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!