The Halo Effect

My sister sent me a message asking me if we were going to have “closing ceremonies” of the Halo Effect. While it made me laugh, I thought you know, maybe I can symbolize the closing of the 28 days with the closing of the 2010 Olympic Games.
However, as I said to my sister, its not really “closing”…because the idea is that we (everyone who participated) will hopefully continue to do good deeds and really focus on making someone else’s day.

AND – drum roll please….we will be launching a monthly “Halo of the Month” winner for the next 11 months….to continue to raise awareness of 28 good deeds for 28 days…until February 2011 for Halo Effect 2011.

We will be posting video blogs with our thoughts on the 28 days – I don’t want to speak for the team…but I think I can safely say that we have all had our awareness raised in how we can make some one’s day..helping others and making a difference in someone’s life.

What a way to complete the 28 days…with the world watching us in Vancouver – with Canada winning the most Gold medals EVER in a Winter Olympics – how proud I feel to be Canadian. Not because of the medals – well – that’s great – don’t get me wrong – but the spirit of our Country – and the pride that we as Canadians usually apologize for, we are now proudly flaunting…and I could not be happier. From coast to coast – and beyond (our troops watching over seas) we saw crowds cheering, streets packed with people when Sidney Crosby scored the winning goal. It was truly a moment I will remember forever.

Congratulations to all of the people who took part in the Halo Effect – and to all of our Canadian athletes for an outstanding Olympic Games. I hope the spirit of the Halo Effect – and the Olympic Games carries us well into the future.

cheers
le

Today was such a gratifying halo. While reaching out to my friend yesterday for coffee, he mentioned his girlfriend who was starting a new job on Monday and was stressing because she only had one business suit. She is a single mom and just managing to get back into the work force (good for her!) She is on a very tight budget, and most of what she has goes to her daughter.
I got her phone number, explained who I was and asked her what size she wears. Since I have a range of sizes in my closet – I easily found a few outfits that (I hope) will work for her … and two almost brand new pairs of shoes that should work for her.
She wasn’t home when I dropped the clothes off, but I received a very excited voice message from her when I was in watching my nephews hockey game.
What a great feeling to directly make a difference in someone’s life. In her message she said “I can stop stressing now…and just focus on being nervous because its my first day and trying to remember everyone’s name. (laugh) If I can every help you in anyway, please let me know.” No Ellie…just do a good deed for someone else when you have the opportunity.
And our Canadian Men (hockey) are going to the Gold Medal Game! woot. How awesome is that?
cheers
le

As we near the conclusion of 28 days of 28 good deeds, I’m finding it easier and easier to come up with good deeds – but more difficult to write about it. It is starting to become second nature – and feeling almost like it’s not something to write about. What I can say though, is the feeling of positive energy hasn’t changed.
Today – I met a “friend” for coffee – I say friend but is someone that I know because he used to work at a local haunt I frequent – but he is going through a tough time, battling depression and really needed someone just to listen.
I also downloaded the pictures onto a disk for all of our senior friends and made them ready to print.
Although I had some stuff I had to take care of this evening that was not pleasant, I found it was much easier to deal with – I didn’t dread it and it didn’t really seem that bad – I guess because I’d been focussing on other people and not dwelling on what I had to that was unpleasant.

Two official halo days left…wow – time flies.
cheers
le

What an amazing Halo day! We had our team rally at the Oakville Senior Citizens Residence. They have been doing two weeks of ‘Olympic’ events..with our Olympic Version of Name That Tune to wrap up their games. We had a slight mechanical malfunction – but over came that fairly easily.
The team had baked goodies (yes…even me…;thank you Pillsbury Dough Guy) and we medals for the winners and well as little prizes for everyone who participated.
As a special surprise we had Verna – an Olympic Torchbearer arrive to talk about her run – with the torch – and everyone had their picture taken with the Olympic torch.
It was such a fun time – the team kept saying (we want to come every week”…it is so satisfying to entertain the folks – and bring something special into their day.
We made so many new friends – and as busy as we are (with work) found that we could still stop what we were doing to spend a few hours giving back.
We were happy for the opportunity…and I’m still feeling jazzed five hours later! Hard to top that.
cheers
le

I spent the evening prepping for our team halo tomorrow. We are going as a team to the local Seniors Residence and doing a 2010 Olympics version of “Name that Tune”. It should be fun. I bought their snacks for ’snack time”, baked cookies (note to my team: don’t say a word) bought an Olympics scarf and mitts and we will load the tunes tomorrow…from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s.
It was fun just getting everything ready. I’m excited to enjoy playing the game with them tomorrow. And a little nervous too. I hope they like it and have fun!
More tomorrow.
cheers
le

So…it finally got me. Whatever it is that I’ve been fighting…I’m sick. Whether it’s stress – or a flu…It knocked me down today.
I received a nice card from Rach at the office – an e-card. It was sweet. I usually don’t trust those sites too much but I took the time to try and find a thank you card that looked like Lucie – and write a message.
I also got to see everyone on Skype! Which was uber cool. I love that.

cheers
le

I didn’t realize it was going to be a double halo day – but as it turned out, doing the right thing…is it considered a good need? I think it depends on your level of consideration and care.
My intended good deed was first thing in the morning. I went IN to Tim Hortons – and bought coffee for the four people ahead of me that had already ordered their coffee. It was my surprise when I ordered that one of the guys bought my coffee and Lucie her timbits. I of course gave them all a halo card..and asked them to make someone’s day in some way. Niiiice.
Turns out we actually started to get the snow they were predicting – would have been “Better Never than Late”….as we have been lucky this year as it relates to snow (lucky if you’re not a snow operator at a ski resort). I had an appointment at 2PM and it took 45 minutes for a 20 minute drive. I called back to the office and we made the decision to send the team home. I care too much about them to have them battle traffic and crazy drivers that don’t know how to drive in the snow just to get a few more hours work out of them. I know when they need to stay late, and have many times gone above and beyond…so a few hours for the sake of safety is well worth the effort.
I checked in with everyone – and have finally heard back from all. Happy Mama.
cheers
le

As I said yesterday, I planned out the weekend to ensure I kept the positive energy flowing all weekend. I’ve been fighting something – and wanted to be sure the positive energy flow was consistent. I had arranged last Thursday for a call with a very kind gentleman who was in charge of a fundraising effort for a charity. He didn’t have any idea about social media or media relations. I booked an hour off on Sunday morning and we had a nice long chat – and planned out a social media plan as well as nailed a media strategy. He wrote, I talked – we brainstormed – and came up with some amazing ideas. Too many actually to use all in one campaign – so I think he’s set for the next campaign too.
it was fun – and creative and nice to focus not only on a great cause, but doing something good for a good cause. I was on a high for the rest of the day – and so I was glad I did the call in the morning.
I’ve since received an electronic thank you, a thank you phone call and a thank you snail mail card. Not necessary – but very nice to be appreciated.
Getting back to basics – just set out to make someone’s day better.

cheers
le

As I mentioned last weekend – weekends can be challenging to be creative for good deeds. So this weekend I was prepared! I planned ahead of time.
I was finally going in to get that much needed manicure … and of course left booking an appointment until the very last minute (five minutes before they closed on Friday night for a Saturday appointment…not advisable). But they always find a time for me that works with my schedule and with the person I want. So – I did up two Thank you cards and wrote them both a letter telling them how much I appreciate them. One for the girl who does the booking – and one for the girl who does such a great job on my nails. I always take the time to listen to them – and give advice (when asked). And I always make a point of over tipping “my girl” – as she is a single mom, and works hard for her money.
A double benefit for me – nice nails and earned a halo. But the real benefit was feeling really good when I left there – not just because my nails were pretty – but because they really were excited to get a thank you card.
cheers
le

Today was an usual one for me.  I was planning to go over to the Seniors residence further west (not our usual one) and drop off some ice cream after work for their snack time tomorrow.

Making my usual jaunt through Tim Hortons drive-thru this morning, I was feeling a bit annoyed at the line-up.  There was only two cars in front of me – yet I sat for 10 minutes.  To me – drive thru’s should be express – fast and easy – not a place where you order breakfast for 10.  I contemplated also paying for the person behind me, but lost interest as I sat there…longer and longer.  I was also a bit annoyed at myself..I’m only allowing myself a few life’s little luxuries if I save enough by foregoing something else – and figured I had an extra $30 dollars for a manicure.  (woot after my cleaning stint on Saturday).

I finally got to the window, paid and was exiting the drive thru when I noticed a man stopping cars as they were leaving.  Whatever he was looking for, he wasn’t having any luck.

He looked at me and hesitated – and then approached the car anyway.  I pulled a little further up to get out of the way – and rolled my window down a bit.  He introduced himself and was quite stressed – asking if I had a gas can (no).  Turns out he was from out of town, and if he had to buy a gas can he would not have any money left to fill it with gas.  He had to get a fair way up north.

He offered to give me his license – and said if I could lend him 10 dollars, he would send it back and then I could send his license.

Whether this was for gas – or he was full of gas…he was obviously in distress.  I gave him $20, asked him to do something nice for someone else in the next days….and have a nice day.  It meant I had to say good bye to my mani…but it warmed my heart to see a man so happy that he was crying at the fact that he could buy enough gas to get home and there was someone kind enough to care.

Today was one of m favourite halos so far.  But looking forward to our Halo Olympics with the seniors a week from tomorrow.

Tune into Talk 820AM at 9AM – Nabuurs and Friends tomorrow morning for an update on the Halo Effect.

Cheers and good night.

le