and then it's really nice.

So today, I took the day for myself. I thought about going to a crawfish festival, and a few friends invited me to watch the Grizzlies game with them in Midtown, but in the end, I made the decision to fully embrace being home alone. I started - and finished - a jigsaw puzzle. I went for a walk. I had Chick-fil-A at an odd time. I watched cricket matches and some random tv. I watched the Braves game. And now I am snuggled up in bed watching the Grizz game and getting ready to hit the sack. I did have a bit of human interaction when Burton stopped by to interview me for his blog, but otherwise it was just me, myself, and I. And it was pretty glorious.

There will be time for parties and celebrating with friends on Monday. In the meantime, however, I'm going to watch some basketball, catch up on some magazine and book reading, and get a proper night's sleep.

So here's to celebrating, however and wherever you wish, and here's to a completed 40 Days of Giving Back Challenge.
xx

Previous Tasks:
Day One - Start a Journal
Day Two - Create a Generosity Jar
Day Three - Tool Up
Day Four - Connect
Day Five - An Attitude of Gratitude
Day Six - Reach
Day Seven - Redial
Day Eight - o.t.t.
Day Nine - Listen, carefully
Day Ten - Talent Show
Day Eleven - one green thing
Day Twelve - #nofilter
Day Thirteen - Go Local
Day Fourteen - Shhhhh
Day Fifteen - Stand Up, Stand Out
Day Sixteen - bake it, make it, take it
Day Seventeen - Ps and Qs
Day Eighteen - #charitytuesday
Day Nineteen - don't hold back the wonderful
Day Twenty - Always Talk to Strangers
Day Twenty-One - Pray
Day Twenty-Two - Unplug
Day Twenty-Three - Milk, No Sugar
Day Twenty-Four - grinning = winning
Day Twenty-Five - Treasure Hunt
Day Twenty-Six - domino
Day Twenty-Seven - blooming marvellous
Day Twenty-Eight - Go Guerrilla
Day Twenty-Nine - Well-Versed
Day Thirty - Meet a Need
Day Thirty-One - be crafty
Day Thirty-Two - Clear Out
Day Thirty-Three - Soapbox
Day Thirty-Four - date in their diary
Day Thirty-Five - gospel
Day Thirty-Six - Share Your Lunch
Day Thirty-Seven - be second
Day Thirty-Eight - Wipe the Slate
Day Thirty-Nine - Share Your Story

40 days of giving back, day thirty-nine: share your story.

I've been struggling for most of today with how to follow through on this task. Today's challenge was to share with everyone the story of how God has worked in my life. As I've mentioned previously, I'm not a particularly religious person, so it's difficult for me to do so. My parents are practicing Hindus, and although I will occasionally accompany them to the temple here in Memphis, they have never forced the religion on my brother or me, allowing us to decide for ourselves how prominent a role we want it to play in our lives. I freely admit that my brother is a much better Hindu than I am and will visit the temple often when he is home. My attendance is more sparse and often only coincides with family members' birthdays and my brother's exam dates; otherwise, you won'f find me there much. So as a result, I don't have any overwhelming stories of how religion has shaped or played a major role in my life.

Instead, I have lots of other stories that have shaped my life. Stories of people doing good around the world. Stories of organizations and schools working hard despite being forgotten by the world. Stories of those who have dedicated their lives to helping others. In many ways, that has become my religion, my spirituality. I'm much more touched when I hear stories of people helping people than I am when I hear stories of how religion has changed someone's life. I know sometimes those stories are linked, but I am always more interested in the humanity of it rather than the religion.

So I guess that's my story, that humanity is my religion. And that's just fine by me.
xx

Previous Tasks:
Day One - Start a Journal
Day Two - Create a Generosity Jar
Day Three - Tool Up
Day Four - Connect
Day Five - An Attitude of Gratitude
Day Six - Reach
Day Seven - Redial
Day Eight - o.t.t.
Day Nine - Listen, carefully
Day Ten - Talent Show
Day Eleven - one green thing
Day Twelve - #nofilter
Day Thirteen - Go Local
Day Fourteen - Shhhhh
Day Fifteen - Stand Up, Stand Out
Day Sixteen - bake it, make it, take it
Day Seventeen - Ps and Qs
Day Eighteen - #charitytuesday
Day Nineteen - don't hold back the wonderful
Day Twenty - Always Talk to Strangers
Day Twenty-One - Pray
Day Twenty-Two - Unplug
Day Twenty-Three - Milk, No Sugar
Day Twenty-Four - grinning = winning
Day Twenty-Five - Treasure Hunt
Day Twenty-Six - domino
Day Twenty-Seven - blooming marvellous
Day Twenty-Eight - Go Guerrilla
Day Twenty-Nine - Well-Versed
Day Thirty - Meet a Need
Day Thirty-One - be crafty
Day Thirty-Two - Clear Out
Day Thirty-Three - Soapbox
Day Thirty-Four - date in their diary
Day Thirty-Five - gospel
Day Thirty-Six - Share Your Lunch
Day Thirty-Seven - be second
Day Thirty-Eight - Wipe the Slate

40 days of giving back, day thirty-eight: wipe the slate.

I've been thinking about this one all day, and I honestly am stumped. The challenge was to "wipe the slate" clean, to forgive someone who has hurt me or done something to upset me in the past. And I really can't think of anyone.

Sure, I've been hurt. I've had my heart broken. I've been mad at people for the way they've acted in a situation. But I'm not one to hold much of a grudge. I'll say my piece and then move on, because it's a waste of time for me to dwell on it any longer than is necessary.

So all that is to say that I spent most of today trying to figure out who I needed to forgive when the answer was honestly nobody. Which just makes me really grateful to think about.

Only 2 more days of this little challenge remaining!
xx

Previous Tasks:
Day One - Start a Journal
Day Two - Create a Generosity Jar
Day Three - Tool Up
Day Four - Connect
Day Five - An Attitude of Gratitude
Day Six - Reach
Day Seven - Redial
Day Eight - o.t.t.
Day Nine - Listen, carefully
Day Ten - Talent Show
Day Eleven - one green thing
Day Twelve - #nofilter
Day Thirteen - Go Local
Day Fourteen - Shhhhh
Day Fifteen - Stand Up, Stand Out
Day Sixteen - bake it, make it, take it
Day Seventeen - Ps and Qs
Day Eighteen - #charitytuesday
Day Nineteen - don't hold back the wonderful
Day Twenty - Always Talk to Strangers
Day Twenty-One - Pray
Day Twenty-Two - Unplug
Day Twenty-Three - Milk, No Sugar
Day Twenty-Four - grinning = winning
Day Twenty-Five - Treasure Hunt
Day Twenty-Six - domino
Day Twenty-Seven - blooming marvellous
Day Twenty-Eight - Go Guerrilla
Day Twenty-Nine - Well-Versed
Day Thirty - Meet a Need
Day Thirty-One - be crafty
Day Thirty-Two - Clear Out
Day Thirty-Three - Soapbox
Day Thirty-Four - date in their diary
Day Thirty-Five - gospel
Day Thirty-Six - Share Your Lunch
Day Thirty-Seven - be second

40 days of giving back, day thirty-seven: be second.

Today's task was to call up someone and ask them to hang out, allowing them to decide the time and manner in which to spend time together. It introduces the notion of putting someone else's schedule ahead of your own and allowing them to call the shots. And while I agree that this is a great idea, often trying to work around my friends' schedules for drinks or dinners, I am taking it in a different direction today.

The last few nights I've been out for dinner with friends and have not spent a whole lot of time with my parents. While it normally wouldn't be that big of a deal, they are leaving on Saturday to visit my brother, so I won't be seeing them for almost 7 days. I am very excited about having the house to myself for a few days, but in focusing on that, I've not been spending quality time with them.

I try not to, but it is easy to take for granted how great - and understanding - my parents are. They're letting me stay at home while I work in a job that I enjoy but does not pay, and they support whatever harebrained ideas I come up with, but when it gets into the day-to-day of things, I sometimes lose sight of it.

So for tonight, and for the next few nights, they get to call the shots. What we eat for dinner, what we watch on television, how many rounds of cards we play. All those things we've not done the last few nights that I know they'll appreciate going into this next week.

And 10 bucks says my father requests Taco Bell for dinner. There's a reason he and I get along so well.
xx

Previous Tasks:
Day One - Start a Journal
Day Two - Create a Generosity Jar
Day Three - Tool Up
Day Four - Connect
Day Five - An Attitude of Gratitude
Day Six - Reach
Day Seven - Redial
Day Eight - o.t.t.
Day Nine - Listen, carefully
Day Ten - Talent Show
Day Eleven - one green thing
Day Twelve - #nofilter
Day Thirteen - Go Local
Day Fourteen - Shhhhh
Day Fifteen - Stand Up, Stand Out
Day Sixteen - bake it, make it, take it
Day Seventeen - Ps and Qs
Day Eighteen - #charitytuesday
Day Nineteen - don't hold back the wonderful
Day Twenty - Always Talk to Strangers
Day Twenty-One - Pray
Day Twenty-Two - Unplug
Day Twenty-Three - Milk, No Sugar
Day Twenty-Four - grinning = winning
Day Twenty-Five - Treasure Hunt
Day Twenty-Six - domino
Day Twenty-Seven - blooming marvellous
Day Twenty-Eight - Go Guerrilla
Day Twenty-Nine - Well-Versed
Day Thirty - Meet a Need
Day Thirty-One - be crafty
Day Thirty-Two - Clear Out
Day Thirty-Three - Soapbox
Day Thirty-Four - date in their diary
Day Thirty-Five - gospel
Day Thirty-Six - Share Your Lunch

40 days of giving back, day thirty-six: share your lunch.

Since I don't work in an office setting, I didn't have the opportunity to share my lunch with a coworker or someone in my office today. And the odds of seeing someone in Cordova asking for food is pretty slim. So I didn't really get to do this one today, but I'm going to keep it in my back pocket for the coming days to see how I can bring it about. [does cooking for Nathanial and Chad next week count? maybe]

I will also admit that as this is winding down, I'm losing a bit of steam. I've not actually seen the rest of the tasks, but I'm going to do my best to finish strong through the rest of this week.
xx

Previous Tasks:
Day One - Start a Journal
Day Two - Create a Generosity Jar
Day Three - Tool Up
Day Four - Connect
Day Five - An Attitude of Gratitude
Day Six - Reach
Day Seven - Redial
Day Eight - o.t.t.
Day Nine - Listen, carefully
Day Ten - Talent Show
Day Eleven - one green thing
Day Twelve - #nofilter
Day Thirteen - Go Local
Day Fourteen - Shhhhh
Day Fifteen - Stand Up, Stand Out
Day Sixteen - bake it, make it, take it
Day Seventeen - Ps and Qs
Day Eighteen - #charitytuesday
Day Nineteen - don't hold back the wonderful
Day Twenty - Always Talk to Strangers
Day Twenty-One - Pray
Day Twenty-Two - Unplug
Day Twenty-Three - Milk, No Sugar
Day Twenty-Four - grinning = winning
Day Twenty-Five - Treasure Hunt
Day Twenty-Six - domino
Day Twenty-Seven - blooming marvellous
Day Twenty-Eight - Go Guerrilla
Day Twenty-Nine - Well-Versed
Day Thirty - Meet a Need
Day Thirty-One - be crafty
Day Thirty-Two - Clear Out
Day Thirty-Three - Soapbox
Day Thirty-Four - date in their diary
Day Thirty-Five - gospel

40 days of giving back, day thirty-five: gospel.

Today's challenge was to spread the gospel with people around me, so as you can imagine, I didn't really get anywhere with it.

Instead, I thought I would share a few quotes that have stuck with me over the years and have become my "gospel" of sorts.

Do, or do not. There is no try. Because Yoda always says it best.

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. I can sometimes be down on Gandhi-ji, but this is a solid truth.

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier. Mother Teresa said plenty of things to remember, but this is one of my favourites.

It is when you're acting selflessly that you are at your bravest. Yes, it's a quote from a young-adult novel, but it's pretty true.

And then a few from my favourite famous couple, Bill and Hillary:

We cannot build our future without helping others build theirs. From my buddy Billy Jeff.

There cannot be true democracy unless women's voices are heard. From Hillary, the woman I want to be when I grow up.

A happy week ahead to you all.
xx

Previous Tasks:
Day One - Start a Journal
Day Two - Create a Generosity Jar
Day Three - Tool Up
Day Four - Connect
Day Five - An Attitude of Gratitude
Day Six - Reach
Day Seven - Redial
Day Eight - o.t.t.
Day Nine - Listen, carefully
Day Ten - Talent Show
Day Eleven - one green thing
Day Twelve - #nofilter
Day Thirteen - Go Local
Day Fourteen - Shhhhh
Day Fifteen - Stand Up, Stand Out
Day Sixteen - bake it, make it, take it
Day Seventeen - Ps and Qs
Day Eighteen - #charitytuesday
Day Nineteen - don't hold back the wonderful
Day Twenty - Always Talk to Strangers
Day Twenty-One - Pray
Day Twenty-Two - Unplug
Day Twenty-Three - Milk, No Sugar
Day Twenty-Four - grinning = winning
Day Twenty-Five - Treasure Hunt
Day Twenty-Six - domino
Day Twenty-Seven - blooming marvellous
Day Twenty-Eight - Go Guerrilla
Day Twenty-Nine - Well-Versed
Day Thirty - Meet a Need
Day Thirty-One - be crafty
Day Thirty-Two - Clear Out
Day Thirty-Three - Soapbox
Day Thirty-Four - date in their diary

40 days of giving back, day thirty-four: date in their diary.

Saturday's task was to plan and send out invitations for a party to be hosted this upcoming Saturday. I guess I was just ahead of the curve, because I hosted a party yesterday in Little Rock. So I'm going to go ahead and say I checked that one off a week early.

We had a wedding shower for Britney and Brandon yesterday for their Little Rock friends, which was fun. It was the first time I've been part of hosting a wedding shower, and I think it was a roaring success.

I will chronicle the shower properly - with photographic evidence - in my weekly roundup, so I won't go into all the details here. You'll just have to check back later to read all about it.
xx

Previous Tasks:
Day One - Start a Journal
Day Two - Create a Generosity Jar
Day Three - Tool Up
Day Four - Connect
Day Five - An Attitude of Gratitude
Day Six - Reach
Day Seven - Redial
Day Eight - o.t.t.
Day Nine - Listen, carefully
Day Ten - Talent Show
Day Eleven - one green thing
Day Twelve - #nofilter
Day Thirteen - Go Local
Day Fourteen - Shhhhh
Day Fifteen - Stand Up, Stand Out
Day Sixteen - bake it, make it, take it
Day Seventeen - Ps and Qs
Day Eighteen - #charitytuesday
Day Nineteen - don't hold back the wonderful
Day Twenty - Always Talk to Strangers
Day Twenty-One - Pray
Day Twenty-Two - Unplug
Day Twenty-Three - Milk, No Sugar
Day Twenty-Four - grinning = winning
Day Twenty-Five - Treasure Hunt
Day Twenty-Six - domino
Day Twenty-Seven - blooming marvellous
Day Twenty-Eight - Go Guerrilla
Day Twenty-Nine - Well-Versed
Day Thirty - Meet a Need
Day Thirty-One - be crafty
Day Thirty-Two - Clear Out
Day Thirty-Three - Soapbox

40 days of giving back, day thirty-three: soapbox.

Friday's task was to sign a petition for a cause that I am passionate about. As I have mentioned numerous times over the last few years - and during the course of this challenge - girls' education has become one of the things that I am most interested in. It seems simple enough, that educating girls will change the world, and yet girls in developing countries are still not receiving access to quality secondary education at the same rate that boys are.

I have signed a number of online petitions in the last few years on this topic, including at least 3 in support of Malala Yousafzai, so I will admit to not doing this again on Friday. Instead, I thought I would bring attention to a few organizations / initiatives around the world who are working on promoting girls' education. Feel free to click on the links for more information.

Room to Read

Girl Rising

The Girl Effect

She's the First

Plan International

Care International

United Nations Girls' Education Initiative

There are plenty more around the world working in this area, but these are just a few of the ones I am familiar with. Take a look through and learn more about their work, and donate or become an ambassador if any of them motivate you to do so.

Educate a girl to change the world. It's true.
xx

Previous Tasks:
Day One - Start a Journal
Day Two - Create a Generosity Jar
Day Three - Tool Up
Day Four - Connect
Day Five - An Attitude of Gratitude
Day Six - Reach
Day Seven - Redial
Day Eight - o.t.t.
Day Nine - Listen, carefully
Day Ten - Talent Show
Day Eleven - one green thing
Day Twelve - #nofilter
Day Thirteen - Go Local
Day Fourteen - Shhhhh
Day Fifteen - Stand Up, Stand Out
Day Sixteen - bake it, make it, take it
Day Seventeen - Ps and Qs
Day Eighteen - #charitytuesday
Day Nineteen - don't hold back the wonderful
Day Twenty - Always Talk to Strangers
Day Twenty-One - Pray
Day Twenty-Two - Unplug
Day Twenty-Three - Milk, No Sugar
Day Twenty-Four - grinning = winning
Day Twenty-Five - Treasure Hunt
Day Twenty-Six - domino
Day Twenty-Seven - blooming marvellous
Day Twenty-Eight - Go Guerrilla
Day Twenty-Nine - Well-Versed
Day Thirty - Meet a Need
Day Thirty-One - be crafty
Day Thirty-Two - Clear Out

40 days of giving back, day thirty-two: clear out.

This one sort of goes along with what I decided to do for Tuesday's challenge. The task is to clean out and purge - closets, drawers, shelves, desks - and give away everything you're not using or wearing.

If you know me, you know that I am a pack rat. I hoard everything, from clothes to pictures to books to Sharpies and other office supplies to random little keepsakes that I've collected over the years. And as a result, my room often looks cluttered and as though it is bursting at the seams.

A few times a year I try to go through and purge whatever I can. Clothes and shoes I'm not wearing, books I probably won't read again, Sharpies that no longer work, keepsakes whose origins I can no longer remember. As you can imagine, it takes me a few days to sort through everything, and then I'm usually too scared for a few weeks to touch or move anything so that it stays clean just for a bit. I donate whatever I can to Goodwill, the library, and veterans associations and then begin collecting treasures for the next go-round.

As I mentioned on Tuesday, I have a giant bag in my room that I'm using to collect things as I find them to give away. So far it's mostly clothes that either no longer fit or I no longer wear, but it will soon include a few other goodies as well. And once the bag gets full, I'll start filling another one.

It's a slightly different approach than I usually take, since I'm doing it a bit at a time rather than devoting 2 or 3 straight days to it, so we'll see how it goes.

Wish me luck, and maybe start your own purge in solidarity.
xx

Previous Tasks:
Day One - Start a Journal
Day Two - Create a Generosity Jar
Day Three - Tool Up
Day Four - Connect
Day Five - An Attitude of Gratitude
Day Six - Reach
Day Seven - Redial
Day Eight - o.t.t.
Day Nine - Listen, carefully
Day Ten - Talent Show
Day Eleven - one green thing
Day Twelve - #nofilter
Day Thirteen - Go Local
Day Fourteen - Shhhhh
Day Fifteen - Stand Up, Stand Out
Day Sixteen - bake it, make it, take it
Day Seventeen - Ps and Qs
Day Eighteen - #charitytuesday
Day Nineteen - don't hold back the wonderful
Day Twenty - Always Talk to Strangers
Day Twenty-One - Pray
Day Twenty-Two - Unplug
Day Twenty-Three - Milk, No Sugar
Day Twenty-Four - grinning = winning
Day Twenty-Five - Treasure Hunt
Day Twenty-Six - domino
Day Twenty-Seven - blooming marvellous
Day Twenty-Eight - Go Guerrilla
Day Twenty-Nine - Well-Versed
Day Thirty - Meet a Need
Day Thirty-One - be crafty

40 days of giving back, day thirty-one: be crafty.

Well if this wasn't just the absolute kick in the butt that I needed.

Today's task was to do something crafty for someone else. I need to make a banner for Britney and Brandon's engagement party this weekend, and I've kind of been putting it off. Coincidence much? I think not.

So I am off to Target this afternoon to buy the cardstock and twine / ribbon I need for the banner, and this afternoon will be spent working on that in between various things for work.

Fingers crossed my first grown-up craft venture turns out well. I'll post a picture in my weekly roundup post early next week so you can see how it turns out.
xx

Previous Tasks:
Day One - Start a Journal
Day Two - Create a Generosity Jar
Day Three - Tool Up
Day Four - Connect
Day Five - An Attitude of Gratitude
Day Six - Reach
Day Seven - Redial
Day Eight - o.t.t.
Day Nine - Listen, carefully
Day Ten - Talent Show
Day Eleven - one green thing
Day Twelve - #nofilter
Day Thirteen - Go Local
Day Fourteen - Shhhhh
Day Fifteen - Stand Up, Stand Out
Day Sixteen - bake it, make it, take it
Day Seventeen - Ps and Qs
Day Eighteen - #charitytuesday
Day Nineteen - don't hold back the wonderful
Day Twenty - Always Talk to Strangers
Day Twenty-One - Pray
Day Twenty-Two - Unplug
Day Twenty-Three - Milk, No Sugar
Day Twenty-Four - grinning = winning
Day Twenty-Five - Treasure Hunt
Day Twenty-Six - domino
Day Twenty-Seven - blooming marvellous
Day Twenty-Eight - Go Guerrilla
Day Twenty-Nine - Well-Versed
Day Thirty - Meet a Need

40 days of giving back, day thirty: meet a need.

Today's challenge was to meet the need of a local organization, such as a food bank or a hospital. In our little suburb, there is a veterans association that comes by once a month to pick up and clothing or household items that we no longer have a use for. They came by today, and my father had left a few bags out by the mailbox for them, so I guess today he was the one who followed through on this challenge.

Trust me, I definitely have some things I need to get rid of. It's time for me to do my quarterly closet and room cleanse and give the things I don't use regularly to someone who might. Unfortunately, I didn't know that today was their pick-up day until about 7pm last night, and so I didn't have enough time to get my stuff together.

But. When they came by to pick up this month's haul, they left another bright yellow bag for next months collection. I brought the bag up to my room, and in these next few days and weeks, I'm going to slowly start filling it with the things I no longer wear or use. And when they come back next month, I'll be ready.

In the meantime, I'd still like to help another organization. I called up the Mid-South Food Bank this afternoon, and although they don't have any particular needs at the moment, they said they always accept donations. So when I make a Kroger run for the parents later this week, I'm going to pick up some canned goods to take over to one of their donations sites. Additionally, I filled out the individual volunteer form to spend a few hours each Monday afternoon filling backpacks for one of their programs. It's a small way I can start volunteering regularly - something I've been wanting to do - and help out a local organization.

I'm always on the lookout for more opportunities like these - especially one-time volunteer opportunities for events - so if you hear of anything, pass them along to me. And happy helping.
xx

Previous Tasks:
Day One - Start a Journal
Day Two - Create a Generosity Jar
Day Three - Tool Up
Day Four - Connect
Day Five - An Attitude of Gratitude
Day Six - Reach
Day Seven - Redial
Day Eight - o.t.t.
Day Nine - Listen, carefully
Day Ten - Talent Show
Day Eleven - one green thing
Day Twelve - #nofilter
Day Thirteen - Go Local
Day Fourteen - Shhhhh
Day Fifteen - Stand Up, Stand Out
Day Sixteen - bake it, make it, take it
Day Seventeen - Ps and Qs
Day Eighteen - #charitytuesday
Day Nineteen - don't hold back the wonderful
Day Twenty - Always Talk to Strangers
Day Twenty-One - Pray
Day Twenty-Two - Unplug
Day Twenty-Three - Milk, No Sugar
Day Twenty-Four - grinning = winning
Day Twenty-Five - Treasure Hunt
Day Twenty-Six - domino
Day Twenty-Seven - blooming marvellous
Day Twenty-Eight - Go Guerrilla
Day Twenty-Nine - Well-Versed

40 days of giving back, day twenty-nine: well-versed.

Today's challenge was to share a verse with others, something that has a great meaning for me. As I mentioned in previous posts, I'm not necessarily religious, so I don't have any religious verses that I turn to whenever I'm having a tough day or questioning my life path [the latter of which happens often when you're an unpaid nonprofit slogger :)]. Instead, I have a number of quotes that I like to remember and share that remind me why I do what I do.

I mentioned a few weeks ago about my trips to Jamaica and how much they have meant to me. Each year at the Reflections ceremony, when the students gather to share stories from their trip and with a group of family and friends, Joli, the Community Service Director, presents each Jamaica tripper with a photo collage. It contains a picture of each traveler during their recent trip, and there is always a quote to symbolize the group and the trip. Joli has a knack for finding the perfect quote for each visit, and over the last 14 years, I have often found myself repeating the one she put on my collage all those years ago.

Tis the human touch in the world that counts-
The touch of your hand and mine-
Which means far more to the sinking heart
Than shelter or bread or wine
For shelter is gone when the night is o'er,
And bread lasts only a day
But the touch of the hand and the sound of the voice
Live on in the soul always
[Spencer Michael Free]

I guess this is my way of reminding myself how much good you can do even with few resources.
xx

Previous Tasks:
Day One - Start a Journal
Day Two - Create a Generosity Jar
Day Three - Tool Up
Day Four - Connect
Day Five - An Attitude of Gratitude
Day Six - Reach
Day Seven - Redial
Day Eight - o.t.t.
Day Nine - Listen, carefully
Day Ten - Talent Show
Day Eleven - one green thing
Day Twelve - #nofilter
Day Thirteen - Go Local
Day Fourteen - Shhhhh
Day Fifteen - Stand Up, Stand Out
Day Sixteen - bake it, make it, take it
Day Seventeen - Ps and Qs
Day Eighteen - #charitytuesday
Day Nineteen - don't hold back the wonderful
Day Twenty - Always Talk to Strangers
Day Twenty-One - Pray
Day Twenty-Two - Unplug
Day Twenty-Three - Milk, No Sugar
Day Twenty-Four - grinning = winning
Day Twenty-Five - Treasure Hunt
Day Twenty-Six - domino
Day Twenty-Seven - blooming marvellous
Day Twenty-Eight - Go Guerrilla

40 days of giving back, day twenty-eight: go guerrilla.

Yesterday's task was a rather fun one for me. The challenge was to meet someone's need for them without bringing attention to it, and I had the perfect idea in mind that I've been toying with doing for a few weeks now.

I have a great friend from undergrad - Laura Borg Scott, or "Borgie" in my world - who moved away from Memphis a few years ago and has only managed one visit back to our great city. She's one of my favourite people, and she is making the world a better place by taking care of sick children in Baltimore.

BUT. I know there is one particular restaurant in Memphis that both Borgie and Andy, her husband, love and crave while not in Memphis. Thankfully said restaurant has an online shop, and they will pack and send food anywhere you want within the continental United States [which did not include India when I lived there, unfortunately]. So I visited their online shop and ordered a little care package for my sweet friends so they can enjoy a little taste of home.

Perhaps it's not a need in the absolute definition of the word, but I still think it will make them happy.
And fingers crossed neither of them reads this before their little parcel reaches them.
xx

Previous Tasks:
Day One - Start a Journal
Day Two - Create a Generosity Jar
Day Three - Tool Up
Day Four - Connect
Day Five - An Attitude of Gratitude
Day Six - Reach
Day Seven - Redial
Day Eight - o.t.t.
Day Nine - Listen, carefully
Day Ten - Talent Show
Day Eleven - one green thing
Day Twelve - #nofilter
Day Thirteen - Go Local
Day Fourteen - Shhhhh
Day Fifteen - Stand Up, Stand Out
Day Sixteen - bake it, make it, take it
Day Seventeen - Ps and Qs
Day Eighteen - #charitytuesday
Day Nineteen - don't hold back the wonderful
Day Twenty - Always Talk to Strangers
Day Twenty-One - Pray
Day Twenty-Two - Unplug
Day Twenty-Three - Milk, No Sugar
Day Twenty-Four - grinning = winning
Day Twenty-Five - Treasure Hunt
Day Twenty-Six - domino
Day Twenty-Seven - blooming marvellous

40 days of giving back, day twenty-seven: blooming marvellous.

So I definitely flaked on this one. Today's task was to send someone flowers 'just because'. But here's the thing. I don't send people flowers. Not because I don't like flowers, because I very much do. They're pretty and they smell good and they often brighten people's days. I don't send them mostly because they're expensive and I'm cheap. That's really all there is to it.

So instead of sending someone flowers, I'm going to send someone a handwritten note instead. I'm a big fan of handwritten cards and letters, and they're a lot cheaper and last a lot longer than flowers [unless you save the dried flowers, in which case I concede the point]. But since I'm probably not going to send any flowers to anyone today, I'll stick with my go-to: the handwritten note.

It's worked well for me in the past, and it's still a way of giving to someone to make their day brighter. I call that a win-win.
xx

Previous Tasks:
Day One - Start a Journal
Day Two - Create a Generosity Jar
Day Three - Tool Up
Day Four - Connect
Day Five - An Attitude of Gratitude
Day Six - Reach
Day Seven - Redial
Day Eight - o.t.t.
Day Nine - Listen, carefully
Day Ten - Talent Show
Day Eleven - one green thing
Day Twelve - #nofilter
Day Thirteen - Go Local
Day Fourteen - Shhhhh
Day Fifteen - Stand Up, Stand Out
Day Sixteen - bake it, make it, take it
Day Seventeen - Ps and Qs
Day Eighteen - #charitytuesday
Day Nineteen - don't hold back the wonderful
Day Twenty - Always Talk to Strangers
Day Twenty-One - Pray
Day Twenty-Two - Unplug
Day Twenty-Three - Milk, No Sugar
Day Twenty-Four - grinning = winning
Day Twenty-Five - Treasure Hunt
Day Twenty-Six - domino

40 days of giving back, day twenty-six: domino.

This was a fun and simple task, one that I've done before and will do again in the future. Yesterday I was to create a domino effect by paying for something for someone else in the hopes that they would carry it on. You know how you always hear stories of people in the drive-thru line at coffee shops paying for the car behind them, and how sometimes it carries on for 50 and even 100 cars before the line ends or someone doesn't keep it going? Something along those lines.

I don't drink coffee, and I have a weird opposition to Starbucks, so I don't often find myself sitting in coffee shop drive-thru lines unless I'm with my brother. I do, however, enjoy attending afternoon matinees during the week, so yesterday when I went to see Divergent at the ol' Malco Cordova, I paid for the ticket of the person behind me as well.

Now, I have no idea if that person continued it on further, especially because there aren't a whole lot of people in that theater on a Thursday afternoon, but my hope is that maybe they passed it on somewhere else during the course of their day.

Little things like these are so simple to do and can really brighten up someone's day and remind them to help others. I know I sound a little preachy when I say that, and that is not my intention, but it's the truth.

So let's all go out and spread a little kindness today.
xx

Previous Tasks:
Day One - Start a Journal
Day Two - Create a Generosity Jar
Day Three - Tool Up
Day Four - Connect
Day Five - An Attitude of Gratitude
Day Six - Reach
Day Seven - Redial
Day Eight - o.t.t.
Day Nine - Listen, carefully
Day Ten - Talent Show
Day Eleven - one green thing
Day Twelve - #nofilter
Day Thirteen - Go Local
Day Fourteen - Shhhhh
Day Fifteen - Stand Up, Stand Out
Day Sixteen - bake it, make it, take it
Day Seventeen - Ps and Qs
Day Eighteen - #charitytuesday
Day Nineteen - don't hold back the wonderful
Day Twenty - Always Talk to Strangers
Day Twenty-One - Pray
Day Twenty-Two - Unplug
Day Twenty-Three - Milk, No Sugar
Day Twenty-Four - grinning = winning
Day Twenty-Five - Treasure Hunt

40 days of giving back, day twenty-five: treasure hunt.

For today, my challenge was to spend some time in a public place and see how I could help those around me.

I'll be honest, I did not go to a park today and sit around waiting to see how I might be able to help someone. Not for a lack of wanting to help people, but more for a lack of time. Instead, while I was out for a run this morning, I stopped at each overturned recycling bin - and there were quite a few, as it was a bit windy this morning - and set them right side up again and replaced all their contents. It might not have been the greatest way to help someone today, but I feel like I saved some time for the guys who come around and pick them up, so that's good enough for me.

I will admit, these tasks are beginning to seem a bit trivial from time to time, which is also why it might seem as though I am improvising on them every now and then. But I am committed to following through on this, so I still plan on sticking with it.

Here's looking forward to the tasks to come.
xx

Previous Tasks:
Day One - Start a Journal
Day Two - Create a Generosity Jar
Day Three - Tool Up
Day Four - Connect
Day Five - An Attitude of Gratitude
Day Six - Reach
Day Seven - Redial
Day Eight - o.t.t.
Day Nine - Listen, carefully
Day Ten - Talent Show
Day Eleven - one green thing
Day Twelve - #nofilter
Day Thirteen - Go Local
Day Fourteen - Shhhhh
Day Fifteen - Stand Up, Stand Out
Day Sixteen - bake it, make it, take it
Day Seventeen - Ps and Qs
Day Eighteen - #charitytuesday
Day Nineteen - don't hold back the wonderful
Day Twenty - Always Talk to Strangers
Day Twenty-One - Pray
Day Twenty-Two - Unplug
Day Twenty-Three - Milk, No Sugar
Day Twenty-Four - grinning = winning

40 days of giving back, day twenty-four: grinning = winning.

Well today's task seems simple enough: instead of playing an April Fools' joke that makes fun of someone, use today to find ways to make others smile.

This is another of those tough ones when you're working from home, but I made the people at the bank laugh a little when I ran an errand for my mother earlier today, and I'm pretty sure my brother had a good little laugh at me when I made fun of myself for something earlier [it was via text message, so I don't have visual confirmation of this].

And I'm hoping that all my friends at India Palace will smile when they see me show up for dinner in about an hour.

So that counts pretty well for making me smile, right? I've certainly not made fun of anyone other than myself today, so I'll count it as a win.
xx

Previous Tasks:
Day One - Start a Journal
Day Two - Create a Generosity Jar
Day Three - Tool Up
Day Four - Connect
Day Five - An Attitude of Gratitude
Day Six - Reach
Day Seven - Redial
Day Eight - o.t.t.
Day Nine - Listen, carefully
Day Ten - Talent Show
Day Eleven - one green thing
Day Twelve - #nofilter
Day Thirteen - Go Local
Day Fourteen - Shhhhh
Day Fifteen - Stand Up, Stand Out
Day Sixteen - bake it, make it, take it
Day Seventeen - Ps and Qs
Day Eighteen - #charitytuesday
Day Nineteen - don't hold back the wonderful
Day Twenty - Always Talk to Strangers
Day Twenty-One - Pray
Day Twenty-Two - Unplug
Day Twenty-Three - Milk, No Sugar