Day 26 to 28 – Hallowed Ground

A few years ago on a sunny Sunday afternoon, I was returning to Bicester from Church in Banbury along the B4100. As I approached the Hardwick turning, just prior to a sharp right hand bend, I could see ahead of me a road accident.

I pulled over, put on a fluorescent jacket that I kept in the boot of my car, and walked over to see if I could help. The road was completely blocked and I notice that the scene was unusually quiet; even though there were quite a few people standing around. I could see that a motorcycle and car had been involved and as I walked over to the motorcycle I saw a man kneeling next to the body of a young women. I’m not sure how or why, but I immediate knew she was dead and this was confirmed to me by the man with her. There was nothing we could do.

I often pass the scene of that accident and at times see flowers tied to a road sign; as members of her family and friends remember her. I consider that ground hallowed and a place for people to come and pay their respects.

As Gill and I were driving to church on Christmas Day we past that spot and I could see, as we approached, that someone had dropped a bag of rubbish and the content was strewn all over the area. I felt so sad and emotional and in a way felt that this spot had been desecrated. I’m sure this was an irrational reaction and I’m sure the person who dropped the litter had no idea as to what had happened at that spot a few years ago.

Well, the area has been cleared of the rubbish and restored to its unofficial status as ‘hallowed ground’.

Other activities this Christmas season have included:

2 x Gave cash to a charity
1 x Help a stranger with her shopping
5 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver
2 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
2 x Put neighbours bin back after the bin men had been
1 x Voluntary work in the community

Sub total: 13
Running total: 352

Target: 3000+ random acts of kindness in 12months

Commenced 30^th November 2011

Motivation for ‘’My Ten-a-day’

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realise there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”

Day 25 – Mince Pies are Beckoning!!!

This will be my last entry before Christmas and Gill has just informed me that the mince pies have just come out of the oven!!

May I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and may we all continue to look-out for others this festive season.

My final gifts before Christmas included:

2 x Gave cash to a charity
9 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver
2 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
1 x Gave a hello/good morning to a stranger
2 x Wrote a letter of appreciation to someone

Sub total: 16
Running total: 339

Target: 3000+ random acts of kindness in 12months

Commenced 30^th November 2011

Motivation for ‘’My Ten-a-day’

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realise there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”

Day 22 to 24 – The Goth & The Mod

A very warm welcome to Mitzi who has joined my little band of followers … its nice to have you onboard.

Ever since being introduced to Paul Weller and The Jam in 1978 I have always enjoyed wearing Mod clothes. Even though I am in my late forties I still like wearing my Merc tank-tops, the polo shirts, desert boots and the black Harrington jackets … I know its sad, but I do enjoy the style of my youth; nostalgia can be a very powerful emotion.

Anyway, I was in Oxford on Wednesday when I saw a Goth. He was dressed in the traditional black outfit and boots, but he also had a very handsome top hat on. I must say he looked really good; like a wealthy/clean artful dodger. I pointed him out to Gill and then caught up with him and let him know how cool I thought he looked, to which he showed appreciation and a smile … The Mod met The Goth … although he didn’t say anything about what I was wearing?!?! … probably just as well … ha, ha!!

The last three day’s stylish successes included:

1 x Said something nice to a stranger
2 x Gave cash to a charity
27 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver
6 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
8 x Gave a hello/good morning to a stranger
7 x Gave money to a street beggar
1 x Stopped and had a chat with a stranger
1 x Cleared/picked-up rubbish in the neighbourhood
1x Gave-up my seat in a restaurant to someone else
1 x Voluntary work in the community

Sub total: 55
Running total: 323

Target: 3000+ random acts of kindness in 12months

Commenced 30^th November 2011

Motivation for ‘’My Ten-a-day’

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realise there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”

Day 20 to 21 – Team Tactics!

Over the past two days I have been out with my sweetheart Gilly. We have been out Christmas shopping and visiting family … I love being with my wife during the Christmas season.

I have discovered that Gill makes a brilliant ‘partner in crime’ in identifying opportunities to bless other people’s lives; she also makes a wonderful scribe.

However, as I reviewed the scrap of paper she had used to record all the acts of kindness achieved I discovered the following sentence … “nearly knocked old man over on crossing!” … I’m not sure she needed to record that!!! … ha, ha!!!

The past two days haul included:

1 x Gave cash to a charity
13 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver
6 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
2 x Gave a hello/good morning to a stranger
1 x Replaced store’s merchandise that had fallen off the display
1 x Stopped and had a long chat with a stranger
1x Gave-up my place in a queue for someone else
1 x Helped someone in a wheelchair
1 x Retrieved a supermarket trolley and put it in the trolley park
1 x Put neighbours bin back after the bin men had been
1 x Voluntary work in the community

Sub total: 29
Running total: 268

Target: 3000+ random acts of kindness in 12months

Commenced 30^th November 2011

Motivation for ‘’My Ten-a-day’

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realise there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”

Day 18 to 19 – Sitting on the Shoulders of my Hero!

Many Christmas’ ago I remember being carried on the shoulders of my father through the thick snow as we walked home from church. I remember my feelings of 'home and family' and the feelings of excitement and mystery during the Christmas season.
 
Time has passed, and my circumstances have change, and I now enjoy providing the same feelings for my family. I also enjoy looking for opportunities to show others the true meaning of Christmas by showing them love and kindness during this special season.

However, I sometimes miss being that child, the excitement and mystery of Christmas eve and sitting on the shoulders of my father … in fact, I mostly miss my father … Merry Christmas Dad!

The opportunities to hand out some Christmas gifts (acts of kindness) this weekend were limited, but nevertheless heartfelt:

2 x Gave cash to a charity
2 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver

Sub total: 4
Running total: 239

Target: 3000+ random acts of kindness in 12 months

Commenced 30^th November 2011

Motivation for ‘’My Ten-a-day’

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realise there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”

Day 16 to 17 - Loose Change

I have noticed that there are charity collection tins in most shops these days. What a great way to contribute to a good cause by simply putting a few pennies in a tin. If everyone did that it raise millions of pounds for good causes.

Got any loose change?

The past two days random acts of kindness included:

1 x Gave money to a street beggar
1 x Let someone know I care about them
3 x Gave cash to a charity
2 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
6 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver
1 x Voluntary work in the community

Sub total: 14
Running total: 235

Target: 3000+ random acts of kindness in 12 months

Commenced 30^th November 2011

 Motivation for ‘’My Ten-a-day’

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing".

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realise there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”

Day 15 - Lighting Candles

I was thinking ….. in an ever increasingly dark and chaotic world it is so easy to become indifferent and cynical to the plight of others.

We may not be able to resolve everyone’s problems or replace all the hatred in people’s hearts with feelings of tenderness. But what we can do is keep ‘lighting candles’. Each act of kindness we do for a stranger, family member or a friend is like lighting candles; especially when we do it in response to someone being unkind to us.

Light has a tendency to make us feel safe and peaceful; and will always keep the darkness away.

Today’s 'lighted candles' included:

1 x Gave money to a street beggar
1 x Let someone know I care about them
1 x Gave cash to a charity
1 x Paid for a friend’s dinner
2 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
9 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver
2 x Voluntary work in the community
Sub total: 17
Running total: 221

Target: 3000+ random acts of kindness in 12 months

Commenced 30^th November 2011

Motivation for ‘’My Ten-a-day’

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realise there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”