WHAT A YEAR: DAY 365 OF 365

It’s hard to believe that today is the last day of 2009.  Is it me or did the year seem to just zip on by?!  I know for me, it’s been quite a year.  A year ago at this time, I was working on my first 365 blog post from a Monterey hotel room.  From that moment on, I approached this year with new goals and aspirations and enjoyed many lessons and adventures along the way.

As Matt and I drove through through the beautiful country of Costa Rica today, my mind was a flurry–thinking about all the memories that have made up the past 365 days: Helping inspire the children of Ms. Good’s 2nd grade class with “The Good Deed Project.” Being able to help others and our planet with “The Recycling Program.” Visiting and volunteering at animal and homeless shelters. Running down the aisle of the 99 cent store and grabbing items for local shelters.  Bringing toys to the Children’s Hospital. Givin’ out hugs at The Hug Deli. Loaning a woman in Peru money to start her business (through Kiva.org). Spending quality time, helping out friends and family.  And of course jumping on a plane and heading out to Latin America with Matt to volunteer and experience life overseas.

As I sat there, my eyes locked on the colorfulß scenery, thinking about all these “good” times, I wondered, “What do all these memories have in common?  And, is there a grand revelation I can take away today?”  I asked myself whether or not I truly affected people in a more positive way this year.  “I think I have… I hope I have,” I thought.  And then it hit me.  It wasn’t about the question I was asking, but the answer that arose from deep down within… It’s about everyone else.  The greatest gift I have received from these 365 days is the affect that everyone else has had on me.  Okay, so I know that may sound cheesy.  But bare with me for a second.

All these memories and adventures are made up of inspiring moments, unbelievable acts of kindness, and insightful words of wisdom that have come from everyone else in these memories. On this trip alone, I met people who did things for Matt and I that just astounded us.   People who barely knew us,  went above the call of duty and gave and shared of themselves unconditionally–in a way we had never experienced before.  It is other people’s kind actions that have helped me grow more this year than ever before.  So I share with you this thought: Let the goodness of others affect you.  Let this goodness be the example. And let it lead you to do good.  As one of Ms. Good’s students said to me, “doing acts of goodness is like a ripple” –it may start and one point, but then continues on long after.

As I put closure on today, the grand number “365,” I feel grateful for everyone else’s inspiration and support in helping me complete this journey I set out to do.  I say “complete” because I have made it through what I originally set out to do on January 1st, 2009–inject more goodness into the world around me and blog about it for an entire year.  However, after completing this year, I am filled with an even greater desire to do more good.  It’s the end of a chapter, but the start of a new one.

As I mentioned earlier this week, I had a little epiphany on this trip. I want to build a non-profit.  One that centers  on bringing goodness programs to schools across the world; teaching, sharing and creating ripples everywhere.  So this is my goal for the next 365 days–to start planting the seeds and building this non-profit.  It’s a bit of a scary goal for me, as all I really know about starting a non-profit is that it can be a tough, long process to get it off the ground.  But I will keep all of you in the loop here at 365 and we’ll see where we are at in another 365 days.

From 365 Days of Goodness please help continue that “ripple.”

Thanks to all of you for your love and support.  It has been quite the journey already, but I know it’s just the beginning. Have a happy and healthy New Year, and I’ll check in with you all in 2010!

Matt & I enjoying the beautiful beaches of Costa Rica!