So ,we did it today, after a crazy hectic day of school, CCD, then Ash wed mass and so our treat to pick off “Operation Awesome” was Happy Meals. This has been our first “good deed” every year since we started. We kick the 40 days off with a treat – a Happy Meal and pay for the people behind us. We always write a note to let them know WHY we are paying for them versus just….”hey, that car in front of you paid for you.”
This all started with a conversation with my mom, who is my best friend by the way….even though I drive her nuts, like cashew, praline nuts city. We are best pals. Years ago, when my kids were tiny tots (they are coming up on 7) I told her I was giving up pizza and real casually she mentioned that maybe we should, as a whole, do something instead of giving something up. A total lightbulb went off. YES! YES! Who benefits when we give up chocolate or pizza or wine or cheese?!? Only you. Your diet gets better, maybe your willpower, but giving “out” instead of giving “up” benefits yourself and so many more. This is where “Operation Awesome” started. Follow along and see what we do for the next 40 days. I will post every night what we did and how it went over. This is one of my favorite parts of my year as a mom. I can teach them so much without them even realizing that kindness is again being ingrained in their spongy minds. They are sweet and kind to start but helping with these projects really helps.
I think it is important for people to know that we do this for 40 days. Not that I would ever expect anyone to do the same, ever…but the amazing and awesome thing, is that I know it has stretched beyond River Forest and I have friends who are now seeing the impact we have made over the past years and doing the same. They are doing the same in DePere and Green Bay WI, going all the way to California, Texas and Ohio and right here in the suburbs of the Chi. It grows and that is what kindness does and this is a huge reason I teach my kids to do this. Kindness is contagious. It is. It is so contagious. So get ready for it to catch on to you. 40 days is a huge commitment so if you want to play along, do something fun once that someone wouldn’t expect. We have a whole list that we are doing but a few easy ones if you want to pitch in….and you will LOVE it!
-Tape a $5 Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts gift card to your mailbox with a note telling your mailman you want to buy him a cup of coffee and a donut to say, “thank you” for doing a great job.
-Make brownies or cookies for a lonely neighbor.
-Pick up garbage around your neighborhood – not everything has to cost money.
-Go around with sidewalk chalk writing affirmative messages that people can see when they walk – “you are awesome!”, “SMILE! It is your day!” “You simply ROCK!”
It all starts with the little guys and I do my best to teach my gang of misfits by example.
Day 1 is down and 39 to go. Stay tuned.
