Skirball

Today I treated a stranger to a ticket to the Skirball Cultural Center.

Ronald McDonald!

I volunteered with some of my amazing, fun, creative colleagues to prepare dinner for 50 guests of the Ronald McDonald House. Loved every minute of it!

Hopeful for the homeless

I left another care package for the homeless tonight. Again, it feels too small to make a difference. But still better than nothing...

Helping the Homeless

I've heard that the homeless often need basic toiletries, in addition to food and shelter. Today I dropped off two care packages (one for yesterday and one for today) of toothpaste and other daily products to the homeless. I'm sure they need much more than what I can give, but it's a start....

Bedside flowers

So many nursing homes, so little time! Dropped off another potted plant to a nursing home today. These little acts of kindness put everything into perspective....I should really take more time to build on that thought and to examine what matters most. I think I know, but it's so easy to forget....

Blooms for seniors

I left two pots of flowers at a nursing home in Los Alamitos today. I asked the receptionist to give them to residents who never have visitors. I think this may be something I continue to do monthly....so often the elderly are simply forgotten....

Cookie Friday

Left a dozen cookies at the bus stop...."a few cookies to sweeten your bus ride today. Happy Friday!"

Tick tock

I ran out of time today, so I'm going to double up over the weekend...

Starbucks

I was short on time today so I left a quick Starbucks card on a stranger's windshield tonight. I wish I could see and hear the reactions people have....

Watering the waterers

More record breaking heat today. I dropped off another case of water, but this time at the entrance to a community garden. I wanted to recognize local gardens and self-grown produce. 100 degrees and climbing!

Sunny sunflowers

I delivered sunflowers this morning to a hospice center and asked the receptionist to give them to a patient who never has visitors.

Imagine how the world would change if everyone delivered flowers to a nursing home or hospice once a year? Not only would the recipient benefit, but an even greater change would occur in the giver.

Free Water!

We're having record heat this weekend. I picked up a case of water and left it at the entrance of a super busy bike path. It's a common stopping point for cyclists, runners, and walkers. I posted a sign that said "Free water. Random act of kindness. Enjoy!"

I still marvel at the fact that these random acts of kindness take so little time and that they make me so incredibly happy. Increasing the goodness in the world, one little act of kindness at a time. 

Starbucks on a Starry Night

Today we headed out of LA up to Red Rock Campground for the Perseid meteor shower. In Palmdale, we stopped for Starbucks and I added a gift card to my order. This time, my friends helped me pick which car would be the recipient of the random act of kindness. We ended up choosing a minivan parked in front of a dollar store.  I hope it brightened their day!

Here is the view from our campground...

Ice cream!

I left extra money at the ice cream shop to treat the next two strangers to free ice cream. Sharing my favorite food in the world...what could be more fun?

Bus stop surprise

Left another National Geographic magazine with bus fare at a bus stop on 7th street tonight. I was on the phone with my mom at the time...it was nice to share the adventure with my mom. I'm excited about having more time on the weekend to plan new ideas!

Get on the Jamba bus!

Tonight I left a Jamba Juice card at a bus stop in a not so great part of town. In fact, I counted 7 liquor stores within just 4 blocks of this bus stop. Maybe they'll wish it was a liquor card instead... here's hoping this brightened someone's day.

Bus Fare Freebie

I left a National Geographic magazine with bus fare and a kindness card at the bus stop.

I dropped it off while on my 3 mile run... it seemed comical to run past the bus stop and drop the magazine without stopping. Gift and go? Give and run? Either way...it was fun!

Jamba Sneak Attack

I'm happy to admit that sneaking around in the dark to leave surprise gift cards for strangers is super fun... perhaps I should have been a spy.

Tonight I left a Jamba Juice card and a Kindness card under the windshield wiper of a not-so-new-and-not-so-gorgeous-car. Hope they enjoyed finding the surprise in the morning!

Coffee, tea, on me!

I gave the barista at Portfolio's extra cash and asked her to pick someone special in line to treat to coffee this morning.

A nice perk about this project is that I find myself noticing people more and smiling at strangers more often. I'm a nice person in general, but this project is giving me a new awareness of the wonderful people around me. I want to reach out more often, not only to strangers, but to friends too!

Blossoms for a senior

I brought a bouquet of yellow flowers to a nursing home this afternoon and asked the receptionist to give them to a resident who never gets visitors or gifts. She was happy to do so, and I also left a kindness card too.

I selected the nursing home by researching the worst care facilities in the area. It's so sad to see the ratings! This place had only 1 star out of 5 from the Department of Health. Terrible! I figured a resident at a facility like this might need flowers more than anyone.

I was reminded today of my weekly visits to see my great-grandmother when I was young. I remember seeing other residents who never received a visitor...while some may not have welcomed visitors, I'm sure most would have treasured a visit or an unexpected gift.

This entire process took less than 15 minutes (to buy the flowers and deliver them). I'm left with one question...

... why don't I do this more often????

Present in the Park

Tonight I left a Jamba Juice gift card and a kindness cars on a bench in my favorite park. I wonder what the person will think when they find it, or who will they tell, and will they be more kind in the days ahead?

Honoring hybrids

Tonight I left a Jamba Juice gift card with a Kindness Card under the windshield wiper of a parked hybrid Prius. I thanked them for driving a green vehicle. Fun! Fun!

Altruism in August

My goal this month: do something nice for a stranger every day for the month of August. I'm really excited about this project. I have a few ideas in mind and I'm hoping some spontaneous opportunities will come up too.

Today, as I left the USC hospital parking lot, I paid the parking fee for the car in back of me. I asked the cashier to tell the next car that I just wanted to do something nice for someone today.

I felt good as I drove away - and I hope I did brighten that person's day.

I printed up some small cards today:

Back side:

Enjoy this gift given to you by someone who is just looking
to brighten a stranger's day!

“Life is short.
Live your dream and
share your passion.”

Give freely and give often.

(poster from the
Holstee Manifesto)

Front Side features the poster from Holstee:

http://shop.holstee.com/products/holstee-manifesto-poster