How To Change The World - 11th June 2008
Photo by Dorothée
Hello my funky little kittens and cool cats. This is my second ‘how to change the world’ post that’s part of a continuous series which emphasises the importance of our words, thoughts and actions. The first post of this series looks at that in a little bit more detail. Here are this week’s three deeds the world needs!
Give flowers to someone: I had an operation last week and I shared a room with a lovely man who was about 80-something years young. I decided to take myself for a wander outside and get some fresh air. I picked the cutest little posie of flowers and on my way back to my room, I saw a lady crying. I passed her one of the flowers and she smiled. Then I gave my roommate the posie of flowers and he absolutely adored them! He was so grateful and kept putting them to his nose as if to sniff them (although they didn’t have a scent). I was like the flower fairy! They really do create instant smiles and warmth.
Share your books: I don’t know about you, but I think books are meant to be read. So why do some of us hoard dozens or even hundreds of books, when either, we’ve already read them or we know we’re never going to read them all? If you have a book, share it. Give one to your best friend, to a charity, to your local library, to a school in Bangladesh! Share the knowledge. I remember reading a story about a man who would purposely leave a book on a train or bus with a little note on the inside sleeve that said something like; “To the finder of this book: After you have read it, you must pass it on to another and let somebody else enjoy the knowledge you have just absorbed.” I think that’s a beautiful gesture we could all gain from.
Spread the love with FREE HUGS: You’ve probably seen a “free hugs” video on YouTube before…? It all began in 2006 with Juan Mann. He had just lost his Grandmother and was looking after his blind Grandfather when he was feeling down, and well, needed a hug. He strolled the Sydney mall with his “free hug” sign, and one year later was the star of a music video clip which shot the “free hugs” campaign to stardom. Now there are “free hug” websites all around the world and even an International Hug Day! It’s exactly what the world needs. So don’t be shy, get your markers out and create a great big FREE HUGS sign and stroll the mall or park with a couple of your friends. I guarantee it’ll lift your spirits.
Big love & hugs,
June 11th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
awww thanks for linking to sick puppies video clip on youtube. i absolutely love love love that song. havent heard it for a little while- reminds me of my last job in aussie.
June 11th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
One of my favourite ways to share books is via the site bookmooch.com
Never commented before so I should assure you, I’m not a spammer, just someone who loves your blog and is just catching up on your archives now!
Lady Julianne le Fays last blog post..What I Wore, 27/5/2008
June 12th, 2008 at 5:05 am
Bookmooch, ok i never saw that one. I only know http://www.bookcrossing.com/ thats a bit like the idea Ivy writes about, you just let someone else find/pick your book..
June 12th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Awww, what a lovely post! Those tips are absolutely gorgeous, thank-you! xoxo
June 12th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Lady Julianne le Fay - Thank you so much for sharing the link! I was trying to find something like that, but didn’t have any luck. And thank you SO SO much for checking out my blog, I really appreciate it, m’lady
Amika - Wow, thanks for the link, Amika! I love the idea of book crossing, I’m gonna sign up.
x Miss Corrine x - Thank YOU, Miss Corrine, for reading them
June 13th, 2008 at 7:41 am
it’s 13 now i think i’ve missed it
i’m really dead tired from walking around the past 4 days and can’t for now save the poor bed where i’m gonna crash
the world can survive till tomorrow
ameos last blog post..Top 8 Opera Browser Addons
June 14th, 2008 at 5:07 am
i like all these tips.
i used to be a book hoarder, having hundreds of books on my shelf. i thought it made me seem smarter. in reality, they were just more stuff to dust and it was a pain in the butt. now, except for a few books that i truly love/plan on re-reading, i pass books on to friends or sell them at yard sales.
i love the idea of giving someone flowers, especially someone you hardly know. society has gotten too used to everyone being a jerk. it’s nice to surprise people.
once when i was going over a toll bridge, the driver of the car in front of me paid my toll. even though it was only fifty cents, this random act of kindness made my day and has stuck with me for years. i try to remember to do similar things from time to time.
tammies last blog post..Rare Minerals Blemish Therapy
June 14th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Those are great ways to make a difference - I really like the book sharing idea! I think there are a ton of sites set up for that, but even just giving someone a book saying hey i think you might like to read this really does make a difference. And the flowers. Gosh I love flowers. Not store bought ones though. The little dandelions and clovers my son picks out of the yard mean more to me than any dozen of roses I was ever given. And I LOVE the free hugs video.
I’m back from vacation now so catching up on all the good stuff here that I missed!
Chelles last blog post..Bald is Beautiful
June 15th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
tammie - You sound like me, I used to have piles of books everywhere but they were just taking up space! I’m glad you give them away now. And it really is these lovely random acts of kindness that stay with your forever, don’t they? It’s not the fact it’s only 50 cents, but the fact he offered and didn’t mind paying - I love it!
Chelle - Yay! You’re back!!
Awww, dandlions and clovers, that is so damn adorable!! You’ve got one cute son there, miss.