30 THINGS IN 30 DAYS: THE BIRTHDAY EXPERIMENT- Day One

Yay! It's day one.
Today's 'thing' was inspired by my friend Jennifer P. in California.

I decided that I would buy a stranger lunch today. I reeeeally wanted to chicken out and just go through a coffee drive-thru and buy the person behind me a coffee, but I decided I needed to do something a little scarier in honor of day one. I know I'm ridiculous. This isn't scary to most people. But this is totally out of my comfort zone, and I'm not really sure why. All I know is that as I was driving to Subway my heart was pounding and I started getting a little pittie. (That's code word for sweaty in my family.)
But I just rolled down the windows and turned up the old radio and made myself drive straight there. I got in line and ordered my sandwich. I was starting to feel a tad bit relieved that no one was behind me in line. I mean, what if it was some old cranky person who got offended because I wanted to buy them lunch? Or someone who just flat out said no? Or some creepy guy who thought I wanted his bow-chicka-wow-wow?
I was so consumed with the 'what-ifs' that I was completely ignoring Subway Ivan (his name really was Ivan) who had asked me twice if I wanted a drink with that. And I also didn't notice that suddenly someone was behind me in line. The moment of truth.
Well, fellow Birthday Experimenters, I did it. I bought a stranger lunch. She was this really sweet girl who seemed super surprised that I would pay for her 6 inch veggie on honey wheat. She put it in her purse and said "Thanks. I guess this is my lucky day." Subway Ivan and the rest of the folks in Subway had stopped everything they were doing to watch us. So I just stuttered and said "Y-You're welcome. I guess it is."
And that's it. I thought I was going to give this big flowery speech about how I'm doing 30 things in 30 days and I'm trying to enjoy life more and scare myself a little bit. But I didn't. I just awkwardly paid for a strangers lunch, and you know what? I LLLLIKED IT!
I don't even know her name. But I hope she enjoyed her sandwich as much as I did today.

See you tomorrow!
:)

Comments

  1. Jenna, I have a lump in my throat. You inspire me to be brave and thoughtful about my actions. You have always been that way to me. Love you.

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  2. Jenna - you did it! That's excellent. I love the idea of "paying it forward". I hope you inspired your new friend you bought lunch for today pay it foward to someone else.
    Okay - here's my contribution to your 30-
    --share your testimony with a stranger (outside of a church setting)
    --help someone out to their car at the store (probably a senior citizen)
    --show your patriotism in a public setting (kind of open for you here)

    Good luck on your mission - as this is your mission field for the next 30 days
    Brenda

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  3. Jenna, You crazy delightful woman you. So this is what happens when people turn 40? They get all nutty and brave? I am sending this into The Ellen Show. No, really I am. You know me well enough to know I'm no Pinocchio. Here I gooooo.........

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  4. Done and done. I wrote the Ellen Show about your Birthday Experiment and I sent her a link to your blog. If anyone can show the world your talent and heart, it's her. You know how much I share your love of all things creative and your desire to live life to it's fullest. I aspire to be as brave and kind as you are. One day you will be paid to do the things you love. I hope Ellen's people know a good thing when they see it.

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  5. Wow, I love the thought that Ellen might get involved with your story. I hope that happens! Thanks Alisha for taking this initiative!!

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