Day 103: Raining frogs

When you’re sitting around waiting — for the bus, the train, life to pass you by — nothing makes time fly like having something interesting to read.
I’ve even been known to peruse the instruction booklet for my phone when stuck in a subway tunnel.
That was my inspiration this morning — reading, that is, not [...]

Day 102: Newman’s Own

The day started off well with a hearty, “Good morning” and “Thank you” to my bus driver. I might have been a bit too cheery. I think I startled him.
But then I waited for everyone in my section of the bus to get off before me but this almost backfired when impatient passengers started to [...]

Day 101: Mea culpa

It had to happen sooner or later. I committed a couple of good deed faux pas today.
First, I held the door of the pharmacy open for an elderly lady pulling one of those wheeled shopping carts.
She stopped in her tracks until I let go of the door and it closed. She then proceeded to reach [...]

Day 100: Peace be with you

You may have noticed I’m not a big planner when it comes to good deeds. I sort of go with the flow and it’s amazing how opportunities for random acts of kindness present themselves on a regular basis.
For Day 100 though, I racked my brain trying to think of something grander than the small gestures [...]

Day 99: Good Friday

Thought I was on to something today — good deed multitasking.
On my way to pick up my mother from an appointment, I decided to drive as considerately as possible (as opposed to my usual “You’d like me to change lanes just to let you pass? Hah!,” style). I signaled politely, let others in ahead [...]

Day 98: Pear of good deeds

It occurred to me today that slowing down a little can be very helpful in the good deed department.
(My sister will have a good laugh over that comment as she already accuses me of moving slower than a one-toed sloth.)
I’ve noticed that taking measured steps instead of hurried ones gives me a little more time [...]

Day 97: Hero sandwich

I made an important discovery today folks. It isn’t unkindness that foils most good deeds — it’s procrastination. And I plan to expand that thought at some point — maybe tomorrow.
This morning, I passed by my Outreach newspaper pal Mr. Singh but didn’t get a paper because I figured, “I’ll catch him later.” But when [...]

Day 96: Merci buckets

Today was all about saying thank you. Lately, I have been making an effort to thank my bus driver, sales clerks and anyone who’s nice enough to hold the door open for me.
So I stepped up my efforts today and even gave a big merci to the French editor who brought Algerian cookies for the [...]

Day 95: Bag lady blues

I rolled up my sleeves today, packed a plastic bag in my pocket and headed out on my daily walk.
No, I don’t have a dog. The plastic bag was to collect as much litter as the bag would hold. And it didn’t take long to fill it up.
What happened to the tidy neighbourhood I used [...]

Day 94: Lean on me

Yesterday, I mentioned the abundance of musical riches I’ve been blessed with over the last few days. So I dropped by a local Port Hope church this morning to say — and sing — a few words of thanks for these blessings. And guess what? More great music.
This music came from a glorious choir whose [...]