Cold Head, Warm Heart

"We make a living by what we get.  We  make a life by what we give."

-Winston Churchill

If you've been at all tuned in to social media or even the news the last week or so, you certainly know about the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

As there is with everything that "goes viral", there has been both negative and positive reactions to this trending thread.  It is important to NOT look at this as a trend or fad but to see what it really is all about!  The money; the awareness - people are talking about a debilitating disease that most of us knew nothing about.  A disease that can strike any one of us; a disease that effects as many as 30,000 Americans at any given time; a disease that is not treatable.  

Maybe you are getting annoyed with all the ice bucket challenges in your newsfeed; maybe you were thinking you were going to dodge that nomination and you didn't.  But ask yourself - why are you letting yourself get worked up about something that is helping others?  There are so many terrible and ridiculous events that happen DAILY - we should be rejoicing that we are coming together for a common cause - regardless of our race or sexual orientation or ethnicity or socioeconomic boundaries.  

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge goes hand in hand with Starfish Mondays - be kind and pay it forward.  You never know who you might be helping.

Today's Starfish

I'm sure you've guessed it by now.  For today's starfish, Devon, Sarah and I made our donation to the ALS.  Don't forget to donate!

The No Return Policy

"Love and kindness are never wasted.  They always make a difference.  They bless the one who receives and they bless you, the giver."
-Barbara De Angelis

Kindness is never wasted.  No matter how big, no matter how small - it always makes a difference…. in at least two lives.  Let's give that a moment to sink in.  

How many THINGS do you have that can make a difference like that?  Material things - not that many probably.  Kindness is free - it is a gift to the giver and a gift to the receiver.  You don't have to save up for it and you certainly don't have to ask for a gift receipt.  

There is a no return policy for the gift of kindness.

Today's Starfish

Today, Sarah, Devon and I decided we would focus on being courteous all day - letting people go in front of us in lines and in traffic; spending a few extra seconds spreading joy through our words and body language.  

I asked the girls to write a little blurb about their experience for the blog and want to share these with you:

Sarah -

"Today was our YMCA's 50th Birthday Celebration.  We had cupcakes, water bottles and a balloon launch at 3pm.  I was so excited to get to do my Starfish task today!  I smiled and greeted everyone I met and they were all so friendly back; I could tell they appreciated the sincerity in someone asking how their day was and continuing on the conversation after their response instead of just saying "that's good" and walking away.  I even made balloon animals for the kids!  Their faces just lit up with joy when they got to take home a bunny or a puppy balloon!  Today definitely helped me realize how sometimes we ask how someone's day is going, but never truly listen to the response.  It's helped me really open up to listening and responding in a way that lets the other person know I truly care."

Devon - 

"Isn't it crazy how when you are in a hurry, you are quick to anger?  Someone cuts you off and all hell breaks loose in your car.  Today it was my goal to take some extra time so that I could be courteous to others.  I was able to let several people go ahead of me at the turn.  I parked further away so that it might make someone's day to get a closer parking spot.  Hopefully these little acts impacted others.  Strangely, it really helped me to stay positive because I wasn't pissed off at someone for making me late.  It really is the little things that can make or break your Monday."

Our challenge to you this week - do something like what Devon and Sarah did.  Truly listen to someone when you ask how their day is going.  Park further away and give up your close parking space.  Spread your joy to children because we all know their smiles are contagious.    Let someone out in front of you rather than hurrying on your way.  

Your kindness is never wasted.

Spread Your Bagel, Spread the Joy

"Turn Monday blahs into Monday ahhs." :)


Negativity is contagious.  It is much easier to dwell and complain about the things that are not going our way that it is to talk about things that are actually going smoothly.  It is more interesting (and maybe you'll even get some sympathy) to talk about how you overslept, burnt your toast, spilled your coffee and got stuck in traffic than it is to tell someone that your routine was successful this morning.  I mean, where is the fun in that?!

We get sucked in my others' negativity.  At work, at school at home.  It doesn't matter where you are.  Be aware of this - and also be careful that you aren't the one creating the negative environment.  We have to work hard to create a positive and enjoyable environment for ourselves, ESPECIALLY on Mondays.

Our challenge to you - next time you find yourself around someone with a case of the Mondays, remove yourself completely from the situation.  Go back to your desk and make a list of all the positive things in YOUR life.  Be proactive in choosing your path for the day.

Today's Starfish

As an easy way to help prevent a case of the Mondays for ourselves and our co-workers, we decided to bring bagels to share this morning.  It is always nice to come into work on a Monday morning with a surprise waiting for you.  And maybe they helped turn someone's day around :)

Open Door Policy

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."
-Walt Disney

Curiosity.  What if curiosity didn't exist?  What if we already knew everything that was going to happen to us every day of our lives?  Pretty boring huh?  There would be no wonder; no interest; no fascination.  

No concern about what is behind door #3.  No anticipation about what is in that envelope.  No skepticism; no bewilderment; no perplexity.

Think about life your for a moment.  Are you open to new things?  Are you open to people who may not do things exactly how you would or people who have a different set of beliefs and life experiences? 

Open your door. Fling it wide open.  From now on, live your life with an open door policy - be curious.  Be full of wonder and fascination.  

Be open.


Something Special

Meet Sarah.  Sarah is my oldest friend (we've known each other since we were 4 and 5).  Sarah has been a devoted reader of this blog since it began and currently lives in Kansas.  Sarah is the newest contributor to Starfish Mondays.  She is joining Devon and me and is taking Starfish Mondays to Kansas!  










Today's Starfish

In the spirit of opening doors - to life, to Sarah, to curiosity - today's Starfish was a simple one.  Devon, Sarah and I spent the day opening doors for others.  Holding a door is nothing hard.  But it does cause you to stop.  Look someone in the eye.  Smile.  Maybe exchange a word.  Slow down.  

Our challenge to you - Spend an entire day letting others go ahead of you.  Open a door.  Find that curiosity in life.  Have the courage to step through that open door that is waiting for you.  Remember, open door policy.