Archive for December 2013

2013 Year in Review

My adorable cats, Sammy and Zoey © Jessica L. Gardner
2013 has been an incredible year for me, full of personal and professional growth, 100 new experiences, and so much more. Before 2013 expires and we ring in 2014, I thought it would be fun to reflect on my favorite parts of 2013. A 2013 Year in Review. I have much to be grateful for,... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
December 30, 2013 at 9:59 pm • 

I Can't Save the World, But I Can Make a Difference

All December long, I’ve joined my friend Stacy and many other people in performing Random Acts of Kindness. It’s so popular, in fact, that it’s got its own hashtag: #31RAOK, which stands for 31 Days of Random Acts of Kindness. My acts have included things like run by my mom’s house to give her a... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
December 23, 2013 at 9:41 pm • 

Jawbone UP24 Knows Me Better Than I Know Myself

Exactly one week ago, I purchased a Jawbone UP24. For the uninitiated, the Jawbone UP24 is a bracelet that tracks your every movement and your sleep habits. It will also track what I eat and drink, my weight, and my mood, if I choose to let it and I input that information. It syncs with... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
December 18, 2013 at 10:00 pm • 
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Changing Lives With McDonald's Hamburgers

Never in my entire life did I think I’d type the words that appear in the headline of this post. Given all the bad press McDonald’s has received recently, it’s almost difficult to believe that McDonald’s can change lives for the better, but that’s just what happened on Friday night. I had just walked out... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
December 15, 2013 at 10:58 pm • 

Spreading Kindness During the Holidays is Spreading

Have you heard the news? Random Acts of Kindness are popping up everywhere! In just the first five days of December, I’ve heard of many stories of people showing kindness and it’s quite inspiring.  Let’s take a look. Today’s #31RAOK: bought lunch for the person in line after me in the dining center. — Kathryn... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
December 5, 2013 at 12:55 pm • 

The LMS #31RAOK Big Giveaway!

The LMS #31RAOK Big Giveaway!
After days of promising the LMS first ever #31RAOK Big Giveaway, I hope you can feel the excitement in the air and buzz as rumors float wildly around about what I’m giving away to one lucky reader. Is it an all expenses paid vacation? No. Sorry. Is it a car? Again, I’m really sorry, but... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
December 4, 2013 at 12:59 pm • 
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Giving Tuesday 2013

Are you familiar with Giving Tuesday? Giving Tuesday began in 2012 as a response to the hyper-consumerism of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday and to encourage a mass movement to put the “giving” back into the holiday season. The idea is to take one day to give to non-profit organizations. I wrote... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
December 3, 2013 at 1:05 pm • 

Day 2: 31 Days of Random Acts of Kindess Update & Apology

In my excitement to kick off #31RAOK yesterday, I goofed. I promised that there would be a giveaway on Little Merry Sunshine today and that was a mistake. I apologize for my error. In my excitement to give all of my readers this fantastic gift, I forgot that there were two other days of Random... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
December 2, 2013 at 8:05 am • 

31 Days of Random Acts of Kindness

I have the most brilliant, selfless, good looking friends in the entire world. That may sound like a bit of hyperbole, but I assure you it’s not. I am one lucky woman in that I’m surrounded by some of the most awesome people you can imagine. They also come up with the best ideas you... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
December 1, 2013 at 1:11 pm • 
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    Jessica Gardner

    A native of Chicago's Northwest Suburbs and resident of the North Shore, Little Merry Sunshine comes by her name honestly. The story goes that as a child, she was always so happy that she even slept with a smile on her face. Her mom nicknamed her Little Merry Sunshine. It stuck, along with her insatiable desire to focus on the good in the world and to leave it a little better than she found it. She does this by sharing her passions and dreams, what inspires her, and maybe you too, and furthering the discussion about how we can listen to our better angels. You can reach her at LittleMerrySunshineCN[at]WowWay[dot]com.

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