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.
