DAILY INSPIRATIONS

This is such an easy idea, but one that will last forever.

Consider recreating one of these types of shots with your love. That’s it. Just that simple.
But they’re nice to have, show off, just hold and gaze at, etc… The beauty of the heart on the fingers shot and the hart made with hands, is that for those of us who kinda hate having our picture taken, they’re a bit less intimidating…

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Love a gal who loves interesting facts? Are you paired up with a guy who usually could care less about interesting facts? Either way, try this for fun. Spend some time looking up some specifics for the date and year they were born. Try some of these:
In the news Globally, locally, nationally, and the nation of where they hale from nationality wise.
NOW TAKING THOSE THINGS IN TO CONSIDERATION, also look up these for each:
Most popular song
Most popular baby names
Most popular game show
Most popular movie
Who won the Oscar for best actress & actor?
Any weather records that were broken, or what it was temperature wise generically where they were born if you have that info.
Do they like a specific sport? Find out who won what that day or year.
What was the world population that day?
What breed of dog was the most popular?
Average cost of bread, milk, potatoes, sugar, coffee, a beer?
What do they like to eat the most NOW, was it even available back then?
How much did it cost to fly from New York to California?
How much was gasoline per gallon?
What car was the most popular? Most expensive? Least expensive?
Who was on the FBI’s most wanted list?
Who else is born on their birth day?
You get the idea. Just fun facts. Because it’s personal to them, and you took the time to search for it (Use multiple search engines you’ll get a wider variety of answers sometimes) Its just a fun thing to make someone stop and smile.
And for those maybe going on a first date, before you hook up, ask them if you can have just the year they were born. Show up with this along with flowers or wine or whatever you might bring with you. Or just this. If there’s hope for a second date, then ask if you can have the month so you can bring an update next time you meet. If you make it to the 3rd date, they’ll expect you to ask for the actual date, but let them know you never ask for the birthdate on a 3rd date LOL. Make them wait until you know each other better! It shows not only respect for privacy, but also that you hope to keep hanging with them. Its just a novel thing they’ll never have had a date do for them before. Of course, make sure you show some sensitivity if they balk at all at the idea. If they don’t want to give out that info, by all means tell them what you were aiming for, and ask if they have a dog or cat with a special day you can use. Or a year or day that maybe they’re interested in. Heck, show up with that list about your birthday instead to give yourselves something to talk about in them getting to know you.

Give him a box of Lucky Charms cereal along with a note that says, “ I sure got lucky when you came in to my world!” Or hand her a box of Life cereal, and a note that says, “ Life got 110% better the day I met you!” It is somewhat debatable that cold cereals are really your best choice for starting the day dietary wise, but they do make a great dessert. Who needs fancy cooking when you can show up with one of these choices, some cold milk, and a great compliment (no matter how corny) to boot?

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Definition of KINDNESS    noun \ˈkīn(d)-nəs\
1: a kind deed : favor
2: a : the quality or state of being kind  b : displays of affection
Related to KINDNESS : benevolence, courtesy, grace, indulgence, favor, mercy, service
Our thanks to WEBSTERS DICTIONARY
There’s been a recent phrase used in society, most of us have heard it, “PRACTICE RANDOM ACTS OF KINDESS.” We would like to submit, that making that a daily habit rather than a random one will take you much farther in your relationship. Its not about huge acts, though those are certainly not going to hurt your standing : ). But stop and keep your eyes open for those moments when you can step up to the plate and simply be kind or show them a kindness. Maybe that will be setting out an umbrella for them the night before, or reminding them of a upcoming birthday of someone special to them, maybe even picking up a card for them to send. There’s noticing an outfit they look good in and speaking up. Letting most of the phone conversation or letter be focused on them. Throwing down an extra hug when the world has beat them up. Sharing a chore WITH them for company. Letting them know you found something they’d been looking for, without having to say you found it because you stopped to go find it. Setting the thermostat to THEIR comfort zone. Scraping the ice off the car windows and warming it up for them. Offering the neck or foot massage that you’d happily be the one to be getting instead. Calling the pharmacy to reorder the meds. Taping their shows off the TV to make sure they’ll get to watch them. Picking up their cell phone and dialing a friend they’ve been wanting to talk to but can’t seem to feel as though they should stop and allow themselves the time.
Kindness, it’s a huge, huge gift to a relationship. And one last food for thought:
“You cannot do a kindness too soon-for you never know how soon will be too late.”-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Especially during the rainier seasons, sometimes providing a small bit of sunshine can elicit a smile. Pick up some sunflower seeds, or grab a sunflower from the local florist and attach a copy of Stevie Wonder’s song, You Are The Sunshine Of My Life. It’s a pick me up. If allergies are an issue, or you want it to last a bit longer, many craft stores carry fake flowers that are pretty. Or you can draw a sun, maybe put a heart in the middle of it on the back of a copy of the lyrics.

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Host an in-home movie festival for your friends, either singles or couples. Obviously seating capabilities need to be considered, but if you’re able to borrow or rent some folding chairs, pack the room. Shut your blinds, or hang sheets if need be. Invite people to bring soda, juices, and candy bars for sharing potluck style. You pop up some pop corn and offer paper bags for putting it in. Have melted butter, salt & pepper for people to use according to what they like. Just like in a theater, have people silence their phones. Stage an intermission half way through so people can stretch their legs or use the restroom.  Surprise people with whatever flick you pick, but we’d suggest a comedy, or a cult classic, like Young Frankenstein, Monty Python and The Holy Grail. Or something totally off the wall like an original Godzilla. Be sensitive to friends who might need a movie without loud unexpected noises or parts that make people startle, or scenes which jerk around emotions other than your funny bone. It’s a cheap date night. You can even pull it off in a bedroom or hospital room if need be. A great way to lift someones spirits by bringing in some much needed company and laughter.

How about a new version of Tic Tac Toe? This pretty much speaks for itself. Bring on the lip stick! And maybe have the game winners get to initiate a real kiss or opt to be the recipient. Everybody has his or her preference LOL. Unfortunately, this game can’t be sent into prisons if you use actual lipstick, BUT you can use Koolaid; just make it stronger and let it dye your lips, then you can play back and forth. Also, depending on where you’re at in your relationship, this makes for a fun and sensual game to play, when the Tic Tac Toe board is played lets say, on your special someone’s thigh, or chest or tummy.

Show up with finger nail polish that YOU like, and YOU give her a pedicure. Be sure to also bring nail polish remover and cotton pads to wipe off the old colors. You can also bring some hand cream to massage their hands as a nicety, non scented if that’s an issue. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it can be very sensual. (Something to take in to consideration though: If your special someone pays to have regular professional pedicures, you might not want to attempt this one… they may have a certain standard for work.)
This can be a nice regular gesture if the recipient has medical issues that keep them from being able to do their own nail polish. Consider those who’s hand requires some help unfolding long enough for a manicure to dry. In fact, this makes for a great date idea if you offer to come do several manicures for our seniors who can’t always get them done at a senior center. Or volunteer some time up at a children’s hospital. Both may require a background check, but it’s a very satisfying way to spend time with your loved one. VERY popular with the patrons, and it shows that you value how other’s feel, which is a quality your loved one will love about you.

Odds are, no matter what your history, you’ve probably heard of the Dr Suess book HORTON HEARS A WHO. You can read the original children’s book, it’s a pretty easy read, or you can rent the movie. Make it a date and read or view it together. The crux of the story is about an elephant who’s able to hear the voices of first a single person and then a whole city of people who all exist on a tiny speck of dust. That dust speck is floating around on this little round flower ball. No one can hear them except Horton, and he tries to convince everyone that those little people need help. Everyone around him thinks he’s crazy though, and the story is of how the whole situation is resolved. How he proves that “ A person’s a person, no matter how small.”
Watch the movie or read the book with your date. If you have to, take the book apart page by page and mail it. Or send them a email version, or the DVD. Once the story’s been shared, open up a dialog with them where you genuinely ask them if there’s anything that they have a passion for, or that tugs at their heart strings cause wise, and agree to do SOMETHING for that cause, organization, group of people, next door neighbor, etc, WITH them. Figure out what you can do, volunteer, raise awareness, what ever it may be, and DO IT. Maybe once a month, or every other month, you can do a volunteer DATE day or night??? Make a difference. Make a difference as a couple. And support your lover in following up on something that they’ve noticed, taken an interest in, and let them know you respect that.