(Here’s to Tess Marshall for opening my world to LOVE! this month. Tess, you are amazing and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate you!)

How sweet that our RAOKA (random acts of kick arse) posting for August landed on September 1st. September also happens to be my birth month (Sept 8th is the big day). Woot! My good buddy Tess emailed me out of the blue in late July to ask me if she could celebrate my birthday with me by doing something extra special. It is my big FOUR OH after all.

Tess sent me this link to a post which features Robyn celebrating her 38th birthday by doing 38 things for others. I LOVE! the idea, too! So, I joined Tess to celebrate by performing forty random acts of kick arse love for others (wander over to Tess’ blog to check out her forty things, too!).

Kazaw! Shazam! What a LOVE! trip it’s been!

You are invited to my virtual raoka-love-forty-things birthday party, with a challenge!

My gift to you:

At noon your time today, give yourself a big hug from me—I’m so grateful for your wonderful presence in my life!

Your gift to me:

Perform a random act of love today and come back here to tell me about it in the comments. It can be anything from the smallest smile to changing someone’s life. I can’t wait to hear what you did! Happy Birthday LOVE! to me.

In the mean time, here’s how I spent the month of raoka-birthday LOVE!

READY????

ONE: Purchased a book of stamps and taped them to a local mailbox with a note saying, “Please take: use to send your love to friends or family.”

TWO: I brought breakfast to my elderly neighbor and made sure she knew she can ask me if she needs anything. A few days later she knocked on my door to express the gratitude in my actions. I felt love and think she did, too.

THREE: When I’m out on a walk, I often see a young girl hanging out in front of a particular store front. I’ve always wondered about her (why is she there?). I stopped one morning to say hello and speak with her, she seemed lonely. Her name’s Fiona and her mom works in the store. She is ten years old and on summer break. She seemed really glad to meet someone so we chatted and laughed for about twenty minutes. Now when I see her, I take the time to stop and say hello and it warms my heart to hear her say, “Hi Lori! How are you today?!” I think she needed a friend (and so did I).

FOUR: Tell my mail carrier thank you by putting a love note and Starbucks gift card in my mailbox.

FIVE: While I am not super active on Twitter, I’m there briefly a couple times a day. I’ve warmed up to Twitter and have met a lot of good friends there. I aimed to base 90% of my Tweets around #love. Here are four examples:

SIX: I saw a police officer walking to his car. I stopped him to tell him thank you for his service to our community. He smiled, shook my hand, and asked my name. He was incredibly gracious and I could tell he really appreciated hearing thank you for a rather thankless job. (This made my heart smile.)

SEVEN: While I understand the purpose for spiders as a natural part of the environmental milieu, they still creep me out. I rescued a spider one afternoon by scooting her on a piece of paper and taking her outside. Eep! I think this was the hardest LOVE! act I carried out all month (pun intended). Remember my last attempt to rescue an arachnid? Yipe!

EIGHT: Spelled LOVE! using quarters on one of my favorite sculptures in the park, then walked away with a huge smile on my face. (The next morning, they were gone.)

NINE: I wrote a letter to a long-time friend from high school just to say hello and that I was thinking about her. Then, I wrote one to her parents, too. I spent a lot of time at their home as a kid and want them to know I love them.

TEN: When I’m able to swim, I LOVE! it. As I enter the pool area, I’m required to check in at the front desk and there is always this groovy chicka there—she’s very pleasant. I introduced myself (instead of whisking by) and told her how much I appreciated her working there so that I can swim. Her name is Hilary. I then told her I know another woman named Hilary who is the kindest, sweetest person ever. She smiled and now I’m delighted to know her a little better.

ELEVEN: I am loving the organic produce brought to a local drop-off station by a committed, caring, loving community group. I’ve become much more healthy and I own them deep gratitude and love. I wrote a testimonial for their website and furnished them with a few photos I often shoot—the produce is too beautiful not to keep a record! Here’s to you, the garden of eden!

TWELVE: I live in a complex of units with a fountain at the center in a common area. I noticed the fountain basin and water was getting really dirty so I decided to chip in and clean it myself. I love water, and now the sparkling fountain is much prettier! As the residents walked by, they all had huge smiles and many expressed their gratitude. Check. Mate.

THIRTEEN: While walking up a rather steep hill, I saw a cyclist climbing the hill. I gave him a lot of encouragement and he had a huge smile on his face because of it. Woot!

FOURTEEN: I noticed a a couple moving into our complex this month and happened to be walking by, so I introduced myself and welcomed them. I also told them to knock on my door if they ever needed anything. It was great to get to know them a little better—great people!

FIFTEEN: I mailed a hand-written letter to my aunt, with whom I haven’t communicated in many years. I love her very much and wanted to make sure she knew how much she means to me had how positively she’s impacted my life. I love her and she means the world to me.

SIXTEEN: While I was out on a walk, I saw a construction worker taking a break. So I stopped and told him hello and to have a nice day. He returned the sentiments and we both turned away smiling.

SEVENTEEN: While picking up coffee one morning at a local coffee shop, I decided to pay for the person behind me in line. I paid the cashier and then gave her a $10 bill and asked her to use it for the next person and give him any of the remaining change. She seemed confused and didn’t speak English well. She said, “You want change for the bill?” I said, no, I want you to use this for the next person. She said, “What? I don’t understand.” I said, I want to do something nice for a random stranger. Can you give him this? She nodded, seeming confused, but I think everything turned out as I had planned. It was kind of funny, actually. I didn’t stay to see what happened.

EIGHTEEN: I am in constant awe and feel deep loving gratitude for those who serve others. I took a moment to send love to our President, Barack Obama (via a contact form @ whitehouse.gov). This must be one of the most stressful, thankless jobs out there, and I appreciate his service to our country. Love to you, Mr. President.

NINETEEN: I stopped by the ocean life guard tower to ask one of the lifeguards what I can do for them. I said I appreciate their service to others and wanted to thank them somehow. He directed me to the head lifeguard and he said while they couldn’t accept money, they always love food! So, I walked to my favorite taco shop (vegetarian! yummy!) and got them some bean burritos. When I walked back, I think they were really surprised and couldn’t believe it. One lifeguard actually said this, “You’d be surprised, a lot of people never say thank you. We make 30–40 rescues a day, and of course they’re often stunned, but they often just run away embarrassed.” His eyes were misty. “Thank you so much, ma’am, this really means a lot to us. We really appreciate it!” They then introduced themselves, asked my name, and all gave me a huge salty hug. I think this had to be one of my favorite days this month. I had no idea they rarely hear a, “thank you.”

TWENTY: While I was at the taco shop, I told the cashier what I was up to, and she was excited about the idea and introduced herself. I asked her (Natalie) if she wanted to sign a note with me for the lifeguards. So, she did! (The lifeguards liked that, too.) I then asked if there was anything I could do for her as one of my forty things. She said she didn’t want anything, but if I could she’d love it if I tried to avoid using plastic bags and switch to canvas or at least paper, since the paper can be recycled. I LOVE! this girl!

TWENTY-ONE: I made a point to use zero plastic bags this month. I rarely ever use them, but occasionally I use one at the store if I forget my canvas bag at home. Not this month. If I forgot my bag, I had to walk back home to get canvas. I did it for Natalie and I think it definitely got me into the habit of never using plastic. How awesome is that? Big LOVE!

TWENTY-TWO: I went to a local veterans’ memorial site to pay my respects and send my love to the fallen and their loved ones. I had never been here specifically to take time to read the inscriptions and be with those who have gone before me. I was deeply moved. I spoke to a man who was mounting more “new” plaques on the wall and we had a very special moment. Two strangers, to people’s hearts sending love far and wide. I shed many tears this day, but they were tears of love and gratitude. Here are just a few photos from that day.

Soul sister and code breaker Julia Keelin, WWII {LOVE YOU!}

Soul Brother Virgil Hoffman, Vietnam, {LOVE YOU!}

Soul sister Tanya Blane, SW Asia, {LOVE YOU!}

Tracy Greenamyer, Gulf War, can't stop thinking about her. {LOVE YOU!}

TWENTY-THREE: When I’m out for walks, I usually walk by this one hotel with a doorman out front. I’ve lived here for over five years and I think I’ve always seen this particular doorman occasionally all these years. I decided it was time we met. I walked up to him early this month, introduced myself, asked his name and told him his smiles and candor have always brightened my days. His name is Benny. Then, I said, The next time I walk by, I’m going to say, “Hi Benny! How’s your day?” And, I’m going to be sincerely asking. I want to know. He smiled a mile wide. Sure enough, a few days later, I walked by and said, Hi Benny! How’s your day? And he said, “Hi Lori, it’s great! Keep smiling!” Holy Smiling Doorman Friend, Batgirl, this is fun!

TWENTY-FOUR: People were sitting around a table outside the grocery store with people taking donations for the local music society. When I had purchased my groceries, I also picked up five SuperLotto tickets for the California Lottery. When I exited the store, I gave the five tickets to one of the people behind the table and said that I wanted to give them the five lottery tickets as my donation and if they win they can certainly keep the money for the music society. I have no idea if they actually won, but it was a fun time for all of us.

TWENTY-FIVE: I love my local art museum across the street. I bought two tickets to the museum and approached two people outside who looked enamored by the museum, offered them the tickets, and briefly explained my love-birthday-forty-things mission. They turned out to be architects and college buddies (one local, one from Boston) who hadn’t seen each other in decades. We ended up talking for quite awhile, hugged goodbye, and the local guy gave me his business card and told me if I ever needed anything, to please contact him. Awesome day!

(I electronically smudged the information for his privacy.)

TWENTY-SIX: My neighbor gave me a key to her home to water and watch over her plants on her balcony while she was away on vacay. My hubs helped me make sure all was going okay and also to clean the area prior to her return (thanks sweetheart! I love you!). I also left a little giftie surprise for her. (She’s delightful and I love giving her LOVE!)

TWENTY-SEVEN: I sent a couple of little surprises to a few of my friends in Australia. Just ‘cuz. Because I love them. Plus, how cool is it that I can physically send something half-way across the world for the cost of a couple cups of coffee? Amazing…

TWENTY-EIGHT: I focused on picking up rubbish on the beach instead of looking for more additions to my shell/sea glass/random treasures/sand dollar collection. While I usually try to spot and throw away things during my walks, this time I made it my focus. I love the beach and loved making her more beautiful.

TWENTY-NINE: On days I go for walks, I almost always, purposefully, walk by a certain lovely home with gorgeous roses. I often pause to take in their wonderful aroma—amazing! I once told “The Rose Lady” hello while she was pruning and she struck me as a very kind soul. A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a note thanking her for her gorgeous flowers and stuck it on the landing by her door. (The next day, the note was gone. )

THIRTY: I bought a gift card at the grocery store, turned around after paying for my goods, and gave it to the woman behind me. She was, maybe, in her 70s and I thought she was going to start crying. She said it was one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for her and thanked me profusely. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her—I find it disturbing that this beautiful woman, in all these years, hasn’t experienced more kind acts shown to her than a goofy gift card. Really? (Please do something for someone today!)

THIRTY-ONE: I called both my mom and mother-in-law one day, with the sole purpose of telling them I love them. I am a lucky woman to have them in my life.

THIRTY-TWO: I don’t fuss over my hair much, but when I get a trim, I look forward to spending time with my favorite lock-cutter. Tony is awesome, has brought me much joy and healing energy this year, and I love him. I brought pastries one morning, on a pretty plate I had painted, to his shop for him and his clients. (I kind of feel bad about this one, actually. I don’t eat pastries and I found out neither does Tony [good for him and our healthy habits]. We agreed he’d display them because they are so pretty, but not eat them. Yay!)

THIRTY-THREE: While standing in line with some produce, I saw a woman behind me who looked agitated, angry, and upset for being stuck in line. I looked her in the eye and asked if she’d like to take my place in line—I was next to be helped. Her expression softened and gratefully accepted my offer. (This happened on several occasions, and I think I’ll do this a lot more in the future, too. Five extra minutes in line is not a big deal to me.) Life is good.

THIRTY-FOUR: I told a dear friend, who I love very much, how much I appreciate her. (See the top of this post…)

THIRTY-FIVE: I’m pretty sure the readers of this blog know by now I have MS. I emailed my neurologist to express my gratitude for her time, wisdom, and attention. I think it’s amazing she interacts with me via email when I need her input, and I appreciate her candor. She’s really great and I’m happy to know her.

THIRTY-SIX: I mailed a hand-written, heart-felt letter of encouragement to my three twenty-something step daughters. I love them very much. I want nothing more than for their lives to be filled with love.

THIRTY-SEVEN: During my check up at the hospital this month, I was not feeling so great. I had to give blood for analysis and was none too happy about it. Since the hospital where I’m treated only treats veterans, my phlebotomist asked me about my military service. She was funny, kind, and we ended up laughing a lot. I thanked her warmly for her service to others working at the hospital and she was immensely grateful. By the time my blood draw was over (including placing an IV port), we were both laughing so hard and hugged each other goodbye. Now, that’s my kind of day! LOVE! it!

THIRTY-EIGHT: I spent the month helping Lauren Lankford drop love bombs on unsuspecting recipients. I love what Lauren is doing: once a week she rallies hundreds of people to meet at a site/blog to encourage someone having a rough go of it with a comment. (To get involved, join the team or follow @dropalovebomb on Twitter.) P.S. My love bombing is not stopping!

THIRTY-NINE: I love libraries. I checked out four children’s books, including a personal favorite (and sometimes my nickname!) The Lorax, by T.S. Geisel, and inserted a crisp, new one dollar bill along with a note encouraging the finder of the bill, then returned the books to the library drop box. The notes were all different, but here’s text from one, “This is only the beginning of the treasures you’ll find in books. Keep reading! Love You, ~xo”

FORTY: A BIG HUG TO YOU AT NOON TODAY, FOR AS LONG AS YOU WANT, FOR YOUR PRESENCE IN MY LIFE! THANK YOU! (In the photo below, I’m hugging my favorite tree, it’s getting a hug today, too!)

Hugs to you! (See, I told you I am a tree hugger!)

Head to the comments and please describe any love mission you’ve performed (big or small) this month for RAOKA: LOVE!, or to help me celebrate my birthday! You are awesome!

Stay tuned for next month’s theme: Grace (chosen by M at The Exception).
♦ July’s theme post: Trust
♦ June’s theme post: Wisdom
♦ May’s theme post: Serenity
♦ April’s theme post: Family
♦ March’s theme post: Laughter
♦ February’s theme post: Passion
♦ January’s theme post: Gratitude
♦ December’s theme post: Wacky!
♦ November’s theme post: Beauty
♦ October’s theme post: Kindness

The RAOKA mission seeks to remind us that Random Acts of Kick Arse happen all around us—and also to spread the spirit. Each month, us RAOKA team mateys vote on a new theme based on your submissions.

On the first Wednesday of each month (US time zone) we invite everyone to post about what we’ve observed, passed along, or created. During the first ten days of the month, contact me with your theme ideas for the next month.

I’m at the helm of the RAOKA Crusade with my team mateys Lance, Gayze, and Zeenat. Check out their LOVE posts along with other crusader posts linked at the bottom of this post.

Be Involved in RAOKA!

If you’d like to become a Random Acts of Kick Arse Crusader—here’s your chance:

1. Propose a theme by contacting me the first ten days of the month or simply follow along with our monthly themes and spread the Random Acts of Kick Arse!
2. Write a post about what you have been up to and publish it on the first Wednesday of each month if you are in the US (for other parts of the world, check out your corresponding day here). If you would like a reminder emailed to you each month or would like more information, please contact me. If you don’t have a blog, you’re welcome to play along in the comments.
3. When you see my RAOKA post published, add your details in the form below including the URL address of your own RAOKA post and the title of your blog in the “Link Title” field. This will then automatically create a link to your post for others to see what kind of arse kicking you’ve been up to. See the following link as an example (link 1).

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