Do Something out of your way to help someone else. This could potentially be related to the 'Pay it Forward' approach. However, I don't want you to feel that you have to do something for someone else only after someone has done something good for you. That is a great quote to live by and a great way to keep the 'goodness of people' alive, but it can also be just because. I want to buy a coffee for the guy behind in line. Why? Because. It will make him feel good and see the good in the world. Or, I know a friend who's trying to get a job right now, wouldn't it be cool if you could find the right person to send in a recommendation letter without them ever knowing it was you who helped. Really anything that you experience in your day, from a good morning text to an old friend or a beer for a random old dude. It doesn't matter. Just something that literally has no positive effect to you. Sometimes, and of course my self included, get caught up in our own goals, are own accomplishments, make deals to help both parties, that sometimes, we just need to sit back and watch others succeed with no benefit to yourself. It just might ironically help you out more than you can see now but some weird way that you could never predict. Who knows. Bottom line, lets go out and help other people and not think about the consequences or the outcomes. Then some people might even pay it forward.
BONUS CHALLENGE: 8 mins of yoga a day.
REFLECTION: I was walking towards my hostel in Salzburg, Austria with a few friends and was abruptly stopped. It was an un-busy 4 corner street just outside the main strip off the river. It was a 12 lady bachelorette party all wearing plastic red furry cat ears. They completed blocked the little sidewalk and surrounded myself and my friends. Now normally, on a Saturday afternoon this would seem very exciting to most young gentleman such as myself. However last night I met up with an old college friend at the best Irish pub to celebrate St. Patrick's day. Needless to say, a loud, cheerful, drunk bachelorette party wasn't really what I wanted at the moment. However, they were unfazed. As we navigated through the German/English language barrier, I found out that a tradition is to buy little gifts or trinkets from the soon to be bride. As I looked through her cute little basket with giggling eyes giving up countless up downs and cute laughs, I thought to myself I don't want any of this bullshit she has to offer, but what I dick I would be if I declined her sweet offer. So obviously, what a perfect opportunity to fulfill my help deed of the week. I reached in my back pocket for my wallet and pulled out a 20 euro. I explained, as best I could with the help of her best gals, that I didn't want any of her trinkets however I gave her the bill and wished her a great night and to buy a drink on me. She loved it and didn't know what else to do except offer me a shot. How could I decline a soon to be bride. Myself and the girls all took a shot, celebrated her day and went our separate ways.
At first I didn't want anything to do with the group, but soon realized, its her day and she's having a ball. Why put rain on her umbrella when I can move the clouds. So that’s exactly what I intended to do. I had no Machiavellian backdoor interests, nor nothing else to offer but my money and good attitude. And it was a pleasure to do so. This week was a genuine success.