Love - 25 Day Challenge

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-0 NIV

Your challenge for today and for all your days is to love one another.

And so it is said from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verses 8 through 14:

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men."

Linus: "...that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."



Let me know how it went and stay inspired my friends!

Talk To A Stranger - 25 Day Challenge

“There are no coincidences in life. What person that wandered in and out of your life was there for some purpose, even if they caused you harm. Sometimes, it doesn’t make sense the short periods of time we get with people, or the outcomes from their choices. However, if you turn it over to God he promises that you will see the big picture in the hereafter. Nothing is too small to be a mistake.” ― Shannon L. Alder

The final day before Christmas, day twenty-four.

Our 25 Day Challenge has opened up a new way of going about your daily life. It has created opportunity for each of us to view the world a little differently. Life is short and should be enjoyed with the company of others in the best possible manner.

During our twenty-five days, we have been challenged to connect with others as the list below shows.

Now we are here on December 24th, the day before Christmas. It was a day when Christians tell the story of Mary and Joseph's travel to Bethlehem. They were doing so because Caesar Augustus had decreed a registration (census) be carried out in the land. People were required to travel to their town of birth in order to comply.

The story reads, “Of course, Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because of his being a member of the house and family of David.”—Luke 2:1-4.

This also means Joseph and Mary were not the only ones on the move traveling the roads. Yet as crowded as the roads were, all were likely strangers among strangers. Did anyone take time to talk with each other or were each in too big of a hurry?

My challenge for today is to have a conversation with a stranger.

While we may be hurried, performing last minute shopping for gifts and food for the Christmas dinner, we can take a moment for conversation. We can allow ourselves to know we are not simply a number in a Christmas shopping economic report.

We can melt away the loneliness of the holiday. We can connect to others as we truly exhibit the meaning around Christmas. We can create new friendship which will carry us forward into the new year.

We can be strangers no more.

Let me know how it went and stay inspired my friends!

To Say Sorry And Forgive - 25 Day Challenge

“People have to forgive. We don't have to like them, we don't have to be friends with them, we don't have to send them hearts in text messages, but we have to forgive them, to overlook, to forget. Because if we don't we are tying rocks to our feet, too much for our wings to carry!” ― C. JoyBell C.

Here we are in the final week leading up to Christmas. Our 25 Day Challenge is quickly coming to an end. A near month full of kindness or acts of just being nice. Each have only taken a few minutes and were easy to accomplish.

Today my challenge is for you to say sorry (you know who to) or forgive someone for what they've done.

This forgiveness refers to the actor (you) and not the act. And it begins with three steps.

1. Identify one person you are angry with.

This could be someone low on your list or the raging person at work making your life miserable. Yet by starting low on the list, you get a small example of how forgiveness works and feels. Then, begin to forgive.

2. Honestly examine your feelings.

Talk to others, your friends or other supportive people and get the anger out. Try to understand why you are angry and write your feelings down in a journal. This will help you get rid of the negativity. Then, begin to forgive.

3. Begin to forgive.

Now think of the person you are angry with in your mind and ask yourself, “What emotional reasons were there for this person to treat me poorly?” It is for these reasons you can have compassion. These are the reasons to forgive.

And know that if we've been hurt by another person, chances are we have hurt someone as well. After forgiving someone, it is now time to say "I'm sorry" for whatever we may have done to another.

Let me know how it went and stay inspired my friends!

A Door To Hold Or Package To Carry - 25 Day Challenge

“Try to help others. Consult their weaknesses, relieve their maladies; strive to raise them up, and by so doing you will most effectually raise yourself up also." - Joseph Barber Lightfoot

Here we are in the final week leading up to Christmas. Our 25 Day Challenge is quickly coming to an end. A near month full of kindness or acts of just being nice. Each have only taken a few minutes and were easy to accomplish.

Day 22 - A Door To Hold Or Package To Carry

In my daily work routine, travel is a large part of what I do. It requires at various times the car, a taxi, a bus, a train, a plane or even walking down stationary or moving sidewalks.

Each mode of transportation or movement brings me in contact with many other folks. And many times it seems everyone is headed in the same direction that I am, so very crowded to say the least.

So what can we do for others while traveling?

Traveling each day can occur for many different reasons. A trip to work, school or the store requires many different forms of travel and most certainly coming in contact with other people.

So your challenge today is to give up your seat on the bus, at the doctor's office or maybe at the coffee shop. You can also help out someone in need by carrying packages for them or holding the door open.

The simple things we do for each other - very simple.

Let me know how it went and stay inspired my friends!

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise - 25 Day Challenge

“Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks." ― Samuel Johnson

Here we are in the final week leading up to Christmas. Our 25 Day Challenge is quickly coming to an end. A near month full of kindness or acts of just being nice. Each have only taken a few minutes and were easy to accomplish.

Let me know how it went by leaving a comment.

Day Twenty-One - Surprise, Surprise

surprise (səˈpraɪz)

Verb
1. to cause to feel amazement or wonder
2. to encounter or discover unexpectedly or suddenly
3. to present with something unexpected, such as a gift

Your challenge today is simply do something unexpected for someone.

There was a character named Gomer Pyle who was a a simpleminded and gentle person on the television show with the same name. The show aired back in the mid-1960s and one of his long standing responses to something unexpected was, "Surprise, surprise, surprise."

All of us get a general good feeling from a nice surprise. An unexpected gift. An unexpected call from an old friend. An unexpected card in the mail with a note. All sorts of things can lead to very nice and appreciated surprises.

So try to do something unexpected today for another person. A spouse, a friend, a sibling or for your children. The unexpected will become a source of joy for both the giver and the receiver.

Let me know how it went and stay inspired my friends!

Laughter and Hugs - 25 Day Challenge

“Laughter is wine for the soul - laughter soft, or loud and deep, tinged through with seriousness - the hilarious declaration made by man that life is worth living." ― Seán O'Casey

Each day leading up to Christmas, I will provide you with one or two things to do during the day. Call them acts of kindness or call them acts of just being nice. Each will only take a few minutes and are very easy to accomplish. Try them and then let me know what you did and how it went by leaving me a comment.

Day One - Hope On A Lamp Pole
Day Two - Allowing Others First
Day Three - Calming Automobile Rides
Day Four - Picking Up Litter
Day Five and Six - It was your weekend, what did you do?
Day Seven - Smile, You're on Life's Camera
Day Eight - Holiday Treat For Others
Day Nine - Charity Begins With You Giving
Day Ten - Penny For Your Kindness
Day Eleven - Who Is Your Neighbor
Day Twelve and Thirteen - It was your weekend, what did you do?
Day Fourteen - Tell Someone Something Good
Day Fifteen, Sixteen and Seventeen - All Wrapped Into One

Day Eighteen - Laughter and Hugs

So how much laughter fills your day? How many hugs do you get throughout the week? You do remember how to laugh and hug another person correct? If so, then your challenge today is to laugh and make someone else laugh. Your challenge is to hug and be hugged by another person.

The benefits of both are real and have an impact on our well being. A nurturing touch of a hug can build trust and a sense of safety. A hug can instantly boost oxytocin levels, which help to heal any feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anger.

Laughing on the other hand has scientifically been proven to boost your memory. It can also improve your health by lowering stress, make you a better learner and make you more attractive. Recent studies confirm that humor and playfulness are highly valued traits in potential romantic partners.

In the grand scheme of things, laughter and hugs simply make the world a better place.

Let me know how it went and stay inspired my friends!

All Wrapped Into One - 25 Day Challenge

“The practice of charity will bind us - will bind all men in one great brotherhood." - Conrad Hilton

Each day leading up to Christmas, I will provide you with one or two things to do during the day. Call them acts of kindness or call them acts of just being nice. Each will only take a few minutes and are very easy to accomplish. Try them and then let me know what you did and how it went by leaving me a comment.

Day One - Hope On A Lamp Pole
Day Two - Allowing Others First
Day Three - Calming Automobile Rides
Day Four - Picking Up Litter
Day Five and Six - It was your weekend, what did you do?
Day Seven - Smile, You're on Life's Camera
Day Eight - Holiday Treat For Others
Day Nine - Charity Begins With You Giving
Day Ten - Penny For Your Kindness
Day Eleven - Who Is Your Neighbor
Day Twelve and Thirteen - It was your weekend, what did you do?
Day Fourteen - Tell Someone Something Good

Day Fifteen, Sixteen and Seventeen - All Wrapped Into One

Wow, where did the days go? I got so wrapped up in my challenge that I missed two days. You didn't forget I hope. Did you try to do something nice, let someone go first or even attempt to smile a bit more each day?

My challenges for today and the past two days are then for you to give food to a homeless person or organization. To take time and talk with those less fortunate allowing them to tell you their story.

Everyone yearns for someone to just listen.

Now would also be a good time maybe organize a fundraising event or volunteer your time to a charitable organization. There are great people that run and work in these places 365 days a year. Take just a few of your days and help them and those they serve.

Lastly, go visit a sick friend, relative or neighbor. Chat with them, lend them a smile and get back in touch. You could also send a note to someone you've lost touch with. It could be they are just waiting for you to reach out.

Human contact goes beyond a text or Facebook post.

These are very easy things to do but many times hard for the spirit in us to let out. We can each help another in small ways that are really huge in impact to the lives you touch.

Let me know how it went and stay inspired my friends!

Who Is Your Neighbor - 25 Day Challenge

“The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people.” ― G.K. Chesterton

Each day leading up to Christmas, I will provide you with one or two things to do during the day. Call them acts of kindness or call them acts of just being nice. Each will only take a few minutes and are very easy to accomplish. Try them and then let me know what you did and how it went by leaving me a comment.

Day One - Hope On A Lamp Pole
Day Two - Allowing Others First
Day Three - Calming Automobile Rides
Day Four - Picking Up Litter
Day Five and Six - It was your weekend, what did you do?
Day Seven - Smile, You're on Life's Camera
Day Eight - Holiday Treat For Others
Day Nine - Charity Begins With You Giving
Day Ten - Penny For Your Kindness

Day Eleven - Who Is Your Neighbor

For nearly twenty years, I lived in a neighborhood where many of the homes were pushed back from the street. There were no sidewalks, no common areas and plenty of seclusion from those around you.

All of this made it very difficult to meet and get to know our neighbors. There were those few exceptions and we made some very good friends that are still friends today even though we live miles and some of them, thousands of miles, apart.

When things happened in the neighborhood, it was very much like walking into a very unfamiliar place. It was our neighborhood but we really did not know many of our neighbors. We moved eventually and are slowly getting to know the people around us.

You can do the same thing.

This Friday evening or during the weekend, invite your neighbor round for a drink or a chat. Talk to them over the fence, walk up to them while they are out getting the mail. Take time to really listen and find out who they are and who you are.

We become a close knit neighborhood and society when we get to know those around us and when they get to know us. Try not to be that person being interviewed on T.V. when asked about something happening in their neighborhood. The person who says, I really didn't know them because they stayed to themselves.

Be the person who changes things and gets to know them. Let others in your neighborhood know you are there to be a friendly face walking or driving down the street. Be the person who knows your neighbor.

Let me know how it went and stay inspired my friends!

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Charity Begins With You Giving - 25 Day Challenge

"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” ― John Bunyan

Each day leading up to Christmas, I will provide you with one or two things to do during the day. Call them acts of kindness or call them acts of just being nice. Each will only take a few minutes and are very easy to accomplish. Try them and then let me know what you did and how it went by leaving me a comment.

Day One - Hope On A Lamp Pole
Day Two - Allowing Others First
Day Three - Calming Automobile Rides
Day Four - Picking Up Litter
Day Five & Six - It was your weekend, what did you do?
Day Seven - Smile, You're on Life's Camera
Day Eight - Holiday Treat For Others

Day Nine - Charity Begins With You Giving

Get ready for all of those new things you will be getting during the holiday season. New clothes, a new toaster and maybe a new clock radio. The gifts you might receive are boundless.

The question is, what will you do with the old and slightly used things? Will you throw them in the attic or worse yet simply into a garbage bin? How you handle these used items is boundless.

Why not take the challenge to take these items and donate them to charity. There are lots of great organizations out there to take your items to which will get into the hands of those less fortunate.

So go through your attic, your garage, your dresser drawers and closet. Find those items you have not used in over three or maybe six months. Make a pledge to take donate these items to a charitable organization.

Let me know how it went and stay inspired my friends!

Holiday Treat For Others - 25 Day Challenge

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." - Aesop

Each day leading up to Christmas, I will provide you with one or two things to do during the day. Call them acts of kindness or call them acts of just being nice. Each will only take a few minutes and are very easy to accomplish. Try them and then let me know what you did and how it went by leaving me a comment.

Day One - Hope On A Lamp Pole
Day Two - Allowing Others First
Day Three - Calming Automobile Rides
Day Four - Picking Up Litter
Day Five & Six - It was your weekend, what did you do?
Day Seven - Smile, You're on Life's Camera

Day Eight - Holiday Treat For Others

This is the day in which all exercise and good eating habits get a break. Today is the day you treat others to something easy and kind. What you should do today is buy some donuts, cookies or cakes for your co-workers.

You can even send something nice to you neighbors, friends or even those people who daily enter into your life such as the mail person, security folks at your building or even random strangers.

The idea is to simply do something nice for others and what better way than through food.

Let me know how it went and stay inspired my friends!

Smile, You're on Life's Camera - 25 Day Challenge

“You'll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile.” ― Charles Chaplin

Each day leading up to Christmas, I will provide you with one or two things to do during the day. Call them acts of kindness or call them acts of just being nice. Each will only take a few minutes and are very easy to accomplish. Try them and then let me know what you did and how it went by leaving me a comment.

Day One - Hope On A Lamp Pole
Day Two - Allowing Others First
Day Three - Calming Automobile Rides
Day Four - Picking Up Litter
Day Five & Six - It was your weekend, what did you do?

Day Seven - Smile, You're on Life's Camera

There are many beneficial reasons one should smile as we go about our daily lives. Some of the things it does for you are;

Smiling makes you attractive, relieves stress, elevates our mood and is contagious. Yes, others will catch the feeling and begin to smile as well. Your smile has the power to lighten up the room. It can change the moods of others around you make things happier.

So your challenge today is to give a simple well-meaning smile to one or two others. Along with your smile, give them a sincere compliment. Make them feel good about themselves and in turn, you will feel great about you.

A very easy challenge that you can certainly grow from one or two today onto three or four times every day. It becomes your way of life to smile each and every time you encounter other people.

Let me know how it went and stay inspired my friends!

Picking Up Litter - 25 Day Challenge

“There aren't many things that are universally cool, and it's cool not to litter. I'd never do it.” ― Matthew McConaughey

Each day leading up to Christmas, I will provide you with one or two things to do during the day. Call them acts of kindness or call them acts of just being nice. Each will only take a few minutes and are very easy to accomplish. Try them and then let me know what you did and how it went by leaving me a comment.

Day One - Hope On A Lamp Pole
Day Two - Allowing Others First
Day Three - Calming Automobile Rides

Day Four - Picking Up Litter

Just a few statistics that we can think about for a moment.

75% - Percent of people who have admitted to littering in the past 5 years

A simple candy wrapper, the empty water bottle and the ubiquitous cigarette butt. All of these things end up along our streets, sidewalks, highways and parks. Many of us are moving through life too fast to take notice, but it is there.

50% - Percent of all littered items that are cigarette butts

Look out your car window at most any street intersection. Would that person throw their cigarette butts out onto their own driveway or front sidewalk? Some yes, most others no. It is is easier to dirty the streets then dirty their own cars ash tray.

12 paces - Average steps a person will hold a piece of trash before littering

Some will argue it is too difficult to carry an empty soda can very far. The burden of finding a trash can becomes too much and thus is thrown to the side; left for someone else to pick up because we could not be bothered any longer.

$11.5 Billion - Total U.S. annual amount spent cleaning up litter yearly

My guess is the cost is much higher then this. Yet people continue to litter and this is a societal cost. But we can choose to have clean streets or live amid increasing filth.

So the challenge today is quite simple. If you see something on the floor at work, home, sidewalk, store; pick it up and throw it in a trash bin. Secondly, choose not to litter with your cigarette butts, candy wrappers or other trash.

I am not asking you to take on responsibility for the world. It is a simple task and if we each take a small amount of responsibility, things will be much better for all of us.

And doing so is doing something nice for others.

Let me know how it went and stay inspired my friends!

Calming Automobile Rides - 25 Day Challenge

“The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status, or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we all believe that we are above-average drivers.” ― Dave Barry

Each day leading up to Christmas, I will provide you with a couple of things to do during the day. Call them acts of kindness or call them acts of just being nice. Each will only take a few minutes and are very easy to accomplish. Try them and then let me know what you did and how it went by leaving me a comment.

Day One - Hope On A Lamp Pole
Day Two - Allowing Others First

Day Three - Calming Automobile Rides

Your driving happily in the right hand lane down the road. It might be the freeway or a four-lane city street. Life could not be any better as you make your way to some destination. Traffic is starting to slow and you see a car coming down the on-ramp.

Hey look, they are trying to edge in ahead of you so of course you are not going to let that happen. Make them wait their turn just like everyone else is what you tell yourself. But they edge in and through their actions and your efforts to keep them from cutting in, an accident nearly occurs.

Relax and let it go.

The challenge today is to one car cut in line on every journey. Maybe they are pulling onto the street from a parking lot, wanting to turn left in front of you or trying to merge onto the freeway. Just let them and do so with a smile.

Additionally, I want you to let someone have that parking spot up close to the store or near your work entrance. Let another person have the short walk and you take the parking spot on the other end of the parking lot.

Relax and let it go.

You have now done a kind thing for another person and you get a small bit of exercise by walking further from your car. Your stress will be much less and most certainly we can all use a bit more exercise in our life.

Go for it, let me know how it went and stay inspired my friends!

Allowing Others First - 25 Day Challenge

“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” ― Mark Twain

Yesterday I wrote about some sweet kids up in Canada doing something nice for those less fortunate. It was an article meant to inspire and have you to realize that even small things can make a big difference.

Now here is my holiday season challenge to you.

Each day starting today up to Christmas, I will provide you with a couple of things to do during the day. Call them acts of kindness or call them acts of just being nice. Each will only take a few minutes and are very easy to accomplish.

Even small things can make a big difference.

Day One - Hope On A Lamp Pole
Day Two - Allowing Others First

Today the challenge is quite simple but can be difficult in execution. All of us are busy, rushing to work, rushing to get lunch, rushing home, rushing, rushing, rushing.

We simply want to get to the next thing as fast as we can.

So the challenge today is to let someone in front of you in line. This could be as simple as holding the door open which means they get to the coffee counter first. If you are standing in line, let the person behind you go ahead of you.

The challenge in either case is you have engage in conversation with a stranger. But you only have to smile and say Happy Holiday or Merry Christmas or some other holiday type greeting.

Even small things can make a big difference.

Let me know what you did and how it went by leaving me a comment. And stay inspired my friends!