Tag Archives: bottle return

Doing Mitzvahs

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Last week, I invited you to join me in doing a mitzvah each week.

How is it going? Have you had any mitzvah moments this week? Any small change in your focus or attention on doing your part to make this world a better place.

I volunteered to answer phones during the OPB winter fundraiser. I hadn’t volunteered for this job in more than ten years. My shift began at 6:30am and I invited my mom to join me! Donation information was no longer taken by volunteers on a paper with pencil, it was all computerized and pretty easy to use. I realized that I loved answering those phones and I promised myself, I wouldn’t wait another ten years to volunteer there again. I also received the best kind of a mitzvah a parent can get, a compliment about my child from his teacher. Sometimes, in this life of raising kids, when your not always sure how it’s going, those comments are a gift! This teacher’s comment made me smile ear to ear all day long.

So what about you? What actions did you give or receive this week that made you smile?

Here are a couple of suggestions for this week that center around the grocery store… see if you can put one of these into action…

Offer to carry someone’s bags to their car

Let someone go in front of you who only has an item or two

Bring your bottles to the bottle return and donate the money

Drop a few coins into the coin canisters at the register for a local non-profit organization

I learned this week that Loaves & Fishes Centers, who serve the greater metropolitan Portland area by feeding 5,000 seniors each day in their 34 centers, raises over $20,000 in those coin canisters each year. Enough to feed their entire client population for a day. That is no chump change! So go ahead and put your loose change in a non-profit canister today!

Remember though your small act of kindness may seem simple, it is like throwing a pebble into a still lake, the ripple continues even after that initial contact.

I’d love to hear your stories!

A few simple mitzvahs this week

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531) Held the door for a man with several packages in his hands entering a building. I also had three items piled in one hand but had the other hand free. I literally saw the smile on his face as he laughed while one encumbered person held the door for another.

532) A class my kids attend was canceled today (note on the door) once we arrived, I immediately called a friend whose daughter attends the next class so she wouldn’t need to show up to read about the canceled class too.

533) Today, I did a crazy thing. I stopped by our local fire station and gave the firemen all small gifts from the products I distribute. I thanked them for what they do and told them about the silent prayer my son and I say when we hear the fire trucks or ambulances.  It was fun and I enjoyed saying thank you for the hard work they do each day.

534) Sorted all of our glass recycling today and brought the ones good for a deposit to the store to be donated for the bottle drive for our elementary school.

535) I know I haven’t written about this in a while, but since I started this blog I have gotten so good at remembering my own reusable bags where ever I go. I feel really great each time I reuse one of my bags and know that I continue to do earth mitzvahs each day. I try to make it the rare exception when I actually need to use a new bag from a store.

536) Wrote to thank a colleague for a job well done this week.

537) I am working each day to be the most polite driver I can be. I let people in whenever possible especially when I see others not doing that. Portland, Oregon is a world away from Boston, Massachusetts where I grew up and usually other drivers here are polite to each other. I know when I am not rushing through my day it is easier to allow others this opportunity but when I am late I know that my manners as a driver go out the window.   Another good reason to slow down our pace of life when possible.

Yesterday’s mitzvahs

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260) Returned a huge group of bottles to the supermarket and gave the money to our daughter’s school.

261) Volunteered at Dress For Success as a personal shopper.

262) I had written a bio for a friend a few weeks ago who was being honored at a local breakfast. Her mom had come to surprise her and asked if I could email her the bio. I had to coordinate with someone else who had finalized the information, finally last night I sent it to her mom.

263) Gave a friend’s daughter a ride home after school.

Finished my first 50 mitzvahs…

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47) Referred a friend to someone who can help her find a new job.

48) Gave a friend’s daughter a ride home after school since my friend was sick.

49) Donated the money from our bottle return to my daughter’s elementary school. When I mentioned this to my husband he thought the mitzvah should be his since he drank all that was in those bottles, of course I was the one to sort them and bring them to the store. I guess we both get  mitzvah credit for this one. :-)

50) Sent a get well card to the founder of the company I have been part of for the last 5 years. Although I haven’t met him personally, his vision for our company has been tremendous. It is a company that has taught me to feel empowered in my life. I have learned that personal growth is important and that our thoughts effect our actions. I wanted to let the founder know that during his illness I would send prayers to him and thanked him for his incredible vision.

This brings me to another thought. Last week I received two cards. One from a dear friend who is the mother of three small children and the other from a client of mine. Both cards were heartfelt and special. When you are thinking about someone be sure to take the moment to let them know it. Often we don’t do that and the opportunity passes. I was so grateful to know that both of these women thought of me and was touched that each had sent me a card to let me know it. It’s the easiest mitzvah I know. So send a card or call someone you love and let them know it.