Give Away The Old.

What I love ... charity.

Our neighbors across the road are in the process of moving and today I watched as the Salvation Army truck pulled up and loaded some very nice high quality leather couches. Couches this couple could have quite easily sold yet instead they gave it away for nothing to the Salvos.

I too choose to give to charities as I often as I can. Only a few days ago whilst cleaning the bathroom I noticed Gabe's baby seat he no longer uses. In that spur of the moment random moments I have I decided to take a photo of it and placed it on a for sale facebook page. I listed it as free to anyone who feels they need and would benefit from it. An hour later I had a young mother of 2 at my door taking this much loved bath seat from me.

Both her and her husband had contacted me and told how this seat came at the perfect time. Bath time for them had become a huge hassle and battle with their almost 3 year old and 6 month old. The husband was constantly trying to juggle the both of them. He told me only the night before he was thinking how handy it would be to have a bath seat. Then the very next day he logs onto facebook and the first thing he sees is my post listing a bath seat for free.

Sometimes life just works out and I love it when it does. I love how on that day at that particular time I decided to clean our bathrooms and in a random moment of me decided to put the baby bath seat up for sale and list it for free. It reminded me how we all hold onto items that for whatever reason we no longer use and no longer serve us. Items that when given away and shared benefit others in a way that it never could us. I love giving.

Kind Words

I am grateful for the kind words of others. Those comments, messages, conversations and exchanges we have that leave us better off than when we started. You know the ones. They uplift you, inspire you and encourage you.

I am grateful for those words especially on the days I need them most. Which so happens to be the days I receive them the most, or perhaps its only these days I allow them to sink deep and choose to take note.

Either way they remind me I am never alone. That someone out there not only hears me but cares.

Treasure your friends and remember it only takes one friend for you to never be alone. Just one.

Recovering Complain-aholic

We all know someone with cancer or who has had cancer. And what about the children. Those beautiful, young, strong spirited children, who show us how to smile in the face of adversity. 

Children who never complain and are put through more than any child should when young. Their childhoods stripped away and replaced with hospitals, injections and illness.

Today I wrote a card to a young boy who is fighting cancer. He will celebrate his 10^th birthday in hospital as he has many of his previous ones.

How can we not appreciate our own children, their health and ours when we see so many that aren’t as fortunate. As a past and recovering chronic complainer I can no longer complain about such idle things. Life is a gift, your health is a gift, the eyes you’re reading this with. A gift. There all gifts.

It’s hard sometimes not to get caught up in everyday problems but when I remember that others out there have real problems and real issues it always puts my own into perspective - mine are so small and pointless in comparison.

The things I can complain about sometimes are embarrassing to admit, but as I mentioned I’m in the process of giving that up. I want to embrace life not condemn it. 

I understood.

My 5 year old wet his pants yesterday. It doesn't happen often (in fact it may have been his first time) but what I love is. I didn't react nor get mad. I understood.

Then just moments later when dealing with this mess I hear glass breaking. He has accidentally broken a glass. Again I didn't get mad, nor yell. I understood.

He didn't mean to do either one of those things and I knew he was sorry (his tears and crying told me this) so why yell or be angry?

If I had yelled at him and been mad it would achieve nothing but instill fear in him and result in me feeling crap. So I didn't.

If I had yelled and criticized him it would teach him it is WRONG to make a mistake. It would teach him it is BAD to make mistakes. Not its not. Mistakes happen and you know what ... I've broken quite a few glasses in my time and never once did I hit or yell at myself!

So instead I asked him how we can fix the problem to make it better and together we picked up the broken glass. This teaches him that when you make a mistake its ok, but you then need to try and fix the mistake and rectify it.

Mistakes happen and our children will make many. And they are not bad or evil little people for doing so. They are simply learning their way in this world like we all are, one break at a time.

No Umbrella Is Wasted - Random Act Of Kindness

A few weeks ago I was in a thrift store, a place that sells second items and clothing. I was so happy and grateful to have bought so many things for only $7. Included amongst those items were some umbrellas.

I bought a few thinking we had none when in fact we already owned two. I held on to the newly purchased ones knowing that they would some day come in handy. Today one did.

We experienced some very heavy rain today and in it a young gentleman came to my door introducing and trying to sell a new service which offers fresh produce straight to your door. I was not interested however I was interested in getting this poor young man dry. He was dripping wet from being out in all this rain.

As soon as I saw him I knew what I had to do and remembered those umbrellas I had bought, so I offered him one. How happy he was and how happy I was to finally have an opportunity to put one of those umbrellas to good use.

It made me realise today that nothing we do is by accident and that there is always an opportunity for kindness. We are all here only to help our fellow humans in whatever way we can. Even if it is only offering a second hand umbrella.

Valentines Day Love

This day can always bring up mixed emotions for me but in the past few years it’s gotten better. No man has ever told me they love me. My father has and still does (just about daily bless him ) but no one outside my immediate family.

This can do a lot to your self esteem and for many years it has. It had me believing I am unlovable, worthless, and something was somehow wrong with me.

Not any more though because in recent years I have learnt that I do not need another person to love me in order for me to feel loved. I do not need another person to say “Your amazing Nicole" "I love you Nicole" "You mean so much to me Nicole” to feel loved because I already do, I love me.

For years I waited for the outside world to tell me how great I was. And I would have continued waiting but in the past 3-4 years I got over waiting and decided to loving me despite what others told me.

Who I am is not what others tell me I am. I am me, the girl I’ve always been who I am learning to love. It's her I share this day with.

To all those who have a valentine to share this day with enjoy them, love them and cherish every word they tell you. Cherish every action of love they give you but always remember that even if they didn’t you are still just as worthy, still just loved, and always, always, worthy of being loved.

Chocolates Were Only A Bonus

I received a text from Lisa today (my friend who is a masseuse) telling me I had made her day.

She told me how happy the small box of chocolates I left on her doorstep and card made her. She went on to say what made her most happy, and what she loved more than the chocolates were the words on the card. The words I wrote only last night. Straight from my heart to hers.

I have found in life that its the thought behind the action, the love behind the action, the words of love and support from your heart to anothers that people appreciate the most. The chocolates were only a bonus.

I am so happy to have made someone else happy today, but I am most grateful for my late night inspiration to shower another in love and kindness.

Always follow your heart.

Random Act Of Kindness - Spur of the moment Kindess

You know what I love?  Those little unexpected and on the spur of the moment opportunities for acts of love and kindness. Tonight I had one.

Tonight I had the pleasure of visiting a lovely friend who gives me a massage every month or two. It has been a few months since I last saw her. Tonight on the way into her house I noticed her garbage bins at the end of the driveway so I wheeled them in for her and left them beside her house.

Then during my massage she told me her fiance had left her since we last spoke (explains the bins being out so late ... isn't that normally a mans job? ha ha, totally kidding!).

All night I kept thinking of her and only moments ago decided to gift her with a nice box of chocolates (chocolate makes everything better). So early tomorrow morning on my way out I will leave the box of chocolates on her doorstep along with a nice card I wrote telling her much I admire her and how strong she is.

I love how a day can end and I love ending my days with love.

Good night all xox

You know what I love those little unexpected and on the spur of the moment opportunities for kindness.

Tonight I had the pleasure of visiting a lovely lady who gives me a massage every month or two. It has been a few months since I last saw her. Tonight on the way into her house I noticed her garbage bins at the end of the driveway so I wheeled them in for her and left them beside her house.

Then during my massage she told me her fiance had left her since we last spoke (explains the bins being out so late ... isn't that normally a mans job ;8P ).

All night I kept thinking of her and only moments ago decided to gift her with a nice box of chocolates (chocolates makes everything better) So early tomorrow morning I will leave the box of chocolates on her doorstep along with a nice card I just wrote telling her much I admire her and how strong she is.

I love how a day can end and I love ending my days with love. - See more at: http://www.kindspring.org/my/#sthash.tvOApG1o.dpuf

You know what I love those little unexpected and on the spur of the moment opportunities for kindness.

Tonight I had the pleasure of visiting a lovely lady who gives me a massage every month or two. It has been a few months since I last saw her. Tonight on the way into her house I noticed her garbage bins at the end of the driveway so I wheeled them in for her and left them beside her house.

Then during my massage she told me her fiance had left her since we last spoke (explains the bins being out so late ... isn't that normally a mans job ;8P ).

All night I kept thinking of her and only moments ago decided to gift her with a nice box of chocolates (chocolates makes everything better) So early tomorrow morning I will leave the box of chocolates on her doorstep along with a nice card I just wrote telling her much I admire her and how strong she is.

I love how a day can end and I love ending my days with love. - See more at: http://www.kindspring.org/my/#sthash.tvOApG1o.dpuf

Random Acts of Kindness - Books

All week I have been sorting through every book we own. Children's books, recipe books, self help, reference books, novels, them all.

We have so many, too many for one person to enjoy, so I've decided to donate the majority of them.

Most I will be donating to a book fair that raises money every year by selling used books. But then there are some, some books that touched me deeply and helped me in life in so many ways. These books I've decided to gift to those that need them. I will leave them along with a note inside explaining that "this book isn't lost nor stolen, but rather left to find, to keep or pass on, whatever is chosen is up to you as it is yours now" .

I will leave these books in random places such as bus stops and hospitals. Places where people can really use a book and places where books will impact people most (hospitals are great for leaving healing and self help books!).

I have also today gone through all our shoes, shoes that we no longer wear or use but are still in a wearable condition. I will donate and give these to those who have no shoes or for whatever reason cannot afford them.

Books and shoes, such a gift, and something we all have so many of yet there are those out there who have none. If I had my way everyone in this world would walk with with shoes on their feet and a book in their hand. Two completely priceless gifts for life and ones so many of us all take for granted.

Giving brings me joy xox

All week I have been sorting through every book we own. Childrens books, recipe books, self help, reference books, novels them all.

We have so many, too many for one person to enjoy so I've decided to donate the majority of them. Most I will be donating to a book fair that raises money every year by selling used books. But then there are some, some books that touched me deeply and helped me in life in so many ways. These books I've decided to gift to those that need them. I will leave them along with a note explaining it all in random places such as bus stops and hospitals. Places where people can really use a book.

I have also today gone through all our shoes, shoes that we no longer wear but are still wearable to donate and give to those who have no shoes.

Books and shoes, such a gift, and something we all have many of yet there are those out there who have none.

Giving brings me joy xox - See more at: http://www.kindspring.org/my/#sthash.PQvmcfXA.dpuf

All week I have been sorting through every book we own. Childrens books, recipe books, self help, reference books, novels them all.

We have so many, too many for one person to enjoy so I've decided to donate the majority of them. Most I will be donating to a book fair that raises money every year by selling used books. But then there are some, some books that touched me deeply and helped me in life in so many ways. These books I've decided to gift to those that need them. I will leave them along with a note explaining it all in random places such as bus stops and hospitals. Places where people can really use a book.

I have also today gone through all our shoes, shoes that we no longer wear but are still wearable to donate and give to those who have no shoes.

Books and shoes, such a gift, and something we all have many of yet there are those out there who have none.

Giving brings me joy xox - See more at: http://www.kindspring.org/my/#sthash.PQvmcfXA.dpuf

All week I have been sorting through every book we own. Childrens books, recipe books, self help, reference books, novels them all.

We have so many, too many for one person to enjoy so I've decided to donate the majority of them. Most I will be donating to a book fair that raises money every year by selling used books. But then there are some, some books that touched me deeply and helped me in life in so many ways. These books I've decided to gift to those that need them. I will leave them along with a note explaining it all in random places such as bus stops and hospitals. Places where people can really use a book.

I have also today gone through all our shoes, shoes that we no longer wear but are still wearable to donate and give to those who have no shoes.

Books and shoes, such a gift, and something we all have many of yet there are those out there who have none.

Giving brings me joy xox - See more at: http://www.kindspring.org/my/#sthash.PQvmcfXA.dpuf

All week I have been sorting through every book we own. Childrens books, recipe books, self help, reference books, novels them all.

We have so many, too many for one person to enjoy so I've decided to donate the majority of them. Most I will be donating to a book fair that raises money every year by selling used books. But then there are some, some books that touched me deeply and helped me in life in so many ways. These books I've decided to gift to those that need them. I will leave them along with a note explaining it all in random places such as bus stops and hospitals. Places where people can really use a book.

I have also today gone through all our shoes, shoes that we no longer wear but are still wearable to donate and give to those who have no shoes.

Books and shoes, such a gift, and something we all have many of yet there are those out there who have none.

Giving brings me joy xox - See more at: http://www.kindspring.org/my/#sthash.PQvmcfXA.dpuf

Depositing Kindness (and Donuts)

My mum worked in the Bank. She was the Bank. She loved her job at the bank. Everyone that knew her loved her. The young staff especially loved her. They would tell me how crazy my mum was and how she would make work fun, singing, dancing and doing crazy things and speaking her mind. Mum was famous for it, or perhaps infamous. She said it like was and people loved her for it. She said what everyone else was thinking but too afraid to say. Not mum. She said it!

We all loved her so last Friday when I visited the Bank where my mum once worked I wanted to do something nice. So whilst out shopping I bought one bag of cinnamon and one bag of sugar donuts and took them in and gave them to all the staff at the branch my mum once worked. I told them my mother use to work there and how much she loved it and how I wanted to gift them with morning tea on behalf of mum.

At first they were surprised and shocked as most people are when an act of kindness is bestowed upon them but that soon as passed and was replaced with gratitude and smiles.

I did this that day because I miss mum so much, because I love mum so much and because I thank her every day for inspiring me to be a better person.

Death Will Teach You

You know it often takes another’s life to be taken from you for you to be grateful for your own. For me it was my mothers. I of course knew she wouldn’t live forever and would someday leave this planet but nothing can prepare you for that moment and how it will affect you. For me personally it’s been a blessing, because I choose it to be.

Her death was a wake up call to me, a reminder smacked straight into my face that none of us here will live forever and that no one’s future is guaranteed. From that day forward I began to live my life differently. I saw everything as so impermanent and everything I did see I knew would someday be gone. That’s when I chose to live everyday in gratitude for it all!

I’ve always known my mother was the greatest gift to me but never would I have guessed that in her death she’d leave me wit the greatest gift of all – an appreciation and love for life.

Life is short it really is, so enjoy it and be grateful. And remember in every moment you have a choice. To be thankful for what you have or complain and whinge about the little things that in your death, and the death of those closest to you, will not matter.