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The power of FIVE DOLLARS

8/19/2016

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There are moments in life where something so incredible happens that you know attempting to describe it will fall short. I'm going to try anyway because the goodness of people who understand what it means to LOVE others is truly overwhelming.

Today, we paid for a student in Uganda to go to college with a $5 Starbucks card.

I had the honor to speak at the Living Room Event with Bob Goff today, to share a little bit about The Birthday Project and how Bob and some of his very cool friends inspired me to pursue this passion to create a shift in the way people celebrate their birthdays.  When I finished talking, the attendees were divided into groups of five or six, handed $5, and challenged to use the money to bless someone in whatever way they wanted. When everyone returned thirty minutes later, they were asked to share their experience.  The ideas were so creative. 


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One group bought a bunch of flowers, handed them out to strangers with a word of encouragement and used the remaining change to teach children how to make a wish and throw coins in the fountain.

Another group used their money to barter for bigger and better items until they ended up with bottled drinks, gift cards and art supplies, all of which were given away to kids, adults, men and women in uniform and a teacher.

Some people bought popsicles to hand out on the playground.

As we all marveled at the creativity used to stretch $5, we also listened as people shared the responses of the recipients. Surprise, gratitude, rejection...it was all there.

At one point, a group stood up to say they bought a Starbucks gift card and gave it away, only to end up with another gift card after passing by a table set up by an organization handing them out in return for taking a short survey. The group had run out of time to give the second card to anyone so they decided to auction it off to those of us in the audience. At first everyone laughed, but then they suggested we could donate whatever money we raised to
 Launch, a program we had just heard about that sponsors young people in Uganda so that they can attend University for only $700. 

Immediately someone raised their hand and said "I'll give you $10 for it".
Then someone else said, "I'll give you $20."
Suddenly a man shouted out, "FIFTY!".
We all just dropped silent. What was happening?

The lady next to me, had opened up her wallet and announced in her precious Alabama accent, "Alright, listen y'all. I've got $7 cash in my wallet and I'm gonna need something to tip the guy at the airport, but I'll add my money to the last bidder!". 

​The room became a chorus of laughter and ideas. It got loud and exciting. Someone suggested we bid by the rows we were sitting in. There was money all over the place. (I'm not even slightly exaggerating here, guys.)

The man up front, still holding the Starbucks gift card in the air said, "I say we just take up a collection. We may be about to have church in here!".  He pointed to a small basket near the doughnut table in the back of the room that I think was holding forks or napkins and somebody started passing it around. If it's possible to physically feel excitement, it was thick in that room. I looked at the team hosting the event and they were just in shock, staring at each other, tears and laughter and "WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON?" all at once.

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Somehow we managed to regroup enough to listen to the last few groups share their own stories of giving. Every one of them inspiring. At the end of the session, someone asked how much had actually been collected. One of the conference staff announced, still in disbelief, "You guys wont believe this but you donated $692!!". In the midst of the cheering and applause, someone shouted, "I'll cover the last $8....let's send a kid to college today!".

Even as I type this post, I'm still in awe of what I witnessed this afternoon. To be a part of something so sweet and simple and generous, I just don't know if I'll ever be able to accurately describe it but I know I'll never forget it.

As we closed the afternoon, I challenged the group to one thing: "Every day, 19 million people have a birthday. Imagine if we decided to celebrate our lives and the lives of our loved ones like we did today. I challenge you to find a more fun, exciting, sweet, meaningful way to celebrate the yourself and your children's birthdays than by making a difference in the lives of others. Start with $5. You may just change someone's life."
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The power of words (and how I'm trying to find mine again)

8/8/2016

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I've been having a difficult time blogging. I didn't used to have this problem. Years ago, when blogging was still fairly unchartered territory for the average person, I started a blog for my event planning company. It was easy for me then, mostly because you could share ideas and opinions and the only people who might even read them were the people who already mostly supported you. Even those who didn't agree with something didn't feel the need to spend a lot of time in angry response. The biggest "risk" about blogging back then was was that no one would read your blog at all. {"Hello? Is anyone out there?"}
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Today, it's not the prevalence of blogs that make me apprehensive to write again; it's that the internet has become a mean, unforgiving place. Now, people don't just disagree with a a complete stranger's honest opinion; they publicly stone them for sharing it in the first place. A blogger can become Public Enemy #1 with the single click of the "Post" button.

Somewhere along the way, the right to free speech became the right to tarring and feathering. Between the Grammar Police and the Judgement Squad, the bullies are out in full force. And to be perfectly honest here, I'd much rather just be quiet and not say anything than risk that toxicity.

Life is hard enough. I know my faults and weaknesses. I worry I'm a good enough mom, wife and friend. I have been hurt enough by people who are supposed to love me that I certainly don't feel the need to sign up for the accusations from those who don't even really know me.

When I write about Intentional Kindness, I am writing to myself. I am sharing what I've learned personally as well as what I am trying to learn. I am not posting from a place of self righteousness or condemnation. I don't walk around handing out flowers, balloons and compliments all day (I know...shocking, right?). The only thing I honestly feel I'm better at than anyone else is being about as flawed and imperfect as they come. That's where my confidence begins and ends, folks.

So I'm trying to let go of fear, as my friend Bob Goff has encouraged me to do. Fear of judgement and mistakes and struggles. I'm hoping you'll read along and know my intentions here are to encourage and be encouraged. It takes a lot of fearlessness to put ourselves out there in this world. We are going to BE INTENTIONAL in our words and actions and we are going to face some rejection along the way.

​I'm here for you when that happens. I'm hoping you'll be there for me, too.
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August Birthday Kindness Calendar: Back to school edition

8/3/2016

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Is your birthday this month? I really want to encourage you to celebrate it by doing at least one act of kindness for someone else. Just start with one and see how you feel about it. I PROMISE you it will be the single best gift you receive for your birthday this year. Here are 31 ideas with this month's theme: BACK TO SCHOOL KINDNESS.
Please share this with your friends who have birthdays this month, or even better, do something kind for someone in their honor and let them know about it! :)
....and if you're not following the nonprofit The Birthday Project on Facebook you should definitely do that, too! 

Have fun, be bold and intentional, and let us know how it goes. You can leave a comment sharing your experience as well as post photos to our Facebook page. Tag us on social media so we will be sure to see it. Happy Birthday!

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    Author

    Robyn Bomar; Founder of The Birthday Project; Kindness Consultant, Wife, Mom, Friend.

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  • Home
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  • About TBP
    • The Original 38 Random Acts of {Birthday} Kindess Post
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