The 100 Day Gratitude Challenge -- Day #15 -- Volunteer at the next opportunity in your community

Dear Readers,

I've been busy with my full time day job, and now it's the weekend. Time to post more entries for the 100 day gratitude challenge.

Here we are at Day #15. This one urges you to "Volunteer at the next opportunity in your community."

What a wonderful suggestion this one is! Myself, I pride myself in lending a hand to a good cause, helping someone in need, or perhaps it's just giving your time at a local nonprofit organization.

In the past, I've volunteered at a soup kitchen, went door to door on a friend's political campaign (oh that 36 degree weather and 2nd degree sunburn!), spent eight months handing out canned goods at a food bank, volunteered a year at the Optimist Youth Dance, lent my time in the Santa Claus Parade, did clerical work for a hospice, sorted donations at a thrift store, helped at the Hearts of Durham Gala to raise funds for women's shelters...the list goes on. Volunteering gives us a chance to give back. It boosts our self esteem, it's a chance to network and meet new friends or make new allies in the community. Overall, it's just marvelous. Giving back expands the heart, opens your vortex to abundance, and Paying it Forward is amazing karma! My heart is full of gratitude for the experiences that have dropped me to my knees. The low times and the ecstatic times. I'm certain there is no mistake to the Universe's perfect plan for me. All the good that I have given out -- whether helping a friend cope with his bipolar disorder and encourage him not to end his life, or slip that sandwich and box of chocolates to the homeless man on Christmas Eve -- it will surely find its way back to me, no doubt at all.

What experience, if any, can you share with us of your volunteering?

Please do so in the comments section. I'd love to know your thoughts.

Have a beautiful October weekend, enjoy the blue skies and swirling leaves! The air is cooler, the nights are chilly, and I'm wrapped in my fuzzy blanket, enjoying many a coffee, Chai and Earl Grey tea.

Much Love,

xx RR xx

BE A HERO IN SOMEONE'S LIFE

In our daily encounters, we have many chances to make a difference in someone's life. Do we take these opportunities when they are presented? Or do we rush on by in our self-focused little haze?

My own personal joy comes from giving to others, with no expectation of return. That $20 I slipped to the woman on the street who looked down and out? It gave me a rush of adrenaline like nothing else. Just knowing I may never run into her again, is remarkable itself. The beaming smile on her face affirmed that I'd made an impact. The added bonus was an hour later at a lotto counter, the machine went off with an instant win of $100. Now, THAT is something else. I don't expect miracles like this in the moment, but I gladly welcome them.

The lunch I covered for a friend "just because"? Well, a flutter of joy filled my heart when I paid the bill. No score keeping here. It's not authentic. Don't do that. Just give. It's a big boomerang effect, it comes back to you in profound ways you would never imagine.

Giving is joyful. It blesses the receiver, makes a huge difference (not always monetarily) and in turn, sends back a ripple of blessing and abundance to the giver. You just never know who you're impacting, what life you are making better by the random act of your kindness.

Being a hero in someone's life doesn't take much. It could be a favor granted, helping someone load a sofa on a truck to their new home. It might be just lending an ear to someone who lost her husband to cancer, or a friend who put her ailing mother into a long term care facility. These life changing moments hit hard, they can be very taxing emotionally and mentally on the people involved. Our friends and colleagues need us. Often, the ones who appear rock solid on the outside are actually the ones falling apart behind the scenes. They're feeling a river of tears course down their face, after a long day, sitting alone in an empty room. Believe me, I have been there. It takes a prayer and a strong heart to feel that wave of exhaustion ride out.

Who will you reach today, in your busy life? Will you strike up a conversation with that co worker on your smoke break at work? You know the one, she looks hard on the outside, rarely smiles. You think she is just "unfriendly" when really, she is going through hell. No one ever asks. They assume she is a snob or just a cold person. Go ahead, take a chance and send her a smile or word of encouragement. I have reached people on a whim like this. The floodgates that open are truly astounding!

Recently, doing a buy and sell for household items, a woman who is a repeat customer came to me. She stood in my driveway and poured her heart out to me. Her daughter had been murdered. The magnitude of trust and connection in our conversation really hit me like a tsunami. Wow, a total stranger was sharing her biggest defining life moment...I was blessed and honored by the gift of our exchange. She has come back a few more times, just to chat. She told me something that warmed me all over: "since the death of my daughter, I have become a hermit. I rarely go anywhere, except for the part time job I work. But YOU my dear, are someone I could go to lunch with. You're special. You actually care. The others don't have a clue."

Misty eyes here, as I write this entry. The Universe has brought me so many profound experiences, in 2015 alone. It blows my mind. You could say it's because I have an open mind and very receptive heart.

Just last night, someone asked, "how is it after all you've been through, that you remain open?" My response was simple. "I'm not a victim, but a VICTOR. Those scars I bear, they are just stepping stones, promptly me onward to the next BIG MIRACLE in my life.

You'd be amazed by what's coming to you...if you remain open and keep your heart warm. Please promise me you won't become bitter. It blocks the flow of abundance. It does you absolutely no good at all. You have so much to give, so many gifts to share with the wounded and lost who are searching for guidance.

If you will take a chance today -- BE A HERO IN SOME PERSON'S LIFE-- it will make a world of difference. Trust me.

Cheering for you always,

xo RR xo