Tired of New Year's Resolutions? Try This Instead . . .

   

     As another year grinds to a halt, many of us feel obligated to honor the new year with the tradition of setting New Year's Resolutions for ourselves. Maybe they are the same tired ones that somehow get forgotten by January 15th of each year.  For a fresh spin, why not make 2016 (at least a portion of it) about thinking of others instead of simply vowing to lose that same fifteen pounds? More specifically, how about doing random acts of kindness for others? Listed below are some ideas to consider:

1. Smile at strangers on the street. 
2. Let someone into your lane (without a hand gesture or honk).
3. Talk to that shy person sitting at the party. 
4. Let the person in the store with just a few items go ahead of you.
5. Leave sticky notes with "Hi, have a nice day" (or something similar) on random public restroom mirrors.
6. Give someone a sincere compliment.
7. Hold the elevator for someone.
8. Drop off pet food/supplies at the animal shelter. (Blankets and towels you no longer need are helpful too.)
9. Make that $1 donation at the check out when asked. (You know they hate asking.)
10. Have a clean-up party at the local park/lake.
11. Slip a dollar into a book and put it back on the shelf at the bookstore. (Make it a five if you're feeling generous.)
12. Put your phone away during dinner with your spouse or friend.
13. Donate that stack of read magazines to your local library or hospital.
14. Help that mom with the stroller open the door. (Bonus points if the child is screaming.)
15. Give up the closest parking space to the driver that's racing you for it. (Tough one, I know.)
16. Be the one that brings the doughnuts to the office.
17. Wrangle that loose buggy in the parking lot and put it in the designated area.
18. Give an umbrella/rain coat to a homeless person.
19. Donate blood.
20. Plant a tree.

     Happy New Year!  May 2016 be the best one yet!

Excerpt from Current Work in Progress

In the Shadows

     Josh hid like a scared animal when things got bad. I knew most of his hiding places by now. I found him in the old boathouse down by Mouse Lake this time. Oily green water lapped at the edges of the rickety doorway, and spiderwebs netted across my face as I peeked inside. The smell of rotting fish made me gag as I walked over to where he was huddled up in the far corner. Arms hugging his knees, head tucked between them. He looked up as a floorboard creaked under my weight. Behind his now-crooked glasses, one eye was almost swollen shut. His lip was bloodied. My chest ached at the sight of him.

     “What happened?” I asked. “Were they picking on you again?”

     Staring at the floor, Josh slowly nodded his head up and down, sniffing back tears. Clenching my hands into fists, I studied him to see how bad it was today. Thin and small for a nine-year old boy, Josh made an easy target. “Are you all right? Except for the eye and lip, I mean. We can get your glasses fixed.”

     Again, he nodded his head up and down, not looking at me. Almost in a daze. Slapping at a mosquito on my arm, I curled my legs underneath me and sat beside him. I reached out and ruffled his hair, needing to touch him. Sometimes, I felt more like his mom than his big sister. He was fragile, but it was understandable. Josh had been to hell and back in his short years.

Gift Ideas for the Writer in Your Life

'Tis the Season! Still looking for that perfect holiday gift for that writer you know?  Listed below are some fun finds:

1. Every writer needs a good beverage to keep them company while they slave away. Writer's Tea definitely fits the bill.
2. For the writer who's feeling stuck, Writer's Emergency Pack offers 26 cards full of ideas.
3. Need portable ideas while "on the go"? 642 Tiny Ideas to take with you.
4. A soft, romantic glow is always inspiring. Literary Candles are a fun way to get in the mood to write.
5. Yet another tool for inspiration, Storymatic Game makes getting ideas painless.
6. Give her a piece of jewelry that lets her know you understand her passion. Born to Write Necklace.
7. For a practical gift that will be greatly appreciated, a Voice Recorder makes keeping up with those breakthroughs much easier.
8. When you just have to lie down and take a break, a comfy Pillow makes it much easier to relax.
9. One more way to dig up ideas (because a writer can never have too many inspirations), is the Writer's Toolbox.
10. Last, but not least, a gift certificate for a lovely massage is always appreciated.  Helps bring those shoulders back down from the ears.

I hope these ideas helped you cross someone off your list.  Happy shopping!