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Author Topic: 1000 Mitzvahs Project  (Read 279 times)

Offline d_huntress

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1000 Mitzvahs Project
« on: December 23, 2011, 11:34:45 AM »
It's been way too long since I posted here. My life has truly been changed by achieving an attitude of gratitude. I hope yours has as well. If you have a chance to pick up a good book, order "1000 Mitzvahs: How Small Acts of Kindness can Heal, Inspire and Change Your Life". I got mine from Amazon for about $7.50 before Tax and Shipping. I'm not associated with the author at all -- it's just an inspiring paperback. Schools, Scout Troops and Churches are starting their own 1000 Mitzvah projects. It can be as small as offering a stranger a smile, holding the door for someone, or telling someone they did a terrific job. It doesn't have to cost a thing.

Reason for starting this thread: I don't want you to simply get on every couple of days and post about a good deed you've done. When you do a random act of kindness, it is not about the world knowing what you have done in order for you to receive praise. It is about YOU knowing & feeling that your actions have positively affected the life of another.

What I'd love to see on this thread are the stories of how your lives has been changed by your Mitzvahs. Start a journal or blog about the joy it creates in your life every day. The author of the book began her project to honor her father who lost his battle with a terminal illness at age 70. The Mitzvahs didn't just take away the grief - they replaced the grief with JOY.
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Offline ggolf95

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Re: 1000 Mitzvahs Project
« Reply #1 on: December 23, 2011, 12:52:31 PM »
My wife and I both do this. Let's say you're in a checkout line and we've got 20 something items, and someone comes up behind us with 1 or 2 items. We'll say to them "go ahead of me". 50/50 they'll say thanks and go ahead or just say no thanks they'll wait. Either way we feel like we made someone a bit happier. It's tiny, but hey, we'll take what we can get and give what we can.
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Offline d_huntress

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Re: 1000 Mitzvahs Project
« Reply #2 on: December 23, 2011, 03:51:24 PM »
EXACTLY. The gift of time is enormous! I've seen times where having a 2 minute head start (or stopping to give someone else that 2 minutes of your time) resulted in them or you avoiding a bad traffic accident. Those instances remind me that God puts people in our path for a reason.
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Online ehowton

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Re: 1000 Mitzvahs Project
« Reply #3 on: December 24, 2011, 11:07:51 AM »
In recently studying the specific traits of the self-actualized, I've run across first the ability to be at such peace with oneself that they are truly "always happy."  Empirically, however, I've discovered many misinterpret what genuine happiness means.  Recently, I discovered a website which outlines the characteristics of genuinely happy people and one that you mention here I have finally been able to put a name to after 20-something years, recasting.  Simply put, "recasting is the choice to turn problems into opportunities and challenges. It is also the moving and profound ability to convert extreme trauma into something meaningful, important and a source of life-giving energy. To what extent do you recast everyday problems by turning them into opportunity? Do you allow yourself to feel unhappy emotions deeply, and then, as healing allows, move through sadness by converting trauma into opportunities and meaning?" 

The other part you seem to touch on is what we in the Western world refer to as "instant karma" which should probably be redefined for clarification's case.  Back in early 09 Mr_Dowg and I co-authored a piece (http://ehowton.livejournal.com/tag/karma) on our (Western) comprehension of karma and where the real trick lays. 

You guessed it - not with others, but within ourselves.

What with glowdog recently posting on joy and you posting on happiness I feel amongst peers!

Thank you!
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Offline d_huntress

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Re: 1000 Mitzvahs Project
« Reply #4 on: December 24, 2011, 12:35:02 PM »
Thanks, E. I'm familiar with recasting. Whenever I see a news story about a family who has lost a child, for instance, and started a charity or project to help others - I'm reminded of how helping others is the best way to heal.

I know that my life turned around when I began to help others selflessly. I will be the first to tell you that I was guilty in the past of helping others out because I thought it would earn me their love, respect and/or admiration. When I helped because of what it could do for me -- others would simply take, take, take. The miracle didn't happen until I began doing random acts of kindness to make a difference in someone ELSE's life -- not mine. It all began for me this time in 2003, and I've been blessed beyond my wildest dreams ever since (Real "pinch me" stuff)!
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