Several years ago, I came up with a strategy to help me be more intentional about thinking of others.
It's called: Person Of the Week (POW).
I like it because it is simple enough for me to implement without becoming overwhelmed (an important consideration since I have a 6-month-old and a 3-year-old as "partners in crime").
This is how it works:
I began by writing down the names of family members, friends, and coworkers on little slips of paper. These are people that I don't get around to helping and encouraging as much as I would like.
Then, my 3-year-old and I decorated a plastic cup and put them all inside.
Every week, my 3-year-old gets to pick out one name.
"Can I pick it out now?"
Oh, the suspense...
After a name has been selected, we brainstorm ways to help and encourage that person.
Examples:
We also will pray for that person together.
In addition to those things, I will spend some time thinking up "grown-up ways" to help that person. If the person is looking for a job, I might research jobs online and send relevant links. If the person recently started a company, I might think up ways to help promote it. If the person likes to bake, I might print out my favorite cookie recipe and mail it. Etc.
This week, we started by making a card and some banana chocolate chip muffins:
If that little delivery girl doesn't make you smile, then I don't know what will.
My other "sidekick" does her fair share too. She beams, laughs, gurgles, and generally cheers up everyone who sees her.
She is also our Chief Nap Officer (CNO). The cool thing is that even when she is asleep, she totally makes people smile.
YOUR TURN: What "systems" do you have in place to help you remember to care for others?