Help A Friend (Part 5)

Listen to your friends.

This is advice that I definitely need, because in my very close circle of friends, I tend to monopolize the conversation and events because, well, it’s all about me.

But it’s not. (Please don’t tell them I said this.) *grin*

Next time you’re trying to listen to your friends while trying not to make it all about you, pay particular attention to things that you could possibly assist with. Here is an example (a friend telling you):

Next weekend my husband and I are finally taking that vacation we’ve been wanting to take for five years. It’ll be nice. We’re going to drop the kids off at my mom’s. Buster, the dog, will be kenneled for a week. We’re so excited. I really need to drop five pounds so I can fit into that swimsuit.

Here’s where YOU come in. Before this friend asks for your assistance, think of things you can do to make it a little better for them:

• Offer to take care of the kids.
• Offer to Buster-sit their pooch.
• Offer to take them to the airport, or bus station, or train.
• Offer to add some power-exercise days to burn some calories.
• Offer to power-diet with them for moral support.

Again, these are just little things, but they can really add some karma to your day… just cuz

Turn Envy/Jealousy Into A Compliment

I’ve done it before.  Someone has a new gadget, or an article of clothing that I would really like to have, but don’t for whatever reason.  I’m sure it’s happened to you, also.

Instead of mulling over what you don’t have, or can’t afford, why not try to celebrate the good fortune of others?

Enough of the “what’s in it for me” — you do it, just cuz…

Sprinkle Some Seeds Of Joy

With the nice weather winding down quickly, why not make some pick-me-up pots for yourself or for some friends?

Go to your local garden center and pick up some small inexpensive clay pots, some potting soil, and a mixture of spring flower seeds.

Plant yourself an indoor garden and watch the flowers bloom.

As they start to grow, bring one with you when you’re meeting a friend for coffee or lunch, and present it to them for their own enjoyment.

Just cuz…

Treat Yourself & A Friend

Ah, the unofficial end of summer. Fall will be here in no time, not to mention the chaos of holiday shopping.

Why not call a friend you haven’t seen in a while, and invite them for a day together. You can get a massage, go to lunch, go to a movie, just reminisce, catch up, and have fun.

You both will enjoy it.

Just cuz.

Help A Friend (Part 4)

Payday is five days away, and you seem to have enough to get yourself through the week.

You probably know someone – a friend or a co-worker – who constantly seems to struggle those last couple of days before payday.

How about being a “secret Santa” a couple times a year. Slip a ten or a twenty into an envelope with a note that says, “I know it can be tough toward the end of the pay period, so here’s a little something to help out, Just Cuz…”

Help A Friend (Part 3)

I recently saw a posting on our employee bulletin board from someone seeking others in her area to share the ride to work.

I thought this would be an excellent Just Cuz Act idea!

Think of the money you could save if you and three friends carpooled. That’s four days a week you wouldn’t be using your car to and from work. I know that logistically, this can be a little difficult, and at times you will be driving many miles more on your one day than your normally would if you were coming straight to work. But it’s not going to be the same amount as all four days of driving!

If there isn’t anyone at your office, your city may have a hotline to call and leave your name and general area to match up with someone else – a great way to save those gallons as well as make a new friend!

Ask around your place of business, and share the ride, save some gas, have some morning chatter, just cuz!

Help A Friend (Part 2)

Do you have a skill that is way above and beyond someone else? Why not help out a friend who may be lacking in that area?

Recently a friend of mine was having problems finding some information on the web. I have been, at times, referred to as a “search engine guru,” and she asked if I could help out. It just took a couple minutes of my time, and I had the answer for her.

Perhaps you excel on car problems. If you hear a friend say that they don’t know what’s wrong with their vehicle, why not offer to take a look? Is a friend considering getting a puppy? If you are a self-proclaimed puppy expert, give them some advice!

Use your gifts and talents to help others. Don’t do it for money or power, do it just cuz…

Help A Friend (Part 1)

Another series of posts (in addition to the Write series) is Help A Friend.

I hope you have been fortunate not to be living paycheck to paycheck. Many people are stricken with this dilemma. Sometimes it’s a matter of not managing finances properly, sometimes it’s just a rash of bad luck. In either case, I hope that personal judgments are left at the wayside and when we can help, we do.

Pick out some friends that you know of that have a rough time of it – especially those few days prior to paydays. Every once in a while, tell them you want to buy them lunch. Make it clear that there is no ulterior motive, and no reciprocation expected, just that you are going to XYZ Cafe for lunch, and didn’t want to go alone, and thought it would be nice to treat that friend to lunch so you could gossip, talk about movies, books, family stuff… whatever!

Buy a friend lunch, just cuz!

Make Time For You

We’re all a busy bunch of people. If you have kids, you can barely find a solid block of one hour to yourself. Whether it be to read a book you bought four years ago, or sit and watch some trashy reality show as a guilty pleasure.

How ’bout you talk with some other friends with kids, and schedule some swapping play dates? One day during the weekend each month, take your friend’s kids on a picnic so your weary friend can go for that much-needed mani-pedi, or so your friend and their spouse can catch an afternoon movie at the cinema, sans children.

Then, the following weekend, those friends take YOUR kids to the water park for the afternoon, giving you or you and your loved one, the much needed respite to just be without an obligation for a couple of hours.

Your kids will enjoy it just as much as you will.

Do it for your sanity, and just cuz…

Family dinners, vacations, outings…