There’s always room for progress, and although I think birthdays are your special day and should be a celebration of your life, I decided to make sure I spend the rest of the year celebrating life through service. During my very normal and addictive ritual of morning scanning through Facebook, I came across a 22 year old who decided to spend the month of her birthday completing 22 acts of giving back. I was inspired to do the same!
Unfortunately but fortunately, next year I will be 32, beyond the days of our average calendar month, so I decided to do it a little differently. I tweaked the list a little…well changed it, and with the help of friends, “Lee” and “CT” personalized it. Each year I will spent the week of my birthday celebrating “me”…me, me, me lol… then my superego will kick in for the rest of the year with my acts of service/giving back coinciding with whatever age I turn. (at minimum) Got it?! So here’s the list we came up with from now until the week of my birthday.
1. Collect books, and donate them to a local elementary/middle school.
2. Call older family members to see if they need anything.
3. Hand out study guides to students (knowledge is power)
4. Volunteer with A.D.A.C. (local after school program)
5. Give a small bag of groceries to a homeless person.
6. Donate clothes to a shelter.
7. Send cards to friends I haven’t seen in a while.
8. Bring in a continental breakfast for co workers.
9. Pay for someone’s groceries in a store. (make sure it’s a pay week)
10. Offer a free hair do to a family member/friend.
11. Tip a grocery store bagger.
12. Compliment at least 5 people.
13. Repost promotions for friends/ family on social media.
14. Volunteer at a hospital.
15. Volunteer at a shelter.
16. Assist an elderly person/ volunteer at a nursing home.
17. Donate to charity.
18. Pick up trash….somewhere
19. Plant a tree.
20. Catch public transportation or carpool to work.
21. Take a home cooked meal to family.
22. Volunteer for charity walk.
23. Make a gift of appreciation for the administrative staff at work.
24. Take photos at an event and donate them to the organizer.
25. Mentor a young child or young adult.
26. Volunteer at a soup kitchen.
27. Offer to baby-sit a friend or family member’s child.
28. Cheer up a sick friend.
29. Collect and Donate toys to child welfare agency.
30. Collect unused toiletries/ clothing to a center for abused women.
31. Collect aluminum cans/bottles and donate the money to a needy friend/ family member.
32. Volunteer for habitat for humanity.
I’ll give an update during the week of my birthday, until then, “Praise is the way we say thanks” Love that song…
mycatbarks 