Monday, March 21, 2011

good deeds ~ finding the positives

let's face it, there have been horrible things happening all over the world lately.  japan, libya, yemen, even my own neighborhood.  a friend of mine lived in yemen for many years {he's now in syria} and his tweets about what his friends are going through and the dangers they face are powerful and heartbreaking, to say the least.  i still haven't heard if my friends from japan have found all of their relatives and friends yet.  we're all still holding our breaths for the workers {and the world, really} regarding the overheating nuclear plant, and now we are involved with the fighting in libya.  plus, there's been a dramatic increase in crime where i'm living.  sheesh!  thinking about what a turbulent past week it has been for the world makes me wonder, was this an especially bad week for everyone? are the legends of the supermoon true? or is this a perfectly average amount of world problems and i'm just paying more attention right now {by the way, ever notice how difficult it is to find GOOD news on the news channels/websites?
who decided terrible things are NEWS anyway?}?  

whatever the case, it's easy to get bogged down with all of this.  but something i've had to learn being a therapist, and sitting with people's pain hour after hour, is that you have to be intentional about embracing the good.  sometimes life doesn't hand you wonderfulness on a platter, but it's still there, good things are still surrounding you.  

so today, i thought i would do something a little different for my good deeds post.  today i was hoping we could all do a good deed for ourselves and each other by sharing all the positive things that are happening right now, either on the global scale, or in our personal lives.  i would LOVE it if you all took a minute to list in the comments at least one good thing happening right now {it doesn't matter how big or small you think it is - if it's good, then it counts!}. please also have a read through the other comments for some extra goodness.  i'm a strong believer in the power of positive thinking, and maybe with this focus on the good, we can make the world a little happier, a little brighter, and a little better.  even if it just lifts your mood on this monday, i'd say that we've all changed the world in a beautiful way.
{download your own free positive thoughts poster here}


i'll go first.  

things that are good in life right now are:
* i saw a young man help an elderly woman pick up things which had fallen out of her bag into the street.
* a beautiful girl {kristen bell} got down and dirty to help bring water to an african village.
* thousands of people braved the cold and heavy rains to run in the LA marathon yesterday, raising thousands of dollars for various charities. 
* last night i got to have a super fun girls' night with brandi & lillian at a beautiful restaurant whilst listening to gorgeous live music by one of brandi's friends. it was just what i needed!


now it's your turn!

29 comments:

  1. 1. I registered for the 3 Day Breast Cancer walk again and I'm excited to join thousands of brave women trekking 60 miles for this incredibly important cause

    2. My poetry students at San Quentin are nothing short of amazing. They come to class eagerly every Monday night, homework in hand, and eager to hear what I have to say about their poems from last week. They are diligent, hard-working, and interested in learning. And they're becoming quite skilled poets, as well!

    3. A friend of mine has been fostering two beagle puppies, and they both came down with parvo and were taken to the doggie ICU. Both puppies beat the odds and survived, and now are doing wonderfully :)

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  2. 1. Watching the news, and seeing that they found 2 people surviving after 9 days in Japan. It makes me believe and hope they will find more.

    2. Spending time with my baby, and not having to go to work for the next many months!

    3. Spring is on the way, and me and Jonas will be able to go for some walks.

    4. Friends stopping by unannounced:)

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  3. Such a great post, Kim! : )

    Some great things going on with me right now:
    - I'm just happy and grateful for my life. My whole family is safe and healthy and there's nothing to complain about (well... at least I don't find it worth complaining about).
    - I got asked to write a monthly column for a site just from writing my own blog. Doing what you love really does open doors. : )
    - I made falafels that didn't fall apart for the first time this weekend and they were fantastic!

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  4. First off, love this post! I definitely just downloaded the poster and plan to put it up on a board at my university this afternoon. If you don't mind, I may blog this myself at some point! I think it's a great idea to share positive thoughts!

    1. Registered for grad school courses this morning (that means I made it through undergrad!)

    2. My sister is doing well in all of her graduate school interviews.

    3. Having free weekends again is amazing and I don't think I'll be taking them for granted for a long time.

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  5. We're giving away free pancakes today at work in exchange for a donation to the charity we support which gives food to hungry children. I'm not looking forward to how busy it's going to be but it's definitely for a good cause!

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  6. I have to say--I really love your perspective on life.
    Some good things:
    - slow but consistent progress on the wedding planning
    - amazing girl friends who are planning what will be the best weekend getaway ever--even the planning process is so fun!
    - this Saturday is my first gown fitting!

    Have an amazing week.

    xx Gabriella

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  7. This is a wonderful idea. I'm grateful for spring, that my baby got another tooth and that my seedlings are flourishing.

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  8. This is the coolest post I have read in a while. I am a little neurotic and I'm not a big fan of watching the news,I wish there was a news program that balanced the good and the bad but sadly, there isn't.

    I am grateful for:
    1)my family welcoming home like they hadn't seen me in years when I was just away for 4 nights. I love them

    2) I am grateful for having healthy loving grandparents

    3) I am grateful for all of last year's experiences that have made me a stronger, more loving, mature woman

    4) I am grateful for having coffee at home when I needed it this morning

    5) I am grateful for the blogging world, it has opened up my eyes to many possibilities and taught me many, many lessons

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  9. Dinner last night definitely makes the top of the list :) The slower pace of life has been really good for me...to be able to stop and enjoy and do things that I've been wanting to do for so long. And hearing about all the people who are gathering together to help the people of Japan...it's so inspiring. Such a great practice - I think this needs to become a weekly ritual...to list what's good in life now :)

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  10. I know what you mean about the news, Kim. On the CBC a few weeks ago, they were talking about a newspaper that decided to publish GOOD news only for a day (they figured the bad news would still be there tomorrow). Wouldn't you have loved to read that paper?

    As for the good things that are happening for me right now:

    1. I think my antibiotics might be starting to work. My cough is maybe easing up a teeny bit.

    2.It's spring break! We might not be out doing something fun today like I wanted to, but at least we don't have to be anywhere. We can stay home and drink soup all day if we like.

    3. The cherry blossoms are starting to appear on the trees in our front yard. I love cherry blossoms.

    4. For Japan with Love has raised over $53,000! Wow. The goal was $5,500.

    5. My 3BT journal is filling up. I've written in it every day since January. It's great to read back over all the beautiful things that have happened since the beginning of the year (especially when I'm currently feeling so awful) It's a great mood-lifter.

    6. A well-stocked tea cupboard. I think I'll go make a pot right now.

    Happy Monday, Kim!

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  11. That's it! I need to move to Southern California to hang out with you gals. Sounds like such fun.

    Positivity is absolutely contagious and I think all your readers caught it from you.

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  12. i love cognitive behavioral psychology! all change starts with your thought process... happy monday!

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  13. What a wonderful post! :).

    1). This beautiful weather we are having today.
    2). That all of my friends and family are happy & healthy.
    3). That I was able to visit my God Parents over the weekend! So amazing!

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  14. i love this!! i believe that seeing the positive and happiness in life should be a daily intention!

    -this rainy weather is a great excuse to sit in, with cheesy films, hot chocolate and self reflection.
    -fridge full of korean food that my mom sent me off with.
    -peppermint tea... mmm.
    -finding comfort in the words of Thoreau.
    -the positive energy from your blog! :)

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  15. THis is such an amazing post. Someone posted papers similar to this all around my town last year, and it was such an uplifting and inspirational act.

    Some good things right now-
    1)It's Spring
    2) I finally got a summer internship doing volunteer work all summer- so excited!
    3) I'm officially spending 6 months in England in less than a year!

    Have a beautiful week!

    ~Ariel at http://adreamersdaze.blogspot.com/

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  16. Great post as always Kim. Brilliant!!

    ~I'm glad that 'bapak' is doing so much better now and he is definitely a promise. I couldn't ask for more but for his speed recovery and good health.

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  17. My favorite blog post read so far today!

    Some good things:

    -the fact that the $100 I just spent went towards a bunch of children's books and teaching artist books (will be used in my thesis)

    -The hot pink cardigan I am wearing to make up for the gray skies outside

    -The rain falling from those gray skies (because spring rain always makes me smile)

    -eating two breakfasts, just because I felt like it

    -feeling humbled and awed by my constantly growing network of blog friends

    Thanks for this post today, Kim! I hope you are having a beautiful day.

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  18. 1. l went all weekend long without any heat, but my landlord showed up last night and fixed it. I'm so grateful for heat!

    2. Went out on a limb and turned down work with a former colleague even though I need the $$. Turns out major ethical issues with the person and I was protected from a scandal. So grateful for courage and protection!!

    3. The Chef got the keys to the restaurant today. Change of ownership is official after over 6 months of waiting. YAY!!

    This is a great post Kimbirdy!

    xo,
    Carrie

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  19. so many great things. I love your list.
    mine is below.
    1)my neighbor going out of his way to say hi to me today. Very sweet.
    2)the super friendly girl at kroger.
    3)spring is here. can't get enough of birds chirping.
    4)an open heart. it can work miracles.
    5)your sweet blog. so inspiring.

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  20. this is why I love your blog! I edit my news intake because I agree with you, it is all so sad.

    We celebrated my grandparents 68th wedding anniversary yesterday.

    I ran 6 miles on saturday for the first time in my training for first marathon ever.

    Read an article in The Times about a man going through the wreckage that used to be his home gathering rice for his family. He offered some to the author of the article even in his time of extreme need.

    Charity is in all of us, if we can just take a minute to share it. =)

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  21. 1) it's sunny out and that always puts me in a good mood!
    2) i got a lot of compliments on my colorful outfit on my blog today! :)
    3) my clients are happy!!

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  22. This is such a wonderful idea!!

    1) I tackled some fears
    2) The sun is shining
    3) I met some wonderful people who were bubbly and optimistic despite having some serious challenges thrown their way.

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  23. Thank you for this post Kim, i was having a bad start for the week and i'm determined to revert it. Reading your post is such a great help!

    1. The clouds are brighter outside. Birds are chirping opposite my design table.
    2. People outside are smiling because summer is coming in.
    3. Reading this post which is seriously therapeutic.

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  24. "complain less, breathe more". very simple and very true, now I gotta practice that more ;)

    Hope your week is off to a good start!

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  25. You have such an awesome positive way about you - it's bliss reading your blog.

    My happy place:
    1. My 4 year old daughter giving me a piece of paper resembling what she thinks is her ABC's.
    2. Finally the breeze had a tiny bit of warmth in it.
    3. I have recently joined the blogging community and I ADORE it.
    Thanks Kim xx

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  26. Kim, I am so glad you wrote this post. It's so important for us to find and focus on the wonderfully positive things that are happening out there. For me, these past few months have been a time of healing and moving forward, even though I'm moving forward into a lot of uncertainty. I know I can make a difference in the world around me. I'm focusing on being PRO things rather than against anything, like pro-animal rights rather than anti-animal cruelty. It's just a little shift in perspective but the little shift makes a huge difference to me.

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  27. hey kim! excellent idea! a perfect way to get the day going. .. let me think
    1. we got our power back on this morning after a brown out from the rain
    2. the power out gave me an excuse not to work so i did kenken puzzles by candle
    3. organic berries in the fridge
    4. kids at work are making little japanese flags that they will sell and then send the proceeds to the japanese red cross

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  28. I'm finally catching up on my reading but I do love this. So, even though it's Thursday already, I wanted to participate and say that I am grateful for the family time I've been having all week. I'm behind on everything else because of it, but I wouldn't trade the laughs and talks for anything right now.

    This is a beautiful, heartfelt post! Thank you!

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  29. Love this post :) Sorry I'm late to the party, but all the comments here really do fill me some (((warm fuzzies))). Thank you for the prompt and thank you to all for contributing your positive thinking and good vibes.

    Despite the fact that we've had some winter-like conditions in New York (after a beautiful 70 degree day), the weather had MORE grossness for today... and instead, the sun has decided to grace us with its presence again. A bit cold still, but it's slowly melting the snow we received just last night.

    YAY for spring :)

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