Day 225 to 243 - The Terrorist Suspect

On arriving at Heathrow Airport this week to pick-up a VIP visiting the London Olympics I noticed a suspicious man loitering in the Terminal building.

I observed the man and noticed he was slightly dishevelled and of a Middle Eastern or perhaps Eastern European appearance. His facial expression appeared to show he was preoccupied with something and, looking down at the ground, he shuffled aimlessly around the arrivals lounge. I knew a flight was due in from the USA and, along with my training and understanding of ‘determined suicide killers’, a picture was beginning to be painted in my mind about this stranger. Although I could see he wasn’t carrying anything, I still felt an unease about the man.

I checked the arrival time of my client’s flight and went to pull out a ‘name’ card from my file. As I did so I dropped all my paperwork all over the Terminal floor. A little flustered, I bent down to pick it all up when I noticed someone next to me, helping me to retrieve my papers … you’ve guest it! … my 'suspected terrorist' was the only one in the crowded Terminal to come to my aid ... how wrong can someone be?

I was taught a salient lesson that day.

Recent kind acts included:

16 x Gave a big smile and a hello to a stranger
13 x Gave cash to a charity
120 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to other drivers
12 x Picked up rubbish in the neighbourhood
1 x Helped someone in need
19 x Held the door open for someone
30 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
6 x Put neighbours bin back after the bin men had been
3 x Gave respite care to a family
2 x Cut my neighbours lawn
1 x Sent a text of appreciation to someone
1 x Sent a letter of appreciation to someone

3 x Voluntary work for Ipsos Access Panels

Sub total: 227

Running total: 2484

Target: 3000+ in 12months

Commenced 30^thNovember 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 realize 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 212 to 224 – Creating Sunshine

I think I’m about to give up on the British Summer. My frequent excursions to the Gower Peninsula and the North Coast of Cornwall have been curtailed so far this summer. What I would give for a few days on the beach in the glorious sunshine!

Well, back in soggy Bicester, I am simply going to create my own sunshine by smiling more at people I pass and meet. I have felt the effects of someone smiling at me; it can change your mood in an instance and bring warmth of friendship and of our common humanity.

A few sunny encounters these last two weeks have included:

16 x Gave a big smile and a hello to a stranger
19 x Gave cash to a charity
5 x Gave cash to a street beggar
98 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver
8 x Picked up rubbish in the neighbourhood
1 x Gave my support to a friend in need
1 x Voluntary work within the Community
15 x Held the door open for someone
27 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
1 x Voluntary work for the NHS
1 x Treated a friend to dinner
8 x Put neighbours bin back after the bin men had been
3 x Helped a person in need
3 x Replaced store’s merchandise that had fallen off the display
2 x Gave respite care to a family
2 x Cut my neighbours lawn

Sub total: 210
Running total: 2257

Target: 3000+ in 12months

Commenced 30^thNovember 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 realize 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 199 to 211 – Pieces of Paper and Post-it Notes!

My desk is full of pieces of paper and Post-it notes with all the ‘acts of kindness’ I have remembered to record; although I tend to lose many acts on account of not being in a position to write things down and then forgetting what I’ve done! … J … must be an age thing!! … J J

I am glad I started this Blog and was very please to meet, again, the journalist who inspired/encouraged me to start it … thank you Helen … But to be honest, there is a small part of me that just wants to get to the 1st December 2012 and return to my life of anonymous service; and of course reclaiming my desk back from all these pieces of paper and Post-it notes!!!! … J

A few scribbled notes recorded the following:

11 x Gave cash to a charity
1 x Gave a big smile and a hello to a stranger
88 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver
6 x Picked up rubbish in the neighbourhood
3 x Gave my support to a friend in need

2 x Wrote a letter of appreciation to someone

1 x Voluntary work within the Community
4 x Held the door open for someone
7 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
1 x Voluntary work for Ipsos Access Panels
2 x Treated a friend to lunch
1 x Bought an American friend a Lardy cake!
5 x Put neighbours bin back after the bin men had been
1 x Said something nice to a stranger
1 x Helped a disabled motorist park his car
1 x Helped push a broken down car
1 x Replaced store’s merchandise that had fallen off the display
1 x Gave respite care to a family

Sub total: 137

Running total: 2047

Target: 3000+ in 12months

Commenced 30^thNovember 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 realize 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 181 to 198 – Paying the Rent!

Shirley Chisholm once said:  “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”

Payments made over the past two weeks include:

1 x Gave one of my a CD’s to a friend … she said she liked it!
14 x Gave cash to a charity
17 x Gave a big smile and a hello to a stranger
100 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver
6 x Picked up rubbish in the neighbourhood
1 x Sent a text of appreciation to someone
5 x Voluntary work within the Community
14 x Held the door open for someone
8 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
2 x Voluntary work for Ipsos Access Panels
1 x Gave cash to a Big Issue seller
1 x Gave cash to a street beggar
1 x Treated a friend to lunch
3 x Treated some friends to a drink
2 x Cut neighbours lawn
3 x Put neighbours bin back after the bin men had been
1 x Gave respite care to a family by looking after Harry
1 x Replaced store’s merchandise that had fallen off the display
1 x Cleared neighbour’s drain
1 x Cleared public footpath of overgrown vegetation
1 x Retrieved a supermarket trolley and put it in the trolley park
2 x Helped someone in need

Sub total: 173
Running total: 1910

Target: 3000+ in 12months

Commenced 30^thNovember 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 realize 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 163 to 180 – The First Aid Course

Last week I attended my three yearly First Aid refresher course as part of my respite carer’s accreditation. As with most courses I could not wait until it ended … same old, same old!!! …I thought.

A few days later I was at an event in London when a lady collapsed in the car park. She was surrounded by about five people who appeared to have the situation under control. I walked over to the group, probably just being nosey as usual, and noticed that women appeared to be unconscious and had a nasty cut to her head. The ‘First Aiders’ had her on her back, one was lifting her legs up, while another was trying to get water down her … this women was unconscious with a head wound!!

I asked the question of the group “Is anyone first aid trained here?” A stony silence then, “No, but are you?”

Well, I immediately got to work checking her breathing, putting her into the recovery position, ensuring an ambulance had been called and monitoring her condition; as I gave her some reassuring words as she was drifting in and out of consciousness.

It was a great feeling helping this lady, but I can't help but think I need to change my attitude towards First Aid refresher courses in the future ... :-)

Other opportunities to render aid over the past few weeks have included:

1 x Gave my tie to a friend … he said he liked it!
1 x Gave First Aid to a collapsed female
16 x Gave cash to a charity
8 x Gave a big smile and a hello to a stranger
103 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver
9 x Picked up rubbish in the neighbourhood
3 x Wrote a letter of appreciation to someone
3 x Voluntary work within the Community
17 x Held the door open for someone
1 x Helped someone pick-up some mess they had made.
12 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
2 x Voluntary work for Ipsos Access Panels
1 x Gave cash to a Big Issue seller
3 x Gave cash to a street beggar
1 x Treated a friend to lunch
2 x Cut neighbours lawn
3 x Put neighbours bin back after the bin men had been

Sub total: 186
Running total: 1737

Target: 3000+ in 12months

Commenced 30^thNovember 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 realize 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

Day 153 to 162 – Trainspotting

Whilst travelling home from Birmingham on the train today I spotted a man and a woman both of whom had the looks and behaviours of having Down Syndrome. They appeared to be a ‘couple’ and sat there eating their lunch. She was as ‘cute as a button’ and he was very trendy with his designer stubble and long dark hair. Both were smartly dressed and sat in silence as they opened their sandwiches and their drinks; keeping themselves very much to themselves.

As the man opened his drink the bubbles shot out all over the table and he quickly screwed the cap back on and began to laugh. His beautiful companion joined in the laughter as they surveyed the mess that had been caused by his exploding fizzy drink. They both got some tissues and began cleaning up the mess. As the soggy tissues mounted up I offered to put them in the bin for them, for which he thanked me.

I then became part of the clean-up operation as they both wiped-up all the liquid from the table. Having achieved their objective I could see that the man’s hands were sticky and offered him a ‘wet-one’, for which he was grateful.

Once all clean and tidy they resumed eating their lunch together. They were obviously in love and obviously found the whole incident highly amusing.

It was a joy for me to witness this tender moment and an even greater joy to be of service to them.

Other opportunities I had to serve people this week included:

8 x Gave cash to a charity

1 x Gave a big smile and a hello to a stranger

78 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver
1 x Replaced store’s merchandise that had fallen off the display
3 x Picked up rubbish in the neighbourhood

6 x Wrote a letter of appreciation to someone

3 x Voluntary work within the Community
4 x Held the door open for someone
1 x Helped someone pick-up some broken glass they had dropped.
4 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
2 x Did some DIY for someone in need
4 x Voluntary work for Ipsos Access Panels

1 x Gave cash to a Big Issue seller

2 x Gave my place in a queue to someone

1 x Gave cash to a street beggar

1 x Replaced store’s merchandise that had fallen off the display
1 x Treated a friend to lunch
1 x Gave someone a written job reference
1 x Put neighbours bin back after the bin men had been

Sub total: 123

Running total: 1551

Target: 3000+ 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 realize 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 145 to 152 – “I’m So Glad I Went to Church”

This weekend my Church held its semi-annual Stake Conference in Coventry. Whilst sitting in the congregation, listening to some inspiring and uplifting talks, someone passed me their mobile phone on which was a text message from a young family from our Church in Banbury.

The message stated that this family had caught a coach to Conference and whilst travelling the baby had been violently sick over all their clothes. They were in such a state that they had decided just to go home; as they were no condition to sit for two hours in a conference hall. After further clarification I ascertained they were still sitting in a waiting room at Coventry Railway Station waiting for a train.

I immediately grabbed my coat, left the conference centre and made my way to the railway station. I found a bedraggled, miserable and cold family in a waiting room on one of the platforms. I packed them into my car and, as they warmed themselves, took them safely back to their home in Banbury.

I’m so glad I went to Conference.

Other opportunities given to me to serve this week have included:

4 x Gave cash to a charity

5 x Gave a big smile and a hello to a stranger

24 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to another driver
1 x Replaced store’s merchandise that had fallen off the display
6 x Picked up rubbish in the neighbourhood

6 x Wrote a letter of appreciation to someone

1 x Visited with a family in need of company and friendship

1 x Voluntary work within the Community
1x Rescued a stranded family
5 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
2 x Did some DIY for someone in need
2 x Voluntary work for Ipsos Access Panels

Sub total: 58

Running total: 1428

Target: 3000+ 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 realize 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.”