"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." Mother Teresa
I am very curious to know if you participate in random acts of kindness. Is it a natural part of your existence to be kind and giving? Or do you get busy, have good intentions or just forget? When I am in an expansive
mood being kind and giving comes very naturally to me without any actual forethought. When I am feeling shrinky (whiny, self centered etc) it is harder to be kind. Some actions are automatic for some people, opening and holding doors for others...picking up dropped items...allowing someone to merge into traffic...simple things. When I serve others my world expands and I feel great. As I said, this usually comes naturally to me, lately I have been feeling a little snarky and small...so with a little prompt from the Care 2 folks and this article in particular...I am joining the kindness revolution...29 acts of kindness for 29 days! The author of the article was prompted by a book entitled "29 Gifts". The following is a little insight as to how the book and the kindness revolution was launched.
“At age 33 Cami Walker, the author of 29 Gifts, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and the life she knew changed forever. When she was going through some of her most difficult symptoms, she received an uncommon prescription from a friend, an African medicine woman named Mbali Creazzo: Give away 29 gifts in 29 days. Cami was amazed by what unfolded during her month-long journey.”
My friend Christy of Christy Peake Photography (she also has a facebook page) captured some adorable best friend moments between her daughter and my granddaughter. Christy captures the essence of her subjects. She puts her whole heart into everything she does and is so generous with her talents. I thought it very fitting that one of her photos should appear in a post about Kindness!!!
Join me...29 days...29 "gifts" (or random acts of kindness)...29 suggestions below...or leave a suggestion for me!
*make that phone call*send an email just to say hi*sincerely compliment someone*smile often, sometimes that is all someone needs*bake cookies and leave them with a note or anonymously for a neighbor*cut your elderly neighbor's grass or water their lawn*bring flowers to a co-worker (secretly is more fun)*leave chocolate on your partner's pillow*sweet notes in a lunchbag*give someone a heart attack (cut out lots of hearts and festoon their space or car with them) *prepare a casserole for some very busy family*be the water/lemonade mom/person in the neighborhood*child care is always appreciated*pick up litter*donate pet food to the animal shelter*visit the nursing home...everyone goes at Christmas...some elderly do not have local family*offer prayers or postive thoughts*open/hold the door*buy breakfast*put a candy jar on your desk and SHARE*help your friend organize something*help someone pack for a move, offer to take stuff to Goodwill for them*take a friend or neighbor's pet for a walk (or play)*run errands*plant herbs in a pot and give to your favorite cook*clip articles you enjoy and pass them on to someone with the same interests*comment on someone's blog to encourage their writing*buy that starving artist's work, you know you love it*give that spare change away*leave a note in a library book that you enjoyed*SMILE OFTEN*
oops, more than 29...oh well...what will you do?
"Do not think that love in order to be genuine has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."
Mother Teresa
11 comments:
I do participate in random acts of kindness...could be as simple as smiling at someone or even giving them a compliment.
your quote is on point! love the photo!!!
one love Sis.
Oh my gosh -- what adorable little girls, both bashfully flirty. I make a conscious effort to participate in random acts of kindness at every opportunity. You never know when a simple act will be the high point of someone's day and it seems a very good thing to put generosity, consideration, and kindness into the mix to counteract self-absorption, meanness, and miserliness. Thanks for your comment, by the way.
oh yes, kindness is the only way.
i adore your list.
xo
The photograph is just perfect! I love it. It makes me smie. A rondom act of kindness. You post a beautiful photograph that makes me smile. It costs nothing to be kind... my mum taught me that I think she'd be proud... I can her work on well I think. I love your list too!
Love this post...and the picture too. I saw the pictures earlier today and think they're all so beautiful.
About the kindness thing, I was listening to a book on my iPod the other day, and the author suggested saying "thank you" to more people as a way of being kind. I've been trying that more lately, and I love the way people react. By the way, the #1 person on my list is my husband. Although I sincerely do appreciate all of the many things he does and just how he IS in general, I don't tell him nearly enough.
Helping reach a too high item on a grocery shelf,letting someone with only a few items go before me in the check out line. Passing on unused tickets or coupons to a random person.
Although I don't like to talk about them much, I like doing them. As I love and serve my Lord Jesus, I learn to love and serve others.
That picture is precious and darling. What a treasure.
You know, I will. I try to participate in random acts of kindness every day. But, this plan will make me more mindful of it. Thank you.
This is a great idea. I hope that everyone who reads feels the importance of this way of living. Thanks Connie
The good: that photo of the girls in tutus, adorbs.
Sad to say, I have to be in the mood to act kindly.
Sure, I may hold a door open or the like, but I don't go out of my way to be kind to people I don't know... perhaps it stems from my own comfortableness with people...
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