12.13.10 Mission #21 He Carries You

For all the students out there completing their final exams and ending this semester, I hope you guys will press in and finish strong until the end! You guys can do it!

11.15.10 Mission #20 - Encouragement

Dear Friends,

You are both appreciated and loved. 

Don't lose hope.

-the gray bird

11.2.10 Mission #18 VOTING Day!

It is not easy to find people these days who genuinely believe in Washington to make meaningful change in our country. However, that doesn't mean we give up on the individual opportunities given to us to make change. I personally believe that good policy and legislation can impact millions of people in a positive and powerful way. So, my way of making this world a little better today was through voting. Today is the midterm election day where people vote for state and local representatives. As I stepped into the polls, I wanted to thanks those who are taking a step towards making a change they believe in ;) I chose a quote from Confucius: "A journey of a thousand miles beings with a single step."

Was it Halloween? I had so much candy/chocolate left!

10.25.10 Mission #17 The Struggle in the Darkness

[Emailed to those walking in the steps of Mother Teresa]

So, it's said that Mother Teresa experienced a lot of inner pain due to the separation she felt from God and His love, especially between her most active and influential periods of serving the poor in Calcutta, India. I am amazed at the type of faith and dedication she had towards Jesus and the poor despite the loneliness and isolation she experienced everyday. I'm writing down some quotes that have been speaking to my heart in the most truthful and gentlest ways. I hope you too will understand that there is Perseverance and Love residing in you that will carry you through the most darkest hours of your life. Perhaps it's not too bad of an idea to strike up an honest and humble conversation with Him today. God bless you.

"If I ever become a Saint--I will surely be one of 'darkness.' I will continually be absent from Heaven--to light the light of those in darkness on earth."

"Before crosses used to frighten me--I used to get goose bumps at the thought of suffering--but now I embrace suffering even before it actually comes, and like this Jesus and I live in love."

"Do not think that my spiritual life is strewn with roses--that is the flower which I hardly ever find on my way. Quite the contrary, I have more often as my companion 'darkness.' And when the night becomes very thick--and it seems to me as if I will end up in hell--then I simply offer myself to Jesus. If he wants me to go there--I am ready--but only under the condition that it really makes Him happy. I need much grace, much of Christ's strength to persevere in trust, in that blind love which leads only to Jesus Crucified. But I am happy--yes happier than ever. And I would not wish at any price to give up my sufferings. But do not, however, think that I am only suffering. Ah no--I am laughing more than I am suffering--so that some have concluded that I am Jesus' spoiled bride, who lives with Jesus in Nazareth--far away from Calvary. Pray, pray much for me--I really need His love."

-- Mother Teresa of Calcutta

10.20.10 - Mission #16 Hope

If we were robots, or superman then maybe we wouldn't feel pain. Maybe we wouldn't have to witness extreme poverty. Maybe three million people wouldn't struggle to live on less than $2 a day.


And maybe we wouldn't feel so lonely, ugly, inferior, stupid.
But we are human, and we are all hurting.


In all of this, there is hope. There is a hope that the beauty that dwells in every person will shine. Every one, every being would see each other and themselves as beautiful and dignified. 


Amidst even the incredible injustice, there is hope that one day we will recognize that we are all worthy of living and that every life is a miracle. At the end of the day what would really matter is not how much money you made for the sake of making money or how poorly or perfectly you scored on an examination for the sake of being another statistic, or your status according to worldly standards - but what would really become of consequence is what you've shared with a person, who you talked to, who you loved.


That to me, is the hope that I believe will change the world. 


------------------------------------------------------------------

So here my mission began: 

I come here often to just relax. 

Yes, it is the library. 

But it is the one place in this school that gives me

relief. 

I hope that whoever picked up my gift is  

fond of Hello Kitty. If not, then I'm so sorry. I hope you 

may find somebody who does. 

I hope these words may give you the strength to look

past your suffering. Don't give up. 

“Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it.”
Tori Amos”

—	Tori Amos God Bless You! -the gray bird

10.2.10 Mission # 15 Anyone on midterms yet?

      














Had an occasion to stop by at Rutgers and though I would leave a set of jelly pens and an encouragement note since exams are probably approaching soon.

Quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson: "What likes behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

Table was a little crummy. LOL

Study hard and believe in yourself that you can do it!

The Gray Bird

09.30.10 Mission #14 - Smile :)

“A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it. Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give.”

—	author unknown I can't think of many reasons to smile when I am at the library, but a smile can go a long way!  :)  -the gray bird

9.26.10 Mission #13 Hey Supermarket Buddy!

A fat note with lots of encouragement! 

Buddy, YOU are the LIGHT of the world! 

So, I met this young lady at the Stop & Shop at Highland Park, NJ. I saw her couple times and we greeted each other occasionally. The first time I met her, she asked why I looked so tired and I told her, while bagging my stuff, that my church service was long haha. No offense to our pastor. LOL. Her face suddenly brightened up and she told me that she was a Christian and she hasn't been able to go to church in a long time because of her Sunday work schedule. I think I was too tired then to really share her excitement, but after I came home, I realized that I could have encouraged her by, I don't know, sharing a Bible verse or just some positive words. 

I'll call her Ms. O. I went again to Stop & Shop again recently and bumped into her again. She asked what I do. I told her that I try to help people. She said that she does that too! She's studying to be a nurse, but she also said it's not that easy to study and work at the same time. Yeah, it's tough to juggle life. And, once again, she helped me bag my stuff. 

So, now, after coming across Ms. O couple times and knowing that she can use some encouragement, I made this little something something. It was a box of matches that I picked up with a verse from Matthew. Ms. O, YOU are the LIGHT of the WORLD. Let your light shine and bless many people both at the supermarket and also as nurse! 

I wrote a quote from Henri Nouwen, an author and Catholic priest: "The movement from loneliness to solitude, however, is the beginning of any spiritual life because it is the movement from the restless sense to the restful spirit, from the outward-reaching cravings to the inward reaching search, from the fearful clinging to the fearless play." 

We all face loneliness and despair. But, instead of drowning in them the Divine has given us the ability to make them into something fruitful and beautiful. For ourselves. For others. And, for Him. 

9.23.10 Mission #12 An E-Card for a friend!

I took a screen shot! Cool stuff!

So, I heard from an intimate friend that this young man has been grieving with his family after his grandmother's death. I went on CNN to check out this year's heroes (http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/?iref=allsearch). I came across the story of Narayanan Krishnan, a prominent chef, who made a career change after seeing a fellow Indian man, eating human waste for food. He was convicted to serve the poor and ever since he started his non-profit group, Akshaya Trust, in 2003, he has given out more than 1.2 million meals to India's homeless and destitute. 

"Krishnan said the name Akshaya is Sanskrit for 'undecaying' or 'imperishable,' and was chosen 'to signify [that] human compassion should never decay or perish. ... The spirit of helping others must prevail for ever.' Also, in Hindu mythology, Goddess Annapoorani's 'Akshaya bowl' fed the hungry endlessly, never depleting its resources."

I was so encouraged by this story that I wrote a summary of Krishnan's on the E-Card for the bereaving brother, hoping that he will be reminded of the love and warmth available all around the world. It's my hope that the love he received from his grandmother will transfer on to others as he serves many around him. 

With much love & warmth, 

The Gray Bird 

09.19.10 Mission # 11 Stress Relief!

Melt Away Stress Lavender & Chamomile Lotion

This gift was not so random. Whenever I think about my pastor, I oftentimes forget that his pains and struggles must also be just as heavy or more so for her, the pastor's wife. And so, though I did not have time to write much on that little note that I scribbled today during church service, I would like to post this poem up for her.

We often hear of Heroes

on the news at night,

How someone went into a fire

To save someone else's life.

But, there's another hero

that we never hear about,

Though Her love and dedication

are never in a doubt.

Often took for granted...

Never glorified,

Still she keeps on going

for the person by her side.

She stands beside him everyday

no matter what ... is thrown their way,

For he was called from above

To spread the message of "GOD'S LOVE".

And just as he was called...

She was hand picked too.

for it takes someone Special

to do what she must do.

And thou he may get the Glory

and he may get the Fame,

She will stand beside him in Love

and Help him just the same.

She's the person he turns to

when he needs a friend,

She will always be there till the

"Glorious End".

I would like to take this moment

to introduce to you,

a LOVELY unsung Hero for whom

GOD hand-picked to spend Her life

as The Pastor's WIFE.

- written by Donna Golden, Georgia, USA

And, there's also something really stress-relieving when I watch this video 

capturing the second largest aquarium  in the world  - please watch!

Kuroshio Sea

Yours Truly,

The Gray Bird

09.17.10 - Mission # 10

peace

a classroom where many hours of lonesome studying have been spent

One of my favorite hymns is written by Horatio G. Spafford. This is just the first verse:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

He wrote this hymn after several painful events in his life - the death of his only son, the great Chicago fire which ruined him financially, the death of all four of his daughters after a collision with a sailing ship and when he traveled to meet his grieving wife, he wrote these words as his ship passed near where his daughter had died. 

Peace. So few find it, but I hope that whoever received this mug can find some peace today. :) 

-The Gray Bird 

09.12.10 Missions #7, 8, 9: Busy Birdy

Oh man, life is catching up. It's been a little busy and I ended up making three deliveries but didn't get a chance to upload the stories/pictures.

Mission #7: passing by a church and figured even Christians need some encouragement. The card was a donation from a local artist supporting a non-profit that provides education materials to developing countries.

Dance as though no one is watching you. Love as though you have never been hurt before. Sing as though no one can hear you. Live as though heaven is on earth.

Left it on a church member's car

Mission #8: a friend of mine was going through some "crap" lately. She's a worshipper. I thought I'd encourage her with a note about praise and dropped off a worship CD. This is an unmitigated spontaneous move, but I hope she was encouraged by this night raid.

May worship for the Lord overflow from both your heart and mouth in good AND bad times. Be victorious! 

She has a white car too! 

Mission #9: another person I know recently confessed that she's been struggling. All these unknown people (e.g. men, lawyer, police, etc.) getting involved in her life. It sounded like it was a lot for her. Just to lift her spirit up, I made this little gift and sent it on its way!

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I'll try again tomorrow." - Mary Anne Radmacher 

Happy face bookmarks! 

09.08.10 - Mission #6 - Newark, NJ

I've always had so many doubts about my career path. Like, "Is this right?," "Am I making the right decision?," and it wasn't until recently that I felt at peace with it... I will be okay, studying. So, I started to wonder how many students feel the same way - especially at a school that requires more time and energy than we have.

I read this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, and it encouraged me so much: “Don’t waste your life in doubts and fears: spend yourself on the work before you, well assured that the right performance of this hour’s duties will be the best preparation for the hours or ages that follow it.” 

I cannot dwell on my doubts and fears any more. And, it's truly a blessing, to have this opportunity to study. My problem is that I want to get out there so badly that I have trouble focusing on the work before me. Ah, but I get it.  I literally have to spend myself and give it all I got. 

And so, right before my next class started, I wrote a note of encouragement and the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson. I purchased a gift card, because I personally love to read, and I hope whoever found it does too :) 

I actually received an email from her. I hope she doesn't mind that I share it here... but it really made so happy! I was so convinced that the wind blew it away and that it had gone to waste. 

But here it is: 

Dear The Gray Bird,

I found your wonderful card/gift today and I cannot thank you enough! It completely made my day better and I felt so special to have been the lucky recipient. Keep doing what you're doing because I'm sure your gifts will touch everyone!

Angie

Oh happy day! :) 

-The Gray Bird

08.27.10 - Mission #5 - Laundromat at Palisades Park

I used to enjoy doing my laundry until I no longer had the convenience of owning my own washer & dryer. And so, as it was my first time at a laundromat, I walked into a cheerless and uninhabited setting of cold metal and cheaply scented detergent. 

"Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you can only spend it once" - Lillian Dickson

and there I left it. 

8.15.10 Mission #4: A Cheer Up Gift for a Friend

So, a dear friend of mine got into a pretty bad accident recently. Although her car was totaled, she is okay thankfully. Nevertheless, the accident left some impact and she missed class which she's been trying to make up for by relentlessly catching up. I consider my friend a pretty strong woman, that is, of course, mentally. She knows what she wants and when she sets her mind on things, she doesn't really care what people say about her. She's a woman of passion, determinism, and strength. But, this time around I think she felt a little overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with the car accident, school, and many personal decisions ahead of her. Seeing my friend go through this, I thought it was the perfect moment to deploy the Gray Bird!

A  Polaroid card that speaks of warmth 

Got her some burger bandages, symbolizing healing after the accident

Got her a bear shaped earphone winders; the post-it note is covering it!

Wrote extra because she's my buddy ;) 

Burned a Tim Keller CD and complied the gifts

And, there it is! On her tote bag ;) 

8.16.10 Mission #3: A&P Supermarket, Old Tappan, NJ

So, it's a new day and new days bring new strength and blessings. I was visiting a friend in Old Tappan and we had plans to make lunch together. On our way home, we stopped by at A&P, and I thought that's the perfect place to drop off some "grace." Old Tappan is one of the wealthiest suburbs in New Jersey. It's paradoxical that the most glamorous places are the most poverty stricken. Poverty of the heart that is.  The more money one has, the more "stuff" one hoards, the bigger the inner loneliness and emptiness becomes. I read a quote from Mother Teresa that even the wealthiest and most put together person hungers and needs love and care. It's interesting how we, as people, all need some hope and miracles in life no matter who we are and where we are from :)

The Hellen Keller quote reads:  “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” 

I left the surprise in the A&P bathroom.

I wrote a card with Hellen Keller's quote on it. 

I picked up some "Empowermints" as an encouragement.  

And, of course, can't forget the business card!

08.13.10 - Mission #2: Donna's Pizza, Palisades Park, NJ

I woke up to a beautiful day. For my first mission as a "Gray Bird", I left a coffee bun from Paris Baguette along with a note in a dark cellar underneath Donna's Pizza. 

eat  

This looked like a place that needed some 
brightening up :) 

BTW, This was inspired by Secret Agent L from Pittsburgh.

and there I left it!

2 hrs later the cellar doors closed

 I heard this quote once on the radio: "Today is the first day of the rest of your life" and it really inspired me. Life is hard and we make mistakes, we come across obstacles beyond our control, and sometimes we just lose our sense of purpose because we are still thinking about yesterday. But hey, today is a new day. Let's live!

8.12.10 Mission #1: BCBG MAXAZIRA, Menlo Park Mall, Edison, NJ

Yay! It's time to celebrate the successful completion of my first mission! So, yesterday I went out to find little delightful gifts that are under $5.00. Things that will naturally make you smile ;0) I found this Hello Kitty candy packaged in a steel Chinese carryout box. It was the cutest looking treat. I recently heard that Chinese use lots of red because it symbolizes "Good luck." I thought to myself that this is perfect gift for my first mission!

The first destination I chose was the clothing store, BCBG MAXAZIRA. Retail is a tiring business. There is no end to customer demands. So, here was a small encouragement for someone special in the store. With two dresses in my hand, I went into the fitting room and left this special surprise there! The quote on the card is from Mark Twain:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Well, hope you're having an awesome day, the person who picked up the gifts! Don't listen to what the world has to say about you! Follow your convictions! You are special and start spreading your wings! "Explore. Dream. Discover." The sky is the limit :)

By the Gray Bird

P.S. Need someone to talk to? Reach me at thegraybird@gmail.com :)