#011 Motorbike Rosella rescue

While weaving my way along a country road several years ago I was distressed to see a car coming from the opposite direction hit a Rosella. The bird hit the windshield, rolled over the roof in a ruffle of feathers and as it hit the road it went under a car following close behind.

I was devastated.  I love animals, especially birds. I watched as both cars drove off without a second glance. I then pulled my motorbike over. I looked at the bird and looked at my bike, no luggage capsule... There was nothing to do but unzip my motorbike jacket and placed the large stunned parrot against my chest. Now If you are not familiar with the Australian Rosella it is quite a long bird, so with my jacket zipped all the way up I had the birds head hear under my chin and the tail tip down down past my belly button.

With all haste I clambered back on my trusty steed and hot tailed it to the nearest vet 20 minutes away. All the way there my jacket was silent and still. I was hoping against hope that the bird was not taking it's final breath (or suffocating in my clothes). Finally I arrived at the vet, as I ungraciously dismounted trying not to jostle my precious cargo.  I unzipped my jacked and was shocked by a flurry of feathers, flapping and squawking  My rescued bird, was apparently not in need of as much rescuing as I offered. It flew away, hopefully back in the direction I had just relocated it from.

So while I like to think that the warm still environment in my jacket brought the bird back to life the truth is I probably just gave the Rosella a nerve wracking joy ride that only served to further disorient it. Oh well, sometimes you need to remind yourself that you can only do your best and accept that not all good intentions result in an act of kindness :)

#010 Are You Gonna Tow My Way?

A week or so ago I found myself in the awkward predicament of being half way off the freeway, in a car that wouldn't go with a baby. By half way off the freeway I mean I was in the left hand lane but I hadn't pulled over enough for the lane to be free and thus obstructing traffic flow.

After sitting for a little while, pondering the situation and watching all the cars slow down and go around me, a kind fellow in a van stopped and asked if I needed any help.
"I wouldn't mind pushing my car off the road completely so I'm not being such a pain in the @## to everyone driving past", I replied.
So he hopped out of his car and pushed me off the side of the road, I thanked him and he drove away.

Right, so now I am sitting in my car on the side of the motorway with cars whizzing past at 100km/hr. The problem with the car has happened before and could possibly right itself given 10-20 minutes to rest, but how the hell am I going to get back onto the road if it does?

At this point I was getting a little nervous and decided to call my partner for some advice, and possibly a tow truck. We decided I should wait a little while, try it again and if all else failed call for a tow.

When I got off the phone I was surprised and delighted to find a tow truck pulling up in front of me and one of those trucks with the big flashing arrows telling cars to move over behind. It was the Traffic Response Unit, funded by the government and run by the RACQ, who help to keep the motorways clear of obstructions. I felt like I was being rescued by a Super Hero!

Now I know it is their job to get people off the motorway but it felt like a random act of kindness as I hadn't called them, they just arrived and did exactly what I needed. On top of that they were super nice and towed me to a Super Cheap Auto store. They said if they could fix it they would and all I'd need to pay for was the parts. Luckily the car started after it's short rest and ride on the truck and I drove it home.

Just because someone does something nice as part of their job doesn't mean it isn't appreciated as an unexpected kindness by others. Treating other people with a kind manner is one of the easiest kindnesses around, it's free and may make a huge difference to someones day, just like my superheros kindness on the motorway.

Tea = Happiness too...World kindness Day special

In celebration of today the 13 November - world kindness day! 

For me tea = happiness just as much as a hug, so today I am celebrating world kindness day with a bottomless tea lovers cup.

I will have a range of teas at work and anyone who works in my inner city office building is welcome to stop by for a delicious cup of tea. BYO tea cup :)

#009 - country smile harvest (a note)

Walking in the country giving out a smile,

Waving to the people and cars as they go by,

Hello Mr post man

Hello doctor Ben

It sure is nice to share a smile and pass it on again.

The other day I walked down the street  harvesting smiles. As I smiled at strangers I observed that there were two basic responses: 1) A smile was returned to me, or 2) the stranger would avert their eyes. Interestingly if I included a slight head tilt or a hello I was guaranteed a smile in return. 

I live in a country town about 60 min from the city. I found that for every person that avoided my smile there were roughly 3-4 returned smiles. I'd love to hear what ratio others get. Happy smile harvesting!

:)

#008 10,000 smiles

Smiles are like liquid gold. Throw one of these on in the morning before heading out, and next thing you know you have passed it on to your family, the neighbours, the barista at your pre-work coffee place, and anyone you pass on the street or at work.

When you think about it a smile could theoretically travel around the world, spreading like a wave from the point of origin radiating out as it spreads from person to person to person (possibly getting picked up by a few enthusiastic pets along the way).

So, I decided that smiles are such a wonderful thing to share that I would undertake a mission, to create a giant wave or tsunami of smiles. This mission aims to send a wave around the world. Seeing that there are 40,000 odd kilometres in the circumference of the earth I figure if I collect 10,000 smiles and those people all passed their smiles on to only four people we will have 40,000 smiles and be well on the way to world domination.

So if you walk down the street and someone smiles at you in passing, why not collect that smile and pass it on. It is for a good cause after all :)