Jan 5 - Connect two friends or acquaintances that you believe could help each other, or who might hit it off romantically.

   Has a friend or coworker ever made an introduction for you that changed your life? If so, how did it help your life for the better?

   What might have happened (or not have happened) if not for this introduction?

A coworker helped initiate HCBF and I! Who knows where I would be if they hadn't done that

Jan 6 - Carry with you one thing that someone else may need so that you can help them out should the opportunity arise.

   What type of things do you often need throughout the day? Do you have any of these items in your home?

   Has someone ever offered you something they had on hand that helped you out?  Why did you appreciate this?

Thanks for posting these Diane, I have been reading!  

I have taken to carrying feminine products with me since DD started her period.  Someone did ask me if I had any once, for her daughter!    Other than that, people ask me for change often.  Oh, and jumper cables once, which I always have in my car!

For yesterday's question, I would love to be able to introduce Sandy (from these forums) and my fast co-worker, Mr. Math.   

Thanks for posting these Diane, I have been reading!  

 

I have taken to carrying feminine products with me since DD started her period.  Someone did ask me if I had any once, for her daughter!    Other than that, people ask me for change often.  Oh, and jumper cables once, which I always have in my car!

 

For yesterday's question, I would love to be able to introduce Sandy (from these forums) and my fast co-worker, Mr. Math.   

You are welcome.  I've been enjoying the responses.

Jan 7 - Write down one to three choices that often compromise your ability to be kind, and for each, one productive thing you can do today to address that issue.

Oh this took some thinking -

1. Anxiety for SURE. Running helps this..if its a rest day and my anxiety is through the roof (and I take it out on everyone especially HCBF sometimes)- I try to remember to just take a minute and calm down before I go crazy. Its tough sometimes.

2. Hatred for my job - this affects a lot. Hating somewhere you have to be 8 hours a day 40 days a week can put you in a sour mood. I try to get through the day as positive as I can but sometimes my mood affects others I work with. This is a work in progress. I am trying to find a new job - thats productive right?

3. Routine! I am so damned routined that if something gets in the way of it..I could lose it (and have before). HCBF helps this a lot though..he is not routined - it's starting to rub off on me   Its okay if its not on "the schedule". This is another work in progress.

As for yesterdays...people don't really ask me for much other than work crap.. My co-worker and HCBF always ask for ibuprofen or tums. I carry them around just for those 2

I've missed these being mostly away from the internet the first week of the year, but now that I've caught up (love reading the questions/ideas and all the responses) I'm ready to jump in.

Jan 7 - Write down one to three choices that often compromise your ability to be kind, and for each, one productive thing you can do today to address that issue.

I would say my shyness/introvert personality. I don't often speak up, but am trying to do it more. I've realized lately that a kind word or compliment, even from a stranger, will lift my mood all day long. So I've been trying to be more observant of others and telling them when I notice something good or impressive from them. Mostly so far with people I know, like DH, neighbors and my running people. I started with DH (telling him I love how he makes me laugh, etc. when he does something good). Getting out of my comfort zone and being put in a leadership position helped me realize this and hopefully get better at it. I'm a lot more likely to tell someone they are doing good - reminding them they thought 6 miles was impossible a couple months ago and just ran 12, pointing out another runner's mental toughness towards the end of a run to the group (in her presence), etc. Now that I'm more comfortable doing that, I think I'll try it with others, maybe even random strangers.

Jan 8 - Today when someone does something that annoys or inconveniences you, chose to cut them slack instead of giving them a hard time.

   Do you often feel the need to let people know when they've annoyed or inconvenienced you - and if so why?

   What does this accomplish?

   What would you need to tell yourself to be able to let it go instead?

Really? You are asking me to cut mammal some slack!? LOL.

I don’t usually let people know they are irritating me but I have a hard time hiding facial expressions. I think they know. It doesn’t accomplish anything and makes me look like a bitch. Ha, I am working on it. Sometimes its hard to hold it back! I need to just take a deep breath and walk away and then come back and try again. I do that with emails sometimes – type up my angered response and then come back to it later and delete almost all of it.

I normally try to find ways to make people's lives easier (or work) but some are reticent to receive suggestions, so I have not done it in a while.  Time to look for someone here today to help!