Day 268 to 270 – “Richard … Happy?!”

(Shared with you with the permission of Harry's parents)

One of the great joys in my life is giving respite to families with autistic children. One of my links is Harry and I have been with him for 3 years and he has become like a little brother to me.

One of Harry’s behaviours involves taking pictures. He always has a camera with him and he constantly makes a pictorial record of the day we have together. He also likes to take photos of himself by holding the camera away from his face with one hand and pointing the camera back at himself … he follows the same process when taking photos of himself with his family/friends.

Unfortunately Harry has a tendency to pick out unsuspecting members of the public wanting to have his picture taken with them. Whilst bowling today he picked out a teenager in a group. I stopped Harry and could see, by the response of the teenagers, that this was not a safe thing for him to do. So I had to be firm with Harry by telling him ‘No!” … Harry wasn’t pleased with me.

We arrived at our booth in the bowling alley and Harry put his arm over my shoulder and took a picture of us both. He examined the digital photo and, seeing that I was not smiling, said, “Richard … Happy?”

He took another photograph, this time with us both smiling … I think we are friends again … J

A few more acts of kindness achieved recently include:

6 x Gave cash to a charity
31 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to other drivers
1 x Picked up rubbish in the neighbourhood
2 x Gave respite care to a family by looking after Harry
3 x Held the door open for someone

Sub total: 43
Running total: 2835

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 253 to 267 – The Mysterious Case of the Moving Wheelie Bin

It can be very frustrating when you miss the rubbish collection; especially with fortnightly pick-ups. So I have been putting out my neighbour’s bins, if needed, when I put mine out. I also enjoy putting them all back and picking-up any scattered rubbish.

Over the past two weeks I have noticed that my bin had been put back without my help; I assumed Gill had done it. Well, what a lovely surprise I had when a neighbour, I hardly knew, informed me that she had been doing it.

I know it’s not much, but it did give me a warm feeling just to know a stranger was looking out for me.

The last two weeks of kind acts included:

22 x Gave a big smile and a hello to a stranger
8 x Gave cash to a charity
77 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to other drivers
7 x Picked up rubbish in the neighbourhood
1 x Gave respite care by taking-on another link
1 x Help a stranger with her pram
35 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian

4 x Voluntary work for Ipsos Access Panels

1 x Voluntary work with the local community association

2 x Gave respite care to a family by looking after Luke
2 x Cut neighbours lawn
5 x Struck-up a cheery conversation with a stranger
18 x Held the door open for someone
2 x Helped someone in need

Sub total: 185
Running total: 2792

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 244 to 252 – The Stranger on the Bridge

In March 2011 I was driving home from our Chapel when I came across a man and a woman on a road bridge. The woman had climbed over the safety barrier and the man was speaking with her ... a classic attempt 'suicide' scenario.

I stopped my car and went to the blind side of the woman so she could not see me and hoping not to provoke her into jumping. I wanted to get near enough so I could hear what was being said and to take some positive action if required. I knew the police were on their way and I was quite content to keep everything calm until the police arrived and then hand it over to them.

Before the police arrived the woman became very agitated and her body language indicated to me she was about to jump. I looked at the man’s face and could see a look of horror appear and I thought, for the first time in my experience of these matters, that this woman was actually going to do it!

I made a grabbed for the female and, with the help of the man, pulled her back over the safety rail.

The police arrived and we gave our contact details and left the scene.

Yesterday, I met up with that stranger again, as we were both given a Commendation by the local Police for our actions on that day. Over my 30 years in law enforcement I have often been in situations like that and, to be honest, I am pretty use to it. But this young man had never been involved in anything remotely like this and when asked, by the Local Police Commander, why he stopped his car and went to the aid of the women. He simply replied, ‘It was the right thing to do.”

If only all of us were inspired to do things in life simply because it is the ‘right thing to do’, what wonderful World it be … and what a hero I met on the bridge that day.

This weeks kind acts to others, that I hope were inspired by the ‘right thing to do’, included:

8 x Gave a big smile and a hello to a stranger
8 x Gave cash to a charity
76 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to other drivers
4 x Picked up rubbish in the neighbourhood
1 x Did some community service
6 x Held the door open for someone
15 x Proactively ‘gave-way’ to a pedestrian
2 x Put neighbours bin back after the bin men had been

2 x Gave cash to a street beggar

1 x Gave First Aid to a collapsed male

Sub total: 123
Running total: 2607

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 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.”