Randomness: The quality of lacking any predictable order or plan.
A few months ago I was rummaging through the bland magazine selection at the doctor’s office when I unearthed a copy of Psychology Today. Hmm. It was certainly more promising than AARP and a far more appropriate choice over Fit Pregnancy. I flipped through the worn pages until my eyes stopped at an article on”Randomness.”
There are several theories concerning randomness, and I’ve heard about/read about many of them. My friend Jeffrey Manber, who concocted the initial idea for Jet Stream Girl, is a bit of a “Randomness Junkie/Expert,” in fact. The entire foundation of Jet Stream Girl is founded on the notion that my journey is random, and random people will hopefully participate in randomly propelling me to random locales. All for a good cause. Get it?
This particular article had a “chaos theory” slant on randomness that I had never previously read or articulated, but had always thought to be true. It stated in a nutshell that the more you do, the more random your day/life becomes, the more chaos you open yourself up for.
Chaos: The state of extreme confusion or disorder
I am a woman living a life of randomness. To some extent I always have. I have never wanted my life to be one of mediocrity, so I have certainly put myself out there in terms of looking for opportunities to create unique watermarks for my life. For this reason, every day tends to be an adventure, and I am constantly amazed at all the whimsical happenings in my life.
This photo has nothing to do with this blog. It's random. I used it because my computers randomly decide to die a slow and painful death. I only have a few pictures left, and this is one of them. It's of my dog, Mattie. Enjoy. Totally random. So there.
Jet Stream Girl has been randomness on steroids. I haven’t even left yet and I feel as if I could write a book. For a woman who is actually quite comfortable with adventure, Jet Stream Girl has been a wild ride of getting outside of my comfort zone. And my comfort zone is quite large, I might add. Every aspect of Jet Stream Girl has exposed me to more good, but also to more chaos than I thought possible.
Chaos has had its way with me recently, ironically on the heels of proclaiming in my last blog “Bring on the lemons!” Be careful what you say out loud…someone might take you up on it. The last two weeks of my life have been bloated with “Are you kidding me?” moments. Not to whine, but I have been on the receiving end of a chaotic whip-lashing. It felt Biblical. “Job-esque.” if you will. In nearly every genre of my existence. The most recent of which has been the total destruction of an iPhone, 3 computers, camera, and the loss of most my photos, writings, and memories. It is the reason you haven’t seen a blog in a week. I have been stripped. I have been numb. I have been opening myself up in ways I never have as of late…so I guess it shouldn’t surprise me. Still, the extremity and duration of the mayhem has been a bit overwhelming. The chaos has followed my random path….
Thankfully, there is another way in which randomness touches our lives…..
Random Acts of Kindness: Selfless acts performed by a person who wishes to assist or cheer up an individual.
I have always been a huge proponent of Random Act of Kindness. It has been on my own personal agenda for many years to get at least one in per day. I have witnessed its effects. The idea of “paying it forward” is a powerful one, and I have been on the receiving end a time or two as well. It can lift your spirit for a few moments, but it can also change your life. Random acts of kindness are a foundational element in the upcoming Jet Stream Girl format.
So there I was, plugging along. Doing my best to keep my chin up during the onslaught. I am usually a “half-glass-full” kind of gal, but even I was beginning to wonder what was going on. AND THEN: (I love those words. So rife with possibility.)
The universe shifted. It began with a conversation with a total stranger who didn’t know me from Adam, or of the recent events. This person took the time to speak into my life with words of encouragement. Salve for the heart. And so it went. Over the course of a few days, my hope was restored by the small and not-so-small words and deeds that were bestowed upon me. I wish I could enumerate them all for you, but your eyes would begin to glaze over and we’d have to pass smelling salts under your nose to get you back. But just know they were plentiful and meaningful.
Random acts of kindness are funny in that sometimes you may not even recognize them for what they are. When life is gravy, you may miss the fact that someone fed your meter. You may be too all consumed with how darn great your day is to notice the fact that someone added extra fabric softener to your towels just because they know you like it. It is unfortunate that sometimes we don’t appreciate the “little things” until we are dying from a lack thereof. Complete and utter darkness makes the small beam of light that more obvious. And more effectual.
The Point Is:
Life is random. And so is chaos. But there is far more “good” out there than “bad.” I have been reminded this week of how important it is to be a part of the Hope. To be a catalyst for someone else’s faith in humanity. The chaos and clutter can be minimized if we become intentional in how we react. If we are conscious of how we treat people (whether we have a vested interest in them or not), and if we tune in to how our actions have a ripple effect. One day it may be your turn to battle it out, and you better believe you will need other people there to cheer you on from the sidelines, and maybe even get in the ring a time or two for you. So maybe we should all get in the ring for each other a little more often.
I think it was good that I had such a tough couple of weeks. I mean…the entire premise of Jet Stream Girl (and Big Brothers Big Sisters, the organization that I am raising awareness on behalf of) is that we all need a hand up. We all need some Random Acts of Kindness. I am relying on nothing more than precisely that to propel me around the world. Maybe this was a harbinger of things to come. And of the great potential of the human heart. I choose to believe so. Cuz I’m still a “glass-half-full” kind of gal.
So here’s a toast to “Randomness.” To the many facets of it. To the excitement and potential that it brings to our lives, and to the opportunities it provides for others to jump aboard our moving train. I will continue to embrace it, knowing that when the chaos finds me, the same randomness that has exposed me will also save me.
Journey On. Journey Strong. (And again I say “Amen.”)
Thanks to all of you that have buoyed my spirits this week:
Dana, Michael and the amazing staff at Mac Medics who tirelessly tried to resuscitate my computers (All three of them!), for acknowledging the feeling of loss and helplessness and not pooh-poohing it away. And to whoever it was that called me from your office and told me to hang in there. I did.
Dolly: Thanks for sharing your story of giving back to others when you have given all you can. You have truly put your life on hold so that others can just begin to find theirs. Thanks for the perspective.
Dan: Thanks for all the computers (how many are we up to now anyway?) and support. Even still.
Every one of you who has smiled or hugged me this week. I needed it.
Tom Judkins: Your kindness amazes me. Your humble spirit stops me in my tracks. Thank you. I cannot say enough.
Marc Haupton: I needed that Boston Crème donut more than you know. Seriously.
Chad Vander Kool: Thank you for your words. Your story. For reminding me about my faith and the strength and depth of it.
Dave: Thanks for filling in the gaps and pretending to not notice the puffy eyes and the constant stream of snot. For standing on the sideline and getting in the ring. And for all the little ways that you sneak chocolate into my life.
Dana: Lady. What can I say? You know. I can’t say it without getting a little blubbery…but you know. Too much to put down. You are one classy dame.
Jeffrey W: Wow. Thanks for stepping up, giving hope, and following through. More than I ever expected. I’m crossing my fingers and toes.
*If any of my readers have any pictures of me and my weird little life, could you please send them back to me?
Feel like a random act of kindness today? Click Here to see how you make it happen by mentoring a child through Big Brothers Big Sisters.