Second of all, my big sister and best friend since birth, Jenny, is getting married in 3 days. That's crazy. (Yes, there will be a post on this.)
Ok now onto today's post.
So I don't really know how to introduce this post, but here goes a random blurb as to why I am going to tell you the following things. Recently I have been making a list of things I do. This seems extremely vague I am aware, but it is not a list of things like brush my teeth, wash my sheets, or buy toilet paper, it is entirely different and much more personal. It is a list of things that I feel like I want to share with you guys just because. Each of these things has brought me or others joy at some point in my life. They are simple things. None of them take a lot of money or time. None of them cause you to have to go out of your way. None of them are difficult. But all are things people do not do typically, and if you do, you're cool. Just saying. So yeah. That's kind of an intro... right? :)
So here is the first 8 things on my list:
1) Carry a $1 bill or lose change in your pocket for the purpose of tipping street performers or drop in the buckets of the bell ringers at Christmas time. I was convicted about this back in December. A lot of times I found myself avoiding the entrances to the grocery store with the bell ringers in front of them, why? I don't really know. I don't make a lot of money, but I can definitely give a dollar to the bell ringing once I week. So why avoid it? Since I couldn't come up with a good reason, I figured there probably wasn't one. So now I always carry a dollar or coins to give in these type of situations. Instead of ducking your head or pulling your phone out when passing the stranger ringing the bell, give them a dollar, ask them their story. I haven't regretted this decision once.
2) Try new restaurants. Try the dives. This is something that my dad taught me. We had a tradition of going to lunch at new places as often as we could. It led to us finding hundreds of different places that we loved! I am going to tell you something you have heard before but refuse to believe because it means stepping out of your comfort zones. Dives and diners are the best places to eat at. Chain restaurants are not good in comparison. Seriously. If you compared a locally owned dive on main street to Chili's, you would probably never eat at a Chili's again. Sorry. It's true. Do NOT judge a restaurant by the street front, or the look of the outside of the building. Yes, taking into account the health rating can be important, but seriously. BRANCH OUT PEOPLE! If you wanna try a new place and need some encouragement, I would love to go with you :)
3) Tip the pizza guy or girl. They brought you your pizza. You didn't have to leave your house. Do it. And tip them well. You would have to spend the gas money normally and lose time working on other things. It is worth it, and they'll thank you :)
4) Greet the Walmart Greeters. It is their job to greet you, but how many people do you think look at them with a smile and say, "Hello! How are you?" and actually listen to their answer. If you aren't in a hurry, maybe you can ask them their story. I am friends with all of the Walmart greeters at my local Walmart. (Note: I got this from my dad too, he always knew everyone, and now I do too)
5) Dance in the car, and when the person in the car next to you stares at you, smile, turn up the music, and keep dancing. Trust me, it will make them smile, and about 75% of them will start dancing with you, and it will make both of your days.
6) Take a lot of pictures. This is something I get from my mom. People tend to be annoyed by "foodies" on instagram and things of that sort, but, who cares? If you want to remember the time you and your sister tried out the new mexican grill, and ending up eating there three times in a week, take the picture. If you want to document the 173rd time you climbed the local mountain, DO IT! Who cares if it is something you do every week? You climbed that sucker 173 times, good for you! Seriously, you will almost never regret taking a picture of something happening in your life, but you are likely to regret not taking a photo of you and the firemen who bought you a sandwich. Note: People often say that if you are too busy taking pictures you will forget to enjoy the moment, but I don't really think this is true. A photo takes maybe 18 seconds to take, and then not only do you get to keep living the moment, but you also get to remember if for as long as that picture exists.
7) Be friend with your local Starbucks barista's. They're really cool. So this works for other places too, but for me it is Starbucks. Instead of just buying coffee and leaving as soon as possible, talk to the people who make your coffee. Like I said, they're really cool. They have really great stories too. I am friends on Facebook with at least half of the barista's from my Starbucks, and seriously, they make me laugh soo much! That and it is really cool to be a usual at a place. The first time they say, "Hey you want *insert your usual drink here*", and you say yes, it is like magic, trust me.
8) Leave your mark. This one sounds a little vague, but only because I want you guys to be creative with this. Some of the ways I do this is by carrying post it notes and a pen with me at all times. I love barnes and noble, I could spend days in there without thinking about it, I often will go and read an entire book while sitting there. If I enjoy the book, I will write out a post it that says something like, "This book has so much wisdom in it, I really hope you enjoy it as much as I did!" or "Don't be afraid to laugh out loud when reading this, because yes, it is funny, and that's ok." Another way I leave my mark is by leaving notes on peoples cars. Do I know the people? No. Do I have any clue who these people are or what their stories are? Almost never. But I still write, "I hope you have a wonderful day" or "Keep smiling" on a post it and stick it to someones windshield, and then park a few cars away and watch their reactions. They're priceless.
So those are some of the things I do. Random? Mostly. Effective? Always.
I know that was long, but I thought it might be fun for you guys to read some of the things I do that make my life better. Please try some of these and tell me about it! If you have things like this you do, tell me about them in the comments, I would love to try some of your Always things.