• http://www.fatherofone.com/ Michael Wright

    Great reminder, M & C!  There was a need at our church to be a small group leader for 3 and 4 yr olds, so that has been real fun.  This weekend a small group of us will have a fall festival for some families living in a temporary housing arrangement – I’ll be doing some balloon twisting and antics for them.  Hard to worry about your hurts when you’re making a poodle out of a balloon!  Seeing their smiles is so worth it.

    • http://rise365.com Claudia Good

      Michael,
      That is so cool! And you said it just right… Hard to worry about your hurts when you’re making a poodle out of a balloon! hahahaaa! 
      It truly does give us a needed dose of perspective when we get out and help other people. Takes my mind off of me and my complaints for long enough that when I return I forget what I was grumbling about.

      We have found so much encouragement from that cd series from Dan and Joanne. You guys would probably love it too!!

      • http://www.fatherofone.com/ Michael Wright

        I have toyed with getting Dan and Joanne’s co-material for us.  I know every Christmas they have some great deals and I’ll likely pick it up with your recommendation.  Honestly, it’s hard for my wife to listen to “talking” audio.  It’s just not her cup of tea.  She is a very, very visual learner and it has to be in her own time.  She loves it that I invest in myself in this way, she just can’t bear to listen with me.  You should hear her and my daughter in the van when I sneak in the Success magazine CD – “NO SUCCESS today!”…I’ve got more work / leadership to do!!!!

    • http://rise365.com/ Michael Good

      Love it, Michael!

  • http://www.threedimensionalvitality.com/ Ann Musico

    That’s so encouraging in and of itself!  I constantly try and  listen to and read things that will keep me built up.  When we had to close our business and had 3 small children and my husband was trying to get back into the school system was one of the most stressful times for us.  I’ve always tried to help people any way I can – at that time there was a notice in our church that they needed someone to clean the church once a week.  At that time I was cleaning houses to make some extra money – I jumped at the chance to just give back and volunteer.  I worked with a lovely lady and we enjoyed our time cleaning the church!  It was a very unique opportunity to pray as I vacuumed and dusted!  And shortly thereafter my husband was offered a position in our local high school.

    • http://rise365.com Claudia Good

      Ann, 
      I always love your stories!! Wow, what a neat way to keep busy and get your mind off of your own struggles. That is faith and love in action!

  • http://daddydifference.com/ Ryan Ash

    Sounds like I need to pick that book up. :p Thanks for sharing, guys. I think that when we start serving others we see how good we’ve really got things, how blessed we are, etc. and it draws our focus to something outside of our selfish selves. Thanks for the reminder!

    • http://rise365.com Claudia Good

      Ryan,
      You and Ashley would love it! It is actually a 2 cd set and it has been wonderful for us. I love hearing them talk together about their lives their struggles and how they overcame them…

      • http://daddydifference.com/ Ryan Ash

        Did you buy it straight from him or off of Amazon?

        • http://rise365.com/ Michael Good

          We actually got it from Steve and Jody at our meetup. I highly recommend it!

  • jodyberkey

    The 31 Amazing Day Challenge has encouraged me to seek out opportunities to give and do for others.  It makes me happy to do things for others.  It’s somewhat selfish I guess, but I figure in the end, it’s a win-win situation.

    (Have you seen the friends episode about there being no such thing as a selfless good deed?  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzQSEoNdGvk)

    • http://rise365.com Claudia Good

      Hahaha!!!
      Yes, I know C.S. Lewis talks about this whole concepts as well! It is a win-win as you say there friend! ;) Have you found your desire to give and do for others increase since you started your challenge?