Yesterday, I took Devon, our 11 year old, to Sylvan to be assessed. What we thought was going to be a four hour assessment turned into a 6 hour assessment (I bought and read a book during this time!). He did a great job and actually had fun in the process. We go next week to find out exactly what kind of intervention he needs (and exactly how poor we will be afterward!). Anyway, I wanted to treat him because I knew it was a really long day for him, so my act of kindness was to let him choose any place he wanted to go for lunch. I am a particular eater (I've improved quite a bit over the years), so this was big for me.
He chose Chuck-A-Rama.
It's a buffet restaurant that is popular in Utah. And it's one of the LAST places I would have chosen. But I sucked it up and took him there for a late lunch. Then I took him shopping for shoes (he picked a pair of DCs) and clothes. And cologne (He chose Nautica Blue). And a DS game. It was a lot of fun, and he even let me buy him two button down shirts and a pair of loafers (he's a tshirt and skater shoes kid)!
Today my act of kindness was to leave a note for one of the facilitators I supervise. She made sure to leave me a document that she knew I would ask for (it's the end of the month) but hadn't asked for yet. She totally rocks! So I told her so!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Back in the Saddle
I lost focus on my challenge for a couple of weeks (I think that's how long it's been). I had a bad PMDD episode which basically meant it took everything I had in order to function and there wasn't much left over for anything or anyone else. The episode was preceded by a 40 hour work week done in 4 days and followed by an effort to return to normalcy after the episode. This past weekend brought with it its own stress...as do most weekends these days. Nathan and are coming up on our one year mark, which means a temple sealing is coming up soon as well....of course, this means that the adversary is actively pushing buttons in our lives to make the time leading up to the sealing as miserable as possible. Which means weekends, especially Saturdays, tend to be rough. This weekend was no exception. Nathan and I are fine, btw, but life is more emotional for me and stressful for him. This is why my focus has been inward lately.
But I don't like that. I don't like that I have been so focused on myself. I know that when I try to focus on others I feel better and life goes better. So I am back to making a concerted effort to serve others and love others so that change might happen, even if that change is only with me.
Today, I brought Nathan lunch at work. He frequently works an entire shift (8:30 am - 7:15 pm) without eating an actual meal. It's not ideal but it's a reality of his job. When I talked to him after my morning of meetings (one of which included lunch), he mentioned that he hadn't eaten and asked me to bring him something on my way out to one of my sites. I immediately agreed and then asked him what he wanted. His choice required going slightly our of my way AND getting out of my car to order it. But I love him, so I did it willingly.
But I don't like that. I don't like that I have been so focused on myself. I know that when I try to focus on others I feel better and life goes better. So I am back to making a concerted effort to serve others and love others so that change might happen, even if that change is only with me.
Today, I brought Nathan lunch at work. He frequently works an entire shift (8:30 am - 7:15 pm) without eating an actual meal. It's not ideal but it's a reality of his job. When I talked to him after my morning of meetings (one of which included lunch), he mentioned that he hadn't eaten and asked me to bring him something on my way out to one of my sites. I immediately agreed and then asked him what he wanted. His choice required going slightly our of my way AND getting out of my car to order it. But I love him, so I did it willingly.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
I Chose to be Happy
On Friday, my act of kindness was to myself. I know that goes against the rules, but as I made the rules, I can change them! I chose to walk from the main campus up to the office building where my department is housed (I have an office on the main campus) instead of driving. The walk there and back is about a mile total, which made me feel really good. I also abstained from drinking Diet Coke even though I was in need of caffeine!
On Saturday, my act of kindness was laundry. Our dryer had been out of commission for a couple of weeks, which meant we made due by hanging stuff up to dry and by using Nathan's parents' washer/dryer set. On Friday, our dryer was fixed. As in, the dryer repair man came, pushed the on button and it started. Seriously. Of course, every time Nathan and I tried that nothing happened. Anyway, he cleaned some things, and went on his way. So, I spent all of Saturday (and most of Sunday) washing, drying, and folding laundry while Nathan was as work (he was sick on Sunday) and Devon had a friend over.
On Sunday, my act of kindness was to magnify my church calling. Nathan and I were called to teach Sunday School to the younger youth (12-14/15 yrs old). We are responsible for teaching twice a month, but we split that so it's really on once a month each. With Nathan home sick (stomach flu, blech), it was up to me to teach our ginormous class of teens. I focused on the lesson both Saturday and Sunday, and then took what I had, said a prayer, and started teaching them. It was soooo much fun, and I think they enjoyed it as well.
On Monday, I found out some surprising news. My father remarried. She's beautiful. She's from the Philippines. And she's young. As in, younger than me. By 12 years. While the family members I spoke with were shocked and/or upset by the news, I laughed and simply said, "That's my dad." To be fair, he did tell me before he left that he was going to find a bride. I told him if she was younger than me, I wouldn't call her mom.
I chose to be happy about the situation. And I genuinely am happy for him. He's been divorced for 30 years, and in all that time he has never stopped looking for a wife. I'm glad he has found one, and I pray that all works out well in his favor. My only disappointment was that he didn't fly me to the Philippines for the wedding!
On Saturday, my act of kindness was laundry. Our dryer had been out of commission for a couple of weeks, which meant we made due by hanging stuff up to dry and by using Nathan's parents' washer/dryer set. On Friday, our dryer was fixed. As in, the dryer repair man came, pushed the on button and it started. Seriously. Of course, every time Nathan and I tried that nothing happened. Anyway, he cleaned some things, and went on his way. So, I spent all of Saturday (and most of Sunday) washing, drying, and folding laundry while Nathan was as work (he was sick on Sunday) and Devon had a friend over.
On Sunday, my act of kindness was to magnify my church calling. Nathan and I were called to teach Sunday School to the younger youth (12-14/15 yrs old). We are responsible for teaching twice a month, but we split that so it's really on once a month each. With Nathan home sick (stomach flu, blech), it was up to me to teach our ginormous class of teens. I focused on the lesson both Saturday and Sunday, and then took what I had, said a prayer, and started teaching them. It was soooo much fun, and I think they enjoyed it as well.
On Monday, I found out some surprising news. My father remarried. She's beautiful. She's from the Philippines. And she's young. As in, younger than me. By 12 years. While the family members I spoke with were shocked and/or upset by the news, I laughed and simply said, "That's my dad." To be fair, he did tell me before he left that he was going to find a bride. I told him if she was younger than me, I wouldn't call her mom.
I chose to be happy about the situation. And I genuinely am happy for him. He's been divorced for 30 years, and in all that time he has never stopped looking for a wife. I'm glad he has found one, and I pray that all works out well in his favor. My only disappointment was that he didn't fly me to the Philippines for the wedding!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Lunch Date
I bought my coworker lunch today! It was actually a lot of fun. We were doing an event on campus (right during lunch time), and she said that we should get lunch on the way back to our offices. Then she remembered that she had left her wallet in her office. We decided that we would go back to the office first and then get lunch.
Well, when it came time to actually go, I told her I would buy her lunch. She agreed, but only if she could reciprocate next week, which I accepted. Technically I benefit from this by getting lunch next week; however, when I made the offer I had no expectation or desire for reciprocation. I only accepted because I knew that was the only way she would let me buy her lunch today.
Back on the Wagon
Eek. I have fallen down on the job. These past few days have been crazy, and I honestly forgot to focus on others. Oops. This whole act of kindness challenge is much harder than I thought it would be. I realize how easy it is to get so caught up in my own things that I lose focus my focus on others.
On Friday, Feb. 1, I don't know that I did anything of note. It was the beginning of a rough weekend. Nathan and I went to Costco to grocery shop, and we have very different ideas about what we should buy. Especially since we are starting Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, which means that I have to let go of some of my food buying habits (I like organic, high quality stuff, but it's expensive!). I didn't realize how difficult it was going to be for me to not shop as I have been. It meant buying more processed stuff that lasts longer and is cheaper. I'm still determined to figure out a way to buy quality food on a budget, but our lack of time at home (and thus lack of time to make things from scratch) is definitely a roadblock I have to figure out.
On Saturday, Feb.2, I took my boys for a day-o-fun (Hang Time trampolines, lunch at Sonic, and then to their grandparents to watch the U of U basketball game, followed by homemade pizzas and a movie) instead of staying in bed all day like I wanted to. It was a rough day for me because it was my Nana's birthday, and she passed away this summer, so the grief came back, especially since the rest of my family is so far away. But I didn't want the boys to suffer because I was having a tough time.
On Sunday, Feb. 3, I was sick, and so was our 9 year old. But I took a shower and went to my in-laws to celebrate Nathan's mom's birthday. I didn't want my not feeling well to keep me from celebrating with her (it kept me from my sister-in-law's celebration the Sunday before).
On Monday, Feb. 4, I don't think I did anything. How selfish is that? I went home, said hi to my boys, and took a bath to unwind. It, too, was a rough day. I won't go into details, but it ended better, thank heavens. Perhaps my act of kindness was to myself.
On Tuesday, Feb. 5, I spent some time talking with my coworker. It's something I've done before (with this person), but this was needed, I think. She needed to talk, to process. She's dealing with some things and needed a listening ear. I even stayed at work later than I had planned in order to talk with her.
On Wednesday, Feb. 6, I made a point to make dinner for my family. I know this seems like such a little thing, but I'm not kidding when I say that Nathan and I work crazy hours and sitting down together as a family to an actual meal (as opposed to a fend for yourself night) only happens a couple of times a week. I made a point to listen to my 11 year old as he excitedly told me about telling a girl in his class that he likes her!
I'm back in the mindset of serving others, and I'm excited about it. I'm still figuring out what I want to do today. I really hope that whatever I do, big or small, makes a difference to someone!
On Friday, Feb. 1, I don't know that I did anything of note. It was the beginning of a rough weekend. Nathan and I went to Costco to grocery shop, and we have very different ideas about what we should buy. Especially since we are starting Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, which means that I have to let go of some of my food buying habits (I like organic, high quality stuff, but it's expensive!). I didn't realize how difficult it was going to be for me to not shop as I have been. It meant buying more processed stuff that lasts longer and is cheaper. I'm still determined to figure out a way to buy quality food on a budget, but our lack of time at home (and thus lack of time to make things from scratch) is definitely a roadblock I have to figure out.
On Saturday, Feb.2, I took my boys for a day-o-fun (Hang Time trampolines, lunch at Sonic, and then to their grandparents to watch the U of U basketball game, followed by homemade pizzas and a movie) instead of staying in bed all day like I wanted to. It was a rough day for me because it was my Nana's birthday, and she passed away this summer, so the grief came back, especially since the rest of my family is so far away. But I didn't want the boys to suffer because I was having a tough time.
On Sunday, Feb. 3, I was sick, and so was our 9 year old. But I took a shower and went to my in-laws to celebrate Nathan's mom's birthday. I didn't want my not feeling well to keep me from celebrating with her (it kept me from my sister-in-law's celebration the Sunday before).
On Monday, Feb. 4, I don't think I did anything. How selfish is that? I went home, said hi to my boys, and took a bath to unwind. It, too, was a rough day. I won't go into details, but it ended better, thank heavens. Perhaps my act of kindness was to myself.
On Tuesday, Feb. 5, I spent some time talking with my coworker. It's something I've done before (with this person), but this was needed, I think. She needed to talk, to process. She's dealing with some things and needed a listening ear. I even stayed at work later than I had planned in order to talk with her.
On Wednesday, Feb. 6, I made a point to make dinner for my family. I know this seems like such a little thing, but I'm not kidding when I say that Nathan and I work crazy hours and sitting down together as a family to an actual meal (as opposed to a fend for yourself night) only happens a couple of times a week. I made a point to listen to my 11 year old as he excitedly told me about telling a girl in his class that he likes her!
I'm back in the mindset of serving others, and I'm excited about it. I'm still figuring out what I want to do today. I really hope that whatever I do, big or small, makes a difference to someone!
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