One of the things that has really made this year fun for me and in turn helped me grow, has been the challenges that I’ve set for myself along the way. For example, a few weeks ago I wrote several posts about organizing my house, which was one of my challenges to help fight my natural tendencies and start training me to be more of the type of person I want to be. Well last week I decided to take my post on Nelson Mandela’s birthday request and run with it. Challenge accepted!
As you all know from my previous entry, last week on his birthday, Nelson Mandela asked that everyone take 67 minutes and do something to benefit the world to represent the 67 years he spent fighting for human rights. Regardless of the 67 minutes he requested, I started thinking about how easy it is to incorporate something for the greater good into everyday so I decided that I would take a week and try to do things that would benefit others one day at a time.
Monday – When I was doing my house organization, I cleaned out a lot of drawers. The piles of clothes to be given away have been sitting in my living room for weeks now so I decided that this was the perfect selfless deed for Monday. I bagged up all the clothing I had already decided to give away and went through all my drawers and closets a second time to see if I had anything else that I was willing to part with. After I was done, I took the bags to a local shopping center that had a clothing drop container in their parking lot. Giving clothes to the needy – CHECK!
Tuesday – Inspired by a letter I received for my upcoming Habitat for Humanity trip, I decided to devote Tuesday’s blog to the charitable organization. It really wasn’t much but by mentioning the organization and the work that they do, hopefully it will generate some interest and maybe even some future donors or volunteers. Blog about a charity to generate awareness – CHECK!
Wednesday – I live in the suburbs so we drive EVERYWHERE! Going to work, going to the grocery store, going out to bars, and even running around town but on this particular day, I had a task that could be done without the use of my car. I have a friend that lives exactly 3 miles round trip from my apartment and I had to drop something off at her house. Normally I would make the quick two minute drive down to her house, drop off what I needed to and come right back, especially in the excessive heat last week, but instead I decided to walk it. I threw on my Ipod and some gym clothes and ran my errand on foot. Not only did I do a little something for the planet but I also got in some pretty great exercise. Walk instead of driving – CHECK!
Thursday – Sometimes you can make a difference to someone, just by doing something completely simple to make their day a little better so when deciding on something to do Thursday, I opted to stop at the grocery store and pick up some cookie dough. That night, after dinner with my parents and before I went out to the bar with some friends, I baked 3 batches of cookies to bring to work the next day. It wasn’t a big thing but it was a nice thing. They may never know it was me who baked or know why I did it but every single cookie was gone so I think they were appreciated. Do something nice for the people around you – CHECK!
Friday – A very standard volunteer activity is to help a senior citizen. You can help out at nursing home or just offer to buy groceries for an elderly person. Well for me, I could have helped out a random person but my senior of choice had a special place in my heart. My grandma lives alone and rarely goes anywhere. I have to say, she lives a pretty lonely life so instead of going out on a Friday night, I decided I would drive the half hour to her house and cook her dinner. Sometimes it’s just nice to have a little company. Visit with a senior citizen – CHECK!
Saturday – The big issue these days is living a “greener” lifestyle. I hate to admit it but I’m not a very green person at all. I let the water run when I brush my teeth, I take longer showers than I need to, and I leave lights on in rooms in I’m not using. One of the things that I really should do but don’t do is recycle. My apartment complex offers recycling but I just don’t have the room in my apartment to collect the items so it’s easier to throw everything in one trash bag and take it to the dumpster. Well, Saturday I decided it was time to start putting forth a little more effort to live a greener lifestyle. I cleared an area in my kitchen where I could put empty bottles and cans. I get a ton of magazines and typically I clean them out by throwing them in the bag with my other trash but this time I set them aside in an area I set up for discarded magazines to be taken to the recycling. I even made sure to do the two loads of laundry I did that day in cold water to conserve energy. Now I know that doing this stuff one day is great but in order to make an impact you have to do it on a regular basis and hopefully I’ve set myself up to do just that. Set up a greener lifestyle – CHECK!
Sunday – I rested! Even God got a day off J
Overall, I don’t think I did anything spectacular this past week but every little thing counts. In the future I will think twice before I drive short distances or go to throw a plastic bottle in the trashcan. I hope to make a bigger effort to let the people in my life know that they are appreciated or let them know they aren’t forgotten. I have a lot to be thankful for but if I learned anything in kindergarten, it's the importance of sharing with others. Nothing that I did took all that long or kept me from doing anything that I wanted to do. Maybe today you will think of something you can do for someone other than yourself, not because you have to but because you want to.
"We can do no great things, only small things with great love." - Mother Teresa
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