Ideas and Insperation

My editor Ciji, who is one of my closest friends, suggested that I create a list of ideas on how I plan to execute the Positivity Project. She thought it would be interesting to see how my ideas change and grow as time progresses. I thought it was a great idea because there are inevitably going to be rough days where I might need some inspiration. 

I have pretty amazing parents who have shown me countless ways to be unexpectedly kind to others. My dad's goal everywhere he goes is to make people laugh (which has admittedly been frustrating and/or embarrassing for his children over the years).  He is incredibly generous when he tips people, and tries to have genuine conversations with people whom he's interacting with. On a not infrequent basis, he has also been known to buy breakfast for a table full of fighter fighters or dinner for a random couple celebrating their anniversary.  People definitely remember my dad.

My mom worked as an operating room nurse for over 40 years before she retired.  If you ever had her assisting on your surgery, you would have been incredibly blessed. She was a patient advocate through and through - even if it meant putting a doctor in his place.  She treated each of her patients with genuine kindness, reassured them, and got to know them and their family as real people.

I grew up with these two wonderful people as parents. Don't get me wrong - like everyone they have countless flaws and have bad days where kindness is not on their mind, and my dad definitely says a lot of off color things.  Nevertheless, their moments of charity, consideration and benevolence have stuck with me and will be a big basis of where my ideas come from.

I want a lot of my kindness to happen in organic moments - not to be thought out or planned all the time.  Since I'm trying to create new habits and ways of thinking, it will be better if I do things more spontaneously.  However, I definitely have some ideas in mind.  They include:

- Sending cards and letters to family and friends

- Making authentic conversation with random people - especially if they seem lonely and sad

- I can't afford to buy people dinner, but I can buy random people coffee and treat people to cupcakes at work

- Hold open doors for everyone - but especially to people with their hands full

- Be less angry and aggressive as a driver

- Be less quick to judge people who are rude to me - especially at work

- Make sure my employees are told when they're doing things well and how much I appreciate them

- Volunteer 

- Touch base with people I don't talk to often, to make sure they know they're thought of and missed

- Sincerely compliment people

- Meet peoples' eyes as I pass by, smile and say hello

- Be kind to people I don't like - especially at work

- Have more patience - especially at work (do we see a trend?)

- Donate blood and platelets

- Get rid of all the crap I don't need and donate it those who do

- Write encouraging and loving notes for my roommate and boyfriend to find randomly

There are obviously a lot more things I can and will do, but this is a good start.

Have a wonderful day and do good things!