Random Acts of Kindness

Hello Dear,

How are you doing?

I’m a big believer of being KIND. You?

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. ~Aesop
It’s important and it doesn’t have to be big and costly and all. Love should guide us in whatever we are doing and one small act of kindness can go a long way in helping someone.

At times, I run out of ideas though on how to help (You?). I’ve been ‘kindness’ scoting the internet for help and here are some tips I saw…

Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless. ~Mother Teresa

Remember, let love guide you in whatever you do. Hugs J

Big thank you to helpothers.org and daretobeanangel.caom for many of these ideas :)

prepare a meal for a homeless person
 smile :)
3.    call your mother to tell her you love her
4.    write a handwritten note
5.    knit a beanie or blanket for a homeless person
6.    put change in the washer/dryer for the next person
7.    plant a tree
8.    send your favorite grade school teacher flowers
9.    write a thank you letter to your parents
10.                      pay the toll for the person behind you
11.                      tape a nice saying or thought to a bus window
12.                      instead of just thinking it, compliment someone
13.                      give a sad looking stranger a happy music cd
14.                      ask someone “how are you?” mean it. and listen.
15.                      make some baked goods for your neighbor(s)
16.                      hug your loved ones for no particular reason
17.                      make breakfast for your partner or housemate
18.                      call someone you haven’t talked to in a while
19.                      give someone a flower …or a dozen
20.                      offer someone else your seat on the bus/train
21.                      visit a senior center or nursing home
22.                      say “thank you” for the otherwise routine, mundane
23.                      pick up trash
24.                      donate one of your favorite possessions
25.                      give someone a fruit basket
26.                      collect clothes to take to a local shelter
27.                      stop to have a conversation with a homeless person
28.                      give an inspiring book to a struggling friend
29.                      leave your favorite book in a public place with a note
30.                      donate books to your local library
31.                      visit an animal shelter
32.                      volunteer at a soup kitchen
33.                      build a home with Habitat for Humanity
34.                      mentor local youth
35.                      pay for the person behind you at the drive-thru
36.                      buy dessert for someone eating out alone
37.                      pick up the tab for a random table at a restaurant
38.                      put $10 on a random gas pump
39.                      buy flowers for the cashier at the grocery store
40.                      visit an orphanage with some goodies
41.                      prepare a “to-go” breakfast for the morning mailman
42.                      mail a friend some cupcakes
43.                      send anonymous flowers to your office receptionist
44.                      buy an extra umbrella on a rainy day
45.                      give your waiter or waitress a huge tip
46.                      tape an anonymous joke to your boss’ monitor
47.                      send a nice card to a family member, just because
48.                      don’t lose any opportunity to say: i love you
49.                      leave a funny or kind note in an unexpected place
50.                      invite a non-local friend over for dinner with your family
51.                      read to a child
52.                      rake someone’s yard
53.                      be a courteous driver
54.                      hold the elevator
55.                      visit a lemonade stand
56.                      recycle
57.                      offer someone an unexpected tip
58.                      set up a free lemonade stand on a hot day
59.                      take some soup or hot chocolate to a homeless person
60.                      leave a collection of positive news clippings in a waiting room
61.                      practice patience
62.                      refrain from gossiping; speak well of others
63.                      act as if the glass were half full
64.                      turn off a leaky faucet
65.                      let someone get ahead of you in line
66.                      listen intently
67.                      prepare a nutritious sack lunch for a homeless person
68.                      babysit for a single parent
69.                      wave a “honk if you like to smile” poster at a street intersection
70.                      be bold in your appreciation of life around you
71.                      create an inspired piece of art and gift it to someone
72.                      give a lottery ticket to a stranger
73.                      compliment a stranger sincerely
74.                      run an errand for someone
75.                      send a friend an old photo and recall that time
76.                      send a random person in the phone book a small gift
77.                      send your sibling a small gift anonymously
78.                      donate an hour of your professional services
79.                      invite someone who is alone over for dinner
80.                      leave chocolate for your co-worker
81.                      spend time with the elderly
82.                      share your secret recipe with a friend
83.                      write a letter of appreciation
84.                      introduce yourself to someone you always see around
85.                      anonymously send a friend in need some cash
86.                      throw kids in your neighborhood a pizza party
87.                      tape some change to a payphone
88.                      put up anonymous, lovely post-it notes for strangers to find
89.                      donate blood
90.                      cook dinner for a busy parent
91.                      give a little one a lollipop
92.                      make time
93.                      speak gently
94.                      laugh heartily
95.                      share your last bit
96.                      one time, stop everything to help someone else

1. If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. ~Dalai Lama

Got this tips from lifehack.org. Amazing!!!!!

1.     Send someone a hand written note of thanks.

2.    Make a card at home and send it to a friend for no reason.

3.    Buy a lottery ticket for a stranger.

4.    Put some coins in someone else’s parking meter.

5.    Walk your friend’s dog.

6.    Give a compliment about your waiter / waitress to his / her manager.

7.    Send someone a small gift anonymously.

8.    Stop and help someone replace their flat tyre.

9.    Let someone jump the queue at the bank.

10.          Pay for the drinks on the next table at a café.

11.          Treat a friend to the movies for no reason.

12.          Give a huge tip to someone when they least expect it.

13. Talk to that kid in school that no one wants to talk to

14.          Give up your seat for someone, not just an elderly person.

15.          Write notes of appreciation at least once a week.

16.          Talk to a homeless person and have a “normal” conversation.

17.          Pick up some rubbish in the road which would otherwise be lying around.

18.          Compliment a work colleague for their excellence.

19.          Recommend a competitor to a potential client.

20.          Give another driver your parking spot.

21.          Give a piece of fruit to a delivery person.

22.          Help an elderly neighbour carry the rubbish out.

23.          Tell all your family members how much your appreciate them.

24.          Leave a copy of an interesting book on a train / bus.

25.          Buy an inspirational book for a friend.

26.          Send a thank you note to a person who has helped you in the past.

27.          Smile a lot.

Image Source:Motivational Memo

Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end. ~Scott Adams

Big hugs to http://www.bukisa.com/articles/247610_top-70-random-acts-of-kindness-ideas for more ideas

 1. Pay for someones gasoline bill anonimously the next time you are filling up your car

2. Make it a point to smile at everyone you see and pass

3.Drive safely and be courteous. When another driver makes a minor driving error, instead of showing anger or aggression, give them a smile or a wave gesture letting them know you understand.

4. When visiting a patient at the hospital, take some time and stop into someones room who does not have any visitors at the time.

5. Drop off a plant or some home-made baked goods to your local police or fire department

9. Say something nice to everyone you meet today

10. Leave a kind note for a family member or friend

11. Smile and say "Hello" to people you don't know.

12. Wash a neighbors vehicle.

13. Give your pocket change to someone who is needing it.

14. If you're a boss of a company - allow your employees to leave a half hour early

15. Do as many things as you can by being anonymous. It's a wonderful feeling.

16. Take a parent out to dinner to their favorite restaurant.

17. Call a parent just to say you love them.

18. Take a meal to a family you know.

19. Drop off books and magazines to hospitals, nursing homes and doctors offices.

20. Sponsor an eye surgery for someone who is blind in an underdeveloped country.

What goes around is sure to come around – happy helping :-)

Brighten someone’s day!!!!

Thanks a lot for reading….Love you!!!

Hugs J

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. ~Leo Buscaglia

THE GOOD DOCTORS

Hola,

Just a quick hello and to introduce you to the 'good doctors' or the 'saints of Somalia'...Maybe you've heard of them {I just heard of them now...I agree, living under the rock :)) }

They are Doctor Hawa Abdi and Doctor Deqo Mohammed,  a mom and a daughter who are inspiring the world with their love, strength and goodness...

Image source: wn.com

Watch them here.

Video source: ted.com

Even in the presence of deep unrest in Somalia, when most people left town, these heroines stayed back to help their people. They had a choice and they choose to stay... 
Was wondering if I would do the same if faced with similar circumstances? Would you?

I can hear the voice of doubt  saying; do you want to get killed, or don't you care for family or friends or I'm not strong, or I can't do it....etc.

Uhmm, let Dr. Hawa and Dr. Deqo inspire us to action. Let their story encourage us to seek ways to help people no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in; and to believe in our own inner voice and strength.

So, which would you choose in the face of a great challenge- stay, fight, and be a hero or run?

Even if it's scary, I will stay (By God's grace of course). You?

Thank you so much for reading...Hugs!!!

Pls: tedx Victoria island will be held tomorrow, 12th of Oct 2012... Visit http://www.tedxvictoriaisland.org/ for more info on venue, time and tickets... :)

Kill Me if You Will, I Will Die With Dignity' Dr. Hawa 

Abdi

IS THIS SAFE: ILASAMAJA BRIDGE (2)

Hi everyone,
Remember the post on 'is this safe? where we talked about the 'Death trap called a bridge' and I pleaded that we share the post till someone of importance sees it...Well, I'm super happy tonight at the state of the Ilasamaja Bridge right now. Cheers to us.

The bridge has been demolished. 
Yes. The bulldozers were called in today and its all sand, rods and bricks right now.
I passed by the bridge tonight and it's disappeared. Also, for some strange reason, talk of the bridge seems to be trending this past week. I'm really happy about that.
Thank you so much for sharing the post and for helping save a life. (Sorry, I don't have pictures of the state of the bridge right now. It was dark and I got scared of screams of 'Ole' 'Ole' 'Thief' 'Thief'... Will post pictures later)

I believe that whatever is worth doing, is worth doing well. Therefore, I crave the indulgence of the government to rebuild the bridge as soon as possible. I know they said it will be ready in 4 months time. I'm hoping 4 months won't become 1 year. 
I was privileged to be featured in the sun newspaper where I talked about the bridge and I suggested that the 'public enforcement agencies' should be available to assist people especially children and older women in crossing the road. To be fair, they do that during the day. But, at night?
I didn't see any 'law enforcement personnel' assisting road users tonight (Maybe it's one off) and watched in horror as a 'Danfo' bus almost knocked down a child. 
I know the government is trying their best but I also plead that all form of assistance be given pedestrians pending when the new bridge is rebuilt.

As for now, I'm glad the hanging coffin has been removed :D

How was your day? :)

Thank you so much for reading this blog. Thank you. Thank you. You rock!!! Hugs...

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE PEACE: Mama's tale

Hi everyone,
Is eternal peace achievable? What do you think?

Image sourced from: newjessica

My grandma came over for the weekend and she recounted interesting, yet sad tales, of the Nigerian civil war in the 60's. 
She told us how my uncle and his wife was buried alive. She told us how it was a crime to be beautiful in those days (beautiful ladies had to paint their face with charcoal or disfigure themselves for fear of being kidnapped or married to opposition soldiers). Did I  mention how her old neighbour gave birth to a tall guy despite the fact that the lady in question was petite. Yes, she was kidnapped and raped by a tall Hausa soldier. Why? Because she was beautiful.
She said there was no place like 'villages' at that time. Thick bushes and palm fronds served as home to her, her son, daughters and the thousands of Ibo natives at that time (My cousin always joked that 'with all the modern infrastructures prevalent today, if there was war, where would we run to?). Mama's saving grace was my uncle who was a soldier at that time even though it broke her heart to see him fight. She said she is eternally grateful to my late aunt who was in the red cross, at least you are sure of a meal with her.
Tasteless food were the norm of the day (But no one bothered about that). Kwashiokor was worn by everyone especially the little children. Everyday was uncertain. Families watched families die. She ended every statement with 'war is bad'.
Investments were lost. And if you don't join the war, you would be ostracised. Loyalties were tested and visitors were not to be trusted.  
Momma says there is nothing like peace...I agree with her....
The other day I was looking at some gory pictures on CNN on the Syrian war. Lots of sad pictures. People are fleeing their homes to become refugees in other lands...
Even here in Nigeria, I wonder where the people in the north garner their strength from. Everyday, you hear of a church being bombed or gunmen attacking a market or a law enforcement agency.
War is bad. In my opinion, it hasn't achieved any good results
Peace should be advocated for. Money should be spent on promoting peace rather than used to advance nuclear weapons. 

We have all taken risks in the making of war.  Isn't it time that we should take risks to secure peace?  ~J. Ramsay MacDonald

Peace should be preached. There is nothing like peace.

Image source from: http://peaceisgood.net/

Thank you for reading this piece :) Hugs!!!

Shanyna Isom

Happy Monday Everyone,

How's your day so far?

What would you do if you had a 'scary' disease that do not have a cure- Give up!!! Whine till death comes!!! OR encourage others?

I read about an amazing young lady today on channelstv.com. She has 'a-one-of-a-kind disease' but still strong at heart. Hear what she says 'If it means me dealing with this to help someone else, I’m willing to go through it.’ 
I think she should be praised for her courage.

Shanyna Isom, 28, suffered an allergic reaction three years ago which caused the debilitating syndrome which has left her struggling to walk and carry out daily chores.
The university student was left covered in hard scabs as ‘nails’ replaced the hair on her body and doctors are still in the dark about how to cure Shanyna’s mysterious illness.
Shanyna Isom lives with her family in Memphis and was in her first year at university when the nightmare began.
In September 2009 she was prescribed steroids after suffering an asthma attack and within hours the law student was ‘itching’ all over her body.
Soon black bumps covered her legs and doctors treated her for everything from eczema to Staphylococcal infection to no avail.
Shanyna became bedridden as the illness took over and doctors tried to determine what was wrong.
In 2011 she began treatment in Baltimore where doctors established that the bumps were in fact human nails slowly covering Shanyna’s body.
She produces 12 times the normal number of skin cells per hair follicle, suffocating her skin.‘Where hair grows, nails are growing,’ Shanyna told WAFB news.
Today doctors have yet to diagnose her but have been able to control her symptoms.
‘I couldn’t sit up and I couldn’t walk, but now I can walk with a cane and sometimes I can walk on my own.’
The criminal justice major describes it as a nightmare she is trying to wake up from.
‘They’ve tested me from A to Z and everything was coming back negative.
‘ Right now, I am the only one in the world with my illness.’
The illness has left Shanyna and her family deep in debt as state-issued insurance does not cover her care at the specialist unit she attends in Baltimore and only covers five of the 17 medications she is prescribed.
The family savings accounts are dry and her outstanding medical bills are currently up to £160,000 ($250,000).
Shanyna has set up the S.A.I Foundation to raise money for her treatment but fears she may not be able to continue.
She relies on family and friends for financial help and they have rallied around her for support.

And she's so pretty ~sighs~~ picture from channelstv.com

‘At this point I just do everything I can to get the help that’s needed for her,’ her friend Tolungia Webb said.Shanyna hopes that the foundation will be able to raise enough money to cover her medical bills and help others in the same situation.

- Gotten from channelstv.com

Watch Shanyna Here

I pray she gets better.

Thank you for reading and please include her in your prayers.

Hugs :)