good finds / LIVING WELL

Join the movement: 100 Good Deeds #DeedADay + GIVEAWAY

My plan for this morning was pretty simple. I had a trunk full of Christmas gifts that didn’t fit, weren’t needed or broke after that first morning of play. I was on a mission. Buzzing around town, fighting crowds, knocking things off my list, returning things, and most importantly, getting my money back.

I wasn’t really thinking about doing a good deed today. I was thinking about how I really needed that money back in my bank account. 

But the opportunity ended up being right in front of my face. 

As I was driving from one shopping center to the next I found myself in a line of creeping traffic. Standing at the curb, beside the stop sign was a petite older woman, her head wrapped in a scarf, holding a sign asking for help. She lost her job. She had three kids. Her two teenage sons sat on the curb beside her, looking a little embarrassed. Not really making much eye contact with anyone driving by.

As my car came alongside her, I was conscious of the fact that I was about to take that first big bite out the sandwich I’d just purchased to “sustain me” while I ran my errands. I quickly put down the sandwich and waved awkwardly as I passed. 

When I pulled away, I knew I couldn’t just drive by. 

I pulled in to Target, ran in to return my things and then got back in line again. I grabbed a gift card off the shelf and put the money I just got back from those gifts onto the gift card and tucked it in my pocket. I walked next door to Starbucks and told the barista what I was doing and asked if I could have three hot chocolates. She gave them to me, without a second thought.

I hopped back in my car and drove across the street back to the parking lot where I’d seen the woman and her family. My heart sank when I realized they were gone. As I waited for the red light to change, I said a quick prayer, “Please let me find that family again.” 

I pulled through the light and there they were walking across the parking lot from the place they had been standing. I pulled over, rolled down the window and handed them the hot chocolates and the gift card. We both talked over each other, both saying the exact same thing: “God bless you.”

Writing this post was on my to-do list today. The chance to share a new movement with you–one inspired by good deeds. I didn’t go hunting for a good deed today, but one when presented itself, I’d like to think that this little reminder on my wrist is what helped me not just drive past but to make a small difference in someone’s day. 

The new year is a time for resolutions, we want to eat better, be more organized, clear the clutter, exercise, drink more water–but what if our resolution was to do one small good deed a day? Think about all possibilities.

On my wrist, I’m wearing a 100 Good Deeds bracelet. They were designed by artist, author and HIV/AIDS activist Mary Fisher, who has dedicated her life to working with women in developing countries. Each bracelet is made by women from Uganda, Zambia, South Africa, Rwanda or Haiti, and is strung with 100 beads to remind us to do a good deed each day. The bracelets have a rubber ring that you can move forward for every good deed that you do, as you work your way towards 100. 

The project gives women the training and means to support their families and proceeds are re-invested into the program to provide more women and girls, in more countries, with more training and more opportunities.

So this year, maybe we can all join together to do one small thing every day to make one small difference in someone’s life. Just 100 good deeds. Let’s make 2015 a really good year. 

To kick things off I’m excited to partner with #DeedADay and give away a bracelet to one MommyCoddle reader. Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I was gifted a 100 Good Deeds bracelet to check out and share with my readers. However, all opinions expressed in this post are my own. 

19 comments on “Join the movement: 100 Good Deeds #DeedADay + GIVEAWAY”

  1. I loved this post so much. How much could the world change if we tried to do one good thing everyday? A powerful thought.

  2. What a beautiful story and moment you seized. Can you link to the woman selling these — they’re perfect and I will support

  3. oh, molly… how funny or serendipitous, or whatever… i was driving back from western pa to virginia today and thinking completely random thoughts as i do when i drive. one of them was… "molly from mommycoddle did a post once about cards that she sent out… something about random acts of kindness cards…" i remembered that sarah from urban.praire.forest. wrote telling about her experience and the card you sent us happened to be leaving a huge tip, which we did with a waitress in a super small cuban restaurant we love.

    and i got home to see this giveaway!! i love this idea… and the idea for kids, too, that acts of kindness have meaning… that we can be responsible for bringing kindness to others… what a great idea and cause to support!!

  4. Great idea…and I love how you listened to that inner nudge that told you to do something. I struggle with that! Sounds like a wonderful plan for 2015.

  5. I love the idea that we really can make a difference just by doing something intentional and looking beyond ourselves to help other in need. Thanks for sharing this story and this program!

  6. Wow. Inspiring. What a good reminder that bracelet is. And your post is a good reminder, too. Thanks for that!

  7. What a fabulous way to start the new year. I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of being open and giving without the expectation of receiving. This would be such a perfect reminder.

  8. I believe in simple things. As a librarian I try and give as much as I can to people who come to me. Maybe this year I can try and move beyond, to people who need something but can’t find a way to ask. Thanks for the inspiration Molly!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.