Good Deed 31

This one wasn't actually a good deed, but a random act of kindness instead, which is the same thing to me. On the bus I witness all sorts of crazy things, which anyone living in Peterborough can relate to. People on the bus are always so interesting, and there is quite a mix of regular riders.

Today there was a guy in his twenties sitting at the front. An older man sat down next to him and the younger one looked at him strangely a few times before pointing out that there other seats free in the back. I thought it was incredibly rude, but then he kept going about how he doesn't need someone sitting next to him and the handicapped seats could be lowered if he really wanted to sit in the front.

So I went up to the older guy and invited hi to sit beside me and Eddie. I hadn't brought the stroller so we were sitting near the front too. We then had a conversation about the crazy weather and kids. The younger guy thought I was insane, but I'd rather be insane and nice than blatantly rude.

So I made it a goal to be especially nice to everyone sitting near me on the buses today. We rode four different buses and there were people on all of them that were happy for a chat.  I have noticed that on the bus, most people would rather stand than sit next to someone, even if the bus is half empty. Maybe it's because the way that guy acted is standard, but I won't be like that.

Good Deed 30

Today I took the kids to the YMCA. There was a line so we waited. And then someone cut right in front of me to get to the counter. The person at the counter said that I was next and I let him go anyway. If he was that pushy he was obviously in a hurry.

I also played some basketball with the kids (their version of it anyway), and picked up some wayward balls to throw back to people. I know it's not much, but it was being much kinder than I wanted to be today. I am premenstrual and everything sucks and I'm mad and frustrated and in pain. So I am proud that I managed to do that much. Wait, I'll be proud in ten days, right now I need some medication.

Good Deed 29

Today was a slower sort of day. It was a snow day but thanks to my generous neighbour (yes, same one) Jimmy got to school. Eddie and I hung out for the morning because he seemed too tired to go anywhere, but then the little darling refused to nap so we didn't have time to go anywhere. My opportunities for random kindness were limited, but I did achieve a creative one.

I saw the mail lady through the window while Eddie was having his late nap, and our driveway has not been salted. I ran out to get our mail and the neighbour's mail on both sides so she could avoid the ice. I delivered it almost without falling.

Good Deeds 27 and 28

I have a confession. Yesterday I did not do a good deed. It was not for lack of trying though. I was nice to everyone I met, but until the evening I had no inspiration whatsoever for a kind act. In the afternoon the power went out. It was out for a while, and we had to go buy candles in case it was off all night. I thought that since everyone on our street was out of power, it would be nice to buy someone else dinner. Obviously, no one could cook. So I had my husband drop me off at my friend and neighbour's house to see if she wanted us to bring them back some dinner. She said no. So my one good idea of the day was not to be.

Today I made up for it though. It snowed quite a bit, starting last night. I waited for the snow to stop and took the kids out to shovel some driveways. We did ours, the one next door, and the one across the street (which was the driveway of my friend who wouldn't let me buy dinner). She had done hers earlier, but it was still snowing and I thought I would save her the trouble of doing it again.

Now here's a thought. She told me that she and her boy would come over to shovel our driveway the next time it snows. She is a very kind person and one to repay any favour, but not many people are like that. People are being a lot more friendly and helpful to me since I made this resolution. So I'm making some sort of difference.

Another difference I notice is in my five year old son. He asks me every day now how I have filled a bucket, and is very interested in what I'm doing. He's even started filling his own buckets by being nice to his brother and doing chores without being asked. He is happy that we are nice to people "just because," and that's worth 365 days of random kindness for sure.

Good Deed 26

We were at Walmart last night doing some grocery shopping after a very busy day. I usually like to do it before dinner but there was no other option yesterday. So it was 7 pm (Eddie's bedtime), and I was in line waiting at the checkout. It must have been the slowest cashier in history, because it took a full twenty minutes for her to get through the three orders ahead of me, and they weren't very big. I, on the other hand, had a huge order.

I figured with all the price matching I had to do it would be best to let the people behind me go first. On any given week, I price match at least 70% of my groceries (hey, it saves me at least $50 each time, so I'm justified). The two customers behind me were talking about how slow the cashier was and getting a bit irritated, so since Eddie was being an angel, I let them go first.

They asked if I was sure and I told them that I had a lot of price matching and my order was twice the size so it made sense. If Eddie was screaming I don't think I would have been so gracious, but my baby was good so I was able to be nice.

Good Deed 25

Today I brought in four recycling bins for neighbours, which is not very creative because it's a repeat. So when my kids and I were at the library, I decided I would do something else too. I always get my kids to help me clean up their own mess, but today the play section was in a terrible state. I picked up the mess from other children too. There are about 14 toy bins there for the different toy categories, and every single had been dumped all over the floor. So I sorted the toys and put them all back in their bins. I don't know how people can let their kids leave such a mess. The children's librarian saw me and said thank you. I made her day a little easier. At least she didn't have to clean up after inconsiderate people.

Good Deed 24

It was much easier to fill someone's bucket today. I had to take my toddler out to the bank and since I had to sit down and do some paperwork I put him in his stroller. I don't put him in his stroller unless I absolutely have to keep him contained for a bit, because he can walk and should walk in my opinion. And it's much easier to fit onto the bus without a stroller.

Which brings me to my good deeds. The bus had a blind man with a guide dog in one of the disabled/stroller sections and the other one already had a stroller. I took Eddie out and folded the stroller up so no one else had to  move. Then another stroller came along and I helped the blind man by telling him the seat to his right was available, and offering to help him get there. He was capable  of course, but I let him know where to go so he didn't bump into anything. Then when the bus stopped at the terminal, I told him when he was clear to go because he wasn't sitting in his regular seat and no one else waited for him to leave first.

The blind man was appreciative of me telling him where the free seat was and when the exit was clear. He did say thank you, but more than that he seemed very happy that someone was talking to him. I know people with disabilities are often judged. I also know that many people won't talk to disabled people because they don't want to seem overly nice, because that sends the message that they need special attention and it might be offensive. It's confusing and ridiculous.  I was nice to a blind man and he was happy. I always talk to the blind people on the bus, because they need conversation too. Just because they can't see me doesn't mean they can't be social.

Good Deed 23

Well it's extremely hard to do something nice for a random person when it's so cold out I have to keep the kids home. I am going to mail a bill though, and although I feel paying that bill on time is enough of a good deed, I will also pick up whatever garbage I see on the way to the mailbox. This includes other lawns, so I am not just performing an act of kindness for the township, but for all my neighbours as well. At least the ones from here to the mailbox. To clarify, the mailbox is approximately one city block away, with plenty of townhouses, condos, and houses to tidy up for.

Good Deeds 21 and 22

Yesterday was a great day until the very end of it, when I lost my bank card at the bank, in the machine. Well, forgot it there is more accurate. I don`t know what I was thinking but it was incredibly dumb. Anyhow, before I knew I forgot my card, I had to get some groceries. I gave a man a quarter for his cart, because he was searching in his pockets with little luck. He asked if I was sure, to which I responded, `Yes, I do something nice for someone every day.`` He grunted and nodded and that was that. So much for a thanks or even a smile.

Today I left my seat on the bus for a lady in a wheel chair. I lifted the seats for her and helped her guide herself into the space because she was visually impaired. She didn`t say thank you either, but maybe she has people help her like this often. I don`t know.

One more thing that may be relevant. I called the bank today to check the balance in my account, because I left access to all our money for whoever might like to take it. I was pleasantly surprised that no one withdrew any money after my last transaction. As much as I would like to believe otherwise, the world is full of people who want to take advantage of those situations. Maybe it`s karma, maybe not, but I did feel slightly justified in trying to be so nice to people. That said, no one called me to say they had my card......

Good Deed 20

Sorry that this post is one day late. Maybe my good deed sometime soon will be learning how to organize my life. I doubt it though, that would take more than a day or a year so for now, I will apologize and tell you about my random act of kindness yesterday.

I was at Tim Hortons (quite a regular spot for me actually) and I held the door open for an elderly man and woman. I let them go in front of me in line, and then I helped them carry their tray to their table. They were extremely grateful, which I don't find so much in younger people these days.

Most people of my age group receiving a kindness wither ignore it, think I am hitting on them, or give me a dirty look. I will continue to be kind to all age groups though, and maybe teach a few people to let go of their misconceptions by example.

To be clear, if I open the door for you, bring in your garbage bin from the road, or buy you a coffee or apple, I am not presuming you can't do it on your own, I am not mentally unstable, and I do not want to marry you. I want you to smile, say thank you, and have a better day because someone went out of their way for you.l

Good Deeds 18 and 19

I was really much more generous than I intended to be yesterday. I had a long drive ahead of me with two kids strapped into car seats and a broken radio. I needed coffee. So I paid for my coffee and the order behind me. I didn't know the person behind me, so this was a random act of kindness. I figured the price of a coffee wouldn't be felt in my weekly budget.

It turns out the person behind me was the only person in Peterborough to order a soup and sandwich deal at 3 pm, and maybe some donuts and lattes too. So I spent $10 for a coffee and a good deed. Oops. I guess I can't put a limit on it though, and now that stranger has $9 extra for her own weekly budget. We also tipped the waitress double what we should have when we went out for dinner.Bonus points!

Today has been pretty slow. I am without children for the weekend and my husband and I have spent the last four hours determinedly doing nothing. Well, I did read a novel but it took extreme concentration not to get up and clean. I have not left the house yet, so I have yet to perform my act of kindness for today. When I do get the energy to go somewhere, I am going to bring in someone's recycling bins from the road. There are plenty left out still, so I am sure this is possible.

Good Deeds 16 and 17

Yesterday was a stay at home day. Despite making grand plans to put the kids in the local YMCA daycare for an hour so I could get us a membership and they could have fun in new surroundings for a little while, we stayed at home. My toddler decided to go on a nap strike, so there was not a happy baby anywhere near this house. It got to the point where I was thinking about making him a picket sign that he could march up and down the length of his crib. "No nap! Naps are bad!"

Anyhow, even without the opportunity to go out and see what nice things I could do for the people in public, I still managed to perform an act of kindness. One of my friends has a boy Jimmy's age, who had left his mittens at school. Jimmy had approximately 302 pairs of winter gloves at the beginning of winter. Now he has about 146 gloves, and four pairs that match. I gave one pair to his friend.

Now here's the funny ending. They didn't fit and my friend is going to give them back today. It still counts though, because I wish they did fit and he could use them. At the end of the day, I tried, and there's only so much I can do from home with a screaming and overtired baby.

Still, to make up for this defective good deed, I resolved to do two nice things today. The first was pretty small, but still appreciated. I didn't take Eddie in his stroller today to our family resource centre. He would rather walk on his own now that he's able to go fast and turn effectively. I also didn't want him falling asleep on the way home, because he was very tired when we left and I had to prove a point about mommy being in charge of nap time. At the bus stop, I stood up so an elderly couple could sit down while they waited. They were very grateful, although it was such a small thing.

I also had an extra banana. I had packed one and the sweet lady at the cafe had given Eddie a banana because she adores him. I took it to not be rude, but I had two. Now it is my policy never to give panhandlers money, because I can never be sure what they will use it for. But I gave one of them a banana. It is healthy and relatively filling, so at least he won't be so hungry now. Eddie was not very happy to see one of his bananas go to someone else, but he has to learn to be kind too. It's never too early to start.

Good Deed 15

There are five houses on the short stretch of street I live on. One of these neighbours lives on the corner, and during the warmer months she keeps her lawn immaculate. The grass is always a uniform length and bright green, the trees and shrubs are pruned perfectly, and her gardens are elaborate and beautiful. She has the type of lawn I would expect to see at a resort, while on holiday.

On a separate note, we have not had a very typical Canadian January. The temperatures are more appropriate for April or May, and we have had plenty of rain instead of snow in the past week. We did have a big snowfall prior to that, and it stayed for two days before melting.

After the melt, I saw that the lady with the nice yard had garbage all over it. I'm not sure if this was from inconsiderate people throwing garbage everywhere, or the wind taking revenge on the recycling when it's put out to the road. I'm sure it's a bit of both.

My good deed for today was to take a bag out and pick up all the garbage on her front lawn. While I was at it, I picked up all the garbage on the five lawns to our block. There was not a lot altogether, but there were some very big takeout containers and boxes. It looks much nicer now, and I feel good that no one else has to worry about it. At least until next garbage day.

Good Deeds 13 and 14

I had a thought. After only 12 days of doing good deeds it was getting very difficult to think up some big fancy ones for the rest of the month (never mind the rest of the year). So I have decided that my acts of kindness don't have to be big and fancy. There are plenty of people who stand and do nothing while someone could use help, and what makes the good deeds significant is that I won't do that.

So in the interest of just being kind to people, yesterday I held the door open to a store while someone was bringing an armload of bags out. Today I put up the seat on the bus for someone with a stroller, and helped her three year old to a seat so she wouldn't fall over when the bus started moving.

There were plenty of people on that bus who were closer to the situation than I, who chose not to help. I'm trying to make a difference by being the one who will always help.

Good Deed 12

I bought a coffee for someone else today. I was at the counter of Tim Hortons and had placed my order, and then people started lining up behind me. I dug into my wallet for some money to pay for someone else, but for some reason I couldn't buy a coffee for the person behind me in line. I don't know why it made me so uncomfortable, but instead I gave the cashier an extra $2 and said it was for the next drive-thru order. I chickened out I guess, but I don't really want to be acknowledged face to face after being nice to someone.

Ridiculous, isn't it? I have a big problem with thank yous. Not saying thank you; I say that all the time. My problem is when people say thank you to me. It makes me embarrassed to receive gratitude. I wish I could just be nice and go. Maybe I should work on that.

The Tim Hortons people (3 of them), all said how nice it was and that's great and such, to which I said I had committed to doing something nice every day this year because I have a blog. It was an excuse and not even a good one. I am so ashamed!

It made me question why I would feel awkward if someone expressed gratitude, and I really don't have an answer. Then it made me laugh, because why on earth would someone incapable of being thanked make a resolution like mine? So in this situation there is really nothing I can do but follow my mom's advice for everything: Get over it. She's a brilliant lady, my mom. Sometimes we have no choice in the matter.

Good Deed 11

Long story short: Teacher's decided on a day of protest, I decided on a play date for my son with one of his classmates to cheer him up about missing school, and then when the teachers decided at 4 am that they were not protesting and school would go on as usual, I decided to keep my son home anyway and continue with the play date. That was not my good deed though. I have my reasons.

Well the play date went all right. Both boys have "only child syndrome," although my five year old has a little brother (with four years between them it's not easy to get over a syndrome like that). They were mostly nice, but there was a little bit of bossiness and attitude. Anyhow, I decided that since they were playing well together at the time, instead of having his mom take him with her to do groceries I would offer to have him stay for a couple more hours. This was beneficial to all concerned. His mom (also a friend of mine) could get her grocery shopping done a bit more quickly and the boys would have lots more time to play together. I didn't mind watching him for another couple hours at all; he's a great kid and kept my boy busy too. But who says it has to eb painful to be nice?

My original idea for today was to watch some neighbourhood kids while the teachers were busy protesting and not teaching, but that didn't work out. Tomorrow I fully intend to buy someone a coffee.

Good Deeds 9 and 10

So to begin, here's a confession (no it's not that I've missed a day). As I said earlier, I made this resolution years ago and stuck with it, not every single day but at least 90% of the days. This time around it's much more difficult. I can see two reasons for this: one, it is much easier to find ways to be nice when you re a student at university with a part-time job, and have no choice but to be out interacting with people all day, and two, I think niceness has become a little less ingrained in me, because let's face it, as people get older they tend to get more rigid and selfish. I am not saying I am selfish; I try to be selfless and generous almost every moment of my life. But with two kids and a  house to take care of, it's much easier now to become caught up in my own life and focus less on going out of my way for others. That makes me more determined to follow this through though, because I don't want to become self-centred or bitter as I get older (and older, sigh).

Now that I have had my completely honest moment and possibly been judged by better people than I, here are my good deeds for yesterday and today. Yesterday I got off the bus for an elderly man with a walker. The areas for strollers and people with disabilities was full when he got on, and he needed public transit a lot more than I did. I only took the stroller yesterday because it was so icy that I didn't want my toddler to fall and hurt himself, but I have big fancy boots that help a bit, and the stroller also kept me upright when I slipped. So I got off the bus and walked (as fast as I could), the twelve city blocks to the bus terminal so he could have my spot. With forty minutes between buses it was imperative that I made it in 8 minutes, but even more important that the elderly man could ride the bus instead of walking himself or waiting in the cold. When I was breathing normally again, I felt quite proud of myself. His reaction? Well, I think he was a bit senile (is there a more politically correct term? Sorry if that's not it), but the bus driver was surprised. I brushed it off by saying I didn't have that far to go, which I didn't, I just had to get there quickly.

My good deed today was to donate two dollars to the resource centre for families. They provide coffee for parents (a wonderful policy) and have a donation jar that you don't have to contribute to unless you want to. I even had a volunteer tell me it really is free coffee, but I put in money anyway. He was surprised but grateful, and I enjoyed the coffee.

The surprised reactions from yesterday and today remind me once again that people do not expect kindness from others. Even worse, people are not very accustomed to seeing others do nice things. So it's extremely important to make  the effort.

Good Deed 8

There is a cat that appears to be living under our deck. From the neighbourhood gossip (of course), I have learned that the owners don't let it in the house anymore, but they sometimes leave their garage door a little open so it can sleep in there. I guess it prefers our backyard. We have been feeding it and letting it in for a couple minutes at a time so it can warm up, but cannot adopt it. My husband has asthma and is allergic to cats, and both of my boys have asthma, but if it wasn't a health concern I would adopt it in a second.

I have also learned that the so-called owners will be moving shortly. I don't know if they intend to take the cat, but in case they don't, I have implemented a plan to make sure the cat has a home. I went to a local coffee shop today and arranged that if these people move and leave the cat, I will post my information for anyone interested in adoption. It is a domestic cat and very friendly with adults and children, but if it is an abandoned animal, I want to help it find a home. So that was my good deed of the day. I hope the cat appreciates it. I know he appreciated the prime rib yesterday.....

Good Deed 7

I have had some mail sitting here that was addressed to the previous owner of the house. We have lived here for 1 and a half years, but some still gets through. Usually I write Return to Sender and post it with my bills, only to get the same mailer sending more to the wrong address.

I know (from friendly neighborhood gossip) that the previous owner lives in the apartment buildings down the street from me now. Instead of Returning Ineffectively to Sender, I walked down the street, introduced myself to the porter of the building (or superintendent?) and gave him the mail for the tenant in his building. I have avoided doing this before because it just seems strange and nosy (why would I know where the guy lives now when I've never met him?), but I wanted to ensure that he received his mail. Especially since some was from other countries with personal handwriting on the envelopes. I bet he doesn't want those lost in the mail. So I forgot how weird it would seem and hand delivered it. That was my act of kindness for today. Pretty good for a Monday!

Good Deed 5 and 6

I didn't write yesterday but that doesn't mean I failed in my mission. I still completed my good deed though. I went out to a Chapters, and despite everyone there being in a horrible mood, I  opened the door for an elderly lady while leaving. There were more people coming, so it turned into holding the door for a family of four, a middle-aged couple, and another lady. I smiled and was polite to everyone, although I was in a pretty bad mood myself. The first lady was appreciative, the parents of the family gave me dirty looks, the couple was grateful, and the other lady ignored me. Two out of four isn't bad, although I think people should be a little more congenial, especially if someone is doing something nice for them.

During my excursion, most people were pushy, rude, and generally grouchy. The coffee I got at Starbucks was the wrong size the first time they made it, and the wrong kind the second time. This didn't do anything for my disposition, but it does lead to my good deed for today. Because of the first mistake I got a certificate for a free hot beverage, any size and kind. I gave it to the cashier at the grocery store today, because she joked that she hadn't had a coffee yet. I figured she could get a large caffeinated something or other on her lunch break. She accepted the free coffee readily, but didn't say thank you.

The discouraging reactions to my good deeds this weekend made me consider whether I should just do nice things when people don't know it's me. But then I thought that would not really serve my purpose. I don't need recognition, but I do want to make other people think about being nicer to others on a whole, and I'm not going to make anyone think about anything if I do it all secretly. So no matter how rude or unappreciative people are, I will try to do more noticeable good things to set an example.

Good Deed 4

Today in our end of town it was very cold, bitter, and windy. It was also garbage day. The wind gets so strong sometimes that garbage cans are found half way down the street, and recycling bins cannot be found anywhere. For my act of kindness today, I brought in the garbage bins of the four people on my block after the trucks went by to empty them. I did the same with the recycling bins a couple of hours later. It wasn't so windy that they would have ended up across town, but they could have blown into the road. And I saved four people from having to go out in the cold to do it later.

Good Deed 3

Today it snowed here. My five year old son loves to shovel the driveway, and my fifteen month old son likes to push a shovel, so we all trekked outside to shovel some snow. I cleared off my next door neighbour's driveway for her as my good deed, while my boys shoveled our own. For those of you who will be following my 365 acts of kindness, she will probably be the recipient of many more good deeds. She is a great neighbour. But in the interest of performing a  kindness to a stranger, I also shoveled someone's driveway across the street. My boys helped of course, but it counts.

Good Deed 2

At the post office today with my fifteen month old son. He wanted to run all around the store and was grumpy as a baby can be. I still remembered my resolution though, and let two people in front of me in line. These people looked as if they were in a greater rush then I, despite my fussy toddler. So we waited another five minutes so I could my accomplish my goal for the day. One man nodded to say thank you (I hope), and the other man just ignored me but moved in front anyway.  Does it count as two good deeds when there's a baby around?

Good Deed 1

Well, it's New Year's Day. Since all the stores are closed today and I am sick (what a great start to the year), I have decided to keep my good deed close to home. I scraped off my neighbour's car for her, because  know she is going to work a bit later. Whether she notices or not remains to be seen, but it doesn't matter either way. I have achieved my goal this day. Happy New Year everyone!