I’m Becoming Nicer!

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Whoa! What a day!  I’ve been up, down, and all around town today — lots of exciting things happened, too!

 

First, I worked a half-day at my full-time job.  I snacked on grapes around 10:30:

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And at 12:00, I had yogurt, a crushed Kashi TLC bar, and blackberries.  I just wasn’t feeling a "lunchy lunch" and decided to just go with what I was craving!

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All of the sudden (I feel like I’m existing in a time vacuum right now) it was 12:30 and I needed to leave my house to go to my part-time gig at the holistic clinic! 

 

I grabbed some food "to go."  Seriously, I eat in my car now wayyyy too often.  A banana:

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And an Amazing Grass Chocolate Superfood bar — which was really good!  Veggies + chocolate?  I’m in!

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After work was over, I drove to Target to kill some time before my Physical Therapy appointment.  I was getting super sleepy and decided to grab a coffee from Starbucks — I love Starbucks with drive-thrus!

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When the cashier wasn’t looking, I stuck an Operation Beautiful note on the drive-thru window.  :)  Sneaky, sneaky!

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I got an iced skinny vanilla latte.

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Up next was shopping at Target.  I got a new bikini (yay!) and a new shirt.  The shirt was only $10  -  what a steal!

 

While in the dressing room, I posted ANOTHER Operation Beautiful note:

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I was totally riding high on life after posting these notes — it’s kind of crazy, but Operation Beautiful is REALLY making me a nicer and happier person!  And I’ve had so many people who are also participating in Operation Beautiful e-mail me to say the same thing.

 

Once you start actively looking for ways to make OTHER people happy, it somehow manages to make YOU feel good, too.  I don’t need more money, I don’t need fancy clothes… I just have to reach out to other people, and suddenly life seems soooo much better!  Honestly, this is a side effect of Operation Beautiful that I did not anticipate — it’s pretty awesome.

 

For example, when I left Target, it looked like it was going to start to pour rain.  If you’ve ever been to Florida in the summertime, you know that we have torrential downpours every afternoon.  Literally, inches of rain fall within 10 minutes.

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I’m driving down the road, and I look to my left to see an old lady sitting at the bus stop.  She has a walker and is only wearing a rain coat with a hood.  I looked down to my passenger seat and realized that a perfectly good umbrella was sitting right next to me.  Here I was, in my air conditioned and dry car, and this old lady is sitting in the rain

 

I think before Operation Beautiful I would’ve just thought "Oh, that sucks for her!"  But I was feeling SO GOOD from posting my notes that I pulled over to the shoulder, jumped out of my car, ran across the street, and gave her my umbrella.  You should’ve seen her face — it just light up.  It truly made my YEAR.

 

Crazy how a little thing like Operation Beautiful can SPREAD to your whole life, huh?

 

I drove away and headed to Physical Therapy.  It was a really great session.  We went over my knee taping again because I think I was doing it a little wrong, and we did of new exercises.  I’m really enjoying PT and I hope my knees are getting stronger!

 

I ate about 1 serving of pretzel rods while at PT, but sorry — no picture!

 

On the way home, I calculated how many hours I worked this week between my full and part time jobs, the blogs, and planning the Healthy Living Summit, and I worked about 78 hours in the last five days.  I know — insane.  So, I’m going to take the rest of the evening off from blogging.  I’m making a casserole for dinner, but there will be pictures + leftovers tomorrow! 

 

My lovely friends, have a WONDERFUL evening.  And if you haven’t participated in Operation Beautiful yet — trust me, you need to!  Post a note, take a picture, and send it to me at seebriderun@gmail.com!

 

Goodnight!

{ 46 comments }

 

  • Amanda June 26, 2009, 4:42 pm

    You seriously are such an amazing person! I don't think you realize how many lives you are touching! Have a great night!

  • Jenny June 26, 2009, 4:43 pm

    Caitlin ur AMAZING!!!!
    You know i've been reading ur blog for about 6 months so i've seen all ur OPERATION BEAUTIFUL posts . . . i always thought "wow, that's so nice" but i haven't really pitched in, but after reading today's posts you can bet ur life that i will be paying it forward and spreading the beautiful message!!!

    thanks for the inspiration!!!

  • gymratfoodie June 26, 2009, 4:47 pm

    Operation beautiful is so lovely 🙂

    Whoever drives by and sees the post-it at the drive-through will think mcDonalds put it there!!!

  • gymratfoodie June 26, 2009, 4:48 pm

    LOL. And when I say mcdonalds, of course I mean starbucks ;p

  • Matt June 26, 2009, 4:48 pm

    78 hours!? Damn you are a beast!

  • Meganerd June 26, 2009, 4:52 pm

    Oooh a new bikini!? Do you have beach plans for the near future?

    78 hours of work and you are still finding time to bring joy to other people's lives… You are amazing! Keep it up! 😀

  • Sarah (LovIN My Tummy) June 26, 2009, 4:53 pm

    Now THAT is beautiful. I can guarantee you have never been more beautiful (wedding day or not) than you are RIGHT NOW.

    Enjoy your night off, Lovely Lady!

  • Brooke June 26, 2009, 4:53 pm

    You have always been so nice!! I always thought that you seem like such an approachable person and would loooove to eat pad thai with you!! 🙂

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point June 26, 2009, 4:54 pm

    you all are so nice, too! 🙂

    brooke – yessss i want pad thai right now!

  • recipesforcreativity June 26, 2009, 4:55 pm

    That was so, so kind of you to give away your umbrella; your post gave me chills! I put up my own OB note in the dressing room today when trying on clothes and it made me feel better, as they always do. As I said, I've got a stack of post-its and a marker living permanently in my purse now and try to remember to put them up anytime I'm out and about! Thank you for making us all feel so good!

  • haya June 26, 2009, 4:56 pm

    you are SUCH A ROCKSTAR.

  • Joelle (Chasing Pavements) June 26, 2009, 4:58 pm

    I must say, I love the idea behind Operation Beautiful… thank you for leading the way with this. Do you still want us to email you photos if we do our own Operation Beautiful notes?

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point June 26, 2009, 5:03 pm

    joelle – OF COURSE!

  • Priyanka loves food June 26, 2009, 5:07 pm

    You are an amazing person Caitlin! I am always inspired by you!

    The skinny vanilla latte sounds amazing and I want it right now.

  • Elizabeth June 26, 2009, 5:16 pm

    What a selfless act to give up your umbrella!

    Thank you Caitlin, for helping someone's grandma, someone's wife, someone's sister…

    I'm buying a mini Sharpie tonight. Operation Beautiful here I come!

  • Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now June 26, 2009, 5:16 pm

    Wow you've worked A LOT! The story about the old lady is just so sweet.

  • Feed Me I'm Cranky June 26, 2009, 5:29 pm

    Caitlin — you are just such a sweetheart and your positive energy radiates through your posts and is infectious in the best way! Have a wonderful weekend!

  • jesslikesithot June 26, 2009, 5:42 pm

    Caitlin! This post made my day. You're such a sweetheart for just giving that umbrella to the older woman in need!!! I'm sure she really appreciated it! Good karma is heading your way! Have a nice, relaxing night! 🙂

  • Trish June 26, 2009, 5:44 pm

    Oh you must be beyond exhausted. I work about 55-60 hours a week and that is more than enough! I can't even imagine!

    And how awesome of you giving that poor woman an umbrella. That was super nice! YAY for you!! 🙂

  • mamasweeds June 26, 2009, 5:52 pm

    OK I just loved that story. And I agree, leaving Operation Beautiful notes made me feel so happy too. I've only done it one time, I need to do it again.

  • Rebeca @All Vegged Out June 26, 2009, 6:02 pm

    I think you're pretty AMAZING too… Operation Beautiful is changing the world and making us all better and happier people for it… who knew that a bunch of post its and an idea could change the world? And I truly think OB is changing the world!

    78 hours is OMG… have a nice night off!

  • SweetPea June 26, 2009, 6:11 pm

    Your post about the older woman made me tear up. I have such a soft spot for older people since I'm so close to my grandparents. I'm so glad that you were able to help her out and I'm sure that you made her day too!

    Enjoy your well deserved rest this evening!

  • Amy June 26, 2009, 6:45 pm

    You rock! I love that you gave that woman your umbrella. I'm going to start posting more notes. It really makes me so much happier and nicer.

  • Danielle C. June 26, 2009, 6:53 pm

    Awww love the story about the old lady. So sweet.

  • Heather (be well & take care) June 26, 2009, 7:03 pm

    Caitlin, that is so incredibly sweet of you!!! I am looking forward to reading about Operation Beautiful in the Sentinel tomorrow 🙂

  • Emily June 26, 2009, 7:13 pm

    Caitlin. You are so inspirational. Just think… you helped someone's mother, grandmother… that gives me chills – the good kind! 🙂 Awesome!

  • Kath June 26, 2009, 7:20 pm

    Oh that's so nice about the lady!! I bet she was thrilled 🙂

  • Val June 26, 2009, 7:48 pm

    Chocolate superfood is the best!

    I love the O.B. driveby 🙂

  • Oh She Glows June 26, 2009, 7:56 pm

    That is the sweetest story ever about giving the lady your umbrella…seriously you rock!

  • Melissa @ For the Love of Health June 26, 2009, 8:21 pm

    oh Caitlin, that was incredible of you! 🙂 Amazing!

  • roseyrebecca June 26, 2009, 8:28 pm

    Ok, this may sound ridiculous, but reading about how you gave your umbrella away to an old lady with a walker made my eyes tear. That's so amazing of you! I would do the exact same thing!

  • Erin June 26, 2009, 8:58 pm

    Caitlin,
    Your such a wonderful person. I think you are beautiful inside and out!

  • heyitstay June 26, 2009, 9:00 pm

    Wow Caitlin, you are amazing with your Operation Beautiful and with the umbrella story. Seriously, you are so motivational.

    What shirt & suit did you get a Tarjay? I just bought a couple new shirts there, and have been eyeing some of their suits. So cute for such great deals!!

  • Mrs. Myers @ Eat Move Write June 26, 2009, 9:36 pm

    I haven't taken a picture yet, but I've been posting notes too. More inspirational than self-image oriented. But notes, still.

    P.S. I heart Starbucks with drive-thrus too!!! They're so rare here in San Diego.

  • Christina June 26, 2009, 9:36 pm

    That was SO nice of you to go give her the umbrella. I'm sure it made her day!

  • teacherwoman June 26, 2009, 11:08 pm

    You giving that random lady your umbrella choked me up! Very ncie!

  • mayapamela525 June 26, 2009, 11:23 pm

    What great places to stick Operation Beautiful notes, and what a beautiful thing to do for that woman!

    americangourmande.wordpress.com

  • Leah @ Simply Fabulous June 27, 2009, 1:07 am

    AMAZING that you gave the woman your umbrella. You go girl. Seriously.

  • Katie June 27, 2009, 2:21 am

    Starbucks Drive Thru!! How cool is that? If we had that here, it would be totally fatal and I'd spend way too much money, so probably a good thing we don't!

    Just wanted to say that I have had very similar knee problems to you, and had pretty much given up on the running, but you have totally inspired me to get going again, and I'm starting to see a physio and hoping to do a 5K in September – working up slowly! And I can totally relate to your crazy working hours too – I'm so pleased to get back into running, because it is one of the only exercises that fits easily around busy shifts! Anyway, I think you're doing a great job, and keep blogging because I love reading it!

  • Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point June 27, 2009, 3:41 am

    thank you everyone! spread the niceness!!

    heyitsay – it was like this multi-colored string bikini. im going to the beach today so you'll see it later!!! 🙂 the top was a blue tank with flared out arms. too cute.

    katie – AHHH that is awesome! good luck with PT and your 5k 🙂 we can heal our knees, i just know it!

  • Tasty Health Food June 27, 2009, 3:47 am

    Wow… This is a great post. It's amazing seeing how people are affecting and changing other lives with the small things we do each day. Good for you! You're awesome. 🙂

  • fashionablyfit June 27, 2009, 6:12 am

    Giving the old woman your umbrella is so sweet! That made my day, too. 🙂

  • seesaraheat June 27, 2009, 7:31 am

    That was so nice of you. I'm glad this has had such a positive impact on your life 🙂

  • Kim June 27, 2009, 10:07 am

    WTG Caitlin!!! You just made that woman's day!! You are so sweet.

    🙂

  • Kelly June 27, 2009, 11:51 pm

    Awww that is SO SWEET that you gave her your umbrella!!! I wish more people were that caring 🙂

  • Graze With Me June 28, 2009, 9:22 am

    That story is the sweetest thing I've ever heard (read). I love it.

    I'm inspired now, just thinking about it. Making someone else's day is one of the most rewarding things in life…keep it up! Karma always comes back around..

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