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 :)

8.12.2010 The Birth of the Gray Bird

      After a hint of inspiration and some prayer & deliberation, we decided to hatch a bird that would bring peace and harmony to the world one gift and sacrifice at a time. Today is a special day. The small yet lovely Gray Bird was born into a world full of pain, hurt, secrets, and loneliness. It was born with a purpose, the very mission and calling she will follow for the rest of her life. She will ease the sorrows of people. She will deliver smiles and happiness...all in the name of Grace she was shown even before her birth. So the mission starts immediately! There's no time to waste! Too many are hurting even TODAY! She will be on a special lookout for people that are having a difficult day or going through tough times, but no worries! Every one is a candidate :) Well, she's already getting prepared to deliver today's share of random acts of kindness! Who knows?! Maybe she'll visit you today ;)


Team Creation

Contact the Gray Bird at thegraybird@gmail.com