I hope everyone had a beautiful holiday season this year and I am grateful for all who participated in the Merry Movement. This was our FIFTH year tracking merry moments. Our first year still trumps any other year, but I am grateful we have been able to carry on this tradition.
This year's holiday season felt a bit different. I don't know about you but to me, it felt like people were a bit more distracted or uncomfortable with this year's season. A lot has been happening in the world lately so maybe people's priorities have shifted. Through this observation, it gave me time to reflect on the inspiration behind this whole movement and why we started five years ago.
At first, I was disappointed we logged less than 70 moments but then I realized, these are 70 deliberate times that one human did something nice for another human. There were two huge participants that successfully spread holiday cheer at least once a day and I applaud their dedication to the movement. The Merry Movement is simple. It is about making someone happy and bringing light into their day. I was reminded of this when I was sitting at a stop sign and made a point to catch eye contact and smile at every.single.person. walking by. There was even a moment when I sat at the stop sign longer than I needed to, just so I could acknowledge humans walking by. Days fly by and they seem to go even quicker during the holidays, but, if we can take time to make someone happy, even for a brief minute, it pauses one of those "flying moments" and hopefully will inspire someone to pay it forward.
Genuine human interaction is becoming less frequent in our day to day lives with the use of technology and for one month, I challenge all of you to engage and smile more with those around you. I hope one day it will just be a habit and "holiday cheer" will be spread all year round.
So, to all the readers and followers of this movement, I hope you understand what this is really about. It is about spreading love, even if you don't use the hashtag or submit the moment, just make it happen. It can be as simple as a smile, a wave or it can be as grand as volunteering, paying for someone's Christmas tree or surprising a coworker with coffee.
Just make a moment.
xoxo
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Day 23
67. Bought a pastry for someone next in line.
66. Left some cash for the next person at the gas station.
66. Left some cash for the next person at the gas station.
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Monday, December 21, 2015
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Day 18, 19 & 20 - Last full weekend to spread the love!
64. Made a donation to St. Jude's
63. Covered a shift for someone so they could spend more time with their family.
62. Gave someone a ride to the airport so they wouldn't have to pay to park their vehicle while on vacation.
61. While shopping I overheard another customer say they needed help but couldn't find an employee to help them, so I offered assistance and we were able to find what she was looking for.
60. Made a donation to the Salvation Army
59. Bought lunch for a friend.
63. Covered a shift for someone so they could spend more time with their family.
62. Gave someone a ride to the airport so they wouldn't have to pay to park their vehicle while on vacation.
61. While shopping I overheard another customer say they needed help but couldn't find an employee to help them, so I offered assistance and we were able to find what she was looking for.
60. Made a donation to the Salvation Army
59. Bought lunch for a friend.
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Monday, December 14, 2015
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Day 11, 12 & 13 - Second Weekend to make someone feel merry!
55. Two referees rallied to ref a basketball game as a last minute request.
54. Bought a card for a friend, had other friends sign it and hopefully lifted her spirits.
54. Bought a card for a friend, had other friends sign it and hopefully lifted her spirits.
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Day 10 - Keep up the moments!
53. Made a donation to Wounded Warrior Project.
52. Surprise lunch in the mail for a Portland resident.
51. Left a gift card for someone to find. I hope it brought a smile to their face.
52. Surprise lunch in the mail for a Portland resident.
51. Left a gift card for someone to find. I hope it brought a smile to their face.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Day 9 - What about volunteering? Lets pick a cause and volunteer!
50. We found out that a family was not going to be able to afford Christ
49. Helped a neighbor who has mobility challenges do yard work.
48. Paid a utility bill for a family in need.
47. Placed Christmas wreaths on the grave of veterans with Wreaths Across America.
46. Brought food to a family who were having trouble making ends meet.
45. Helped a neighbor run errands that she didn't have enough time to complete.
44. Surprised my sister with a whole pizza for lunch.
49. Helped a neighbor who has mobility challenges do yard work.
48. Paid a utility bill for a family in need.
47. Placed Christmas wreaths on the grave of veterans with Wreaths Across America.
46. Brought food to a family who were having trouble making ends meet.
45. Helped a neighbor run errands that she didn't have enough time to complete.
44. Surprised my sister with a whole pizza for lunch.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Day 8 - Going grocery shopping? Bag groceries for the person after you.
43. Donated bicycles to our local radio station's toy drive.
40/41/42. Brought in coffee for three different people, three different times.
39. Christmas candy for the office!
38. Made a new cookie recipe and brought them to work to share.
40/41/42. Brought in coffee for three different people, three different times.
39. Christmas candy for the office!
38. Made a new cookie recipe and brought them to work to share.
Monday, December 7, 2015
Day 7 - Happy Monday!
37. Monday treats for coworkers - healthy tangerines and cookies!
36. While running errands I decided to make a stop at a famous pastry shop and picked up a few pastries and surprised a family friend that I hadn't seen in quite a while.
36. While running errands I decided to make a stop at a famous pastry shop and picked up a few pastries and surprised a family friend that I hadn't seen in quite a while.
35. Went through my closet and donated everything that I haven't worn or used in six months.
34. Bagged someone else's groceries for them at the grocery store.
33. Took care of our neighbor's fur baby for them so they wouldn't have to kennel him when they went on a short trip.
Friday, December 4, 2015
Day 4, 5 & 6 - The First Weekend, let's rack up the moments!
32. Made a family friend her favorite snack when she told me she'd had a hard day.
25. Tipped almost 50% out at dinner!
24. Gave a $5 coffee gift card to someone in line a the drive thru.
23. Left a coffee cold brew for my cashier as I checked out.
22. Surprised someone at the airport bar by purchasing their margarita.
21. Bought a transit ticket for the next person.
20. Gave the toll booth operator a Coke and a smile.
19. Secretly bought another table dessert.
18. Left a full Dutch Bros. punch card for the person behind me.
17. Bought a homeless man a Chipotle burrito.
15/16. DOUBLE MOMENT: I arrived at the coffee shop and found that someone had already paid for my coffee. I in turn, paid it forward by buying coffee for the next two people.
14. Raked up leaves and debris in the neighbor's yard.
13. Surprised a family member by cleaning her home for her while she was at work.
12. While running an errand at the hardware store, I noticed a woman who looked like she needed help. I offered to help her and assisted her in finding the right equipment for her son.
11. Brought a friend homemade baked goods.
31. Watched a new mom's infant for the evening so that she could catch up on some much needed rest.
30. Ran errands and helped decorate the Christmas tree for someone who is injured and having mobility challenges.
29. A couple was out running errands and forgot to pack diapers in their diaper bag and their baby needed to be changed. Luckily I had extras to spare so I gave them what I could.
28. Paid for someone else's chiropractor visit.
27. Surprised a patient with a small cake for his birthday.
26. DOUBLE MOMENT: I was at the grocery store and only had a few small items. A woman was in line behind me and struggling with her cart and child, so I helped her and let her go in front of me. She in turned left money with the cashier and paid for the few items I had.
25. Tipped almost 50% out at dinner!
24. Gave a $5 coffee gift card to someone in line a the drive thru.
23. Left a coffee cold brew for my cashier as I checked out.
22. Surprised someone at the airport bar by purchasing their margarita.
21. Bought a transit ticket for the next person.
20. Gave the toll booth operator a Coke and a smile.
19. Secretly bought another table dessert.
18. Left a full Dutch Bros. punch card for the person behind me.
17. Bought a homeless man a Chipotle burrito.
15/16. DOUBLE MOMENT: I arrived at the coffee shop and found that someone had already paid for my coffee. I in turn, paid it forward by buying coffee for the next two people.
14. Raked up leaves and debris in the neighbor's yard.
13. Surprised a family member by cleaning her home for her while she was at work.
12. While running an errand at the hardware store, I noticed a woman who looked like she needed help. I offered to help her and assisted her in finding the right equipment for her son.
11. Brought a friend homemade baked goods.
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Day 3 - Thirsty Thursday, maybe buy someone a coffee or a hot chocolate?
10. Offered to help out a friend with work after coworkers bailed out.
9. Smiled. Smiled at as many people as I could today. I have been nicer to everyone and listened to people's stories more...x10. Making life a little more merry.
8. Short Uber ride, but gave the driver a $5 tip.
7. Surprising a coworker with coffee.
9. Smiled. Smiled at as many people as I could today. I have been nicer to everyone and listened to people's stories more...x10. Making life a little more merry.
8. Short Uber ride, but gave the driver a $5 tip.
7. Surprising a coworker with coffee.
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Day 2 - Make someone's day today!
6. Sent a friend a little treat after having a bad day.
5. Left a lottery ticket for someone on their car.
4. Surprised someone an bought them a beer at a festive bar.
5. Left a lottery ticket for someone on their car.
4. Surprised someone an bought them a beer at a festive bar.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Day 1 - Kick it off y'all!
3. Brought a smoothie to a coworker to kickstart her day.
2. Left two Vitamin Waters for guests at 24 Hour Fitness!
1. Bought lunch for a coworker! Good vibes, great sandwiches!
2. Left two Vitamin Waters for guests at 24 Hour Fitness!
1. Bought lunch for a coworker! Good vibes, great sandwiches!
Monday, November 30, 2015
2015, we are coming for you!
The Merry Movement is back...let's take this month of December by storm!
Ways to submit your merry moment:
1. Post your moment with a photo and tag #merrymovement
2. Send a direct Instagram message to @merry_movement
3. E-mail hello@themerrymoments.com
4. Fill out the contact form on the ride side bar of the blog.
We are working on other ways for people to submit anonymously but for now, feel free to use one of these outlets. We will assume ALL submissions are anonymous unless you post with the #merrymovement, then we will link back to your photo.
Working on a Facebook page too...stay tuned.
xoxo
Ways to submit your merry moment:
1. Post your moment with a photo and tag #merrymovement
2. Send a direct Instagram message to @merry_movement
3. E-mail hello@themerrymoments.com
4. Fill out the contact form on the ride side bar of the blog.
We are working on other ways for people to submit anonymously but for now, feel free to use one of these outlets. We will assume ALL submissions are anonymous unless you post with the #merrymovement, then we will link back to your photo.
Working on a Facebook page too...stay tuned.
xoxo
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