Day 334

Something that everyone should engage in. Bring out the best in people, not the worst, and make them feel good about themselves. 

Day 333

http://www.mrctv.org/blog/heartwarming-video-woman-s-sign-brings-garth-brooks-concert-halt

This is just another reason as to why I love country music! What a heartfelt and touching moment!! Garth Brooks is a class act and his blessing not only touched that lady but anyone fighting cancer. I love watching this video!

Day 332

This is a nice touch so that people have more money for the holidays! 

Day 331

Happy Thanksgiving! It is important to give thanks to the people who have and still do go above and beyond for you. Be grateful for what you have. Be grateful for whom you have in your life. Be grateful that you are sitting here, reading this blog today. I am so grateful for my family, my friends, my health, and my life. 

Day 330

This elderly lady was mandated by the city to repair her garage and if she did not repair her garage, the city would tear it down and charge her for it. Unfortunately, she was in a bind because she did not have the funds to repair her garage. She was on a fixed income. She confided in a classmate in her bible study class. One of the men in the class took charge and recruited other men from their church to help repair her garage. They tore off the roof and repaired the whole garage. Because of all these people helping her, her garage meets the city's criteria. She said this was an amazing gift.

What a great story!!

Day 329

http://vivas.us/boxing-instructor-got-curious-when-two-of-his-students-stopped-showing-up-he-went-searching-for-them-finding-them-at-an-abusive-foster-home/

This story is wonderful and touching. I think what he did for those boys changed their life. He was there for the kids, helped them, and adopted them. He saved them from a toxic and unhealthy abusive environment. What a great human being!

Day 328

Happy birthday to my amazing mom. Words cannot explain how appreciative I am of her; I would be lost without her. She is such a warm, giving, nurturing person and I hope when I have children, I raise my children just as well as she did. She has such a kind heart, who is patient, very forgiving, and gentle. She has taught me the key elements to life.

I love you mom and I am so grateful for you, today and always. Happy birthday!! 

Day 327

I read this story in American Profile: 

After an auto repair shop was demolished by a deadly tornado in Georgia, the owners' competition offered to share his auto repair shop with him and his staff. They made room in the office and in the shop. It was a nice gesture for two competitive private businesses to come together in ones' moment of crisis. 

What a wonderful story!!

Day 326

Never judge! You never know what someone has gone through or still going through. Be kind, understanding, patient, and compassionate. 

Day 325

My friend was at Sprouts (a grocery store) to buy some walnuts. He was waiting in line and the man in front of him forgot to write down his number on his mixed nuts bag, so my friend went back to get the number for him. While he was waiting for the gentleman in front of him to finish paying, my friend saw a young woman with autism folding bags at the corner of a register. He went up to her, gave her a big hug and said "how have you been? I haven't seen you in a while" (however, he has never met her before, but he wanted to be nice and strike up a friendly conversation). She said "oh my gosh, how are you? I miss seeing you" (she might have been thinking he was someone else). But whatever it was, they ended up chatting for a little bit and discussing how walnuts are their favorite type of nut. They hugged again and he promised he would come to that Sprouts more often so they can keep their friendly conversations going. 

What a great story of someone going out of their way to make someone's day!

Day 324

In honor of being 28 years young today, I wanted to thank everyone who have been in my life from the beginning, the people who have entered but left my life and taught me a valuable lesson, and the people who have entered my life and stayed in my life. You will not win everyone over. You can try to please everyone, but somehow, you will still disappoint others. You can try to be the best version of yourself always, but sometimes people will still argue that's not good enough. But what is important is what you believe in your heart. If you know and believe you go to sleep every night knowing you did the right thing and were the best version of yourself that day, then you have an open slate. My values, morals, and ethics come from my parents. They have instilled in me what it entails to be a good person and good contribution to society. To me, there is only one way: and that is the right, kind, and compassionate way. Always put yourself in other people's shoes. I am grateful for my life and the people who have molded, shaped, and helped me get to where I am at today. A very special thank you to my parents for raising me right thought out the past 28 years. I am looking forward to what this next year brings me. I have the best family and friends that I could have ever asked for!!

Day 323

My friend was on a subway in NYC and sat next to this lady who had ear phones on and was listening to rap music. My friend looked at her and said I liked that song. She grinned. Then the next song Stay with Me by Sam Smith started playing on her phone and my friend nudged her and lip read to her: "And this one is my favorite". She laughed. My friend sang along under his breath as the song continued. When the subway came to a stop and the lady got up, she stopped and looked back at my friend to get his attention and smiled and said "Thank You" before she walked off the subway, and he smiled back. He said you could tell it made both of our days! 

Day 322

There is this one gentleman in a neighborhood that does all the handy work and yard work for his elderly female neighbor. Her husband died two years ago, so since then, her neighbor has helped her. She said that he has made her life as a widow so much easier. What a wonderful neighbor! 

Day 321

I was in my car on an off-ramp of a freeway, waiting for the light to turn green, and this homeless man was standing there collecting plastic bottles. The car in front of my gave him an empty water bottle and then the car behind me saw and then started waving a water bottle outside her window. The man walked over to her and she gave him the water bottle. I thought this was wonderful. It is a way for him to make a few dollars and it is good for the environment to recycle. I do not use anything plastic because the chemicals are bad for us, but if I did have a plastic bottle in my car, I would have definitely given it to him.

Day 320

I read this story:

An elderly lady has a ruptured stomach and complications from her surgery, and as a result, she was not able to spend time in the garden. She enjoys planting flowers and keeping the yard nice. Her neighbors knew she was not able to garden, so as she came home one day, she saw her yard was fully planted with beautiful flowers. Her kind neighbors planted them for her. It made her day! What a great story of people going out of their way to brighten someone else's day.

Day 319

One of my best friends, her boyfriend, and her mother volunteered at Operation Gratitude, which gets packages together to send to our troops!

I always say this and I will say it again: regardless of your political affiliation and whether you agree or disagree with the war, everyone should support our troops! They are the true heroes of our country putting their lives on the line to keep us all safe. 

Day 318

Life is short and priceless. Do not take it for granted. A high school classmate passed away the night before last. He was in his 20's and taken too soon. His parents have been through many unfortunate events and my heart goes out to them. I hope they find strength and love and support to get through this difficult time in their lives. I dedicate today's blog to him and his family.

You can never say "I love you" too much, so whenever and wherever you feel like saying it to the ones you love, you should. You never know what tomorrow will bring.

Day 317

My dad always tells me this. Always remember to never give up on your dreams! Follow your heart, passions, desires, aspirations. Let the word "no" motivate you even more. Be positive and know that everything happens for a reason. 

Day 316

http://www.humankindness.org/

This is a great organization that demonstrates that it is never too late to better your life. It is also never too late to forgive and do soul searching. Not only will that help better your life, but it will result in a betterment of a community, city, nation, or world. It can all start with you.

Day 315

Today makes the day that there are only 50 days left in the year. It always is Veterans Day today. May we say thanks today and always to the true heroes of our country, the ones who put their lives on the line in order to keep us safe at home. May we honor their life, duty, and legacy. May God Bless America, the land of the free and home of the brave.

Day 314

https://screen.yahoo.com/buzzfeed/strangers-help-004304459.html?vp=1

I loved this video. I got chills watching it and knowing all these strangers were going out of their way for someone else. If the roles were reversed, you would want and practically need someone to help you, so always try to put yourself in the other person's shoes! Wonderful video and message!

Day 313

Have any of you seen the movie The Blind Side? It is a wonderful true story film based on a family who bring in this young man, Michael Orr, who was borderline homeless and who came from a terrible family environment.  This family opened their heart and home to Michael Orr. They changed his life forever. They provided for him and gave him the outlet to go to high school, play football, and then go to a great college. As a result of their help and because he was a great football player, he made it into the National Football League. This family went above and beyond for a stranger that they barely knew. They gave him a roof over his head in his time of need. They helped him succeed in his career. They are family now. This story is truly touching, inspiring, and wonderful!

Day 312

I always give my leftover food to homeless people on the streets. It is a little gesture that goes a long way.

Day 311

My former co-worker used to read one inspiring quote in our morning meetings at work. I always loved hearing them and then having an open discussion with them with my former co-workers. There were many quotes that resonated in my mind and really hit home for me. I think she is a very positive and inspiring lady and I am lucky to have her in my life. 

Day 310

Never give up!!! Put out positive vibes and energy in the world and one day, if will make a full circle! Always pay it forward!!! 

Day 309

Someone left their keys in an uber and the uber driver parked his car and came into a restaurant looking for the owner of the keys. The driver found me and told me the scenario, and together, we returned the keys to the owner! Great story of a guy going above and beyond for another individual.

Day 308

I have been thinking a lot lately about the time I was in Greece last year. My cousin and her whole family opened her home to me. I met so many wonderful people; People that went out of their way for me regularly to make sure I was having a fun and good time. These people were friends of friends, and cousins of cousins, people I barely knew, but they still went above and beyond for me. I will never forget any of them. Because of them, I was able to make my two months in Greece memorable. I am forever grateful and indebted to them.

Go above and beyond for someone visiting where you live. It makes a world of a difference for that person or group of people. Make an effort. A little always goes a long way. Make new friends. Reconnect with long lost family. You will grow tremendously as a person if you open your home and heart.

Day 307

This lady told me that she bought extra cookies from a bakery so she can pass them out to any homeless people that she sees on the street. I told her that was so sweet and thoughtful of her to do that!  

Day 306

"We come to love not by finding the perfect person but by learning to see an imperfect person perfect" 

Always remember that love and beauty are in the eye of the beholder. Free yourself from pain and hurt. If you are happy internally, then it will radiate onto others. Be the best version of yourself internally, so the world can see! 

Day 305

I love this and think it is so true!! Do something out of the kindness of your heart, not because you want something in return. Be genuine!