We are getting ready to move, and oh boy, is it ever a lot of work!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, in the midst of the exhaustion and stress that's accompanied me during moving preparations, I've had some people who have made a world of difference for me. Since it is "Make a Difference Monday", here are four ways to make a difference for a neighbor, family member or friend ~
just out of the blue (all inspired by people who did these things for me).
Sometimes the general idea about making a difference in the world would require trips to faraway lands and lots of money. Some day I would soooo love to do that, but there are hundreds of ordinary people who live all around us who could be cheered up and helped by a small acts of kindness today.
A small act, when done with a selfless motive, and no desire or expectation of return will lift another person's soul.
#1 Make a little extra dinner and give it to a neighbor.
One day last week week, I put in a load of laundry and when I went to get it out, most of the clothes were stained black. Totally ruined :( . Our washer basically blew up. So, instead of immediately getting a new washing machine (since we're moving in a few weeks), I decided to pack everything up and get it all done at the laundromat.
However, before going to the laundromat- I had 4 hungry kids, and 2 hungry, tired, and cranky adults to feed. I had just turned on the oven to heat something up for a quick and boring dinner, when we heard the doorbell ring. Lo and behold, Laurel, a cute teenager who lives a few houses away, had a box with some hot soup, bread, and beautiful fruit and vegetables all ready to eat. Lark, her mother, had put the box together and sent Laurel to our house with it.. She had no idea that we were having some extra laundry issues, she just followed a thought that came to her mind. What a great difference it made to me~ both in my heart, and in my responsibilities as a mom.
Several days later, another friend Rachel, who lives up the street called me and said that she had made some extra Ratatouille and wanted to bring it by. What she didn't know was that I'd had a ton of church work to get done, and was two hours behind in my normal schedule. Basically I had chaos going on. She made a totally healthy dinner, and she knows that I'm trying to eat that way. Oh did I EVER appreciate that dinner as well. What a difference it made to me.
These two ladies inspired me (they are mother and daughter- goodness definitely runs in that family).
By simply adding a little more food than usual, and thinking of a neighbor, happiness and gratitude accompanies the dinner~ for sure. Through following the thoughts that come into our minds, we can really lighten the loads of our neighbors.
#2 Put a surprise on your neighbor's doorstep.
A silly Leprechaun visits us on St. Patrick's day, but this year he was so busy that he really didn't leave any good treasure hunts, or give much of a surprise at all. I heard my two oldest kids talking about how they liked St. Patrick's Day last year so much better than this year :( .
Later, as we were walking out the door, we found a bunch of fun stuff on the doorstep.... award winning children's books, and a ton of paper dolls. My kids were so excited and just knew that the Leprechaun really did come!!
I saw a few markings which showed me that a sweet lady who lives across the street left the surprises. Her children are now teenagers, and these were some of their "treasured" items as children. All so well kept. She chose the perfect day to bring the surprises, and really got our Leprechaun out of a mess. One of the books was Pippi Longstocking, my 7 year old daughters very favorite- in fact, it's the one she's reading right now. Now she has her own copy instead of having to bring it back and forth from the school. Perfect.
It is always fun to find a surprise on the porch isn't it?!
#3 Give the stuff you don't need anymore
We all have stuff that we don't need any more. It's great to sell it online or at a yard sale and get some $$ for it, but sometimes it could really help a neighbor out to just GIVE it to someone who would enjoy it.
Perhaps the best thing for our souls is to give things we have to people who need it or even want it.
#4 Pay for something and don't let them pay you back.
So, sometimes I think it's great to sell old stuff online (if you do need some $$, or if you don't know anyone who could use your stuff). But, sell it at a great rate. Here's why:
We have twin girls, and right now our finances are tight. Buying twice the clothes really adds up, so we buy twin clothes from people who have twin girls a year older than ours. It works out awesome. On Saturday we received a box of clothes for spring and summer. I was thrilled because there were 13 outfits, 1 swimsuit, 3 dresses, and 3 pairs of shoes for EACH little girl! (ALL the clothing from higher end stores, and in great condition) The lady selling it charged $50 for everything- what a blessing- she must have spent about 1K on everything.
My SIL, Juliann, lives close by this lady. She picks up the clothes and pays the lady, and we are supposed to pay her back. But, she won't take the money. I've tried and tried, but she absolutely won't take it. My husband wisely told me to just let her do it. I stepped back and realized that she is blessing us so much by that act. Why not just make a difference in some way for her later when she needs it?
Pay for something for someone else and not let them pay you back. Clothes, lunch, a fee, something. Even pay for the person behind you in the drive-through. Totally makes a difference- to the heart as well as the nest.
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| (We found this surprise last year just outside of our door - <3 it) |
It's so nice to be the recipient when kindness is given
just out of the blue... when we're not the person on the charity list or the person who is obvious need of help. The reward for the giver, is serious inner happiness. Always.
XOXO,
Nancy
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