So I'm sure all you Soul Flower lovers have been hearing all about
National Volunteer Week, and
Soul Flowers Kindness Matters Giveaway. If you haven't shared your story, be sure to do so before the 31st! I have loved reading about the other volunteer experiences, it's nice to be reminded that in a sometimes "every-man-for himself" world, in a day of crisis and hard times, people are still willing to step outside of their everyday life and do something good. Even though it isn't required, it might not directly benefit us, and sometimes it isn't asked for or even appreciated, regardless people find the need to serve, and help, and make the world a better place when they really don't have to. It is inspiring.
Well, I heard about
the giveaway, and I didn't have any volunteer ideas in mind. I used to help out at a retirement/ rehabilitation center, which was so much fun, but having a little baby, and not feeling so great, I needed to think of something that would work for now. The beautiful thing about volunteering is there are so many options, there are millions of ways you can help, if you search around a bit, you really can find a opportunity that you will enjoy and that will really use your talents to help others. I find everything happens for a reason, and while I was at church Sunday a friend mentioned that her and her sister were collecting friendship bracelets for orphans in Haiti.
This was a perfect opportunity for me, something I had the stuff for, something I could do, and although its something little, the fact that a bright colored bracelet could mean so much to a little kid who has hardly anything in terms of family, food, and circumstances, means alot to me. It was something I was excited to do.
These kids have nothing, one pair of clothes, only one meal a day (no snacks) and just really hard circumstances (over the weekend they even ran out of formula for the babies, so just had to feed them water,) Some of these kids are orphans because their parents abandoned them, couldn't afford them, died or are missing. The last visit they didn't have enough bracelets for everyone, the ones who got them just thought they were the coolest things, the ones that didn't get one were pretty sad. Their goal is to make 250 bracelets so everyone can have one.
I have already made 30, and am trying to get as many done this week as I can, my goal is at least 50, hopefully 100, that way I will be sure everyone gets ones, and gets to choose the one they want. I mentioned this to my family, and Sunday we are having a family dinner, where my brothers, sisters, cousins, and friends said they would also pitch in and make some to send. Although this is something very minimal in terms of making a difference in the world, I most likely only spent $8.00 on supplies, and they are after all just bracelets, I think it is the little things that count, that matter, the effort, the gesture, the fact that you did it, even when you could have said no.
When I first saw the
Kindness Matters Organic Tee, I instantly loved it, The color and style are perfect, but the saying really stuck with me. I could use a reminder. I think at times I can be a little shut-off, I am warm and loving and .kind to my friends and family, but maybe I stop it there. Do I build up a hard shell around strangers, if someone doesn't mean anything to me, or I feel like I wont see them again, so I even acknowledge them? Do I not smile, when I should? Are strangers to me just props and scenery when really they could be so much more, complex, beautiful, struggling eating breathing human beings like everyone else? I think we forget that, I know I do. The other day I was moving some things, and one of my bags broke, this kind stranger quickly jumped up to help me, asking if I needed help to my car. She helped me carry all my bags, and wished me a happy day. Her smile and positive attitude just made my day. Why am I holding back, when I can make someone feel how she made me feel, why not?
Hopefully you all got a chance to have a wonderful experience, but if not, remember, the little things matter too, smile at someone, try not to honk at the driver who cuts you off, surprise someone with a note or cookies, be kind. Kindness does matter.
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