2009 LASTING IMPRESSION

Dear Friends:

Over the past year, I witnessed many kind deeds and random acts. I participated in outreach projects that I know had a positive impact. I researched others that truly left me amazed.

I've listed some of those in my other 2009 wrap up blog called RANDOM ACTS of 2009.

Today's blog is about one individual who left a lasting impression. It is about one individual who truly captured the essence of what Random Acts and Paying it Forward is really all about. Her name is Brenda and she was the cashier in the "under 20 items" checkout line at a local Walmart on Christmas Eve.

Here's the story:

Walmart was jam packed on Christmas Eve--full of shoppers, like myself who had either procrastinated or thought of a few last minute items they simply could not do without. I was a procrastinator and a last minute shopper. I also was on a very limited budget. I had only $25 to spend.

I went through the food item isles as fast as I could and put as little as possible into the cart. It was a last minute decision for me to prepare the holiday meal only because my sons employer had given him a turkey. Now I was trying to get all the side dishes on a small amount of cash.
I crept to the isle with the shortest line somehow knowing what was in my cart would exceed the amount in my wallet. Instinctively I seperated the "must haves" from the "wanted" items figuring I would ask the clerk to subtotal at the end of the first group.

The line was long . . . As I waited a box of chocolates caught my eye. Not for me--but a friend was away on business and would not be able to see his mom for Christmas. I should get her the candy, I decided. I shifted a couple "must have" items to the wants and placed the small bosx of candy in their place.

It was finally my turn and I cringed as the clerk began to total up my items.

"I'm sorry," I said in advance--first to the check out clerk and then to the impatient shoppers waiting in line behind me.

"I know I've gone over," I explained. "If you would just subtotal what's on the counter then I'll know if I can get whats in the cart . . . "

The cashier obliged. The items on the counter came to $24.90--leaving me only a dime to spare.
There was no way I could get the items in the cart. I apologized again and told the cashier I would not be able to get the extra items.

"I'll take them," she said.

I began handing her the items. She proceeded to ring them up.

"No, no." I corrected. "I said I would not be able to get these items."

"I know," she rsponded. "I've got them."

"You don't understand . . . " I insisted.

"Yes, I do," she back-fired while pulling her own credit card out from her apron pocket.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Its a gift," she responded with a gigantic smile. "Merry Christmas."

I started to say I'd pay her back but she shook her head and said, "Its a gift."

I fought back a tear. As I stood with my cart waiting for a friend, I watched this same cashier
give "gifts" to atleast three other customers. Suddenly the act of giving, Christmas and paying it forward took on a whole new light.

May we all be more giving over the next year--at Christmas and always.

Blessings,
Cindi (aka Poetic Justice)

JOIN THE GIFT REVOLUTION

Dear Friends:

This year numerous churches, businesses, families and individuals have joined the "Gift Revolution".

What does that mean and how does it differ from typical holiday giving? Let me try to explain . .

The Gift Revolution is not about purchasing a one-time gift--it is all about developing a habit or a lifestyle of giving. Addiction specialists know it takes 28 days to change behavior or to break a bad habit. The Gift Revolution calls for a month of developing a good habit--that of a giving lifestyle based on the concept of paying it forward.

Several years ago a movie came out entitled "Pay it Forward". In the film a young boy was faced with a challenging school assignment. He was asked to develop an idea with the potential to change the world. His idea was to start a "Random Acts of Kindness" revolution using the same mathematical formula sales moguls have applied for years. The premise went like this: If the boy did three random acts for three total strangers and each stranger did three acts for three others and so on, the impact would be tremendous.

The Gift Revolution calls for participants to develop a lifestyle of giving that requires simple acts of kindness (or giving)--once a day throughout the month of December.When a participant does an act of giving they encourage the recipient to follow suit.

This movement was launched by a network of like-minded people who came together in a collaborative effort to create a movement which is quickly gaining support all across the world.

To participate is simple: Just visit the official Gift Reveolution website at www.thegiftrevolution.com. Once there, you can order some gift cards to hand out as you go about doing good deeds and distributing gifts. Remember, your gift does not have to be costly. You can give service or time. Be creative. As you commit some random acts of giving, distribute your gift cards to those who receive your efforts, then post your videos and stories online at the Gift Revolution website. This way, the impact of this revolution can be measured and shared around the globe.

One story currently posted on the website is an account of two ladies whose husbands are deployed who decided to go to Taco Bell for dinner and were amazed when the cashier told them the previous customer had paid for their meals. Another story is from a 20-year-old in Jacksonville, NC who said she makes gift baskets each Christmas to distribute at a nearby Veteran's Hospital.

There are plenty of ways you can join this year's Gift Revolution just by doing some small kind act for someone else while expecting nothing in return. Remember, it taks about a month to change behavior for better or for worse. If you start today perhaps the act of giving will carry with you throughout the New Year as well.