Life is about growth.
Without growth in some form, people begin to die. People who enjoy life the most are the ones who stay spiritually, mentally, and physically active. They grow in their relationships. They grow in their abilities. They don’t shrink from challenges.
I dare to focus on what I can be, not what I’ve done wrong. The challenge is to look beyond my failures and see the potential. I can be more than I realize.
I want to be more friendly, caring, daring, determined, and generous. With much effort from me and much grace from God, I can do it.
It takes daring to accept the challenge. It takes determination to maintain forward progress. It takes generosity to defeat any inclination toward self-centeredness. It takes caring to move toward self-sacrifice. It takes friendliness to enlarge your community or your circle of influence.
We all know that friendships make life fun. Friends give us someone to care about and be generous to. Friends spur us on and encourage our determination. Friends are those we will dare to stand up for.
Today’s goal is: make a new friend.
Some people are shy and find it difficult to make friends. If you and I dare to speak first in an offer of friendship, it might be worth taking the risk.
You won’t have to go far to find someone who needs a friend. We all need friends. See if there’s someone who looks like they could use a shoulder to lean on.
Together, we can make a difference in this world.
Good Deeds
Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are taught to care about others. They get a badge for doing a good deed. That’s good training, but when they become adults, they have to do the good deed without the promise of a badge.
Good deeds are usually very simple and quickly done. Most of the time, it’s a matter of showing respect for those around you.
Giving someone your seat on a bus is a common way to show respect. If it prompts conversation from the grateful soul, then listen. Listening to a chatty bus rider may not be what you want to do, but if that simple act for a few blocks can make someone happy, then you can go about your business knowing that person could be passing on to another the respect they received. People caring for people is a good virus to spread.
Today’s goal is: open the door for someone.
At the grocery store, the doors open automatically. But not at the dry cleaner, the post office, or the hair salon. Some buildings have heavy doors that open with great effort. How easy it is to stand at a restaurant door and let the next person out before you let go and head to your car.
Showing others that you care about them makes them feel better, and it sets a good example for witnesses of the thoughtful act.
Keep up the good work, and don’t forget to smile.
Good deeds are usually very simple and quickly done. Most of the time, it’s a matter of showing respect for those around you.
Giving someone your seat on a bus is a common way to show respect. If it prompts conversation from the grateful soul, then listen. Listening to a chatty bus rider may not be what you want to do, but if that simple act for a few blocks can make someone happy, then you can go about your business knowing that person could be passing on to another the respect they received. People caring for people is a good virus to spread.
Today’s goal is: open the door for someone.
At the grocery store, the doors open automatically. But not at the dry cleaner, the post office, or the hair salon. Some buildings have heavy doors that open with great effort. How easy it is to stand at a restaurant door and let the next person out before you let go and head to your car.
Showing others that you care about them makes them feel better, and it sets a good example for witnesses of the thoughtful act.
Keep up the good work, and don’t forget to smile.
Domino Club Begins
Hi Friends!
It is my pleasure to invite you to be a part of the new Domino Club.
I plan to unite those of us who desire to encourage others. Some of us need new ideas in order to challenge ourselves to grow in some areas. I know none of us are perfect, and we all could use a nudge at times. So with the help of the Domino Club, we will hold each others’ hands and lift each other up.
I will post a goal each week to help focus our growth in the areas of being friendly, caring, daring, determined, and generous. Each goal will challenge us in a specific area. You can do these simple tasks for as long as you like – or forever. Some goals will be things you can keep doing every day, and others will be things you’ll do less often.
We’re not going to be able to take advantage of every opportunity or even see them all. We’ll do what we can do and know that growth always starts with one act. My vision is to start a small push of good deeds and keep pushing until it snowballs out of control.
We can start by being friendly. How many people do you see during the week that need a friendly pat on the back. When you tell a customer in a store that her clothes are cute or her hair looks nice, it usually puts a smile on her face. Everyone loves to encounter friendly people.
Today’s goal is: encourage three people.
Try to do this every day. And when you are looking for someone to encourage, don’t forget your family. I love to tell my kids how proud I am of them when they do something surprisingly good. I try to establish in their minds that they are good children. It's true that they are, but I want them to hear it spoken from my lips. If we know what we’re doing is good, that’s one thing, but it means more when we get that affirmation from someone.
I need encouragement from my family and peers. If I do, probably everyone does. When everyone who needs it gives encouragement instead of waiting to receive it, our world will be much more pleasant.
A friendly, encouraging community makes life better for everyone.
It is my pleasure to invite you to be a part of the new Domino Club.
I plan to unite those of us who desire to encourage others. Some of us need new ideas in order to challenge ourselves to grow in some areas. I know none of us are perfect, and we all could use a nudge at times. So with the help of the Domino Club, we will hold each others’ hands and lift each other up.
I will post a goal each week to help focus our growth in the areas of being friendly, caring, daring, determined, and generous. Each goal will challenge us in a specific area. You can do these simple tasks for as long as you like – or forever. Some goals will be things you can keep doing every day, and others will be things you’ll do less often.
We’re not going to be able to take advantage of every opportunity or even see them all. We’ll do what we can do and know that growth always starts with one act. My vision is to start a small push of good deeds and keep pushing until it snowballs out of control.
We can start by being friendly. How many people do you see during the week that need a friendly pat on the back. When you tell a customer in a store that her clothes are cute or her hair looks nice, it usually puts a smile on her face. Everyone loves to encounter friendly people.
Today’s goal is: encourage three people.
Try to do this every day. And when you are looking for someone to encourage, don’t forget your family. I love to tell my kids how proud I am of them when they do something surprisingly good. I try to establish in their minds that they are good children. It's true that they are, but I want them to hear it spoken from my lips. If we know what we’re doing is good, that’s one thing, but it means more when we get that affirmation from someone.
I need encouragement from my family and peers. If I do, probably everyone does. When everyone who needs it gives encouragement instead of waiting to receive it, our world will be much more pleasant.
A friendly, encouraging community makes life better for everyone.
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