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BEST BIRTHDAY EVER- hands down! Monday was my 25th birthday and it was the best!

The best part is below so keep reading! But first I will tell you a few other details. We left for California last Thursday. We had a seminar for our speaking business and stayed a few extra days. It was a great trip! Ryan showered me with cards each night that had such kind words in each of them!

We flew home on Monday on my actual birthday and the flight attendant hand delivered another birthday card to me from the airlines!

And now for the BEST part of my birthday!

I decided to do 25 random acts of kindness to celebrate my 25th birthday (which I did Tuesday since we flew all day on my actual birthday.) Back last summer I took two of my students to do acts of kindness for community helpers- since then I have been thinking about this project!

The past few weeks I have been trying to decide weather to do a blog post on this or not. After the day and peoples reactions I decided to do a post. I’m not doing this post to get praises or affirmations. I am doing this post in hopes of inspiring even more people! So as you read about this project and how it affected those involved think about how you could do something like it to make a difference in others lives!

25 Random Acts of Kindness

I had been wrapping presents, writing letters and praying that this all would work out for weeks.

Today was the day to put it all into bags and load it up in the car!

#1 Inspirational quotes for people at the gym

My day started at the gym for my own workout. I had thought about what trainer to give these cards to.

I was nervous! My first random act of kindness and my hands were shaking.

I explained what I was doing and why and asked if he would give them to one of his clients who he thought would need them.

He had the biggest smile on his face and said of course. As I got ready for my workout I saw him reading the quotes. I thought to myself, “Well that is cool. Two people will be affected by this act!”

Not only was two people affected, but many!

Ryan came home that night and told me how when the trainer saw him later that evening he told him this:

As the trainer read the quotes he thought of a client for each quote. So throughout the day he gave all 10 quotes to different people!

First stop was Walmart.

#2 Bath stuff to the manager

She always seems so unhappy so I figured she was the perfect target.

She was caught off guard and was totally surprised. It was like she didn’t know what to say. She told me her daughter’s birthday was in a few days.

#3 The Slight Edge to a older gentleman in the book department

I started with each person the same throughout the day. “I am celebrating my 25th birthday with 25 random acts of kindness. I would like to give this to you today. I hope it blesses your day.”

This man was not convinced. It was like he thought I was going to ask for money or something. I then told him no strings attached, laid it in his cart and walked off.

#4 Flowers on a car

While in Walmart I bought these flowers. I noticed there was a baby bag in this car and thought the mom might be able to use some flowers.

I attached the note to the flowers and stuck them on the car. As I was pulling out I saw a couple with a baby coming towards the car.

They looked mad and upset. The man yanked the card off the flowers and read it. He then handed them to the lady.

He then started yelling at her. It looked like they needed more kindness in their little world!

#5 Water bottles to people on Riverside

I pulled my cooler up to the playground and handed them out to sweaty kids and parents.

A cyclist who forgot his water bottles at home was very grateful and told me to always stay young.

Two frisbee golfers told me how awesome they thought it was as they took some water.

I left the last bottle in front of the door of the city electric worker who was working on some lines. As I pulled out of the parking lot I saw him walk up to his door. Stop dead in his tracks looking at it as if that is exactly what he needed at that moment.

#6 Books to kids at the park

The little boy of four or five years old DID NOT understand why I was giving presents out on my birthday.

#7 Writing a love letter to a stranger

The idea was from www.moreloveletters.com

You leave inspiring words and let them know someone cares about them. Even if it is a stranger!

#8 Goody bag for runner

I couldn’t find a runner at the moment so I left it by the fountain by the parking lot. The fountain I often stop at to get a drink before leaving.

I wrote, “Hey runner- for you!” on it. I hope someone found it and enjoyed it!

#9 Goody bag for the homeless

No homeless person was in my vision and I decided I would just go down town to find someone in need.

All of the sudden I see two men dragging up their filled shopping cart from the river up to the trail. By the time I reached them they were back down by the river.

I am not going to lie- I was a bit nervous! I was just going to leave the bag with their things, but then I didn’t know if they would freak out if I got close to their belongings.

So I approached the side of the bank and shouted down, “Sir, are these your belongings?” He said yes and started walking up. I explained I just had something for him and I would leave it there. By that time he had reached me and shook my hand. I explained about the 25 acts of kindness. He thanked me.

As I turned around there was a cyclist at the water fountain. He gave me praises for what I had just done and told me how awesome it was. I thanked him for the kind words but explained to him I was doing it in hopes of blessing and inspiring others.

#10 Socks for a gentleman at the care center

When I walked in I went to the front counter and started my spill, “It’s my 25th birthday….”

I got the same look from her as I did many others. Here is another person that wants something, what does she want.

Then, all the sudden her facial expression changed. She was happy and excited to give the socks to someone who needed them.

Odd how that exact thing was happening to so many peoples faces! I was rocking their worlds!

#11 Lunch for my sister-in-law

My poor little nephew has been in the hospital for several days trying to figure out what is wrong with him. I texted my sister-in-law and asked if I could stop by and bring them lunch.

#12 Lunch for the person behind me

I got in the line when I arrived at Jack in the Box, but then stepped out to wait on a text to tell me what my sister-in-law wanted.

I had already decided I would buy the persons lunch behind me.

When I got back in line the guy was like, “Oh you were in front of me. Go ahead”

So I ordered my stuff and then bought a gift card. I turned around and gave it to him. He was so excited his voice raised about 6 levels higher.

The cashier told me happy birthday while the man excitedly told his co-worker what just happened.

The man went on to explain how he helped a boy change their flat tire the other day. The boy wanted to pay him, but the man said just pay it forward. I told him he could do the same for my act of kindness today.

#13 Dinosaur puzzles for a sick boy

#14 Color set for a sick girl

I had actually planned on going to the children’s hospital to drop off these gifts before my nephew was there.

Before I went in to visit my nephew and drop off food I dropped the toys off at the counter.

The woman had the same reaction as the lady at the care center.

#15 Board books to a new mom

I then went around to the other side of the hospital where labor and delivery was.

Again I tell  my story, “It’s my 25th birthday….” to the guards so they would let me through.

I found the waiting room and left the gift with family and friends that were awaiting a babies arrival.

As I left I could hear them chatter about how cool of an idea this was. I wondered if any of those 3 ladies might do the same on their next birthday.

#16 Bookmarks for the librarians

When I dropped off my book I also dropped off some bookmarks I had made with a little note to explain what I was doing.

#17 Letter to Soldier

Operation Gratitude takes letters people write and put them in care packages.

#18 O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Cream to postal worker

One of the ladies there is always so sweet and kind. I noticed one day her fingers are often bandaged up. I decided this may be a great product for her.

When I told her my little spill and handed it to her she told me I was going to have a good life. She than became teary eyed and told me thank you over and over again. Made me realize you never know what kind of impact we can have on someones life. Someone else could have laughed at me bringing them hand cream, but to her it was a kind gesture that meant a lot.

#19 Food to food pantry

#20 Coffee mug to church secretary

#21 Office supplies to office manager

#22 Gift for teacher at nursery

These four where all done at our church. It was getting towards the end of the day and I forgot to take a picture!

The food pantry guy was so excited he shouted back at the other helper who came over. He then insisted, “Tell him what you are doing!”

The church secretary had the same look as the lady at the care center and the children’s hospital.

I had to leave #21 and #22 for her to distribute.

#23 Wedding planner to lady trying on wedding dresses

Again, I forgot the picture!  I walked into David’s Bridal and told the ladies up front what I was doing.

They allowed me to go to the back and find a lady trying on a dress.

First, she was a bit confused why I was interrupting her. But then she was flabbergasted!

She said her 25th birthday was in August and maybe she should do the same thing.

She assured me I blessed her day and she was sure to bless someone else’s day.

#24 Gift card to expecting mom

Across from David’s Bridal was Babies R Us. I stopped by to get my expecting friend her gift for her shower that is coming up soon.

While I was there I purchased a gift card. I had to ask permission to go find a expectant mother in the store.

The cashier was all for it and held my purchases.

I found a couple who were looking at cribs. They were talking to the sells representative who was working out a payment plan.

I told them my story and asked if they would accept my gift. Without hesitation she took me up on the offer.

The sells representative had the hugest smile on his face!

#25 Coupons for the sanitary engineers

Inside are coupons for free drinks at QT.

I Googled another word for trash man and absolutely loved “sanitary engineers”.

Hopefully, they see it and it doesn’t go in with the rest of the garbage!

So there it is: THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER! 

I am so extremely happy that I spent the day impacting others lives! Not just the 25 that received the gifts, but all the people around them. From my calculations about 120 people were impacted directly today from receiving gifts or being there when someone else received a gift. Not to mention the trickle down effect or people who read this and are inspired. Wow!!! I would say it was a successful day 😀

Really when I thought about this project I thought most people think me, me, me on their birthdays. But everyday its about me, me, me.  I have people who love me and put me first, for the most part (haha) I get to do what I want, and if I want something I save to get it. So my thought for this day was to make it about other people. Putting others first, serving and blessing others.

Now like I said in the beginning this is not for praises or about me, but in hopes of inspiring others! I hope this post has made you think of some random acts of kindness you could do. If you think you want to do something like this don’t let cost or fear stop you! Since I was planning on doing this I got things on sale, regifted a few items, and did acts that were free. So really it did not cost much! And fear: yes it was a bit scary at first, but it felt amazing to turn peoples worlds upside down! I mean peoples worlds get turned upside down every day from so many negative things why not turn peoples worlds upside down with positive things?!

What is a random act of kindness you plan to do soon?

Until Next Time- Truly Love,

Cassie