Become a Freaking Beacon of Light

A freaking beacon.

I like the word, "freaking." It adds emphasis, it's colorful, and it's a fake curse word. Everyone knows it's a substitute for the f-bomb, but it still offends no one. Nice.

But I digress...

Life can be downright hard. It can be cruel. It can literally knock you to your knees sometimes. We've all had winters in our lives, and have been down. The good news is that we can do something about it for others. If they're not going through a really hard time, at least you can still make someone else's day/week/month/year/LIFE better. In fact, I don't want to get all metaphysical or spiritual on you now--but I think being able to help and serve others like this is the reason why we're here in this life.

Here's something I've been doing for the last few months, and it's made a huge difference in my life:

Every day, I try to be someone's hero by just doing something really kind. I give myself extra points when folks don't know it was me that did it. It's my secret. Just between me and the Universe.

It's helped in several ways:

1. I know that I made a difference. At least that day. It's along the lines of Ralph Waldo Emerson's quote: "To know that I made the life of another easier by my existence, that is to have succeeded." Well, when I make a difference to someone that day, then I've been successful, and that feels pretty darn good.
    
2. It has me actively LOOKING for people to help. My radar is up all of the time. Does someone need help with their car at the side of a road? Is there a mom that's struggling carrying everything? Does one of your friends need an anonymous pick-me-up, or an overt, audacious act of love? I love those opportunities now, because it helps to "check the box," for that day. And really, doesn't it feel good to check things done? I've read that it releases a feel-good hormone in your system when that happens. Sounds good to me!
    
3. This is a really good one: you can't do something to make someone else feel good without making yourself feel good in the process. It's impossible. And that, my friend, is a pretty awesome quirk of human nature!

So, with that settled (You DO believe me in this, right? You see the benefit of at least trying it, I hope)...I'm going to attempt a list of some everyday ways that you can be a FREAKING BEACON of light to others.

The rules are: you have to do them with no expectation of them returning a favor, paying you, giving you a kiss, etc. Got it? Also, your deed doesn't count if it's something you normally do throughout the course of your daily routine. 

Obviously, there are thousands of ways (comment below because we really want to hear!) to do this, but I'm just listing a few dozen...we'll see how this goes.

1. Pay for the next person's order. This is one of the most common, but it still feels good.
2. Write a heartfelt letter...with a pen and paper and mailed is best, but emails and even texts or FB posts count, too...about how grateful you are for someone. Get specific as to why.
3. Donate your clothes. Anything that hasn't been worn in a year...Gone. Homeless shelters are great. Ask churches if they have something like that. Goodwill is okay in a pinch, but not as good.
4. Send some flowers, just because. You know who you should send them to already, don't you?
5. Offer to babysit for a single parent. They will appreciate it more than you'll ever know. Make sure you're not creepy, though.
6. Give away some of your best ideas to someone if you think it can really help them. If you're an idea machine, and you have some good ones--this can be very good for both of you.
7. If you're strong, offer to carry or lift something for someone. If you're not strong, or look frail, please skip this one, as it will cause extreme guilt in those you're trying to help!
8. If someone you know is grieving, don't dare let the words, "If you need anything," come out of your mouth or on a glowing screen! Just DO something for them. Make a favorite meal for them. Give them a gift certificate to a night out at the movies, take something off of their hands that you can help handle while they're not at their best.
9. Tip a great waiter/waitress an extra large tip for great service. Make sure to write a note on the receipt how much you appreciate them doing such a great job--these feel GREAT on the receiving end.
10. Make certain to go to the management of someone that's done a great job for you and brag on them. Put it down in writing if you can, and be specific about how they served you well.
11. Help someone move. Sure, we all hate it--but it makes a big difference in the life of the person you're helping...and they won't forget it. There are two types of friends: ones that won't offer to help you move when they know you're doing it, and true friends. Be the latter.
12. Send someone a gift via Amazon. They'll even wrap it for you and put a note on it. You can even do it anonymously. Which I recommend. This is especially cool if you know they really want something. It doesn't even have to be big or expensive...the thought really does count in this case.
13. If you have a, "buy one, get one free," coupon, use the free one to give it away. The feeling you get from brightening someone's day is well worth the little bit of extra money you'd save by splitting it.
14. Leave a note on someone's car. Make it encouraging. And then sign it, "Someone who cares."
15. Put together a "Hug," station at a nursing home. Make sure you have kids do it, or it's creepy (see #5), but put up a sign that reads, "Free Hugs!" Offer them to anyone that wants one. Kids love doing this, and it'll be tough to beat the feeling you'll have when you finish.
16. Pay an expired parking meter, but leave a note letting them know someone did it. Don't sign your name, but give them a free smile in addition to paying for the parking.
17. Go work at a soup kitchen...at a time OTHER than the holidays. I've talked to a lady that ran one, and she says they have plenty of volunteers at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but not as many throughout the year. So, go work then, and you'll feel just as good. You'll also walk out of there feeling grateful for what YOU have.
18. If you borrow a friend's car, leave it cleaner than you found it, and hopefully with more gas.
19. Write a letter to a soldier that's deployed. Strike up a conversation...maybe include some goodies as part of a care package. At the very least, tell them how grateful you are for their service, and that you're holding them in your thoughts and/or prayers, and want them to return safely.
20. Write a heartfelt Amazon or iTunes review for a product, or podcast, of something you really love. The authors and artists read those. If it's a bad record, keep your pie hole shut and don't spread the negativity!
21. Pick a random address from a phone book (they still have those, right?). Send the person (people) there a postcard or quick letter telling them that someone is wishing them well. Put a Thoreau quote on it, and they'll believe it's fate...and it is.
22. Here's an easy one: when it's someone's birthday on Facebook, don't just wish them a generic, "Happy Birthday." Instead, list a few things you really admire about that person, THEN wish them a happy birthday.
23. Think now about the couple you know that seems to really have a GREAT relationship. You know, the folks that look really in love after a few decades together. Let them know you appreciate their example.
24. If you've got a spouse/friend that's fighting their weight, cover up the scale number with a sign that says, "You're just right." (I saw a picture of that on the Internet, and blatantly stole it)
25. Leave a bag of food at the door of a family you know is struggling financially. Include a note (disguise your handwriting, or type it) of encouragement, and ask that at some point, if they can, try to pay it forward for someone else...that little bit can take the sting out of charity for prideful folks AND maybe it multiplies the blessing for more folks down the road.
26. Volunteer at the Special Olympics. Trust me on this one.
27. Give out, "Fonzie," cards. "You're cool, and it has been noticed. Thank you."
28. Set up a High Five Station at a charity race. You'll feel great with every high five you give.
29. When you're in a conversation with a stranger, or a friend you haven't talked with in a while, ask them what the happiest day in their lives was. It's great to see them smile as they relive that magic moment in their minds. You'll both feel great afterward.
30. I borrowed this one from James Alucher (www.JamesAltucher.com): pick an email you didn't return a few YEARS ago. Respond to it thoroughly, and whenever possible, offer some encouragement along the way.
31. Bring some books you've read and no longer need to a hospital. It can get really, really boring there sometimes.
32. If you do #31, leave some notes of prayer, encouragement, or inspiration throughout the books--or as book marks.
33. Get people together to go caroling this Christmas. Visit older folks, or people that live alone. Invite them along afterward, and for crying out loud--don't ask for figgy pudding.
34. If you see a wandering dog or cat, try to see if they have a collar and try to return them to their owner. Especially if they're out in the streets and could get hit by a car. This few minutes out of a day could change someone's life!
35. Make up "Homeless Packs." My daughter came up with this idea in our family. Include some snacks, food, water, maybe a book you've read...and a note wishing them well and offering encouragement. My daughter's pack had a few loving Bible verses in them. Have these packs ready to hand out from your car. This is more satisfying than giving money that may enable some bad habits.
36. Think of a really good time you've had with a friend. Bring back all of the sights, sounds, smells and experiences of that day--then call or write and remind them of it.
37. Catch someone doing a really great job at their job, and let them know they're a tribute to their profession, and that they've made your day more enjoyable. Thank them for it.
38. Send a one time donation to Save the Children, or if you're really feeling it, sign up for a monthly donation. They're ranked high in the amount of money that actually gets to the kids they're helping.
39. Send an anonymous "Secret Admirer," rose to someone who might need it. Make sure it's really anonymous, yo.
40. Write a real letter to a friend. Use postage. See how nice you can be to them in telling them some of the things you admire in them, and that you'll always be friends, no matter what.
41. Make a very special one-on-one date with a family member. Your child, your parent, your spouse--but this is important--for no special occasion. Just, "because." Then go all out and really make it spectacular. You'll have fun planning it, and they'll remember it for a while.
42. If you leave a voice mail, tell the person you're calling something that you're grateful for about them when you leave that message...and tell them you're hoping they're having a great day...and be sincere about it!
43. Donate your change. Don't spend coins. Put them together in a piggy bank and give it to a worthy cause. You'll never know the difference, and you'll bless them and yourself with the donation.
44. Randomly call your town's fire department and EMS folks. Tell them you're just calling to let them know you really appreciate what they do on a daily basis. Try not to make it weird.
45. When/if you write a gratefulness list, and one of your friends or family makes it on the list, tell them that they did, or send them a copy of it.
46. Buy someone a desert anonymously. Time it right.
47. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS offer your seat to an elderly person, a child, or a lady (if you're a man) if the seats are all taken, you have one and they don't. Sheesh. I shouldn't have to tell you this.
48. Send an unsolicited testimonial to a business you enjoy. If you put it in a card, or on a letter and make it nice enough, they can hang it on the wall.
49. Call your Mom. Remind her of something she's done nice for you, and thank her for it again.
50. Return someone's trash can from the road. It's simple and easy, and the small effort involved will be swallowed by someone's gratitude for such a simple act.

Thanks for taking the time to check out the list. I mean that. If you made it this far, you’ve invested some time in what I had to say, and I really appreciate that. Hopefully, some of these ideas work for you. If not, that’s okay too. I’m just listing some ideas I’ve had. 

If you have more ideas and want to add them to my list, please do so in the comments below…once again, Muchas gracias!