February 28

Today I got an "atta girl"from a co- worker today. I find the "atta girl" is a great motivator.

February 27

Today is a somber day. There was a school shooting Chardon, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. This post is for the acts of kindness we will not know from today. The hugs from strangers, the thoughts and prayers from around the world, the shoulders to lean on for all of these kids. We won't know the specific stories unless we know someone who was directly affected, but I have no doubt there were thousands of these kinds of kindness today.

February 26

Today I purchased my son's birthday present. It was large but the associate took it out to my car, put it in the car then took my cart.

February 25

I know I talk a lot about my husband but I have to give him props again today. He took our son to the mall and the park so I basically had all day to write my very large paper. I am so very lucky!

February 24

Today a group of my co-workers took time out of their busy lives to be a part of a focus group for my class. I am lucky to work with such great people.

February 23

We went bowling tonight. While the group consisted of guys and girls, the girls were the recipients of the harmless flirting from the guys the next lane over. It was cute.

February 22

Today I got the "friends and family" discount at a local popcorn shop, and they also gave me and my family a special treat. It makes me want to always buy local!

February 21

I was getting cranky today, and while driving, a great song came on and changed my mood.

February 20

Another post from a friend! Thanks Louise for sharing.

i was just starting out on the track tonight to waste a little time before my weight class started, i had my towel, water and also my little wristlet purse which i didn't realize wasn't zipped shut....i took about four steps into the track and decided to shift all my junk around in my hands and inadvertently turned the purse upside down - it wasn't zipped shut and all my change and credit cards flew all over the track! the runners/walkers proceeded to step/jump around me and the mess i made, but a young girl that was on one of the treadmills close by jumped down and started helping me pick up my stuff! what a nice thing to do. yes, random acts of kindness mean a lot!

February 19

I went to a swap meet with a friend today. At one store there was a woman who walked up to me and asked me in Spanish if I spoke Spanish. I said no and she said she only spoke Spanish. She smiled and said something in Spanish and smiled so I smiled back and walked away. She then came up to me to tell me the woman in the next store over did speak English. I said gracias and she smiled. It made her so happy that I at least said thank you in her language.

February 18

Today I hung out with people I had not met before. One girl was really nice to introduce everyone to me and tell me about the people so I felt like part of the group.

February 17

Many people congratulated me for the event we had completed last night. I only played a small part but it was nice for people to say!

February 16

Today I three different people drop things, and every time someone would help them pick whatever it was up.

February 15

Several months ago I was introduced online to a woman named Cathy. She had an online store that sold amazing hand made jewelry. The best part was that certain bracelets were created for certain people and when those pieces are sold, she gives a percentage of the proceeds to a charity of that person's choice. Many times, the bracelet is not created by that person, but in honor of that person. Here is her website - http://cathyscreationsjewelry.com/main.sc Under cause jewelry, I'm a personal fan of the Bryer, Elliott and Landon bracelets, but that's just me. If you search her on Facebook, and like her page, you become a "Frike" - a friend who likes her page.

Cathy does so much more. She does auctions of her jewelry to raise money for people in need. Last fall she encouraged many of us to give to help women in need during the holidays. She is just an amazing person.

Today she posted on her blog about "Random Act of Kindness" week and the many things you can do to create acts of kindness. I wanted to share the list so people can give kindness and hopefully receive kindness in return. http://creationscathys.blogspot.com/2012/02/random-acts-of-kindness-week.html

Thank you Cathy, for being such an inspiration for so many.

February 14

Today my husband was driving behind a bus. As it slowed down, the bus driver waved my husband ahead so he didn't have to wait for the bus to pick up the students. Very nice!

February 13

It has been said, "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit". I'm working with two amazing women right now who are planning an event for well over 400 people. These women are working their TAILS off and not asking for any credit. They are just focused on making sure our event comes off without a hitch. I'm just happy I get to work next to them.

February 12

I went to the park with my son today. A guy with three dogs went over the top to let my son play with his dogs. He was so happy and I was too

February 11

A couple days ago, my friend was having day three of a bad day. You know, the bad day that ends up being three days? She shared with a few of us how bad it was. Then a little later a "secret admirer" had sent her chocolate covered strawberries. And that turned her around. Later that night she told us that the random gift from another one of our friends (she finally confessed) got her to start thinking differently about her life, and the stress and frustration she was feeling about one part of her life went away because she was so focused on the great things she has.

Here is the best part. Another friend heard this story. The next day, her husband was having a really bad day, so she sent him candy to brighten his day, which it did. This is a great example about how people were paying it forward, and how it helped people feel better. I really think it's not about the amount the gift costs, it's about the act of kindness that counts.

All of these acts remind me of a dear dear friend who, many years ago, sent me a large envelope that was full of little paper squares. Each square said "hugs" - there were thousands of them. I still have them all, and will mail them to other people from time to time. Again, the smallest act can make such a great difference in someone.

February 10

Today's post is about a friend that was taken from us too soon. Her name was Lisa. Four years ago today she died from brain cancer. The cancer is called Glioblastoma which is a very aggressive form of brain cancer. From the first time she showed signs that something was wrong until she died was 6 days. I probably remember more about that week than most weeks of my life - the pain, the concern, the deep sadness.

Anyway, this is not about the sadness. This post is to highlight two kinds of acts of kindness, both that Lisa has given to me.

My husband grew up with seven other guys that he was close to in high school, and the guys stayed pretty close through college, even though they all went different directions. My first time meeting Lisa was at the wedding of one of these guys in 1999. I was nervous - these guys were a big part of my husbands life, and I wanted to make sure I got along with the girls. Lisa was the first of the girlfriends/wives I met. She immediately put me at ease and made me feel welcome. She gave me the back story on people and brought me into the "group" so I felt like I was one of them.

That friendship grew over the years. I've never been one to have friends that I communicate with daily. It's just never been my way (and I don't condone it, I'm just wired differently) but Lisa and I always maintained a connection even though our lives took different paths. She always focused on what was important to us and tried to help the best she could. You always felt special with Lisa. Her kindness was not random, but it wasn't something she forced. It just was. I still try every day to be a mom like her.

After Lisa died, we were all just a mess. She was the second one in our group that had passed away in 18 months time. (I will also write about Ryan someday - he's a great story of kindness too). My husband and I were not living in the town where he grew up, but came back to town and spent a week greiving with everyone. We made it through the calling hours (over 1000 people came to pay their respects) and the funeral. I was drained, distraught and depressed. We were driving from the cemetary back to the church to be fed, and we had the radio on. Suddenly, Bittersweet Symphony from the Verve came on the radio. It wasn't a popular song at the time, but one I always liked. In my head I visualized the last scene in the movie Cruel Intentions, where that song was used. In that scene the Reece Witherspoon character is driving away and suddenly this great feeling of calm swept over me. I remember thinking to myself - it is all going to be okay. To me, that was Lisa telling me that it was all going to be okay. And I still believe that was what she was trying to tell me. Any time I hear that song I think that is her, telling me it will all be okay. It has calmed me down more times than I can count in the last four years.

I was blessed to have known Lisa. And while I will be sad today, I will also appreciate the things she brought to my life and know that I am a better person because I knew her.

February 9

I was just tagged on facebook with this post, and I decided it was the blog post for tonight. I started this blog to remind myself of how random acts of kindness can change my attitude. I am humbled that people read this thing, and then share with me their random acts received. Thank you Robyn!

I thought of you today when I was the recipient of two random acts of kindness in about 5 minutes. During an extra long wait for the elevator, a student shared candy he had left over from an event with me. Then, at Pida Plaza [on our campus] by the food truck, which was only accepting tickets in exchange for their food...I didn't have a ticket, you couldn't buy a ticket, and as I was trying to figure it all out, a student behind me gave me his ticket - he had just eaten. Thanks to the sweet students at UNLV!

February 8

My biggest complaint about motherhood is having to defend my parenting decisions to other mothers. I have had to defend my decisions on how to raise my child in nearly every aspect of parenting, and it has always annoyed me - how do you know what is best for me and my family? Luckily, when I was pregnant with my son, I joined an online baby community of other soon to be moms who were due about the same time as me. Since we all "met" nearly three years ago, these women have been supportive of my decisions of my child, even if they are raising their children in a different way.

So that is why today was not really a random act of kindness, it was sticking up for one of our own. One of the girls made an innocent post on facebook that was blown up into an argument about how she raises her daughter. The post was not about her daughter at all, but unfortunately one girl (not one in my group) likened a flu shot to giving her daughter poison. While it probably wasn't the nicest of conversations, I realized these girls would defend me in the same way if I needed it. I know I have over 60 girls out there who will defend me for MY right to be the kind of mom I want to be. And most of those 60, I have never met. Love my BDC girls!

February 7

Today I got my hair cut. There was a girl who 15 getting her hair cut with my stylist before me. My stylist cut her hair in the mowhawk that she wanted. The girls mom was great. She had asked the stylist to try to talk her out of it, but was supportive of her daughter once it was done. While I'm not a parent of teenagers, I think that mom was on to something- give your opinion, but be supportive in the choices they make.

February 6th

I had to go to Home Depot for work today. I was helped by a wonderful man, but that's not the point of this post.

While my employee was helping me, a gentleman came up and after being recognized by the worker, they started to have a conversation. It was obvious that my worker had been helping this man prior to helping me, and after new questions from the customer, the employee was focused to get the answers for this customer, which meant he stopped helping me. The customer kept apologizing to me for interrupting the worker with my project. I kept telling the man it was not a big deal, but it was nice of him to apologize for what he was doing. I am glad he got his answers and I got my job completed. The man didn't have to apologize, but I could tell he was sincere.

February 5

I was hosted at a tea today. It was so nice to get fed wonderful food for free!

February 4

The oil change guys gave me a discount without the coupon.

February 3

When I was pregnant with my son I joined an online baby board to connect with women who were due the same general time as me. One woman in the group learned her son had a disease called CDH. I don't remember what CDH stands for, but basically her little guy was born with only 20% of his abdomen. When this happens the other organs move up into the chest cavity and cause the lungs to not develop correctly. Little E was born with all his "guts" in his chest and has had several surgeries to get everything back in place and to "grow" an abdomen.

Because of the lack of lung development, this little guy has had oxygen for his entire life, and has been intabated (sp). Because of the tubes helping him breathe, he's not been able to talk. Until recently. Now that he's older, they have been able to add something to his tubes (again, forgive me for not knowing the technical terms) and with a push of a button, he has a voice. His mom shared his babble with us today on a video. I cried because it is just so wonderful to see this little guy so excited to hear his own voice. His mom has shared so much with us on their journey, all of us on this board have a special place in our hearts for this little man. It was so great for his mom to share the video with us today.

February 2nd

Today is about the kindness of strangers. As I mentioned before, my uncle passed away just before the holidays. He was killed in a tragic car accident. He was an amazing man, and there are probably thousands of people who think that too.

Anyway, the day of the memorial service, the family found out that the school in the small town where my uncle lived was naming the wrestling room after him. He actually helped build the room many years ago. Unfortunately, the room is in need of a big renovation, and the family has decided that they will not put his name on the room until it is renovated. We have been fundraising in a variety of ways.

One way is doing the superbowl square game, where people pay money to buy "squares" on a grid, and then numbers are randomly placed on the top and side of the grid. Whoever has the last numbers of the two teams at the end of each quarter get a prize. I've been struggling to fill in the 100 square board. My husband had the idea to put it out on a board in which he's a member. Within an hour I had two emails from people we had never met offering condolences and asking how to buy squares. One guy even said if he won he wanted the prize to go back to the wrestling room. My heart is so warmed by these two guys being so very generous. People are just amazing.

February 1

Today I was reminded to have random acts of fun. Two women I hung out with tonight "torture" their friend who hates Winnie the pooh by taking pictures of a small plastic pooh doll in suggestive places (my personal favorite was when the doll was head first in a beer can). It was a good reminder for me to be silly more often.