{what is true}


Every day I leave my new-ish job at a local nursing home and I feel like I really CAN make a difference in some bodies life...
I promise- if you are feeling down and out, depressed or un-satisfied with your life.
Please, do something for somebody else. 
 Anything, it takes 1 minute to write out a card, or you can devote more time and volunteer an hour or two a week to helping somebody- anybody, a new mum, at your local school, or at a nursing home. I promise, your spirits will lift... 
Taking your mind off of your problems- be they big or small or totally insane.
and focusing on some body else's sadness, loss, or even supporting them in their joys,
will change your life.

ok, so you say. what have YOU done to make a difference?
and, no, this is not a brag post, but rather an informative way to let you in on the secret.

----you have no excuse {none}  not to do a simple act of kindness for somebody---

- first this job i've been telling about. simple. getting out and trying to make life better for the Grandpa's and Grandma's. They make me smile every day , and some of them, their patient, suffering through the pain, the sadness they are going through. i have so much to learn...

-second, i went to the store and bought a bunch of things yellow.
a yellow mug, lemon tea bags, lemon bar mix, a magazine that was yellow on front, m&m's,
there was more but i can't remember. then, i bought a box. and i mailed it off to a lady that goes to the same church as i & lives not so far from me. i heard in a round about way that she was going through a really rough time. emotionally, so i sent her some sun-shine. and popped in a note that said- 
--Here is some Sunshine for you!!!--
 I think it cost me about $20 total, but man, I felt like skipping and singing all day after that. (there are only 2 people who knew i did this. now you all)

-third, a new friend of mine ,that recently got divorced,( is my co-worker)just moved to this community in the last 3 months with her 2 sweet kids. her kids got sick. very flu sick a couple weeks back.
o the feelings i knew, all to well, of being ALONE, in a strange country with nobody to call to 'please go pick up some Gatorade for my kids', or please just sit by me and rub my back.  i know that feeling, of just wanting some one familiar to 'be there' while you are sick. i called her up and said - i'll be there in 5 minutes. just open the door i'll slip it in. i had some muffins, i made some finger-jell-0. (which kid can refuse that? ) and i grabbed 6 of my favorite books, kids and adult ones. and i stopped by Wal-Greens for 6 bottles of Gatorade. Popped it in her door and left.
cost- $6 for the drink. I had everything else. How I felt ?
AMAZING. 
 the reason I tell you these things my friends is to tell you how EASY it is. it really is.
to think that you could totally make a difference in somebodies life by doing such a small thing.

I heard a story the other day and i cried, as the story teller told it.
it happened to her daughter.

she had been with some friends for the day.
the next morning, she was reminded of something she had said, that wasn't 'nice'.
She started to feel like she really needed to call her friend and apologize.
This friend was some one she didn't really have a whole lot to do with, and she started to to tell her self, 'ahh, i'm sure she doesn't even remember what i said... and on and on, we know how that goes.
but she called her. she told her sorry. then she said these simple words- so hows your day?
and the girl on the other end of the phone-
burst into tears.
it was a bad day.
she needed to unload.
and she did, and they talked it over. and encouraged each other.
what if she hadn't called to apologize.
she never would have been able to listen to her friend...

it truly is the little things that count my friends, it truly is.
the little things.

{source}


what have you done for some one lately? or what has some one done for you?





Comments

  1. Thanks for the encouragement, Jenn! I really really have been feeling like I need to reach out to others more... I just always feel like I "don't know WHAT to do!" ...and I'm "so busy"... ack! I hate those excuses! Gonna do better!... :)

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    1. Oh tell me about it.. The excuses are like a kid with a dart gun over here. They hit me from all over!!!!

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  2. Sewing. I'm trying to help out with other's sewing where and when I can.
    There is this youth girl who calls, texts, and checks on me, asking how I am and coming over... I love her for caring!

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  3. How sweet of YOU. I need help sewing ;-) ha ha!! And how darling that you have some what that checks in!!

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  4. Jenn... this is such an inspiring post! Makes me want to go out and DO right now! I, too, have been thinking down these lines and it takes a little effort, but how GREAT the reward! Thanks to you for the encouragement.... may you be richly blessed!

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  5. Jennieee, you will be blessed! It is so rewarding making someone's day! And sometimes anonymously is fun too! I've seen those sunshine boxes and one day I will find someone to give it to!

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    1. Sometimes anonymous is most fun:)

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    2. Remember the one your church ladies sent to mum during chemo?! That was SO awesome...

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    3. Yes, I remember now that you reminded me.

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  6. This is a #1 post Jenn! Thanks alot, it's encouraging and I have not heard of the sunshine in a box thing be4. Will try it. We have started the heart sisters thing in our cong. so here's a wonderful chance to try it out and also many other ideas, it's kinda exciting. :) Thanks again for you inspirations!!!

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    1. Hmm... I'm curious what the heart sister thing is all about:)

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    2. Heart sisters is like secret pals (not sure the difference right now been told but forget :) The women who wanted to take part in the cong incl. youth girls, put their names in a hat at sewing one day and we drew a name of someone othere then your in-laws etc and that is your heart sister for how ever long you decide together that you want to all do this for, we are doing 1 yr. I got a lady I hardly know (actually never even been to her house or even seen her yard!!!) but you do for sure one thing a month and try to not spend less then 5$ but do something for her bake a cake, I got one, give a valentine gift, your sunshine idea..... anyway, you always know that you will get something, just don't know when :) It's fun so far!At the end we'll probably have a get together and we'll 'reveal' our sisters!!! So try it out if you want something interesting in your life, but it's not overly demanding. If you don't have money to spend on a gift, bake buns, bread, cookies, cake, casserole...... have fun.....

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    3. sorry that was such a lonnngggg epistle.

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  7. dear jenn...im sitting here weeping over your post..beautiful!! i had such a bad day today or last few days feeling blue bout life n how bad things r but u just brightened my day n made me realize i have alot to b thankful for n maybe id feel better too if i did something for someone else. you inspire me so much n i need to do better at this. lately i've been wishing i could do things for all those that have been helping me out in little ways..like my friends dad who handed me some cash n said fill your car up with gas on me..and our retired minister who i passed at the post office handed me abit of cash n said dont tell any1..precious..n abit of sunshine..i just wish i could return all that but how when funds r so low? maybe you have some ideas for me:) pray for me, love u!!!

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    1. I'm quite sure you've done lots for people:) and you've been blessed, girl!!! There is so much that doesn't cost any money- offering to carry someone's grocery bags to car from store, compliments, hugs, or if you have 30 minutes go knock on the door of a friend and say - I have 30 min. Put me to work, or ill watch the kids you go nap:)

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  8. jenn-this is awesome...you are so inspiring!!! Now I need to get out and make it happen..seems lately I've been on the receiving end and that would be just lovely to "repay"..love you...

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    1. It feels so good to repay when one has gotten much... Spreading love is contagious:)

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  9. I too cried some tears over your post it was so lovely... and then i had the perfect opportunity to go and talk to someone who looked lonely at a social gathering and i failed cuz i couldnt think of what i would say?!!! But does sending 10 dresses that i "didn't like" or they don't fit to a friend who doesnt enjoy sewing count? cuz i just cleaned out my closet and she is getting a box full of dresses... it helps me out too so i have more room in my closet :) loved your sunshine basket idea! i have someone to try it for too :) its so easy to forget that we should help others and not just stew in our own little world! love reading your posts :)

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    1. Imagine her delight when she gets them!!! Ahh!! Yes, that totally counts:)
      ( you could say this- what you been up to this week? (Unless of course you already had a detailed report) :) yes do the box, I was sad though my post office wouldn't mail it with out a return address :( so I'm sure the lady figured out who sent it ... :/

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  10. i prob would have just made an address up or something :) oh well at least you tried! I'm sure it made her day brighter and also yours which is sometimes the best part :)

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