A Revolution of Kindness

"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.”

A friend of mine from blogland did something similar to this a year or so ago and for the most part found it to be quite easy to accomplish however did run into a snag or two on occasion.  I think the biggest thing to remember is that "a gift" does not have to cost money.   If you live in the spirit of love and giving, the spirit will prompt you to know what to do and when to do it.  Personally, when the spirit prompts I listen. 

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

Thursday Thoughts and Tirades

Did you ever have one of those weeks whereby EVERYTHING gets on your last nerve?
I am feeling a bit more like sour grapes than Loose Lemons. The glass is definitely feeling half empty! The remedy for this malady is to get off one's rear and do something nice for someone, focus the attention away from the negative and make serious effort to turn the "scratchy" mood around. Before I return to being the "epitome of sweetness and light" following are a few minor irritations to unload.

Yes, I still find cell phone usage obnoxious when you are: a) in the bathroom b) trying to park a huge SUV or any vehicle c) when you are arguing with someone d) when you are standing in front of my desk...go away, go anywhere, just get that darn phone away from me...headlines...woman snatches cell phone away from fellow shopper and tosses it into fish tank.

Yield means check and see if I am inches from your bumper before pulling into my lane, if I am on the interstate I have already moved to the left lane. Speaking of the left lane...this is the PASSING lane not the drive slow and look around lane.

You may have nowhere to go...conversations between two vehicles full of people whilst blocking the road, parking lot etc. is not cool it is inconsiderate.

Visiting the office and staying FOREVER is annoying no matter who you are...(i.e.
father-in-law's cronies, former employees, etc. particularly when you are complaining about the economy, the new president blah, blah...being racist or crude only gets on my nerves more!

Employees coming off of a job and standing around my desk and talking to each other, yelling up and down halls etc. is annoying. Go home or go outside. And stay out of my bathroom.

The opening in the wall between my office and father in law's office...I despise it and want it closed!!! with glass, wood, sound proofing, anything.

Honey, if you change the channel in the middle of Top Chef I am going to be irritated...I would not do this to you.

Okay, I think I am better.

On to a more positive note...I am so impressed with these guys...the weather has been damp, wet and nasty...however, this guy and his buddy are outside everyday, dancing and really trying to drum up business!




The guys working on my yard are doing a great job, it looks fabulous...wonder if they do windows?

The sun is peaking out from under the clouds.

DH washing and waxing my car and keeping it filled with gasoline!

Sometimes it is okay to unravel a knitting project when it is not working out. Often it is the process of knitting and not the progress that is important.

I love receiving cards in the honest to goodness old timey way through the postal service! (Thanks Meg. Tracie and Cookie)

Blogging has been an interesting adventure which I plan to continue...I enjoy the interaction between our "i-friends and families, I enjoy writing and I enjoy reading...it is like pen pals for grown ups!

I was able to use my Books A Million gift card to feed my habit

Phone calls from this charming, witty and oh so sweet fellow! I love it when he says, "Nonnee, you are my Best Friend"

Silence is Golden because it is so rare! So many need a constant thrum of noise and activity...not me I can sit in silence and gaze out the window indefinitely!!!

"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa