Make someone smile today!

As I was checking some of the other “ultra” loggers’ sites….ultra as in someone who runs-a-lot, not as in conservative…I happened on one posted by Dean Karnazes (http://dean.runnersworld.com/ )that rang loud and true.  Dean by the way is on a mission to get the whole world running, which of course I support whole heartedly.  Anyway, Dean has decided to make at least one person a day, smile. He has devised a plan of taking a fist full of $1 bills with him on his training runs and randomly placing one here and there under the wiper blade of parked cars.  Then, as he continues his run he imagines the smile on the face of the driver when they return to their car. 

This reminded me of a little experiment I performed while running those 5,240 miles I ran in the year 2000 as I completed my goal of 200 marathon distances in one year.  At least 70% of those daily marathons were executed by me running solo on the streets of some city’s marathon course……on a normal day…..when the streets weren’t closed for the race, and as people were going about their daily business.  As you may imagine, I had a lot of free time on my hands, yes, I was running, but for me it was just another day at the office.  My experiment was to make it a point to greet everyone I met with a smile and a “Good morning.”  It was amazing how many faces “lit up” with a smile….and a pleasant reply.  What a great feeling…..for both of us.

As you may recall in my Thanksgiving blog, (the 3 of you who read it), I challenged my readers to “commit a random act of kindness,” but what I forgot to do is request that you report on the results.

So again, I challenge you to do something nice for someone……just ‘cause you can, and let me know how it goes. 

If Dean and I and you do enough of this “feel good” stuff, who knows, the world may begin to look brighter.  Give it a shot.

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1. Ulli the Walker says:

   December 10, 2009 at 1:10 am

   Not just at LeanHorse 100, I say “hi” or “looking good” to everybody I meet on the course … day and night. On loop courses, where everybody meets frequently, some runners don’t respond, especially as I’m “just a walker”. But after several hours they smile a bit when they see me again and start responding … “hi”.
2. Elise says:

   December 16, 2009 at 10:25 am

   A good reminder especially at this time of year when many of us get busy on our to-do list. My favorite and such an easy thing is to let the car in that’s waiting to merge, takes a couple seconds and most always gets a wave and “always” brings a smile to me!
3. Jerry Dunn says:

   December 16, 2009 at 9:38 pm

   Elise….cool.
   And we all look better when we’re smiling.
4. Loren says:

   December 17, 2009 at 7:47 pm

   Jerry,
   Many thanks for your encouragement at Lean Horse this Summer. The more I learn about my heart condition, the more certain I am that it was wise to drop at mile 21 or I may have been literally dropping in the heat. That does not mean I will not be back! Also, your personal testimony was a powerful message to a close family member of mine as they now have ten months clean and were inspired to hear of your challenges and subsequent blessings.
   Loren
5. Loren says:

   December 17, 2009 at 8:04 pm

   Jerry,
   Immediately after I posted above I got a call from my daughter that one of the residents in the recovery house that she is house mother in took her life this AM. Prayers will be greatly appreciated.
   Loren
6. Jerry Dunn says:

   December 17, 2009 at 9:41 pm

   Loren….as always, we have much to be thankful for and much to pray about.
   I am thankful that you had the wisdom to listen to your body and your Coach above and drop out at 21 miles. You’re alive…and you CAN run again, when you’re ready.
   I’m thankful too that my words of encouragement helped you, and even more thankful that something I said helped you family member on the road to recovery and whatever blessings God has waiting for him/her.
   My prayers go up for your daughter. I pray that God will work His healing of the grieving family, through her. And I prayer that your daughter will have strength and wisdom to say and do the right things for the family. Remind her that God never gives us more than we can bear…….although sometimes the load is pretty darned heavy.
   As you very well know, running isn’t the cureall, endall for life’s trials, but it sure helps to be able to get out and clear the head now and then.
   Be strong…
7. Loren says:

   December 17, 2009 at 10:02 pm

   Jerry,
   It will mean a lot to my daughter to know that the Marathon Man has her in his prayers. She is the family member with 10 months and has been inspired by your story. I’m sure your testimony has put a smile on her face more than once!
   Loren