Thursday, February 23, 2012

Day 54: Gave Away Free Wishes UPDATE!!



As a child, if I went past a fountain, I would beg my mom for a coin so that I could make a wish. Anytime I saw a clock that read 11:11, I made a wish. I pretty much cleared my back yard of dandelions because I would blow the seeds away and make hundreds of wishes. Many times, I wanted to blow out the candles at other kids' birthday parties, simply because I wanted the opportunity to make as many wishes as possible. No matter what, I always had the hope that my wishes could come true. Even though I never met Michael Jordan, won all the money on Earth, or gained super powers, I never stopped wishing...until recently. I started thinking about my life and how since meeting my wife and being blessed with my daughter, combined with the rest of my friends and family, that wishing for anything more than the love that I have from/for them would just be selfish.

One of my goals in the mission is to try to inspire hope in others. Hope that the world can be a kinder place, that things will get better, and that, even if they are in ways you didn't imagine, wishes do come true. So today, for my random act of kindness, I want to do something small to remind everyone of the little kid inside of them who wished for big things and always had hope that they would come true. Today, I am going to take a jar full of pennies, stand in front of a fountain in downtown Chicago with a sign that says "Free Wishes" and allow people to take a penny and make a wish. I know from experience that a single Penny can have a huge impact on your life. Maybe the pennies I give out today will have that same impact for others. So even if, like Skee Lo above, people wish they were a little bit taller, wish they were a baller, or wish they had a girl who looked good so they could call her, they will get their opportunity today.

UPDATE: So I learned a couple of things today. First, Chicago's Water Tower Place really hates when people throw coins into their fountain. It apparently clogs the drains and they don't allow it. Second, every outdoor fountain I know of in the city is covered for the winter or has the water turned off. As you could imagine, this somewhat hindered my plans. However, I am not easily derailed and continued with my mission to give people free wishes. I took a jar and my handy "Free Wishes" sign and posted near a busy intersection during rush hour. I then passed out pennies to whomever wanted one, make a wish on it, and place it in my jar. I made each person the promise that I will deliver the pennies to a fountain once they are re-opened. People weren't as receptive to the free wishes as they were to the hugs. I think people thought that it was a creative way to ask for change even though that wasn't my plan. All in all, I was able to get about 30+ wishes that I will surely deliver to a fountain as soon as possible.

29 comments:

  1. What a great idea! I think it's brilliant that you're doing all of these acts of kindness. Keep up the good work!

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  2. This is amazingly cute! Wishing I was in Chicago today :) Jenn

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  3. 366 random acts of kindness, great blog.
    http://thecrossbreeds.blogspot.com/

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  4. This is such a nice gesture. I pray that your endeavor be a huge success.
    Warmest regards,
    Ruby

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  5. What happens when the 366 days are over?

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  6. very true/// though u may not get exactly what u wish for but still keeping hope... Thats what life is all about!!!!

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  7. This blog is so awesome! You're really creative, and your posts make my day!
    God Bless.<3

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  8. Oh that is such a beautiful idea. I might do this with my lil sis, she is 7, I think she would love doing this :)

    Universal Gibberish

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  9. absolutely wonderful, I made wish leaves with my class of three and four year olds recently, might have to extend to something like this!! :)

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  10. YOU ARE SUCH A KIND SOUL..KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

    heartsintherain.blogspot.com

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  11. It just takes a single pebble, or a penny, in this case...to cause such a positive ripple effect. Very inspiring! Thanks for the smile you put on my face ;)

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  12. How fantastic! I love this idea. And your project. I wish you all the best.
    Angela

    http://AJArndtBooks.blogspot.com

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  13. What a great idea! Good luck and blessed wishes to those that cast their pennies today.

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  14. Good idea :) Please let us know how it turned out!

    ~*Abby*~

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  15. I believe it is great that you are performing random acts of kindness, I hope you continue after 366 days. I have tried myself for a random act of kindness every day since I can remember and have always thought it is what everyone should do. I hope your blog inspires others to do it too. I have always said that if everyone would help those that need it for five years then there would be a day nobody needed help. I would like to see one day if it is true. God bless you, and i would like to see in your blog how these random acts also affect you and your life. In my experience it has been my heart that filled up, and my life that was improved by doing for others. Funny, how you can give of yourself and from that have more to give, and more capacity for love. I am glad you are doing this, maybe one day the whole world will join in. That would be awesome becaause that is truly how it should be.

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  16. You have inspired me, and I am sure countless others. If just half of your followers do even just half a year of acts of kindness and passed it on to other people, think how many lives could be affected.

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  17. I would love to do some of the things that you are doing, and I realize that all I have to do, is just start.

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  18. I love your blog, it makes me really happy to see the simplicity of just experiencing joy that you and so many of your followers demonstrate. It is inspiring. Speaking of inspiring... Your act of kindness today mentioned giving others the opportunity to be inspired, that in itself is a really strong tool and could do a lot to build up the morale of a person!

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  19. This is great idea. And, in my hometown, I know how serious and determined the average passerby can appear as they head to their destinations so I hope your gentle act of kindness was able to break through a few harsh exteriors.

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  20. What a great and creative idea...I am saving my pennies...and looking for a fountain! :)

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  21. I just recently discovered your blog, and I must say that I am incredibly happy that I have. I'm inspired, not only by your kind heart, but by the strength and resolve that you show in your commitment to bring joy and hope into the lives of people you meet. Your commitment to your mission has inspired me to begin my own, and I have finally started my own blog - a series of letter that I'm writing to my son in the hopes that he will learn to be the kind of man who will go out into the world and be a force for good. Thank you, and I look forward to keeping up with your work.

    http://dadthought.blogspot.com/

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  22. I just discovered your blog through the Today Tonight program in Australia. You are doing a fabulous job and i look forward to reading your updates.
    I am in the process in organising a fundraiser for heart kids on my blog. I have some lovely donations from designer children's boutiques and handmade items as well.

    http://shoppegirls.blogspot.com.au/

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  23. You are simply amazing! The world would be a better place if we all acted more like you.

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  24. Awesome! Inspiring indeed!

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  25. This blog is really great!
    Regards from
    Two Gadabouts

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  26. Awww I'm sorry to hear your plans today were thwarted, but I'm sure you'll have so many other amazing experiences as a result of this project, no need to worry.

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  27. Way to keep going!
    Oh how I despise winter...

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  28. you're so sweet. When life gets me down, it is always nice to read your blog.

    You inspire me.

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