Month: February 2015

I may sound redundant now, or maybe just selfish, but I can’t believe how difficult this 100 happy people challenge is for me.  I think I am up to 4 people.  I am not sure if I am looking for the astonishing, or superlative interaction to count in this challenge, or if I am really just not doing anything that makes others happy.  I mean I think the kids in the junior high-class(6) were happy yesterday as I interacted with them, and I think the members of my small group(7) were happy as we played games and spent time together last night.  And I know my nephew(8) was happy when I provided him a bowl of taco soup late last night.  But I am just not sure these are the interactions that should be counted in this little game.  All of those things seem pedestrian and just like normal living?  So now I am on the 7 day of this 40 day challenge wondering if my count is 5 or 8 and more importantly, what in the world I do each day that actually demonstrates the love, mercy and grace of Christ to those I meet and spend time with.

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)

This ‘make others happy’ challenge is actually very challenging.  I am struggling to find and make the moments.  This is a really good thing as it is making me think about all of my interactions with the people I encounter each day. I am trying to decipher and segregate normal quality interactions versus a moment that matters!

I did text my friend  who teaches marriage classes(5) and asked him if it was a good idea to take my wife to ’50 Shades’ this weekend.  His emphatic ‘NO!’ seemed to make him happy!  Actually after that joke I shared my 100 day challenge with him and my progress over the last few days.  That actually did make him happy.  So, it’s a recursive win!!

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

The second day of this challenge was more challenging. Being a pretty quiet and ‘independent’ (aka lonely!! Lol) person, I found my interactions with actual human beings was pretty limited. I actually ran by myself, ate lunch and dinner by myself ( on the road this week) and generally didn’t interact with many people outside of the conversations at work. And we all know those conversations usually do not lead to much happiness!!!

Oh and I must add that I am always purposefully extra nice to the servers where I eat so I didn’t notice anything extra happy there. Although I do believe the guy at the BBQ place was happy to change the TV from Sports Center to the WVU game. He said he was anyway!!!

But this is this. When I check into the local gym, the scanner machine always retorts ‘have a good workout’! The girl at the desk (4) had a nice early morning laugh as she observed me replying out loud ‘thank you’ as I entered yesterday!

It’s the little things.

Just like the Lord told Zechariah :

“Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?” (‭Zechariah‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ NIV)

Alright!  I started the 100 Happy People challenge yesterday.  I am not really sure my results are great.  I started the day by encouraging a gentleman(1) who was throwing up in the stall at the McDonalds/Mapco when I stopped for a quick break and sweet tea on my way to Nashville , and concluded it by telling the officer(2) how bright and blinding his blue lights were as he handed me a voucher to make a mandatory donation to the Wilson County government.  I am not sure either of these two fellas ended up happier after talking to me, but, hey, I tried.

At least I had this little exchange in the middle of those two experiences with some unknown middle school girl(3).  Here’s  evidence that she was happy!

So, not sure if I should count this as 1 or 3, but it’s a start!  How are you doing?

not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:4 NIV

WOW!. Check out this little challenge the Max Lucado has extended to the world.  He suggests that over a forty day period that you can make 100 people happy and through that effort, change the world around you. You may even find that you yourself are changed!  I think this is great, and I am going to give it a try.  Lucado explains it well here, but the ‘rules’ as he states them are:

• Set out to create “100 extra mile moments” between February 9 and March 20 in which you intentionally seek to make someone happy by doing something more than you would typically do.
• Share your experience in your neighborhood group, class or family, and on social media at #100happypeople.
• Keep a journal in which you list the names of people and ways you tried to brighten their day.  Make note of the moment. What did you do? What did you learn? What was the setting?

This could be a lot of fun. I actually have set up a twitter filter for this hashtag and it’s pretty amazing the way people have got this thing started.

Let’s do it, let’s make a difference in the people we meet!
And remember the words of Nehemiah, as he called out

“I’m doing a great work; I can’t come down.” Nehemiah 6:2