Random Acts of Kindness

"Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out."  ~Frank A. Clark

Now that giving everyday has become an automatic part of my day, I wanted to detach myself from the outcome of the gift and give to people I don't know.   So this month I tried my best to give out into the world.  The great Random Acts of Kindness Foundation helped me out and can help you if you need inspiration on where to start.  

I was able to reach far into the world this month and give with the help of some other wonderful organizations:

*World Malaria Day was just a few days ago on April 25th and through Population Services International (PSI), I was able to give a weeks worth of mosquito nets to pregnant women and children (who are the most as risk).
*Through PSI I was also able to give, a weeks worth of Pregnancy & AIDS prevention, life saving oral rehydration salts and two days of safe drinking water for a child.
*April 22nd was Earth Day and though I celebrate our planet and conserve on a daily basis, I thought it would be a great day to plant a tree or two.  But, plant a tree where it will really count.  Through Trees for the Future I planted two trees somewhere where it is very much needed, such as Ethiopia, Haiti, Nicaragua or the Phillipines.
*Oxfam International's goal is to overcome poverty and injustice.  Through them I got to give two special gifts.  By simply giving a quarter-pound of multipurpose soap I supplied a deserving community with life saving soap.  I also gave a child in a poor community a nutritious meal at school.
*Meals on Wheels is on their "Meals for Moms" campaign for Mother's Day.  Just $7 will provide a warm meal for a mom and at the Care2 site you can send well wishes to these mothers and grandmothers who because of health problems and lack of transportation will spend this special day alone.  You can go right now and make sure that a sweet message will be delivered to them along with a great meal.

Today being National Pay It Forward Day, it seemed like an appropriate gift to give.

I gave lots of sweet gifts to friends (hula hoops, jewelry, books) as well as my favorite organizations (Humane Society Emergency Fund, Greenpeace, Animal Acres Emergency Rescue), but I kept in mind my goal for the month. 

I realized that it could be as simple as putting money into a tip jar on the counter when no one is looking.

Give without expectations!

♥∞,

~B

Good for the Soul

I had so much fun giving this month, I almost forgot to blog.  With a few exceptions, I spent most of this month giving to those closest to me.  Here are some of the awesome highlights and fun happenings as a result:

I started the month off by attending the "Feeding The Soul" benefit concert.  It featured some of my favorite artists and went to benefit the Brother Benno's Soup Kitchen and Haiti Relief Fund.

The sound-man at the show, was none other than my favorite musician, Jason Mraz.  Though he was dedicated to his job running sound, he did get up and join his friend Billy (Bushwalla) on stage.  What a fun night raising money for a good cause!

 I also spent some more time at my favorite animal sanctuary, Animal Acres.  It was a crazy weather day with lots of hard work, but we had a ton of fun too. 

Ok, so all of a sudden I am on this jewelry making kick.  I gave 5 specially designed bracelets to friends and made a few pieces for myself.

 The bead store is now my new favorite place to hang out!

If you are my friend and you have yet to receive a piece of jewelry from me, it's just a matter of time...

Though I mostly doted over my friends this month, giving goodies and sweet treats, I did do some other great things for others.  Both human and animal.  I donated some shoes to Soles 4 Souls.  A wonderful organization that provides shoes for those in need.  They have drop-off locations all over and distribute a pair of shoes every 9 seconds.  Look for one near you.

One of the most important causes I've taken on this month is the annual slaughter of baby harp seals in Canada.  ...I don't even know where to start.  The slaughter got underway this past Sunday to a slow start, thankfully, as only one ship headed to the icy nursery.  Thanks to some countries banning seal products (our country is NOT one of them), the price of pelts has dropped significantly and less "hunters" have headed out.  Also, due to climate change, the ice is thin and a dangerous condition to both humans and animals.  I've been spreading the word and encouraging those with compassionate hearts to speak out on behalf of these beautiful creatures.  Read more about it and look up the heartbreaking videos and horrific pictures.  Which I won't post here.  Instead, these lovely sights:

"Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight."

Lastly, Operation Beautiful continues to grow throughout our campus.  More posters pop up all over the school everyday.  Amazing that a few post-its with some encouraging words can start a whole movement.  Proof of my whole mission!

So, I'm looking forward to a whole new month filled with opportunities to give everyday.  This month was so focused on giving to my closest that next month I will be (mostly) devoting myself to random acts of kindness.  More on that coming next month!

♥∞,

~B

"All your actions are echoes. What you give, you get back, but several times more. So, if you want to gain more, give more."  --Swami Satchidananda

Colorful!

That is the only word I can use to describe the gifts given (and received) this month.

COLORFUL! 

Everyday has been fun.  I've given a lot to my students:  my copy of Franny & Zooey to one of my kids who is a Salinger fan, my purple corduroy TOMS to another and various other goodies.  Included in that was inspiration, which I think may be the most important of gifts.

I also gave to random strangers.  Money to the homeless, a Starbucks gift card to the nice lady who was collecting donations for the homeless, my box of CRV recyclables to a man who was searching through the dumpsters for them and donations to The Salvation Army, Humane Society, The American Red Cross (this time for earthquake relief in Chile) and even dressed up as cupid for the Valentine's Day Make-A-Wish Foundation Fundraiser.  (It's best I don't have a photo of that...)

Gave my favorite gifts to friends and family though.  Cookies for a helpful neighbor, advice, cards and recipes to friends.  But best of all, took my momma to get her first tattoo.  She was so funny, blowing bubbles, cracking jokes and tweeting during the whole process.  I have the coolest mom.  I love spending time with her.  That was my gift. 

And so I had another "AHA!" moment this month about giving and receiving.  You can be really good at one and bad at the other.  If you give, you're bound to receive, but you have to be open to it.  I came to the realization that though I'm a really good giver, I'm a bad receiver.  I get bashful with a simple thank you.  I'm not sure why this is.  But it became apparent this month when I was given some amazing gifts:

• I was given a free Acupuncture session.
• I went in to renew the lease on my apartment and they lowered my rent!
• I got my car insurance renewal and in the envelope was a little certificate that said, "Congratulations we've lowered your premium!" 
• I got a new fridge (which lowered my monthly rent even more since I no longer have to rent one) for practically nothing from a friendly neighbor.
• And other delightful surprises from the Universe...
  

 Luck seems to constantly be on my side.

The more I'm given, the more I become comfortable in receiving and the more I realize that I am worthy of receiving.  That was the "AHA!".  I am worthy of receiving.   I just have to be open.  The more I'm open to receiving, the more I receive.  So, I put some reminders up on my new fridge to keep me in that mind-set.

"The more you let go and surrender to your calling and know you are worth all the good stuff, the faster it shows up."

"Being of service is helping the Universe, and in return the Universe will help you!" 

--The Daily Love

♥∞,

~B

P.S.  It's been weeks since Operation Beautiful but the message of love is still going strong at school.  Little notes keep popping up all over campus.  I'm so excited to have started this!

Most fun gift so far...

My momma's first tattoo!  It's my favorite gift I've been able to give so far:

She loves it!

That's me! That's me!

 

I am the kind provider of nice things!  

An anonymous Thank You for my anonymous good deed.

“Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu”

Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu is a Sanskrit mantra meaning, "May all beings everywhere be happy and free." 

It is something I believe in strongly.  In "being love", I am compassionate toward ALL living things.  I know that everything that is alive and has a spirit, is here for a reason.  That we are all connected.

 

This past Sunday I gave my day to Animal Acres.  A sanctuary in Acton, CA that houses animals rescued from the factory farming industry.  I first volunteered last month during my 31 Days of Giving and fell in love.  I vowed to come back once a month.  I love everyone there, both human and animal.

It's a lot of work, but absolutely worth it.  Every minute I spend there is a happy one.  Whether I'm giving a pig a belly rub or shoveling poop.  (There's a lot of poop shoveling.)  There's an overwhelming feeling of peace and you can't help but feel good all day.

 

I found out about Animal Acres in my research after reading "Eating Animals" by Jonathan Safran Foer.  It is the most important book I have ever read.  I gave it as a Christmas present to all my loved ones with an understanding that it is meant to be read and passed on.  It shouldn't sit on a bookshelf, it needs to be spread.  My original copy has already been passed on at least 3 times.

Even though I was already vegan when I heard about the book, I was a very socially shy/relatively new one.  Which I sometimes feel ashamed to admit how new to veganism I am, considering the animal lover I have always been.  Though I was a healthy eater before, I did love the taste of meat.  In recent years, I only really ate meat socially when with friends or family.  Then in early 2009, I happily went from a not-picky-eat-anything omnivore to vegetarian to (mostly raw) vegan almost overnight without looking back.  

At first I did it for myself, (that's a whole 'nother blog!) with the environmental effects being second and the cruelty free part being last.  I only knew the basics of how animals became meat or should I say, I only wanted to know the basics.  Reading "Eating Animals" changed all of that.  I couldn't believe I didn't know all this already.  How does the majority of the world not know this?  And so I had what Oprah calls an, "Aha!" moment.

In reading "Eating Animals", I not only wanted to become more informed on the industry, but I wanted to learn how to change it.  I wanted to become an activist.  I want to help and I want to inform.  My research has lead me to a bunch of amazing organizations that I have become a part of.  But mostly it has lead me to the facts.  Watching documentaries like Earthlings (please see this movie!), Meet Your Meat, The Cove, Food Inc, & Fowl Play, showed me the standard practices of the industry without holding anything back.

I now understand why vegans/animal activists have always been so outspoken.  Because they know.  And now I know and I am different because of it.  At first, changing what I ate was self serving.  I saw lots of positive change within me like, an increase in energy level, my skin is glowing, my body is slim, my attitude is always bright and my overall state of mind is peaceful.  Everything has become clearer and I am more aware and present.  I feel light.  Granted, veganism isn't the only thing that has changed with me, but it is what I attribute to the change in my outlook.  Now knowing the effects on the world around me, the choice to eat the way I do is for the well-being of ALL things.  Not just for me, but for the animals, the planet and all of humanity.

It has made me kinder, more generous and infinitely compassionate with no effort.  Just like giving, it's a feeling I want everyone to partake in.

 

 ♥∞,

~B

And in case you're wondering what vegans eat, check out Quarry Girl's blog.  Or my favorite restaurants: Au Lac, Native Foods, Cafe Gratitude & Gracias Madre.  Of course, my kitchen is always filled with amazing food as well.  If you are what you eat, then I am super girl because all I eat are super foods!

"May all that have life be delivered from suffering" -- Buddha

Operation Beautiful

Sometimes, girls (of all ages) need to be reminded of how amazing they are.  Operation Beautiful is on a mission to tell girls that they are perfect just the way they are.  You post anonymous notes in public places for other women to find.  A random act of kindness.  When I learned about this a few weeks ago, I knew that I wanted to become involved and help spread the beauty everywhere I went.

I figured the best place to start is the high school I teach at.  Teenage girls definitely need a self-esteem boost, especially with the media's perception of beauty that they are constantly bombarded with.  I hear the girls talk and I know that this is definitely the place that could use some positive reminders.

So, I decided that in order to stay as anonymous as possible, I had to get the notes up when no one was at school.  A Saturday of a 3 day weekend sounded like the perfect time.  There are 8 girls bathrooms and I got to all of them.  I was in and out quickly and quietly.  All the notes will be up when we go back to school Monday morning.  Mission accomplished.

 

In putting up notes that said things like, "You are perfect just the way you are", "You are loved" and "You are beautiful", it was also a good reminder for me.  Not only did I feel good about what I was doing for others, I also just felt good about myself.  I felt beautiful.  It was exhilarating.

 

I suggest everyone grab a stack of post-its and go attack women's restrooms at restaurants, stores, movie theaters, the women's locker room at the gym and at schools...  Anywhere you go, leave a positive message behind for the next girl who looks into that reflection.  Spread the beauty.  Your beauty.

♥∞, 

~B

"Happiest girls are the prettiest." --Audrey Hepburn 

A World Community of Love

What a week in giving! 

And I don’t mean mine either.  I mean, watching the world come together to give to Haiti.  I am amazed at the level of compassion that the world community has shown.  It makes me proud to be a part of it. 

There are so many ways to get involved and give. 

Here are a few great ones: 

~There’s the mobile campaign which has just surpassed $10 million. Wow! Text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross.

~Red Cross, Unicef, Yele Haiti, OxFam, Mercy Corps, Humane Society Emergency Fund, Doctors Without Borders and others, are all taking donations of any amount.  Anything you can give will help.

~T-shirts: both Herbivore Clothing and Café Press have merchandise you can buy with 100% of the proceeds going to Haiti.

~An interesting one is signing a petition that convinces global creditors to cancel Haiti's $890 million international debt. Doing so will help make sure that every possible future dollar goes towards rebuilding a stronger Haiti, not to servicing old debts.

~The Monsters Ball Tour.  I LOVE LADY GAGA!  Not just because she’s holding a benefit with 100% of the proceeds going to Haiti.  But because you if you can’t attend the Ball in NYC, on the 24^th, anything you buy online at Lady Gaga’s store, also goes go to Haiti.  LOVE HER.  

As far as my own week in giving, it was super fun.  More bamboo plants, this time for my lovely tattoo shop, some thank you notes, encouragement posters, a day of work to a friend, a big package of goodies for my mom & money to the homeless.  The most important though was the money I gave to the Red Cross the day of the quake.  I’ve also signed some letters of encouragement to the U.N. workers & President Clinton, who are doing the amazing job of rescuing people and helping to save lives.  Send them a quick note to tell them how much you appreciate what they are doing.  Or you can just click here.

“The love aroused by the catastrophe in Haiti is a giant force. It's like a genie from a bottle. When this is over let's not put it back!"  ~Marianne Williamson

♥∞,

 ~B

Be Love

“Whatever you have in your hand, give it.” -- Abu Sa'id 

I find myself giving whatever I have in my hand at any given moment.  Or as in the case of the other night, what’s in my closet.  When my bestie was admiring a dress I said, "Take it!"

I seem to have lost my attachment to things recently.  I have never been much of a “stuff” person.  But I keep clearing out more and more things on a daily basis.  A lot of stuff I really don’t use or need are on their way out in the next few weeks.

As for these first 12 days of the 365, the giving has been good.  Shoes have been given, groceries have been bought for folks that couldn’t afford it, a little moonstone pendant to one of my students, the dress, lemons for everyone…    

There has also been some that have required creativity.  Such as: making Wordles and Ecards for friends.  If you have a little bit of time and feeling crafty, try it.  It costs nothing and it’s super fun.  It’s an easy thing to do to brighten someone’s day.  Another good one was filling out a letter of recommendation for a HS senior applying for a big scholarship.  I love boasting about people that deserve it!

If you’re feeling proactive, check out The Petition Site and sign some petitions for causes that mean something to you.  You don’t have to write them but you can personalize each letter or petition with your own thoughts.  You might even find some new causes to support.  Of course, you can always lose yourself in FreeRice.com.  Fun, educational and feeds the hungry.  Win, win, win.

The most special was last Saturday, when I spent the afternoon with the elderly woman who lives downstairs and her 6 year old granddaughter.  We walked around the park, let our dogs play together and cleaned up any trash we encountered.  Afterward I was like, who am I? 

There’s been a lot of those moments lately.   But the answer is really simple:   

“Love IS the Answer.  No matter what the question is.” -- Jon Marro 

♥∞, 

~B

The 31 Days Re-cap/Fun Ways You Can Join In On The Giving Fun

Giving has become second nature to me. During my “31 Days of Giving” and the continuation into the “365 Days of Giving”, the opportunities to give now find me. Ways to give in which I never could have dreamed of, now show up sometimes several times a day. Thank you Universe.

Before that, sometimes the opportunities came up spontaneously, but I usually had to plan. For my 31 days, I started out the first few having definite plans on what to give. Soon enough, the opportunities just started popping up without me having to give it too much forethought. I think you’ll find, that it will work that way for you as well.

Here is a quick re-cap/fun-ways-you-too-can-give from my 31 Days last month:

~Thank You cards to people who may not receive recognition very often. Perhaps your mailperson, secretary/receptionist at work or apt. leasing office manager. They probably don’t get lovely hand-written thank you notes frequently.

~Do you have a fruit tree in your yard or an abundant veggie garden? Well, I don’t, but my parents do. A very happy lemon tree over-flowing with juicy, delicious fruit. When I visit they load me up with them. I’ve given bags to my neighbors, my yoga studio and even my favorite restaurant. (Scored free dessert too!)

~Speaking of dessert, I love buying desserts or sweet treats for friends and my students. It doesn’t cost too much to buy a bag of goodies or treat a friend to something cold and yummy!

~Do you get your hair or nails done or maybe have a massage therapist? How about next time you get some sort of service done, bring them a little gift? I brought my amazing masseuse/acupuncturist a lucky bamboo plant when I saw her last. Plants are cheap and brighten up any room.

~Break out your Jr. High/High School skills of making rad mix-tapes. Course, now they're mixed CDs. Make one and hand it off to your best friend.

~Look around your home. Have clothes and shoes you don’t wear anymore? Perhaps kitchen appliances you don’t use? There are always people and/or organizations who could make great use out of the things you no longer use. Give it away! “ If you are not relishing it right now in this moment, then give it away!” -- Tricia aka Jason Mraz's former Joyologist

~Time. I realize that time is not something people have a whole lot of. But, it is free. I walk my dog everyday at our local park. When we go for our walks I bring an extra bag and clean up any trash I see around the park area and dispose of it properly.

Sometimes all it takes is a simple thank you or small token as a gift. Give to those closest to you first. Bake your brother his favorite cookies (check), take your dad to the movies (check) or buy your mom dinner (check). Then expand your circle of giving from there.

Easy, simple & inexpensive ways to be generous and share your abundance!

I know that not everyone has tons of money and riches to give. Especially right now, people don’t have a lot. Trust me, I understand. I’m a dance teacher. I LOVE what I do, but I don’t make much.

Giving is not about that. In fact, abundance is a state of mind. Be thankful for what you’ve got and more will come into your life. Same with generosity. That love, in the form of whatever it is that you are giving, will come back to you in other ways. It always comes back to you. Trust in that and give.

♥∞,

~B

"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you." ~Mother Teresa