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!

Tell Someone Something Good - 25 Day Challenge

“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.
- Seneca

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

When is the last time you told someone they mean a lot to you? When is the last time you showed appreciation for those around you every day at home, at work and in your everyday life?

That is your challenge today - tell someone they mean a lot to you.

The things you can say to someone are; “I love you,” “Thank you,” “I’m sorry,” and “Life right now is pretty darn good with you in it.” There are lots of different ways you can show appreciation of others.

It only takes a few minutes but those minutes spent will be the greatest gift you can give.

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