Wednesday, December 31, 2008

One Thing

I thought that this was particularly appropriate as we approach the New Year:

What if you could do one thing that would
change your mind
change your attitude
change your day
change your life
change the world—would you do it?

Wondering what that one thing might be?
The answer is amazingly simple.
That Onething is whatever you want it to be.

And, what if that one person were joined by thousands-even millions-of other one persons, each doing just ONE THING toward creating a healthy planet? Guilt, fear and helplessness won't save us, but rolling up our sleeves and pitching in will. Avoid the overwhelm, participate in ONE THING, and experience how good it feels to make a difference.

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, each and every moment of the day there is one thing you can do to honor life, one thing that will honor you and the world you live in. It might be using cloth bags at the grocery store, not driving one day a week, reading a story to a child, or smiling at a stranger. We live in one world. Nothing can happen to you that doesn't happen to me. Nothing can happen to them that doesn't happen to us. For better or worse, we are in this together. Let's make it better.

What will you do?

I'm going to do a random act of kindness every day.

Have a Happy New Year's Eve.

16 comments:

  1. Wow, You've really got me thinking. Thanks for this post Syd. I'm going to try and do a little something everyday to make a difference, even if it is just a smile at a stranger, or making an effort to be pleasent when I check out at a grocery store. You are right, we're all in this together. May you have a wonderful 2009.

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  2. All these assignments you keep giving to me. What shall I do?

    Happy New Year, Syd.

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  3. I'm going to follow the Golden Rule. Treat others I would have them treat me. Even if they don't. Happy new year Syd to you and your family. Glad to know you.

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  4. This is truly beautiful.

    I did start doing something this month that I plan on continuing. I donated 25.00 to help the Hungry.

    I would like to do that each month. As a single mom it might not be MUCH but it is at least something.

    I try to be nice to everyone I meet... and I'm taking Outreach calls (limitedly) .. and other little things of that nature.

    Thank you for your post.

    BettyAnn

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  5. That is very powerful and true!YES!!
    HAppy New Years and thank you for your ongoing suppory Syd you are so kind!

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  6. even better is the platinum rule: treat others the way they want to be treated....

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  7. Looking forward to 2009 with you & the other online friends.!

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  8. Hey I love that idea. I want to think of something I can do.. ??
    ..For some reason I want to see this every day till it sinks into my bones.

    "You can search throughout the entire universe
    for someone who is more deserving of your
    love and affection than you are yourself,
    and that person is not to be found anywhere.
    You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire
    universe deserve your love and affection... "
    Buddha
    (I !! LOVE stuff that the buddha said..)

    I found it here
    http://www.londonbuddhistvihara.org/noticeboard.htm
    Might go for the cloth bag too mind :)

    Hey thanks for dropping by for kind words and birthday wishes :)
    Im sure the universe will continue to treat you well, and I hope more and better things unfold in that non alcoholic head of yours :)
    And thanks for all the posts, and beach pictures!!
    Hope you and Mrs Syd have a great 2009!

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  9. Cool post Syd. Very powerful. I am working tonight but my plan is to sit for awhile and go over some goals for the coming new year. Thanks for giving me a direction to pursue.

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  10. I try to do a random act of kindness each day. I pay for meters or someone's parking or coffee. I like to do things that are random too!

    Thank you for making me think and for being here on the blogosphere!

    I hope that your New Year is blessed!

    G

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  11. That is 'one'derful!!!

    Random acts of kindness are a great way to change the world and your view of it which changes everything about you! That's a lot of wonderful changes that start and grow with one decision!

    Happy New Year!!! Hope it brings you the experience of unconditional love ... one day at a time :)

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  12. Absolutely a wonderful approach to the new year. One thing...well...one thing I am doing is to bring in the new year with meditation. On a daily basis...I will continue to meditate.....and to reach my hand out to an another alcoholic...

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  13. Always a good idea. I love random acts of kindness.

    Have a safe and happy New Year, Syd. See ya next year! yukyukyuk

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  14. Hey, I bought new see-through cloth bags tonight for produce. So now when I go to the store, I need all my big bags and now the little see-through ones.

    And I have to smile at people or I don't look nice.
    :-)

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  15. I'm going to say "I love you" more often. Happy New Year, Syd.

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  16. what a beautiful post on the last day of the year... welcome to 2009dear syd! i think your idea is the best! i'm going to try something i started and didn't go through with last year... do 1 thing differently every day, a different route to work, wear that shirt with a different skirt, say 'you may be right' instead of 'are you nuts', that kind of thing.

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Let me know what you think. I like reading what you have to say.