#26Acts of Kindness…Let's Do It!

I haven’t posted anything about the horrific events in CT last Friday.  The news is everywhere and no one is reading it here first.  I just have no words and this heavy darkness has been over us since we heard the tragic news.  But this morning, when I read my friend Isra’s (aka The Frugalette) blog, the darkness began to lift a bit.  And then I clicked on the different blogs that had linked up to her #26Acts and I became inspired to DO something.  We all feel helpless, in shock, furious, worried, and more, but with the #26Acts of Kindness movement, started by Ann Curry of NBC News, I  think we can not change what happened, but change the hearts of millions of Americans.

I’ve been the recipient of many acts of kindness.  Throughout the year, sweet people have blessed our family with their acts of kindness.  Paying for our meals, holding a door open, letting us go first in line, giving us coupons they don’t need, mowing our lawn, and the list goes on and on.  We live in a caring community and area of the world and I’m so thankful for that.

To remember the 26 lives lost from the terrible tragedy on Friday, and going further than that, the other two lives lost that day, as well, I am participating in the #26Acts of Kindness movement and I urge you to do the same.  Maybe if we make it a way of life, we could change America somehow.  After all, this is what I am called to do as a Christian anyway.  Share what we’ve got, show love, help those who need it….this Christmas season and all throughout the year.  And imagine the impact this will have on our kids who see us being kind to strangers?  This isn’t about bragging and telling people what we’ve done, but our kids and others will see the movement for sure.

Here are some ways that we can show random acts of kindness in the coming days and months:

• pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru
• hold the door open for someone
• let someone go in front of you in the check-out line
• leave coupons by the product in the store
• buy a gift card and pass it along to someone going in to the store as you’re leaving
• bake cookies for residents of a care home
• give a gift to someone in a care home or hospital who doesn’t have family (or maybe that does!)
• rake someone’s leaves or shovel snow for them

The list goes on and is only limited by your imagination.

And as an add-on to this movement….how about we ALL start saying “thank you” and “you’re welcome”?  It’s always baffled me how

good, sweet people fail to say “thank you” when someone does something for them.  If someone surprises you with an act of kindness, remember to say “thank you!”

We have the ability to bring joy to someone’s day…or life.  Let’s DO it!