Pay It Forward

Last night, I was flipping through Facebook when I came across a post from an old friend from my BYU Hawaii days. 

Here is what the post said: 

To start this year in a loving way, I'm participating in a pay-it-forward initiative: the first 5 people who comment on this status with "I'm in" will receive a surprise from me at some point during this calendar year - anything from a book or a ticket to something homegrown or handmade, a postcard, absolutely any surprise. There will be no warning and it will happen when the mood comes over me and I find something I believe would suit you and make you happy.
These 5 people must make the same offer in their FB status. Copy this text to your profile (don't share) so we can form a web of connection and kindness.
Let's do more loving things for each other in 2014, without any reason other than to make people smile and show that we think of each other. Here's to a more enjoyable, more friendly and love-filled year.

{via}

How completely wonderful is this?!? This is exactly the positivity that I need in my life right now. I added my comment to her post, and I copied and pasted on my Facebook page. And then I thought why stop there? 

I want to bring this project over to the blogging world. I encourage all of you to join in this Pay-It-Forward initiative. 

If you want to participate, here's what you do: 

The same rules as above will apply for the blogging world. {I've changed a few of the words around for those that want to post it on your own blog!} 

To start this year in a loving way, I'm participating in a pay-it-forward initiative: the first 5 people who comment on this post with "I'm in" will receive a surprise from me at some point during this calendar year - anything from a book or a ticket to something homegrown or handmade, a postcard, absolutely any surprise. There will be no warning and it will happen when the mood comes over me and I find something I believe would suit you and make you happy.
These 5 people must make the same offer in a blog post of their own. Copy this text to your post and let the giving begin.
Let's do more loving things for each other in 2014, without any reason other than to make people smile and show that we think of each other. Here's to a more enjoyable, more friendly and love-filled year.

Your Pay-It-Forward acts can be any size you want. The whole point is to give back to others- there is no price tag. Don't let budget stop you from participating! It's the thought that counts with this. I hope you guys are with me on this. I think this could be an amazing thing if we work together and use our blogging connections to get this initiative out! 

*Note: For Our Lives Are An Open Blog, this is open to both international and domestic readers! Don't let your address stand in the way of leaving me lovely comments. :) 

Happy Weekend! 

If you want to share your participation through Twitter (@afahey14) or Instagram (afahey14) make sure to tag me and use #payitforward 

My Month RACK (Random Act of Kindness)

If you remember, I am dedicating the 14th of every month to completing a Random Act of Kindness. 

This month I actually did my Random Act a little early, but I figured it's not so much about the date as the act itself. 

The other day I pulled into Foodland and saw a guy that looked a little down and had a sign that said he was hungry and needed food. 

I went into the store and got my groceries, and while checking out I picked up a Foodland gift card. It wasn't a huge amount, but I felt like it was the right thing to do. 

My plan was to give him the card and go home, but after handing him the card I decided to go to Subway and get him a sandwich. So in we went to Subway, and I bought him a sandwich, chips, and a drink. 

And I felt really good after doing this. So far my RACKS have been pretty third party or anonymous because that's what I felt it should be, and because I tend to avoid human contact whenever possible. 

But I am SO glad I did this. In a normal situation, I would probably ignore the guy (as bad as that sounds). 

After I bought the sandwich and he had the gift card, I could tell he was really happy. And I really felt as if I made a difference that day. 

I would encourage all of you to complete a RACK sometime! And make sure to share! 

RACKS (Random Acts of Kindness) Month 3

I must admit with all the stuff going on this month (Matt's family in town, graduation, the graduation party, etc.) I completely forgot about my RACK of the month. 

But I am proud to say that one of my students did not forget! 

On the 14th I got this picture in an e-mail: 

It made me feel so good that my student didn't forget to give back a little this month! 

I was also doing some Facebook stalking and I came across this picture: 

This is a picture of the first RACK I did this year! Someone that I gave it to thought it was great enough to post a picture of it! 

My Monthly RACK (random act of kindness)

If you don't remember, I am dedicating the 14th of every month to RACKs (random act of kindness). 

This month, I challenged my students to join me in my RACKs. And I was so surprised to see so many students showing up with their little random acts. 

Some wrote sweet notes to their friends, gave candy, wrote a note and gave it to a teacher, stuck some money in an envelope... the random acts go on and on! 

I am so proud of my students. I hope to continue this through the rest of the school year. 

And what did I do this month? 

I grabbed some Jamba Juice gift cards, wrote this little note, and stuck it in the mailboxes of some of my co-workers. Just something a little small, but I am two for two so far. And I am loving it!

I encourage you to try completing some RACKs. You will feel awesome! 

If you want an idea, check out this treat plate tutorial from 30Handmade days (the blog that inspired me to keep going with my RACKs). 

{image via} 

I think this would be great to make and pass along to my neighbors. To add to this idea, you could write your name on the back of the plate, and every time it is passed a name is added- kinda like a timeline for the plate! 

Enjoy! 

Loving More and Random Acts of Kindness Month 1

Throughout the month of December, Matt and I really tried to take part in completing RACKS (otherwise known as Random Acts of Kindness). When December was over we realized we didn't want to stop, but we hadn't done anything since the holidays were over. 

Then I came across this blog post from Thirty Handmade Days. In January she sent out a challenge for people to commit RACKs in honor of her son's 13th birthday. And she got tons of people messaging pictures and e-mails of the acts they completed that day. 

She had such a blast that day she has decided to dedicate the 14th of every month to RACKs, and she has challenged everyone to join her. {She even created a free RACK tag for you to use!} 

Needless to say this is exactly what I was looking for!  I have taken the challenge and I am excited to get started! 

I saw this printable with the phrase "Love More". And I fell in love with it. Sometimes we get in the habit of just rushing through life and often times not thinking of others. 

This phrase "Love More" fits perfectly with the RACK challenge. 

This year I am going to try to Love More and really think of others while I am going through my days. 

Since the 14th of this month landed on Valentine's Day, I wanted to give some special people a Valentine's Day treat. 

There is a couple that go to church with us, and they had their first baby a few months ago. For the last couple of weeks, I have seen them at church and I can tell they really love their new baby. But I also noticed that they look a little bit tired- not a bad tired, just a we have to continue our classes and work and take care of our baby kinda way. 

I felt like I should do something to help them out and one thing kept popping into my head: Offer to watch their baby. And I kept pushing it aside. I mean, I know this couple, but I don't KNOW this couple. And I have never held their baby- let alone babysat it! 

But the thought kept popping in and I knew I needed to offer to watch their baby. 

Last Sunday, I asked if they had anyone lined up to watch their baby for Valentine's Day and she replied "No." 

In which I said: "Okay, you two pick a date and Matt and I will watch the baby." 

Wife: "Are you sure." 

Me: "Yes, of course." 

Wife: "What is your rate?"

Me: (with a confused look) My rate? .... Oh my rate... Free!" 

Wife: (with tears in her eyes) "Are you serious." 

Me: "Yes- pick a date and let me know. 

Seriously, the best feeling ever. I am so excited that this young couple gets to go out and have some fun. And I get to take care of a baby for a couple hours! 

*I also wanted to do something small for some others that are around us. So I decided to make candy goodie bags and give them to our neighbors. 

I am pretty excited to hand them out tomorrow. I think I am going to just leave them at their door so they are more anonymous. {Although, if you happen to read this, and you happen to be my neighbor, and you happen to get a bag of candy- I guess the surprise is ruined.} 

Here is how they turned out: 

{I didn't have time to print the free printable, so I just made my own version. I will print them next time.}

I encourage you all to try to complete at least one RACK this year, and then share it with me!