Apr 3, 2015

Five Good Turns | Friday Five

Today is Good Friday. While not all observe it, or may even know what it is, we can all agree good is good, right? Well, this week's Friday Five linkup topic is all about that. Small good acts, large good acts, all matter. Doing a little good in the world keeps the human spirit alive. For this post, I'm going to throw out some things you can do for that. I understand some of these can fall under "I'm not they're mother, I'm not cleaning up after them" but they're just varying suggestions. The heart of this is to have your heart in it. Find your own way. This week's topic is


Five Good Turns

1. Hold a Door

We'll start small. Hold a door open for someone. I don't mean when you're the first in a line of people stop to hold the door, though that's good too. I mean stop and hold the door for someone in a situation where it will require you to hold up for a second for them.  Pause and wait for them to get there and hold the door. Slow down from the rush for someone else.

2. Help Someone Who Needs It

It happens, you see the person struggling to carry their box with two bags and a ball on top. Offer to help them carry their stuff. You see the person who just dropped everything all over the floor? Take a moment and help them gather it all up. If you can see that they need help, go give them some.

3. Pick Up that Trash

This one can easily be applied to running but also anywhere. We all see it, all the garbage down the road way, mess on the sidewalk, maybe even mess by the trashcan at work. Do everyone a little favor and pick that cup up. Use, cleaning up the streets, you should consider gloves and I understand you also don't want to carry a discarded McDonald's cup for 20 miles, but you get the point that I make. That paper towel that didn't make it into the trashcan? You can pick that up, can't you.

4. Spread Good Words

This one falls under the "things you hear on the internet". The person you just left a small note to a stranger saying they appreciated something they did, or to tell them they're a good person and to have a good day. How nice would it be to get one of those sometimes? Just to have a little note that reminded you "You're a good person. Make it a great day." Why not be that person that leaves that note? Yeah, this is a comfort zone one, but I did say "varying suggestions".

5. Help a Runner Out

This IS a running related blog so I had to put one for the runners. Help another runner out. Take you're old but still usable running shoes to your local running store. I will bet you that they have a way to donate them to others. They don't have to be your $120 running shoes either. They can be your $30 trainers you didn't buy specifically for your 10 mile training runs. Or how about donating to a running friend raising money with the miles they're running for a charity? There is plenty of that going around that goes to some pretty great causes. It's on my list to do it for a future race of mine as well.

Or how about helping a runner make their dream come true? Ok, this one is less idea and more concrete. I have a friend who qualified for the Duathlon World Championships by placing 15th overall at Nationals. She's also undefeated in NJ since 2013. She deserves to be there. However, Worlds is in Australia, so she needs help to make the dream happen. You can go read her story, I can vouch it's true. If you feel like giving, consider giving some to her. Even a couple of dollars can add up. Go help Tiff, and make her Dream Come True.

Challenge

I really like this week's topic, because I am an Eagle Scout. The slogan of the Boy Scouts is "Do a Good Turn Daily." This is where this week's title comes from. It's something important to remember. The Boy Scout Handbook explains how their are big Good Turns, but also many are simply "small, thoughtful acts" I really like the way the also say it in the Handbook "A Good Turn is more than simple good manners. It is a special act of kindness." I challenge you to go out and do your Good Turn today. If you like it, do it daily.




Linking Up


Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: CourtneyCynthia and Mar. Check their posts (Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up for What?! and Mar on the Run to see the full set of links). I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!


Our hosts:

You Signed Up for What?!

Mar on the Run

Eat, Pray, Run DC


Some other good reads, pulled from the link up:

Fairytales and Fitness - Five Good Things Runners Enjoy

Gretch Runs - Five Happy Things

Running with Diapers - Five Good Food Practices


21 comments:

  1. This is SO great, John; thanks for the reminder to be a good human being, because I certainly forget sometimes and get caught up in the negative things in the world. I do enjoy contributing to those who are running for charities; we have a lot of local runners who raise money for St. Jude's Children's Hospital, which is a great cause. Thanks so much and I hope you have a great weekend!

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    1. Yeah. It's easy to get lost in but important to remember the good. I love when I see runners raising money for so many great causes.

      Hope you have a great weekend too!

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  2. I absolutely love this! I believe in doing a good deed every day- especially little things like you mentioned. Why not spread a little joy and happiness around? I love this post and really appreciate you linking to my post! Have a great Easter weekend :)

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    1. The little things can make a big difference. I enjoyed yours and always try to pick a couple others to link to. Enjoy to share the love. Have a great one too!

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  3. What a great post! There are so many small things we can do to be polite and to make someone's day. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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  4. You ar such a good person! In honor of you, I am going to do at least 3 things form your list today!

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  5. I love this! I can still remember, years and years ago, when someone left a very kind note on my car. It made me smile that someone just had kind words for me just for the heck of it. Practice Kindness Every Single Day! Have yourself a super wonderful weekend!

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    1. That's very cool that you can still remember that and it can make you smile. Great attitude!

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  6. I always try to hold the door for someone when I can. It's the small gesture that make a huge difference. -L

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  7. Great post! It's all about being kind and treating others as we want to be treated, right?

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  8. Great reminders and I agree with every single one !

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  10. Every one of your points just shows that you're an all-around good and considerate guy!

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  11. Great post John - during races I try to make an effort to throw away my water cup. This past Friday I was really impressed with all the runners who threw away their cups in the bin, hardly any on the ground when I got to it!

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    1. Yeah. I usually make my path go by a bin when available or at least with the rest, off to the side of the road for easy clean up. Sometimes there isn't anywhere to put it, but can at least keep it off of the road where you're running and make it easy to clean up later instead of a quarter mile down the road.

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