What's going on here?

I've made a commitment: to do one good deed per day. Large or small, it doesn't matter. Self-sacrificing or not, extraordinary or mundane, it doesn't matter. Just one thing every day, that's all.

The more I do good, the better I feel about myself. Truly, to benefit others is to benefit yourself. I hope this journal may inspire others who also yearn to do good. So join me on this journey, if you will, and think about the difference you can make in your own life.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Everyone makes mistakes

Today there was a festival in my town, and the brass band from Onishika Junior High played.  One member, the trumpet player, is particularly good.  Everyone is always amazed.  But today he completely choked.  Afterward, I saw he was almost ready to cry.

ONE GOOD DEED:  Give my student a pep talk -- everyone makes mistakes.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Need a ride?

On my way home from Rumoi I noticed an elderly lady from my town waiting at a bus stop.  She's a rather eccentric one, wearing kimonos everyday rather than for special occasions, so she's hard to miss.  She's also a devoted member of the community, always helping out in school and town events.

ONE GOOD DEED:  Give an elderly lady a ride home.

Oh, you so did not want to drop that...

Walking home from work, I happened upon a lone photograph lying in the side walk.  It had writing on the back like it was meant for somebody.  "Oh great, I'll deliver this and that'll be my good deed!" I thought.  I picked up and what do you suppose it was?  A picture of a fat, hairy condom-covered cock!  The writing on the back was to some girl, commenting on how to use spermicidal jelly.  "Yikes!" I thought.  "Somebody really does not want this floating around."  I tore it up, and that was my good deed.

ONE GOOD DEED:  Get rid of someone's very embarrassing lost photo.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Trash in Onishika

I'm sure it looks rather funny when I show up to work with an armful of empty beer cans.  "No, really, they're not mine!"  Right...

ONE GOOD DEED:  Pick up beer cans from the side of the road on the way to work.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Nature-based religions survey

I got this survey request and was happy to oblige.

ONE GOOD DEED:  Fill out a survey on Nature-based Religions for the University of Sydney.

Giant plastic thingies magically appear

Maybe they're covers for some kind of garden plant?  Who knows.  Whatever they were, they weren't supposed to be in the ditch.

ONE GOOD DEED:  Pick up trash in the neighborhood ditch.

Monday, May 25, 2009

And pay it forward again

Keep spreading the love.

ONE GOOD DEED:  Give to a neighbor some nice bath salts I got from my friend's wedding.