It’s nearly time for the regular season to get under way – and I’m incredibly excited!  This is my first year in a fantasy league and I’m all set to impress the hell out of my coworkers who make up the fellow managers in the league.

Today we are going to take a look at how to spread good karma during your fantasy baseball draft.  It’s as simple as this: you can’t.  It’s every man, woman, child and animal for themselves – and if I want bragging rights, I need to be crafty, and I need to be deliberate in my planning. I’m a good karma kinda gal, but I’m no saint.  These suckas better watch out!!

Wish me luck!

photo by DavidDennisPhotos.com

Lots of stuff going on lately, fueled by this shitty economy… needless to say, we at Karma Cooler are truly sorry for the unannounced temporary hiatus.  My spirits have been a bit down lately but I will say, that there is one site whose feeds make me smile (other than Hot Chicks with Douchebags), and that is Serendipity Factory’s Happy Discoveries.

When you hit the site, you see exactly what they are all about:  “We seek out people in the world who are doing positive or creative things. People who are being true to themselves and living their dreams. This is simply a collection of random happy discoveries.”  And I should add, they do it in such a cute and crafty-looking way.  Make sure to add them to your feeds or check them out every Wednesday when they post their fix for the mid-week blues, calling it Anti-Woe Wednesday.  Some of my vinyl requiem friends might like the munny video that made it there yesterday!  Go give Traci and Tammy a shout:

In one of my quests to get a pulse for how karma is being represented on the interwebs, I came across Karma Rescue, a non profit that “saves at-risk dogs from the high kill Los Angeles area shelters. Karma provides each dog a new beginning and finds them safe and suitable permanent homes through adoption, advocacy and education.”

They get a huge thumbs up from me, and I’d be willing to bet, from a bunch of the beautiful people who support Karma Cooler.  Now just to throw in a little more cute factor, favorite this post and visit it often when you need a moment to sit back and readjust your perspective.  Be prepared for massive cuteness:

Submitted for your viewing pleasure, here’s a video I came across via Cause Global’s feed.  As stated over there, the clip is from an award-winning documentary featuring street singers all over the globe performing, their individual styles being put together to create one amazing song – this one is “Stand by Me.”  The documentary is called Playing for Change: Peace Through Music – I recommend taking a minute if you are into music and/or can appreciate the significance of these individuals coming together and contributing to this effort.

We’re back from temporary hiatus and excited to tell you about all the great karma that was spread during Random Acts of Kindness week!  Thursday was a double treat for me, because that night was Twestival – a global gathering of Twitter users meeting up to party, have fun, and most importantly, raise money to benefit charity:water.  People got together in something like 185 cities around the globe, pretty impressive.  I decided to come to Twestival armed with a couple of these envelopes.  They had my card on it to let people know they were welcome here at Karma Cooler.

I gave a couple of these out during the course of the evening.  A couple were given to people at the Cheesecake Factory the following night.  One recipient was not so random: I left an envelope in the check holder for our server on top of his tip.  I was assured by my sweetheart that even though the person wasn’t random, the act was something he probably wouldn’t have expected.  I felt better about this.  I also really enjoyed walking out with him and passing lots of people waiting for tables.  I walked up to a random woman and handed her the envelope.  She looked like she didn’t want to take it (hahaha do you blame her???) but she did and I walked away immediately.  I thought it was pretty fun – I just hope all these people like Dunkin Donuts (I know at least one does!!)

My friends were up to a LOT of good too – I’m really inspired by them and was so excited they were so willing to help spread good karma throughout the week too.  From helping others with their taxes, to giving gift cards to strangers and friends alike, to gifting ME with a Kiva gift certificate – these amazing women did their part to share kindness with others so selflessly that I am inspired and proud to know them.  Please go visit them and leave a little love for them:

Topstitch *  Textdrivebys *  Toasty News

So a little more on Twestival – it was a great experience, and I am so glad to have been a part of it.  Though most people came with or met up with, people they already knew.  That makes it a little more difficult to make new connections.  Though I did have the pleasure of meeting some really wonderful people.  First, there was a group of girls who I met while waiting in line to get in, that welcomed me to their group no questions asked, and I thought that was pretty awesome.  They didn’t make me feel like they felt bad for me being there by myself hahaha – I hope they stop by here at some point, I enjoyed their company.  I also actually got to meet someone I was already connected with on twitter, Brian Simpson of the Roger Smith Hotel.  I started following him after watching some of a recent Social Media Breakfast online, and was introduced to him by skyle, one of the SMB organizers.  They were both so warm and sweet – and I couldn’t help but tell Brian just how amazing a job I think he and the Roger Smith crew do embracing social media.  The hotel is definitely now on my NYC must list, whether for enjoying a bit of Brian’s F&B or even an overnight stay.

The event was great, though in all honesty, felt like another night out at a club with how difficult it was to engage in conversation.  I enjoyed seeing Scott Harrison speak – he’s the founder of charity:water – it made it feel a bit more real, and while he announced that night that the NY event had raised enough money to fund 3 new wells in Ethiopia, it turned out that by the next day when they counted the totals, we funded 4 wells.  It feels good to know that I had a part in that.  Of course, it wouldn’t be a New York City party without someone like this guy – but everyone loves the Becky Duck, so I can’t blame him either.  More pics at my Flickr.

Random Acts of Kindness Week starts this coming Monday February 9th.  Are you up for trying to achieve one a day for the whole week?  If you are, and you’re strapped for ideas, here are a few, courtesy of the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation – hit their site for more ideas:

1. Deliver fresh-baked cookies to city workers.
2. Collect goods for a food bank.
3.  Bring flowers to work and share them with coworkers.
4.  Garden clubs can make floral arrangements for senior centers, nursing homes, hospitals, police stations, or shut-ins.
5.  Adopt a student who needs a friend, checking in periodically to see how things are going.
6.  Volunteer to be a tutor in a school.
7.  Extend a hand to someone in need. Give your full attention and simply listen.
8.  Merchants can donate a percentage of receipts for the week to a special cause.
9.  Bring coworkers a special treat.
10.  Students can clean classrooms for the custodian.
11.  Buy a stranger a free pizza.
12.  Distribute lollipops to kids.
13.  Sing at a nursing home.
14.  Offer a couple of hours of baby-sitting to parents.
15.  Slip paper hearts that say “It’s Random Acts of Kindness Week! Have a great day!” under the windshield wipers of parked cars.
16.  Have a charity day at work, with employees bringing nonperishable food items to donate.
17.  Serve refreshments to customers.
18.  Draw names at school or work, and have people bring a small gift or food treat for their secret pal.
19.  Remember the bereaved with phone calls, cards, plants, and food.
20.  Treat someone to fresh fruit.
21.  Pay a compliment at least once a day.
22.  Call or visit a homebound person.
23.  Hand out balloons to passersby.
24.  Give free sodas to motorists.
25.  Be a good neighbor. Take over a baked treat or stop by to say “Hello.”
26.  Transport someone who can’t drive.
27.  Mow a neighbor’s grass.
28.  Say something nice to everyone you meet today.
29.  Send a treat to a school or day-care center.
30.  Volunteer at an agency that needs help.
31.  Wipe rainwater off shopping carts or hold umbrellas for shoppers on the way to their cars.
32.  Give the gift of your smile.
33.  Send home a note telling parents something their child did well.
34.  Adopt a homeless pet from the humane society.
35.  Organize a scout troop or service club to help people with packages at the mall or grocery.
36.  Host special programs or speakers at libraries or bookstores.
37.  Offer to answer the phone for the school secretary for ten minutes.
38.  Volunteer to read to students in the classroom.
39.  Write notes of appreciation and bring flowers or goodies to teachers or other important people, such as the principal, nurse, custodian, and secretary.
40.  Incorporate kindness into the curriculum at area schools, day care centers, or children’s classes in faith organizations.
41.  Give a hug to a friend.
42.  Tell your children why you love them.
43.  Write a note to your mother/father and tell them why they are special.
44.  Pat someone on the back.
45.  Write a thank-you note to a mentor or someone who has influenced your life in a positive way.
46.  Give coffee to people on their way to work in the morning.
47.  Donate time at a senior center.
48.  Give blood.
49.  Visit hospitals with smiles, treats, and friendly conversation for patients.

#50 – 100 after the jump

50.  Stop by a nursing home, and visit a resident with no family nearby.
51.  Plant flowers in your neighbor’s flower box.
52.  Give another driver your parking spot.
53.  Leave a treat or handmade note of thanks for a delivery person or mail carrier.
54.  Give free car washes.
55.  Clean graffiti from neighborhood walls and buildings.
56.  Tell your boss that you think he/she does a good job.
57.  Tell your employees how much you appreciate their work.
58.  Let your staff leave work an hour early.
59.  Have a clean-up party in the park.
60.  Tell a bus or taxi driver how much you appreciate their driving.
61.  Have everyone in your office draw the name of a Random Acts of Kindness buddy out of a hat and do a kind act for their buddy that day or week.
62.  Give a pair of tickets to a baseball game or concert to a stranger.
63.  Leave an extra big tip for the waitperson.
64.  Drop off a plant, cookies, or donuts to the police or fire department.
65.  Open the door for another person.
66.  Pay for the meal of the person behind you in the drive-through.
67.  Write a note to the boss of someone who has helped you, praising the employee.
68.  Leave a bouquet of flowers on the desk of a colleague at work with whom you don’t normally get
along.
69.  Call an estranged family member.
70.  Volunteer to fix up an elderly couple’s home.
71.  Pay for the person behind you in the movie line.
72.  Give flowers to be delivered with meal delivery programs.
73.  Give toys to the children at the shelter or safe house.
74.  Give friends and family kindness coupons they can redeem for kind favors.
75.  Be a friend to a new student or coworker.
76.  Renew an old friendship by sending a letter or small gift to someone you haven’t talked with in a long time.
77.  For one week, act on every single thought of generosity that arises spontaneously in your heart, and notice what happens as a consequence.
78.  Offer to return a shopping cart to the store for someone loading a car.
79.  Invite someone new over for dinner.
80.  Buy a roll of brightly colored stickers and give them to children you meet during the day.
81.  Write a card of thanks and leave it with your tip. Be sure to be specific in your thanks.
82.  Let the person behind you in the grocery store go ahead of you in line.
83.  When drivers try to merge into your lane, let them in with a wave and a smile.
84.  Buy cold drinks for the people next to you at a ball game.
85.  Distribute kindness bookmarks that you have made.
86.  Create a craft project or build a bird house with a child.
87.  Give a bag of groceries to a homeless person.
88.  Laugh out loud often and share your smile generously.
89.  Plant a tree in your neighborhood.
90.  Make a list of things to do to bring more kindness into the world, and have a friend make a list. Exchange lists and do one item per day for a month.
91.  Use an instant camera to take people’s photographs at a party or community event, and give the picture to them.
92.  As you go about your day, pick up trash.
93.  Send a letter to some former teachers, letting them know the difference they made in your life.
94.  Send a gift anonymously to a friend.
95.  Organize a clothing drive for a shelter.
96.  Buy books for a day care or school.
97.  Slip a $20 bill to a person who you know is having financial difficulty.
98.  Take an acquaintance to dinner.
99.  Offer to take a friend’s child to ball practice.
100.  Waive late fees for the week.

Guess what?  A whole week dedicated to the karmic goodness that are random acts of kindness will soon be upon us.  Next week is a great opportunity to jump start your career as a random acts of kindness enthusiast.

If you’re up for it, take the week and try to do a different random gesture of kindness each day of the week.  Come back here and let us know what worked for you and what didn’t.  Come tell us:  Do you feel any different about yourself?  How about others?

Any kind acts are positive steps toward making this world a better place – come and join the party!!

Random Acts of Kindness Week
February 9-15

http://www.actsofkindness.org/

photo courtesy of elycefeliz

At work today my friend Smike caught me geeking out in my cubicle.  I was staring intently at my bottle of Boylan Black Cherry soda because the bubbles were fascinating the sh*t out of me.  I choose those words very carefully because they really describe my frame of mind right now.  I am still dumbfounded over how transfixed I was by these bubbles.  Now what would you do if you turned the corner to my workspace and found me zoned into this soda bottle with my camera in hand?  Chances are, anyone else would have immediately made me feel like a total tool for doing this.  Not my friend Smike.

He instead wildly insisted I blog about it.

By the way, we call him Smike because our office is overpopulated with Mikes, and since his last name starts with “S” and it sounds good, it stuck.

So here I sit trying to dream up a way to connect a bubbly bottle of soda to karma, inspiration, everyday heroes, volunteerism, personal & professional development… and it dawns on me – this entry has little to do with the bubbles themselves, and more to do with how I interpreted his enthusiasm.

My previous post looked at inspiration boards as something we create to enhance our personal motivation.  The support and encouragement of our friends and loved ones is the perfect complement to our respective individual drive.  Just yesterday my friend YOYO asked if it was okay to link to this new site.  I wanted to make it official first, but her excitement for my own endeavor really encouraged me to get on with it and make that announcement.

What are you doing to show the people you care about that you encourage and support them in their lives, in the things they do?  Are you expressing your gratitude to those who do have your back?