The Power of a Good Deed

When was the last time you truly and purposefully did a good deed?

For me lately, I have gotten obsessed with myself, my likes, my dislikes, my hobbies, my house, my life, my problems, and my family. The list literally could go on and on. In life, I know nothing is perfect but for a perfectionist this is truly somewhat of an undertaking to tell your self and actually believe it. As I chuckle at myself and sort through my partially OCD/Type A personality, maybe some of you can relate, I go back to thinking about how fortunate I really am, how my problems could be way worse, and I tell myself gosh you can be one greedy unaware lil fella.

It hit me last week in a rain storm as I drove down the highway thinking about everything but the present moment and came up on a Lincoln Continental that had gone off the road and into a Barbed Wire Fence. Yes, I am in Oklahoma and yes we still have barbed wire fences up in these parts. Anyway as I drive by, of course I took a look at the car and I thought I could see someone inside. I told myself, "Self quit being nosey and just keep driving it is not safe for you to stop." As I continued to drive, meanwhile trying to forget about what I saw, the feeling of needing to help grew stronger.

I finally broke down and called 911 about 3 miles down the road to report the car and where it was located. The dispatcher told me Thank You for calling, we have the driver on the phone and they are okay and a Trooper is en route to the location. I felt so much better after I had called even though I really didn't do anything. I felt a sense of relief that I didn't ignore the situation. Even though that person will never see me, or know that I called, I would hope someone would do that for me. It seems as if in our busy lives we can become so in a rut with blinders on that we could be right up on a snake and not even know it. It comes easily for people to just ignore or simply pass by a situation that they just don't have the time or awareness to recognize.

There are endless opportunites presented to us to practice Good Deeds or Random Acts of Kindness in our daily lives. The question is Are you Aware Enough to recognize these opportunities when presented to you? A Good Deed does not have to be somthing you buy, it could be the most simple act of kindness that will brighten your life and someone else's.

I have decided after a recent Birthday when people asked, "What do you want?" and I could say honestly I don't need a damn thing, I have more than I can use as it is. I thought to myself, "Self why not quit thinking about your self, you don't need anything, things are pretty good in your life, you have food, you have shelter, and what isn't just completely perfect in your Type A head that is preoccupying you needs to take the backseat. You need to put the focus on somthing or someone else who truly could use a boost."

So you may ask yourself why is this lady writing about The Power of Good Deeds in the Health Section. Now that we have your attention, Good Deeds not only positively impact the mood and lives of the receiver but can truly improve the lives of the giver. Studies have been done on those Random Act of Kindness-Do Gooders and they have proven to be very healthy physically as well as mentally. As people practice good deeds they have reported experiencing feelings of happiness, excitement, or serenity in their minds and bodies. These feelings can be attributed to our amazing bodies and the release of those Feel Good Endorphins that we have all experienced at some point in our lives!

I have vowed to myself that because my life is so rich that I will hold myself to completing at least One Good Deed per week. As Simple as this vow may seem to all of us, how often do we actually think in this frame of mind. I think I can answer for most of us and say Not Often. I challenge all of you to shift your focus, practice at least one Good Deed a week and see how your life will improve.

Yo Ladies would love to hear your stories on Random Acts of Kindness...