Holiday challenge for ATS members

Good evening ATS,

In less than 3 days the holiday season will officially be kicking off!
Even though Xmas decorations and all that seasonal fun stuff has been on the shelves of most stores since late September, I always considered December 1st to be the beginning of the Holiday season.

With the Holidays approaching, I wanted to issue you all a challenge.
For most, it comes naturally.
Others,... well they need to work at it.

My challenge is...
To do something good everyday till January.
I don't mean go stand on the street corner and hand out $20's to strangers (you could though)
But to just be nice to someone. Put a smile on that persons face.

In today's busy society, we often forget, the little things go a long way.

Your act of kindness could be the deciding factor in someone's day.
They could be having the worst day imaginable right from the get go - we've all had those,
but your kindness could make that a total 180.

Hold open the door for someone and give them a smile,

Offer to lend a hand. Anything, that you would appreciate if someone did it for you, do that for someone else.

My personal favourite is while in the drive through line at the coffee shop, to give the teller a couple $20's and tell them to pay for the next amount of orders that the cash can cover and to just tell them to pay it forward.

When you get a free morning coffee and donut, you know your going to have a great day.
It's the little things that can make the big differences in someone's day.

I accept the challenge.
We should strive to do this everyday, but this is a great start.
Nice thread.

a reply to: Macenroe82 Ok, I will accept this challenge Just helping others even with just a smile is a rewarding experience.

Sure. Do my best.

This is a great start everyone!

And Oaktree,
You are 100% right. We as a society should strive to do this every single day.
And that is a Cree i live by.
To be the best person I can be, everyday.

By trying to set the example for others, i like to think that it encourages them to do the same.
All it takes is a minute of our time. And that 1 minute, could stick with someone else for the rest of their lives.

a reply to: Macenroe82

Yep..I'm gonna do this! Very nice thought and thread!

I accept the challenge!

I'll do the dishes once a day all of December. My wife might be disappointed that I cut back.

I feel weird if a stranger pays for my coffee. I feel that I am being treated as a bum. I pay back my debts to the one who helps me, not to other people. I am not poor, I do not take charity and I do not want to argue with the cashier if she tries to force it on me. Help the people who need the help. If someone needs help and I can, I will help, but I will not start buying stuff for others who do not need my help.

a reply to: rickymouse

No need to buy anything for anyone.
All I'm asking is for a gesture or kindness to someone.


And I know what you mean about the dishes. 5 people in my house. Dishes are done multiple times a day.... and it's always me doing them when I'm home.

a reply to: Macenroe82


Does not breaking DB's balls each day count as something nice?

I'm in. I've noticed women who put $5.00 worth of gas in their car, and I dash over and run my card through and tell her to fill er up! God, it makes them so happy!
That's happened a couple of times and it makes my day. Especially if she has kids in the car.

a reply to: AugustusMasonicus

Yup, I'll include that as an act of kindness!

a reply to: angeldoll

That's an excellent one.
No one ever expects to get free gas at the the pump.
I know I'd be shocked and happy as hell if someone did that for me!
Especially because gas is $1.35 a litre here right now.

Macenroe, what a great idea! I have a bad McDonald's latte habit right now: I get one (or two) before my long work days, 4 days a week (before you all say "what the hell? McDonald's latte?" Try them first. They're two bucks cheaper than chitty Starbucks and they taste better). I will do that pay it forward thing at the drive through. I can cheer a stranger up without having to even make eye contact!

Gonna do it.

originally posted by: angeldoll
I'm in. I've noticed women who put $5.00 worth of gas in their car, and I dash over and run my card through and tell her to fill er up! God, it makes them so happy!
That's happened a couple of times and it makes my day. Especially if she has kids in the car.

That's a fabulous idea too! Thanks for that idea. I've been that woman plenty of times, who has to just put $5, or even $2, hoping to make it to paycheck day. That's a wonderful idea, thanks for that!

originally posted by: Macenroe82
Good evening ATS,

In less than 3 days the holiday season will officially be kicking off!
Even though Xmas decorations and all that seasonal fun stuff has been on the shelves of most stores since late September, I always considered December 1st to be the beginning of the Holiday season.

With the Holidays approaching, I wanted to issue you all a challenge.
For most, it comes naturally.
Others,... well they need to work at it.

My challenge is...
To do something good everyday till January.
I don't mean go stand on the street corner and hand out $20's to strangers (you could though)
But to just be nice to someone. Put a smile on that persons face.

In today's busy society, we often forget, the little things go a long way.

Your act of kindness could be the deciding factor in someone's day.
They could be having the worst day imaginable right from the get go - we've all had those,
but your kindness could make that a total 180.

Hold open the door for someone and give them a smile,

I do that anyway, most people just walk on in and don't even acknowledge you. Still, I don't do it for them.

Offer to lend a hand. Anything, that you would appreciate if someone did it for you, do that for someone else.

My personal favourite is while in the drive through line at the coffee shop, to give the teller a couple $20's and tell them to pay for the next amount of orders that the cash can cover and to just tell them to pay it forward.

When you get a free morning coffee and donut, you know your going to have a great day.
It's the little things that can make the big differences in someone's day.

OR the cashier has a great day with a fresh $40 in her pocket

Ahh I'm being cynical. Out Out damn scrooge !!!!

a reply to: Macenroe82

The day before Thanksgiving, wife had sent me to the store for some things.

I bought them and bought the groceries of the elderly lady behind me.

As the Christmas holiday progresses, I'll do the same to folks I see at the store.

We never come in under budget on our groceries. Anything between the amount we expect to spent and what we actually spent always goes to someone else somehow.

a reply to: Macenroe82

Excellent challenge! I try that anyway, as I am out running errands, or whatever. Just a smile and nod to a stranger can be beneficial, or holding a door for a parent juggling a child, or an elderly person. Helping someone when we can. Whenever I have done that, with car trouble or whatever, and some want to offer money, I just tell them no, just help someone when you can. Even making a break for someone in traffic can matter. A 'thank you" wave to someone who gives you a break.

originally posted by: Macenroe82
Yup, I'll include that as an act of kindness!

I may only make it until Friday.

Im glad to see you all taking an interest in Random acts of kindness!