Give a Penny Take a Penny

I was standing in line at the grocery store, full basket of groceries in hand, when all of a sudden I remembered that I had taken my Discover card out of my wallet the night before. Now I am one of those people that love a credit economy. The term Once in a Blue Moon can't even describe how rare it is for me to actually have hard currency on my person. Luckily though, on this particular day, I had a twenty spot and a few loose coins in my pocket.

I thought, no bigge, I was just buying some of the essentials, pop, frozen pizza, chips, cookies, ect . . . all the staples of a bachelor’s kitchen cabinet. $20 should cover me - no biggie. And, at the worst, maybe I have to put a few items back like the veggies and fruits that I had picked up.

It was my turn to unload the contents of my basket onto the conveyor belt that was to deliver my goods to the red flashing laser - the scanner - that was going to decide what I could keep or had to abandon. As I watched the display screen after each swipe of another delicious toll-house morsel, or the frozen delight of Eddy's Ice Cream, the number rose towards the amount in my pocket. $15, $17.65, $19.35. . . My heart dropped. I was about to become one of those people who couldn't pay up. As I watched the Bananas resting on the scales, the check out lady gave me the bad news, $21.95.

My hand shot to my pockets, scrambling to pull out every coin that had been clanging in my pocket all morning long. I quickly counted the coins to find out, if by some miraculous miracle, maybe I had $1.95. 2 quarters, 3 dimes, 4 nickels and a lot of lint. I asked the cashier if I could sell her my lint - she looked at me oddly - I was just trying to buy time to make to make a decision between the bananas or the ice-cream.

If my mother is reading this – I made the grown-up decision – and started to reach for the ice-cream as I apologized for my shortness in cash and for making the cashier have to walk all the way to the frozen section to reshelf that chocolaty delicacy.

In the middle of my apology, a dollar appeared out of thin air. The man behind me produced a dollar and set it on the counter. I looked at him with amazement. I mean, I didn’t need the junk food. It wasn’t like the basket was full of the actual essentials of a balanced diet. I told the man that I didn’t need the ice-cream. He insisted. I told him I forgot me credit card – and thanked him. He simply said “That happens, you’re welcome.”

That happens, you are welcome. Stuff happens, you are welcome. Stuff happens, I don’t mind helping another person.

Thank you.

I know its not Friday. . .

Okay, so I know that it isn't Friday - but, well, I just feel like writing.

I just finished watching the movie I am Reed Fish, which I could love just for the title. If I have a son, I'll name him Reed - if she'll let me.

It is one of those young kid trying to "find" himself movie, with a little bit of twist on the manner of its story telling. Makes the genre it was modeled after not so obvious. But what I do like about it is that this Fish character is a nice guy through out the movie - with some bumps in the road while trying to find happiness for himself. It gives me an overall "good" feeling after watching it.

I've noticed that I have been gravitating to such movies. Watching movies over and over again that have a good earth feeling about them. What I mean is that they touch the soul in the right places. I've watched Amelie again, my all time favorite do gooder movie (It is subtitled - but worth it! I've even watched it with out subtitles just because the cinematography is so great!)



Even the movie, Into the Wild By Colin MacLean, although depressing at the end, had a great message that happiness is found with others in your life.

I've also just started reading a book called This I Believe, which is a collection of people's personal philosophies on life - and what they believe to be true. I've found that while reading them, the common theme of goodness, kindness to others and love are reoccurring themes.

All of these movies, and books that I have been drawn to recently are small little pokes to the soul. They give us that quick reminder about the reasons why we have been put on this earth.

A Little Boost

A lot of times, actions that we take have unexpected, and huge positive consequences.

For example, Eric's Planes simply added our blog to his "Friends of Eric's" links. This simple little action, probably done because he enjoyed some aspect of the blog, brought in over 80 new visitors to Elphos.org. This was such a small way to show appreciation for something - that ended up benifiting this organization immensely.

I can think of so many small things that people have done for me, that have had an enourmous impact on my life. Just the most basic things, like a friend putting their hand on my shoulder and telling me it would be alright - or a Thank You, you did a great job. These type of things have the power to not only lighten our spirits at the time, but a lasting effect for the rest of our lives. On hard days, I still remember kind words of advice, encouragements or solace, spoken to me a number of years before.

I think that if you were to reflect back, I'm sure you'd have the same moments that you often turn to in darker times, may it be words from a friend, lover, sibling or parent.

Part of my objective for Elphos.org is to encourage people to write down those words of encouragement, appreciation, and love so that during those times when we most need these words, we can turn to these letters and reread them. - That and it is always cool getting a letter rather than a bill in the mail.

US Post Office - Free Postage.

This is a surprise to me, but I thought I would mention it - just encase you want to send a letter to a friend, for FREE.

In celebration of the John Adams Documentary on HBO - the US Postal Service is allowing people to customize cards - and then send them out to the recipients.

The free cards are available at www.poweroftheletter.com by clicking on Free John Adams Greeting Card on the left hand side of the screen. (I took a look at the cards - and they look pretty nice - and you can add a picture to the inside of them - but on the back of the cards is a big advertisement for HBO)

To view the Full AP Article click here.

I'd Like to Hear from you . . .

This Week, I would like to hear your story about the act of kindness, words of encouragement or appreciation that you have had happen to you, or that you have seen around you.

Leave a Comment on this post - and tell us your story. . .

Oh Yea of Little Faith. . .

At 6 am, on a freezing morning, I left one of my most prized possessions in the hands of a stranger - and then walked away. I had faith that I would see it again, but with each day that it was out of my loving care, my faith dissipated.

As many of you might know, the weather in MN has been up and down lately. One day its raining, the next its snowing. All of this causes major problems for those of us who get to park our cars in the elements during this time. On one particular morning, mother natures left me a present of about 3 cm of ice clinging to all of the surfaces of my car. There is something about walking out your door in the morning to the orchestra of ice scrapers echoing in the fidget air. You instantly know that you will be joining in the fun.

As I was walking out my front door, a neighbor that I have never seen before, ended up walking out behind me. As we both walked to our cars, which happened to be parked across from each other, both of our hearts dropped when we quickly realized that we would be spending the next 10 minutes chipping away at our frozen vehicles. And so the race to see who would finish first started (or at least that is what I was thinking).

I quickly jumped in my car, nudging the sleeping and cold beast to get started for the morning. After some yawning and moaning, it finally turned over - from the vents, ice cold air hit me in the face - which I quickly turned to defrost mode - to help me out in my next adventure.

Climbing out of the car - with my prized possession and helpful tool in hand - I starting to chip away the ice. As I looked over at my competitor - I soon realized that the race wasn't fair at all. In my hand, was a long and powerful ice scraper. The type that is ergonomically bent for the best leverage to get under the ice on the windshield. In her hands, was the equivalent of a credit card strapped to a stick. By the time that I had finished clearing all of my windows, this poor lady was still working on her main windshield.

I was late for work, and almost jumped into my car to take off, when the sight of this ladies' ice scrapper stopped me in my tracks. Then the thought of, why don't I lend her my ice scrapper - and aid her in her struggle. But. . .I was aprehensive. I mean, I have had this ice scrapper for as long as I can remember. It was my first purchase when I got my very first car. The scrapper has rode shot gun in every car I've ever owned, aiding me in clearing my view winter after winter without a single complaint. And now I was going to hand it over to a perfect stranger?

I gave her the ice scrapper with the request that she leave it in the lobby of our building on her return trip. I drove way, half expecting to see a single tear roll off of my most useful tool. But with all faith that I would see it once more.

When I return home to my apartment that night, I looked in the front lobby of my building. Nothing. No sign of my trusty ice scrapper. I though, "maybe I beat her home. . ." The next day came, no sight of my scraper, and so the days clocked by, until I at last gave up hope of ever seeing my red ice scrapper. After a few angry thoughts and under the breath cursing - I started looking for a replacement.

However, just yesterday, I returned home after a long day, and there, propped up against my mailbox, was my ice scrapper. In all seriousness, I had given up on ever getting this thing back. I had written it off as a risk of doing an act of kindness. I mean really, the thing cost me 10 bucks - I was willing to take the risk of never seeing it again even though this particular scraper is the best scraper I've ever used (not even joking - the thing is awesome!). But to see it there propped up, waiting for me, it did restore my faith in people a bit. It made me realize that my initial anger over someone not returning an item to me was stupid. It also renewed my faith that people are good. I think it is so easy to assume the opposite of those we have never met before.

More importantly, I've learned that even though I may not see an immediate result of something kind that I have done - doesn't mean that there isn't one.