30 good deeds for my 30th

When I started out on "30 Good deed mission", I thought it would be just lovely to prance around and do good all day long. Little did I know how the month of February would turn out, and what impact it would have on my life (my mom's youngest brother suddenly passed away- and left us devastated). Life is what happens while you're making other plans... and sometimes you just have to roll with the punches...

The first thing I realized was that a lot of the good deeds where private. Its not something that I would like to go broadcasting to the world. Most of the time, I didn't even let the receiver of my good deeds know it was me who did it. So for this sake, many of my good deeds will remain anonymous.

I spoke to my best friend about this yesterday, and she noted something. She said, that since being dragged into this challenge, she's become much more aware of the needs of others. Where in the past one would hmm and aah about helping out, after this episode, it's become second nature. If anything, that is already a triumph for me. If through this I only changed the mindset of a few people, I consider it as a blessing :)

I imagined these good deeds to be light hearted things, helping a fellow human in some mundane day-to-day task. Yet, I had to face the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. And without even thinking twice, I did it, to protect someone, and secondly to stand strong for someone else who really needed me. Thinking back, I'm not even sure how I managed to keep standing during this time, nevermind bearing the cruch for others, but if I had to , I would do it all over again, for the sake of the others who's burden I could lighten during a heavy trial.

Yesterday afternoon, I sat down scribling away at my good deed list. Some deeds where as simple as taking a cold glass of water to someone who was working outside in the sun. Others much more intense and challenging... So far I stand at 26 :) Here are some of the memorable ones that I would like to share:

My first good deed: At Musgrave centre I was standing in a que at the bank, when I overheard the elderly lady infront of me telling the teller that she was withdrawing all the money for her husbands funeral. Her shoulders where stooped and crooked under this burden, and the teller, well he just couldn't give a damn. Just gave her a 'hurry up' smile and went on with the transaction. Standing behind her I could almost feel her lonelyness and sadness. My heart ached for her. As she was a slow walker, I cought up with her outside the bank. I softly approached her and told her I couldn't help overhearing about her husband. I was now running late for a very importaint meeting, but I stayed with her for a bit and chatted. Just to share her burden. I'll never forget her smile when we turned after our goodbyes.

Vulameku is a hospice house near Ballito. This hospice is run by volenteer retired nurses. They get little funding and often the Nurses have to use their own pension money to purchase food for the patients. I was amazed at the selfless service to others that these nurses display. Our church has gotten involved with this project to help these people, and I have commited to joining our Church group in helping out in the vegatable garden at the hospice. I have also contacted the CEO of Premierfoods, and told him about this story, he has indicated that they are willing to assist with donations toward this institution. I'm so happy for these nurses :)

Some of the good deeds where easy, and quite a few times I got rewards I didn't expect.
For example: Sitting still for 3 hours for a friend as a 'hand model' in a nail exam (She passed!!! And I got a free manicure :) )

A lot of my good deeds centrated around my talents. I did quite a lot of free 'Corporate branding', Presentations, Videos, E-invites, and Design work for friends. I'm currently working on my favorite project- an awesome animated video for a friends wedding :)

I wrote a letter to a friend overseas, going through a tough time. She thanked me by saying that "my words became an oasis for her during a very hard time" and that she re-read my letter many times. Her response alone, made that deed worth while :)

Finally, I've registered as a organ doner. This is a very personal choice, but I'd like to share this with you. I believe you don't have a soul... you are a soul, you have a body. Where I'm going, I wont need any of these organs. If my heart can continue beating for someone else, let it beat. If my eyes can help someone else see... let it see. If I can do one last good deed... even when I'm gone. I will.

Here's to all the good in people! And may there still be lots more to come!!

Love, Landie :)

My birthday...The big three-oh challenge...

On the 23rd of February I'll be turning 30... and as with most milestones in life, it made me sit back and reflect on a few things.

Looking back, I can really say, 'yes, it was a good one'. Smooth seas, never made a good sailor, and the hard times I've had, only made me stronger. I've achieved most of the goals I've set out to, and I stand in awe in front of God, thankful that I have been blessed abundantly in so many ways. Yet, at the eve of another milestone, I cant help but wonder this one question...

WHAT GOOD HAVE I DONE FOR THIS WORLD?
I've been here for 3 decades, and I have lived a great life...but what contributions have I made?
I'll never end up with a Nobel peace prize, or Saint hood, but I want to do more good. So starting with my birthday. I will not be celebrating with another big bash, huge party... I will be celebrating by doing 30 good deeds throughout the month of February.

Some of the good deeds will be planned, but for the most part, they will be random acts of kindness. And as for birthday presents from others... I would like YOU to do a good deed and let me know about it!...

It can be something big, like organizing corporate funding for a charity close to your heart, something selfless as giving your time to serve others (or donating blood, or a kidney...ok, not a kidney) or even something seemingly small, like giving your smile to someone who didn't deserve it(taxi drivers/roadrage).

This isn't some grande cavalier gesture to boast about my attempted philanthropy, but rather a documentation of my intentions, because once it is out there, I can't back out. This is one very public promise to the world. I hope this will be more than a lesson in my life, and that it will bring a permanent shift in mindset , from wanting to giving. I hope that at the end of my life I can look back and say: "Yes it was a good one... yes, I gave and I did good things".

30 good deeds...
Challenge accepted!! :)
Sien, my halo sit daar, hy's net so bietjie skeef ;)

Doing some dusting :)

2 Years ago, I started the blog... with the intention to, well blog. But as it happens, life got in the way and this page stood here full of dust. Now many moons later, I've come to blow off the dust and clear the cobwebs... It took me almost an hour to log on...because, firstly I forgot my url, secondly my password, and thirdly my gmail account details. But here I am, so excited,because i have a very special something planned for the near future. All will be revealed very soon... Watch this space :)

Blink and its over- my life in 61 sec.

The Background song is: Misirlou as preformed by Dick Dale and the Deltones from my CD,
Music From The Motion Picture Pulp Fiction
Misirlou
MCA Records ... All copy rights respected (aka-please don't take my video down as that is my favorite song!!!)

BRAND SPANKING NEW BLOG!

I wanted to start a blog... but now I don't know what to say?!

Hmmmm much more to come...

WATCH THIS SPACE!!