Well here we are over two weeks into 2008. Christmas and New Year are quickly fading into all of our memories and we starting to make tracks in 08.
As we journey through this year I thought it would be a good idea to share about something that studies have proven to be good for all of us! We all want health and wellness so here is a little something that WILL help you and guess what? It's super simple and it doesn't have to cost a cent!!!!
According to many studies "doing good" is good for you. It has been shown that people who volunteer, live longer and are healthier. I think it's similar to that old saying, "laughter is one of the best medicines." Like laughter a helping hand can bring health and wellbeing, to anyone who chooses to extend themselves.
According to one author who studied thousands of "do gooders" other benefits include increased optimism and energy, decreased feelings of loneliness and depression, better weight control, a greater sense of relaxation and improved sleep. Who doesn't want all of that in life?
The beginning of the year seems like a perfect time to volunteer or perform random acts of kindness on those we love and those we don't even know. Be creative and involve your family and friends. A perfect way to keep children (whatever the age) safe and out of trouble or anything else is to set their eyes on something beyond themselves (watch for an upcoming article from Susan on this ~ it's a good one!).
A few ideas on how to help:
Cook a meal for a neighbor (maybe they have a busy week).
Rake someone’s yard and rid them of unwanted leaves
Shovel Snow from a driveway
Clean up the back yard/pool area
Clean out and organize someone’s garage
Pay for a meal at a café
Pay the toll for the person behind you
Baby-sit for someone and give a much needed break
Do someone's laundry (remind them we've all seen dirty undies....)
Clean a car
Invite someone over for dinner ~ you never know where loneliness lives.
I am putting the challenge out to my familyroom buddies so get ready for them to share what they’ve done. Let's spread a little kindness. The opportunities are ENDLESS!
FYI....we will be putting this out to our Facebook Group so jump on and share your stories of kindness with us and let’s encourage each other. Also, share your stories here.
Take care and together let's make a huge difference in this world.
Sam
Monday, January 14, 2008
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4 comments:
Sam,
This is really good. Thanks for reminding us, I think we can all get so busy that we forget to STOP and consider others.
Something I have seen throughout my life as helpful is if you know someone who has a child with a disability, offer to look after him/her for a day or even an afternoon. I know growing up, my aunt kindly helped out with my brother who has Down Syndrome. I know her stepping in was, at times, exactly what my mum needed. To this day my brother and my aunt have a special relationship and he still visits her regularly for his hot dog and whatever other 'special' treats he gives him.
You never know where you will be used in this world and who you will be to someone if you choose to extend yourself.
Thanks Sam.
Susan
Hey Sam,
Great post!
When my siblings and I were younger we'd other do random acts of kindness in our community with other families. It seemed to create even more community as we served together. We got know other families as we worked alongside each other, and the community was impacted as we cleaned up rubbish, or wrapped Christmas presents in the mall for free etc.
Thanks for the reminder and the challenge!
~cj
Wrapping Christmas presents for free that's a great idea. I saw a story on one of the news channels before Christmas about a lady who goes to your home and does that (for a fee). Maybe this is something thefamilyroom could do before Christmas to offer a hand. Wrapping is very time consuming and some people (like me) enjoy it but apparently there are many out there who don't.
A great idea.
My girlfriends and I were out for dinner recently and we began the evening by looking around the restaurant and noticing ever person. We then made the pledge to think, ponder, pray about which person in the restaurant needed to have a anonomous surprise. At the end of our meal we all voted and surprising enough we were all in agreement on who we wanted to surprise. So, we asked the waiter to walk over and tell them that someone had bought their table dessert. It was so much fun watching them try to figure out who sent it to them. You could see the countenance on their face change as they were blessed with our little surprise!
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