Laura's Page

Day 1, September 8th
Food for a friend - apples and lemons from my backyard and breakfast.

Day 2, September 9th
Wrote a check to my Charitablegift.org account. It's part of Fidelity and it let's you hold money that gets granted out to charities. While the money's being held it earns interest, so you can give more! Donated to Out of the Darkness to support my friend who is doing a charity walk for this suicide awareness organization.

Went to "Game Night" at a friends and brought food.

Day 3, September 10th
Ok, this one was a little hard: gave a photo T-shirt I made to an ex-boyfriend. His birthday was yesterday and the picture was one I took last year of his dog that passed about a month ago. This is something I wanted to do for him because of how much he loved his dog.

Gave a friend some food money (what ever was in my wallet at that moment) because she's injured, broke, and can't do her job as a masseuse.

Day 4, September 11th
Sometimes we give by giving up. I gave up my place in line for an old man at a coffee shop who was worried about his lost glasses and needed the staff to help him look for them.

Gave two compliments to service people: (1) at Starbucks, (1) at Costco.

Bought cookie dough for my single mother of three friend as I walked through Costco eating a free sample of that just-baked cookie and hearing how the father of her kids is avoiding child support. She baked cookies and left a relaxed sounding voice mail for me later.

Gave tears of compassion for all those who lost their loved ones on this day seven years ago.

Day 5, September 12th
Saw a news spot last night on a non-profit in Santa Cruz, CA that is having major funding problems: Community Bridges. They provide child care for poor families and it broke my heart that these children would be hurt and the parents stressed because of budget issues California is facing and lack of funding for the program. They do so much good work.

So last night I made a note for this morning, found them on the internet, reviewed their fiscal report, called the executive director, and donated. Within ten minutes of putting the check in the mail a client called and said I underbilled them and they are paying me more than invoiced - almost exactly as much as I donated. Miracles happen every day.

Day 6, September 13th
Gave an Art Therapy proposal for The Richmond Art Center to volunteer my time and help the kids, and met the education director.

Day 7, September 14th
Gave a compliment to the barrista at Starbucks.
Went to a street fair and donated to Tay Sachs Disease research. A member of my family has it. Bought a fair trade item to support the cause. Saw my jazz vocal class teacher and was asked to volunteer for a chorus on Sunday at a church and committed to singing. Took a photo of a stranger's pet and emailed it to her. Saw friends and gave hugs.

Day 8, September 15th
Gave two compliments (lady at gym, friend), and one thank you (janitor at gym).

Day 9, September 16th
Sent my sister a birthday card. There are family issues that keep her distant from me, so I'm trying to build a bridge of love between us. It's a really funny card so I hope she gets a giggle out of it.

Bought lunch for a friend.

Gave a ride to a friend who's car broke down.

Day 10, September 17th
Gave grants from my Charitablegift.org account to American National Red Cross (specifically for relief due to Hurricane Ike), Planned Parenthood, SF Food Bank, Americares, and Project Open Hand.

Emailed the NorCal Obama campaign travel coordinator, because I'm considering going to a battleground state to canvass on his behalf.

Last night I called my friend who's still injured and can't work, whom had to get food stamps the other day so she can survive. I told her that my money isn't good if it's not doing any good just sitting in my checking account when I don't need it she does. I reminded her about how she saved me when my mother was dying, my sister was being cruel and I got manic. She gave me a list of groceries and I shopped for her today, brought by the food, relief, and gratitude for her friendship.


Day 11, September 18th
Gave several compliments, but one in particular was helpful. It was towards the receptionist at a real estate investment company. With the current panic in the marketplace she has been the recipient of many stressed clients calling. No one has been nice to her lately so she really appreciated the compliment.

Day 12, September 19th
Donated to a friend's page who is raising money by running a half marathon for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training.

Day 13, September 20th
Hey, this is getting hard to remember, to post to give... every little bit counts. I saw "Five People You Meet in Heaven" last night and it reminded me of how our LIFE counts.

Went to a friend's house for a pool party and brought some goodies to eat but ate much more.

Generally, I gave of myself today when I didn't feel like doing so, because I've been feeling blue lately because of a recent break-up. Saw people I had resented today and let go of the anger, gave up my ego and gave them compassion, attention, and patience.

Day 14, September 21th
Gave of my voice and volunteered to sing for a small wacky church with my vocal teacher and a couple more of his students.

Put on a pretty outfit. Many people smiled and a told me I looked nice, so I guess that gave some beauty to the world.

I made a decision to be aware of my words, my focus. By remembering to point thoughts towards the positive rather than negative, I can help fertilize the good in the world.

Bought lunch for my friend.

Day 15, September 22th
Gave some exercise tips to a friend, showed her some good core exercises.

Gave a big tip to a new guy who detailed my car.

Gave the rest of my water to a woman on the train, who was coughing and had a dry throat.

Day 16, September 23th
Met with a woman to help her work on some personal issues.

Went an extra mile to help a vendor and stayed up til early this am working on a project.

Held my tongue when someone upset me.


Day 17, September 24th
Made a decision a couple of weeks ago to focus on growing my business to be able to do more philanthropic work, rather than starting my own non-profit. So I went to visit a vendor who is offering me an opportunity to partner and maybe make a lot of money.

On my way from the airport to the resort I found a convention was arriving and it just so happened to be the Northwest Philanthropy Convention, unbelievable. I sat next to the former president, now heading up five programs for the Paul Allen (founder of Microsoft) Foundation. We have an amazing conversation. So I guess today my gift was of engagement.

Day 18, September 25th
Stayed up late to create an organizational chart, and an agenda for today's meeting with my business associate. So I guess I gave my committed energy to growing his / our business together.

I've been so sleep deprived and it's really hard to think of what I gave today other than that. I can say that I've been very conscious of being considerate of everyone who I encounter since beginning this challenge.

Sat next to a nice young girl on the airplane and we shared a lot about our lives.

Day 19, September 26th
Saw a woman who is sick and is difficult to be around and made sure to give her a hug and some patience. I gave silent prayers and am making an effort to send her light during the last few weeks and especially today.

Took time to meet a stranger, to chat, and make a new friend. Even though we didn't exchange information, we exchanged our stories.

Day 20, September 27th
Bought my friend a latte, and brought her a magazine article I thought she'd like.

Day 21, September 28th
Gave an hour and volunteered for the Obama campaign.

Day 22, September 29th
Practiced patience and new behavior with my ex-boyfriend.

Gave compliments.

Day 23, September 30th
Helped a friend clean up the wreckage of her past.

Day 24, October 1st
Gave to myself: took myself seriously during a business meeting, got my haircut.

Saw a friend in a lot of pain and gave him compassionate feedback. We cried together. Gave him love.

Day 25, October 2nd
Gave lots of compliments to the guys in salsa class who were a little insecure about their performance.

Day 26, October 3rd
Lemons, lemons, and lemons from my backyard.

Day 27, October 4th
Lemons and compassion to a neighbor, very old man, who had surgery.

Stopped while driving to see if an old lady who seems confused and exhausted was ok and need help or a ride.

Day 28, October 5th
Friendship to strangers, made new friends.

Allowance to myself for being.

Day 28, October 6th
The right of way to drivers.