Love tokens

I've been making these little cotton felt hearts, which I have dubbed, "Love Tokens".  (and i'm going to do a little tutorial at some point).I like to give them out to people I meet in public (strangers) who look like they are having a bad day or maybe they work one of those jobs that none of us want to do (like cleaning a public bathroom). Or I like to give them out if I received excellent customer service (a rarity these days!) 

I recently handed one to a toll booth attendant. She wasn't very friendly and you could tell she was just go through the same motions again and again (probably bored out of her mind, i get that.) When I handed it to her, I explained that I was giving it to her to let her know I appreciate her. She got the biggest smile on her face. It was fun to shock and surprise her. And hopefully it made a difference in her day. 

I'm getting ready to leave for 2 weeks (taking miss sophie with me) doing some teaching and traveling  to Nashville, TN (Art-is-You) and Saluda, NC (Random Arts) and I will hand these out along the way. When I stop at rest stops, I also like to put them in the return dispenser on candy/gumball machines!

giving back

I'm getting ready to leave for Puerta Vallarta on Sunday. doing all those last minute things like finishing up projects, packing, cleaning house, etc. All that fun stuff to get done, just to getaway and relax! but i am really looking forward to it and can't wait to tell you all about it when i return.



anyway, i thought today i would talk about RAK's (random acts of kindness).

wiki defines
random act of kindness as a selfless act performed by a person or people wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual person or people.

December is the perfect opportunity to randomly be kind to others and get into that spirit of giving. RAK's don't have to be about money either. there are so many ways to give to others without spending a dime.

you can make anyone's day by simply holding the door open for the mom struggling with her stroller or for the elderly couple leaving the store. Look people in the eye and say thank you when they do a nice deed for you as well. It sad that so must politeness has left our society. I've been making a conscientious effort to be more polite on an everyday level.

You can randomly buy the person's coffee behind you. I like to buy 2 of things and then randomly give the other one away. I know if i like it, someone else will like it too! Even thanking someone for doing a job well done (how about acknowledging the lady who is cleaning the public restroom?)

i found a fun website, The Random Acts of Kindness Website, and it is full of ideas on how to be kinder and how to do simple things that can mean so much to someone else. and you never know when someone else needs to know that others care. Read some of the stories too, very inspiring!

i'd love to hear your stories of your RAK's or if you have been the receiver of a RAK. I always think of the RAK that I received about 10 years ago. On Christmas day, I had driven with Tucker in his van over to drop off a gift to my friend/his friend/his caregiver, Michele. When we were leaving, as i was backing out of her driveway, I hit a car. Granted it was an older, beat up car, but still i hit it and i didn't feel good about just leaving. So Michele watched Tucker while i walked around to find the owner. Finally found him and told him what happened. I was all prepared to get chewed out, etc. and he just looks at me and says, "hey, it's Christmas, don't worry about it". I still smile when i think about that!

Here's to a terrific RAK holiday season!