Lent: Week 4 Review!

Sorry this blog post is so late! (by 'so' late I mean 2 days but still). Hope it doesn't disappoint you as much as the solar eclipse disappointed the entire population of Bath....

(making a pin hole camera is easier said than done...)

Book five minutes into your daily schedule now and commit to give that time to someone who needs it. Perhaps your family, a friend, or even more time in prayer.

Done :)

Read your local newspaper, watch TV or scroll through your Facebook newsfeed. Pray for each item as it appears.

I haven't done this yet, but believe it's so important. We often underestimate the power of prayer, especially in affecting issues that we're not directly related to. Pray with shameless audacity.

Slip a bar of chocolate into someone’s bag with a note saying ‘#40acts’. Or leave a bar or two in your local library, on a park bench or on the train.

This was my most successful act this week. I bought a chocolate bar, put a cute post-it on it and gave it to a friend to put in a random flatmate’s room. Imogen’s act easily surpassed mine though. On the bus to Exeter to watch the Bath hockey cup finals, she managed to slip 3 chocolate bars into people’s bags whilst we stopped at a service station half way there. This was followed by an extremely nonchalant/subtle exit from the bus to ensure people didn’t realise we were the only ones left alone with the bags… mission accomplished.

Treat the person who serves you with dignity and courtesy. Make eye contact. Ask their name. Show genuine gratitude. Smile! Friendly customers can brighten up a day on the job.

Again Imogen managed to do this with spectacular ease on the way back from Exeter. I’m sure if you asked her she could tell you the name of the bus driver’s great aunt, his postcode and probably how he likes his tea…

However, I had a rather lovely afternoon at the end of last week doing just this. On the bus down to town to get our hair cut, Alexa and I were joking about how awkward the conversations with hairdressers always are: yes I go to uni, I do psychology, yes i'm first year, yeah i'm loving it, and finally, yes, I love what you've done with my hair (regardless of whether or not you actually do love what they've done with your beloved hair). Whilst waiting for our turn, we were singing rather loudly to a bangin' CD that was playing in the salon. As the hairdresser finished cutting the lady's hair before us, the lady said she loved our singing and it had really cheered her up. As she walked out the door, the hairdresser said the same thing, and that we'd brightened up her day. The hour or so that followed was filled with wonderful conversation with a wonderful hairdresser - something I really did not expect to happen that day! Make conversation with people that serve you, it's really not as bad as it sounds...

We challenge you to give out just one, very deliberate, bear hug to someone who will especially appreciate it.

I am yet to do this…. Watch out everyone. (Free Hugs)

Other things of note that have happened this week, I've written another article for BathImpact, and written a blog post for Just Love Bath's blog which should be out soon! I should probably stop procrastinating writing this and write my lab report due next week.... *yawn*

Till next week!