Heroes

If you are a fan of Cards Against Humanity, perhaps you have been participating in the "Eight Sensible Gifts for Hanukkah" promotion. But if you aren't participating or haven't heard of the game, that's ok. I promise this post is still relevant for runners, Star Wars fans, those struggling with mental health issues, anybody who wants to feel better about the holidays - whoever you may be.

I am participating in this promotion, and every other day or so get something really random in the mail from the makers of the game. The first three days were socks, and NOT even good running socks...(side note - just wondering if anybody else thought that everyday was going to be socks?). Today, I learned  I get to be king of a castle they purchased in Ireland for 3 minutes on March 19th. Like I said, random.

But my favorite gift from them came over the weekend. If you have a moment, read Cards Against Humanity just blew everyone away with this open letter - and then come back. And if you don't have a moment, that's ok too. But I am going to borrow the letter that they sent me for a sec:

Here's what it says:

On Gratitude

What's your superpower? Can you run faster than a speeding bullet? Can you leap over tall buildings or fly through the air like a plane? Probably not. But every one of us does have a superpower that we carry with us at all times. It's not vulnerable to kryptonite or any comic book villain. It's the superpower of gratitude and it can empower its source as well as its recipient. 

We have the ability to demonstrate our appreciation for what other persons do to make the world or our lives a better or nicer place. These things don't need to be profound events. Every day people are interacting with you. It does not matter if you interact with them in person, over the phone, or online. A "thank you" or an acknowledgement of their effort can mean the world to them. Think of the person in a toll booth. They are confined to a five foot square box all day inhaling exhaust fumes, likely too hot or too cold. You may not be able to help them get a better job but you can make their job better. A smile and a hearty 'thank you' for being here for me can make their day just a bit more tolerable. If enough folks did the same then maybe the box doesn't seem so small.

I own a small business and I try everyday to express kindness, empathy, and yes gratitude for those who work for me. It's harder to be grateful for, or even aware of, the hard work a stranger does for you on the other side of the ocean. I'm proud of the Cards guys for helping us show our gratitude to them too this year.

Just as Superman performs his feats with ease, so can we. The opportunity to express your gratitude to your siblings, parents, coworkers, and strangers is available almost continuously. When you express any kind of gratitude there is almost always a reward. You often get a thank you but a smile or just a nod feels as good. We all have that power, the superpower of gratitude.

Don't let it go to waste.

So Imma just leave that there since this post is getting kind of long, but if you want to play the gratitude game and help others do the same, maybe leave a comment about random acts of kindness that would be so simple to implement daily.

114 days left.

Today's Exercise:  70min outdoor "run" around 15:20 min/mi

Breakfast	Lunch	Snack	Dinner
3 eggs, spinach, coffee	chili w/guac, peppermint tea	heavy cream latte	tuna salad, wine