Day 1 of 30 Kind Acts for 30 Days

So, I did it. I did one kind act for a stranger today. How did they receive it? I have no idea. I dont know who received my gift. So, whats the deal? Ok, here goes:

I have been wondering for a few days what I could possibly do. I dont exactly have a lot of money and definately dont have money to spare. This is a good cause and I want to do everything in my power, but I have bills to pay at the end of the day and while my job provides a decent income, it doesnt provide for “wants” at the moment. So, ok, most things dont have to cost money…….but still, what was I going to do??

Then, after dropping my kids off at school this morning, getting my morning fix of coffee and driving to the house to start working, I figured it out. I kept going, right past my street, down the road and pulled in to the parking lot. I could see my friend in the store and she came to unlock the door for me since she wasnt actually open. I greeted her with a great big good morning and her curiosity was peaked – I dont just stop in.

Sherri, who I call my friend and like to think she does the same :), is the owner of Tangles Beauty Bar. I told her I needed a git certificate and why – I was helping a stranger and since I like to be pampered I’m sure someone I dont know likes it too. I had been thinking it would be great to give this to a mom. I wasnt sure how I was going to find a mom to give this too but at least I had a base idea.

So, as I was telling Sherri my story, she started to give her input – which I so appreciated. She went through a very similar phase and process at one point in her life. The giving is about knowing she helped someone else. She couldnt take responsibility for what they did with the gift once they received it. I thought “wow! What a great insight!” I definately needed to hear that. She then went on to give me ideas of where I could go to find a mom. Sherri also went a step further and gave me some hair products to put in with the gift. I never expected her to do that but I really appreciated that she did.

So, I came home and worked like usually, mulling over the input I had received from Sherri. When it was time for my lunch hour, I left the house in search of this “mom” to gift. I ended up at the local office for Child Care assistance. I walked in and asked for the manager, who was sitting right in front of me. I told her that I needed her help and I had a little story to share with her.

I began to share a piece of my story, the “why” that brought me to her office today. I ended it with explaining that I wanted to know if she had a person in mind that was trying hard to get on her feet and could use a little cheering up. She said “Yes, but my clients are confidential”. I said “Oh! I completely understand, but if you have someone you have in mind then I’m going to leave this with you and trust that you will get this gift to the right person”.

I walked out of the office shaking. I wasnt sure why and then it dawned on me, I felt exactly the way I did when I was in Tennessee at this program and I just had a big breakthrough – enlighted and fulfilled! What a great feeling.

Later I was reflecting back on this event and realized that before I went, I had prayed. I prayed that God would help me find the right place to go and once it left my hands that God would place this gift in the right hands. I prayed that God would help the receiver of this gift to know it came with love and understanding and encouragement. I also realized, I used Courage.

When I was at my program, I wore a wrist band with “Courage” printed on it. This was to remind me that I didnt need someone to be courage for me, I had it in me. Today was the first time I truly used my courage in me to do something totally outside of my comfort zone and I didnt freeze, stumble, get scared or anything – I just lived the moment.

I can honestly say, I am blessed with all that is in my life and the amazing people that see past my hard shell and the “Angry Maria” to the person I am at my core. I can never thank these people enough for the inspiration, unconditional love, support, honesty – even brutally :), and just time that they all give to me.

For this being day 1 of this event, I am so excited to see what God puts in my path and has for me on the next 29 days. Have you ever done 30 kind acts for 30 days?