Random Acts of Kindness II

So to get more specific about the contest, I am looking for stories about something you have done, something you have witnessed or something you have received as a random act of kindness. Maybe you know of someone special who constantly gives freely of themselves and is always looking out for other people's needs...

I had a great discussion going on my facebook fan page and then realized that facebook is NOT friendly toward give-aways, anyway, here are the comments so far:

from Krista:
Like you, I am inspired by "random kindness". Often times, senior citizens are lonely so I honestly try to chat, smile and just listen to a senior citizen whenever I have the chance. I work in the public sector and love to chat and joke with them. Smiling at someone goes a long way!! For some people, your smile can make their day! So, whenever you can.... smile, listen and laugh ...... and just be nice to people, in general! Jewel said it best in her hit song .... "In the End, only kindness matters". This is my personal motto and I always try to remember that!
Have a great day and I think you have a great thing going here.
I can imagine that you will certainly make someone's day by sending them some of your beautiful work.

Something else that I do on a regular basis is pay for the person's coffee that is behind you in the drive through line at my local coffee shop. This happened to me once and since then I try to return to favour at least once a month. Really, what is a couple of dollars, but its make the receipent smile. Remember to "pay it forward".
:), K

From Mariana:
This may not seem like much, but the results are surprising: I make sure that whenever I pay a cashier (especially at the drive-thru window, but really all cashiers) that I make eye-contact and smile at them as I thank them. If I have the chance to say something encouraging I do that too, but you would be amazed how their spirits lift just from getting actual eye contact.

I can't wait to see what everyone else posts!

My facebook fans and blogging followers (well, OK, so I don't have much of a following yet...) will vote on the best responses.

The winner will be announced November 13, World Kindness Day, and will receive something special from Songbird Gardens!

A sample of my new creations

New Rose Earrings
New Modern Garden Pendant


Fairy Wand











Orange Briolette Chandelier Earrings






Polymer Clay is AWESOME. I have been making everything from fairy wands to jewelry using this fantastic medium. I am inspired by my kids and by nature, of course.
Finding time to create is a challenge to say the least.
I work full time and have a wonderful family to take care of as well. Sometimes I long to create something, but I have to give into the fact that my inspiration will just have to wait.
That is so frustrating.
Like most intuitive, creative people, "scheduled creative time" is like an oxymoron. We are go-with-the-flow...not structure and limitation.

If I feel I only have a small block of time to work with, I freeze! I sit there with hundred of ideas flying through my head and I try to figure out which one is do-able in that allotted amount of time. Ugh, forget it!

Trying to squeeze time in to create is difficult, but when it happens, it like magic. I just get in the zone and stay there for hours...turning out creative ideas and loving every minute of it.

I also am working on a fairy story. This would be my very first book and it is a daunting task, but I am writing it because my heart has a story to tell. I do not mind if it will take time to get it right (I have been working on my 1st draft for a year).

Anyway, I want to blog about my adventures in crafting. The highs and the lows...sharing what I find and what successes come my way.

Join me in this journey! If you are a crafting mama like me, no doubt we struggle with many of the same things.

Talk to you soon,
Sonja

Songbird Gardens
www.songbird1.etsy.com

Kids are AWESOME

You know...I mentioned how busy I have been and how distracted I have been....
I find myself rushing through each day, hardly taking a breath at times, just trying to push through. I wonder- what am I pushing through for? Where am I trying to go??

I am reminded to just take in each moment, even when I am stressed to the max, by my precious daughter who looks at the world with fresh, new eyes. Her soft heart and open mind take it all in- making old things new.

Just the other day, we were walking to the mailbox, and of course I was trying to go as quickly as possible because I had so many chores to do. She stopped when she saw a dandelion and exclaimed "Mama! A flower! Look this one if for wishing!" I turned and saw the sheer delight in her face and so I told her to make a wish. We kept walking and she was just behind me. I heard her say very softly, "I wish that mama would make a cake today- with strawberry icing. I really like cake". Then she blew the tiny seeds to the wind.

Those soft words melted my heart! I thought: THIS is what it is all about. THIS minute has a chance to become immortal in our memories. I have to submit to each minute, each situation individually, even when my body seems to tremble with pressure, and give in to the fact that before I am anything aside from a child loved by God, I am a mama. That is my priority. That is my mission right now.

Sometimes I am captured by the American dream which can so easily turn into a nightmare. I feel like I am not doing enough...like I am missing out...like I should be doing something more substantial, when REALLY all I am supposed to be doing is joining my daughter in her wish making and baking strawberry cake.

:-D