Spread Sunshine

Reminder:  If you've been keeping a Gratitude Journal now is a good time to update it.  Who blessed your life this week?  What events lifted your heart?  What did you see, hear or read that inspired you?  There are so many reasons to be grateful!  

A new post will be published each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
        
         I encouraged you, in Monday's post, to let your light shine as you go about your activities in the community, at school and at work.  Please don't feel overburdened by this suggestion.  Gratitude and happiness are such wonderful attributes to scatter around and share, and their expressions are so easily conveyed.  Like golden sunshine, they make all of life a whole lot brighter! 

        Here are 10 suggestions for making your community a happier place:

• Hold a door open for someone.   
• Smile and say "hello" to a stranger.
• Pick up trash along a roadside to make the world more attractive for others who pass by the same route.  Sometimes you will notice signs along a road or highway noting an organization or family who has volunteered to keep that stretch of road litter free.  Give silent thanks for their efforts.
• Don't take work relationships for granted.  Thank a co-worker for his assistance on a project.  Not only will it brighten his day, it will make for a more productive and happy work environment.
• Help an elderly person, or someone with kids, put his/her groceries in the car. 
• Take a few items from the pantry shelf and drop them off at a local food bank or collection site.  Many small contributions add up and make a big difference for families who are struggling.
• Visit an elderly resident of a nursing home.  Sing songs, ask about his/her childhood, greatest adventure, schooling or work life.  It will give hours of happiness to someone who may be very lonely. 
• Spontaneously join a neighbor and help out as they weed a vegetable garden or flower bed.
• Write a note to your pastor, bishop, or other religious leader and let him/her know how much you appreciated the message at this week's worship service.
• Invite a new family in your neighborhood to dinner.

         There are so many ways to express love and appreciation as we go about our daily routines, or take advantage of special opportunities.  Simple as they are, they really do make a difference to those who are touched by our thoughtfulness.
         I hope your week has been, and continues to be, an especially blessed one as you look for ways to uplift others.  It's amazing how happy the world can become as we serve one another in simple ways, just one little act at a time. 


TODAY'S INSPIRING QUOTATION:
"If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your path."  Buddhist saying.