Since the Everyday Kindness challenge began with a Thursday Thirteen, I thought you might like a little update.
Thursday Thirteen #24 – Simply kind every day.
Here are a few things that have happened since January 2008:
1. We have thirty-two bloggers who have completed more than…
2. …2400 simple acts of kindness this year.
3. Our community has connected with Emma Hand at Acts of Kindness, Freecycle, and Extreme Kindness.
4. We have received two blog awards (Spreader’s of Love and Blog Blessing) and invented our very own Kind- Fives meme.
5. We have our very own weblog at: Everyday-Kindness.com. One blogger calls it Kind Central. Stop by for a bit of inspiration.
6. The most surprising outcome of our kind efforts? Every person in our community has emailed, commented or blogged about how much kinder they are themselves. Their focus on being kind to others has allowed the creation of a kinder, gentler internal environment.
7. And by being kinder to themselves, they are kinder to their spouses and children.
8. We even have our own prayer list. If you have a moment, please send a kind thought to:
- Odat in New York City
- Van and his family in New Jersey
- Lisa Kelly
9. The beauty of this challenge is in it’s simplicity. We aren’t talking large, grandiose kindness. We are working on small things.
10. Here are a few unique examples of what we have done this year:
- Baked bread, cookies, and other treats for neighbors,
- Kept our mouths shut to our frazzled partners,
- Sent supportive emails to people we don’t know well,
- Taken care of resume for a friend,
- Been kind to a foul-weather friend,
- Let people in line in front of us,
- Write nice things as blog comments,
- Allowed someone to merge in front of us on the highway,
- and told the truth.
11. Over and over again, our community has found that these simple acts of kindness transform their lives.
- Coco changed her entire group of friends,
- Vixen transformed her entire life, living situation and family relationships
- Waking up in Portland decided to give up her resentment toward the father of her children by replacing her resentment with gratitude.
- Conspiracy of Blessings says: ?Being kind to my self is a significant aspect of my personal evolution right now, especially regarding my health. Every day that I choose health through my eating and activity choices is a day of great kindness to myself. Every day that I willingly sit with the discomfort that arises from not engaging in my eating addiction is a day of great kindness to myself; especially days that include small steps towards integrating my shadow. Although my inner critic tells me it?s totally self-centered (in a bad way) to count up kindnesses to myself, I?m going to be open to it.?
12. Some bloggers talk about their acts of kindness, while others prefer to work in quiet. Many bloggers do a lot of simple acts in one day and take some time off. Still others plug away with one little kindness every day. There aren’t rules or regulations. Everyone finds his or her own way.
13. And me? I am blown away. Absolutely. Completely. Totally. Blown away. What started as a commitment on my part, has grown into something amazing. Now, one quarter into my commitment to do one act of kindness a day, I am amazed at the power of kindness. I’ve grown, transformed even, in every aspect of my life. Simple kindness can change the world.
I’d love to know about the kind acts you have committed this year. Write them in the comments and I’ll add them to this post.
What kind acts have you done this year?
- Ornery’s Wife kept her mouth shut when her daughter “dropped the bomb.”
- Puss Reboots donates books through Book Crossing and has given her children?s outgrown clothes and toys and equipment to local charities through Freecycle.
- The Gal Herself saves condiments from fast food restaurants and gives them to Operation Shoebox.
- Hazelnut went to the store for a cheese pizza for my daughter to share with her boyfriend (she doesn?t eat red meat so no pepperoni) even though she was bone tired and wanted to crash.
- Julia buys one extra bag of groceries for a hungry family and listens to friends and coworkers.
- Lara is involved in Pay it Forward.
- SJ Reidhead kindly does not bake for people.
- She donates time and money to kids with cancer.
- Di started a random acts of kindness club at her daughter’s middle school.
- Mr. Fabulous refuses to beat up stupid people.
- Heart in SF finds that kindness comes naturally to her.
- Loose Leaf Colleen was reminded to call someone who is having a tough time.
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Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
| 1. On a Limb with Claudia 2. Lazy Daisy 3. Sue 4. Susan Helene Gottfried 5. Candy Minx 6. pussreboots 7. AnthonyNorth 8. Pretty Life Online 9. Nicholas 10. SandyCarlson 11. Joely 12. Hazelnut 13. cheerio 14. RandomMoments 15. julia 16. Journeywoman 17. shaunesay |
18. kay 19. Bethany 20. Lara 21. Lori 22. tommie 23. Myrtle Beached Whale 24. gdaybloke 25. SJ Reidhead 26. forgetfulone 27. Alice Audrey 28. JO 29. Winter 30. Robin 31. Nicole Austin 32. Deanna Dahlsad 33. storyteller 34. Rian Fike |
35. Tamy ~ 3 Sides of Crazy 36. KC 37. she 38. Bombass Mommy 39. Di 40. Vixen 41. R.G. Alexander 42. Kaige 43. Sassy Mama Bear 44. Maggie 45. colleen 46. Chelle Y. 47. cheaper than a happy meal 48. cajunvegan 49. Joyce T. 50. Joy @ Joy Of Desserts 51. Our Happy Happenings |
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What a great post. Kindness can change the world.
That is amazing!!! I am very proud to be part of the group
Happy TT and have a lovely rest of the week
what a neat project. Thanks for the update and the encouragement to extend kindness. My most recent act of kindness was keeping my mouth shut when my daughter “dropped a bomb!” It was difficult, but necessary, and I was glad I didn’t say anything (even if I DID think it!)
Happy TT!
TM
Okay, you’re making me feel guilty here. I try to be kind, but I went off on a woman in a billing office today who wouldn’t own up to her mistake (not following up on an unreceived phone message in a timely manner), wouldn’t give me proper information, and then told me the doctor wouldn’t see me.
I mean, come ON. I can only take so much, especially when you’re not being cooperative and I’ve said three times that I needed to get off the phone because I was expecting a call from my son’s school.
You’ve really inspired me…I didn’t know about this group idea of yours and your blog friends. I am going to visit again over the next couple of days to really catch up on all the positive vibes and actions.Well done!
Here is my TT list…it’s a lot less interesting, about condiments for food…but f you get a chance love to see you!
Cheers
Candy
http://gnosticminx.blogspot.com/2008/04/13-condiments-i-always-have-in-house.html
I am a firm believer in telling the truth. I have donated a number of books to different groups who need them usually hooking up with them through BookCrossing. BookCrossing has what’s called a RABCK (random act of bookcrossing kindness) which means giving a book to someone while asking nothing in return. I have also been donating my children’s outgrown clothes and toys and equipment to local charities through Freecycle. Happy TT.
What a marvellous idea. Good on you!
Such a positive post – I can’t believe how much just being a part of this has really affected my life, in litte ways and big. I love being an active kind-doer with all the other kind-doers out there.
That was a mouthful!
I just may have to do a TT post on Every Day Kindness ideas. I’m stirring the pot. Will let ya know if it works out!
Lazy Daisy – it’s certainly changed my world.
Sue – And well you should be!
Ornery’s Wife – isn’t that hard? I think so. You can imagine as a therapist how MANY times I’ve done that!
Susan Helen Gottfried – It’s about being kind – not perfect. Particularly kind to ourselves. Breathe. She’ll survive. I’m certain it’s not the first time someone’s unloaded on her.
Candy Minx – We’d love it if you joined – just one kind act a day that’s the commitment.
Puss Reboots – What a great idea. I’ve used other services for books and just left them wild. It’s fun to see where they end up!
Anthony North – it’s been a great learning experience.
Jill – Well you should be proud of yourself!
And join the TT movment – it’s fun.
great idea for TT… mine’s up too hope you can drop by.
May I do a commercial for one of the easiest ways to be kind? Operation Shoebox puts together boxes of goodies for our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. They need everything from travel-sized Q-tips to playing cards. I save up all the extra condiment packets I get from fast food joints and wrap them up in tissue paper, stick them in a padded envelope, and send them off to Operation Shoebox to help liven up a soldiers dull MRE. They need so much, and a lot of it is stuff we already have around the house, and it really makes a difference. It’s an easy way to support the troops, even if you don’t support the war: Operationshoebox.com or Operation Shoebox, PO Box 1465, Belleview, FL 33421. Thanks for listening. (And thanks for visiting my TT)
Sounds excellent. An example to the rest of us.
You’ve got a great thing going there. I’ll be back to find out more.
Whoa, what a great post. Very inspiring!
Pretty Life Online – Glad you liked it.
The Gal Herself – Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll have to check it out!
Nicholas – It’s been a great learning experience, that’s for sure.
Sandy Carlson – Great! You’re always welcome here.
Joely – I am inspired as well!
Much food for thought. I will be back to learn more about your group. My act of kindness today was to go to the store for a cheese pizza for my daughter to share with her boyfriend (she doesn’t eat red meat so no pepperoni) even though I was bone tired and wanted to crash.
However, I find it easier to be kind to my loved ones, remembering to pass on those acts to strangers can be more challenging.
It never stops to amaze me how many women can think of such kind and good deeds. Indeed you truly have a great heart.
Thanks for the visit.
By the way, I forgot to mention that those photos of that beautiful indoor beach is not found here in the Philippines. That is in Japan.
Psst. Its up! I swear, its like it wasn’t even me typing that up! I had the Kindness Fever baby!
Fascinating list. I might have to do this!
It’s a good reminder, and something we lose sight of in the crush of every day. It’s hard to remember to do this when you’re frustrated and tired from working etc.
Hazelnut – Click a link to the blog or send me an email. We’d love the company. As for strangers – it just takes practice. Once you get your first delighted and puzzled smile, you’ll be addicted. Promise.
Cheerio – People are wonderful if you just give them a chance to show you.
Jill – I saw it – awesome!
Journeywoman – Join us! Your life will grow in amazing ways.
Shaunesay – It is hard. I think that’s the benefit of the challenge – it keeps kindness in front of you.
Wow – what a mindblowing experience it must be to see the enormous power of loving kindness spread so widely and with such speed. I’ll have to showcase this over at my blog in the next few weeks.
The easiest kindness for me – and one I do countless times per day – is to stop, focus and really listen to my coworkers, friends and family when they need to talk. It’s amazing how often conversation is actually a competition to get the next word in. By simply listening for just a few moments, I’ve given a gift of validation, caring and acceptance. I can’t tell you how easy it is, and the ripples of kindness reflect to me from countless directions.
Another kindness I do often is to fill one bag of groceries from my weekly shopping trip and drop it into the food bank box. I add 7 items to my cart, which generally adds up to $10 – $15, and after I’ve paid for my groceries, I immediately tie up that one bag and move it from my cart to the food bank bin. All the grocery stores in my area have a bin at the front doors. I figure if I have enough money to buy my groceries, I can spare one bag to someone who can’t. As I choose the items for these unknown people, I imagine who might use them and wish them ‘bon appetit’.
I didn’t know about your website. Will check it out. Sounds wonderful.
Wow, that’s really neat!! Amazing what little bits of kindness can change, isn’t it! Happy TT
What a wonderful idea! I can see how lives can be transformed by acts of kindness — and it’s like Pay It Forward. You do something nice for someone and they do something nice for someone else….and pretty soon, you have a world full of people who make it a better place!
Happy TT and I’ll stop by the website!
What a wonderful list and a great example set. Happy TT.
How amazing the things that can happen when you choose to be kind.
Julia – I love your suggestions. I haven’t seen a place for the food bank here. But do “Plant a row” for the hungry which works too – just one row can create a lot of food.
Kay – Very cool. I hope you join us!
Bethany – yes, it is amazing – truly amazing.
Lara – I’ve seen the pay it forward links – fun stuff.
Lori – Glad you liked it.
Tommie – I’ve been completely amazed.
This is all wonderful. Really, really wonderful!!
Me baking for someone is not kindness – it is a disaster!
SJR
The Pink Flamingo
This is awesome! It sounds like just what I need to pull myself out of the funk I’ve been in. I’m going to email you for more details.
It looks like you all have done a lot to share the love.
Michael C – Would you expect any less??
SJ Reidhead – ahahahaha. Well said!
ForgetfulOne – Join us – You’ll be amazed.
Alice Audrey – It’s amazing what can be done a tiny bit at a time.
great list!
What a spectacular TT! It’s really awesome to see what a little kindness can do in this world. Happy TT!
What a lovely, inspiring idea. Well done!
Great idea and fabulous results!
Well, you can certainly add this TT to your acts of kindness! It’s great to appreciate and applaud the efforts of others.
Happy TT, dear.
What a wonderful update about what’s happening with Everyday Kindness! Thanks for sharing. I periodically encourage folks to participate in the Kind Fives Meme … in fact it’s part of my post today ;–)
My 20th T-13 is up at Small Reflections
Modified Meme Of Fours
Enjoy!
Hugs and blessings,
This good karma did good for your Avs last night, awesome!
Super positive list – thanks!
what a lovly idea.. I had seen the everyday kindness button around but this is the 1st time I knew what it all about..
Happy T13
Jo –
Robin – It was just what I could do, where I was – something I read you talk about a lot!
Nicole Austin – One tiny step at a time.
Deanna Dahlsad – Huh, I hadn’t thought of that!
Storyteller – Hurray for the Kind Fives! Thanks for being a part of our community!
Rian Fiske – That was talent and skill!
Tamy –
KC – It’s been a great experience.
i do a lot of acts of kindness, like donating to kids with cancer, doing a fundraiser for them, volunteering on the oncology ward, etc.
i haven’t joined the acts of kindness site, because i’ve just been so busy.
This was beautiful to read. Very uplifting! Thank you for sharing it!
I love this. I started a Random Act of Kindness Club when my daughter was in Middle School. The kids were surprisingly receptive (middle schoolers are notoriously self-absorbed.) I always try to do little things…like letting a car turn in front of me, waving and smiling at someone…while driving carpool in the morning. That way I know that if I do nothing else all day, at least I’ve started my day being kind!
I quietly perform my random acts of kindness by not giving the morons I deal with every day the savage beatings that they so richly deserve.
It is amazing what this little idea of yours has done for me and countless others. Thanks and kudos to you for starting this and reminding us all what it takes to make the world a better place!
How wonderful! Very inspiring
She – Good for you for doing what you can, where you can – that’s awesome.
Laura – Glad you enjoyed it.
Di – Hey that’s neat. Good for you for making an effort!
Fabbie – We are all grateful for that.
Vixen – Thanks for being a part of our little community! Your efforts count.
RG Alexander – Glad you liked it.
What a wonderfully inspiring TT! I’m definitely going to hop over to that blog and see what’s it all about and add some everyday kindness to my life
I read this last night and couldn’t think of anything notably kind I had done. Things like giving up ones seat on a bus and helping an old lady across the street are just normal, or should be. I can’t claim credit for a simple lack of UNkindness, but I love reading about what other people do with this challenge.
Amazing, Claudia. And as you said, only 1/4 of the way through this year. I love that bumpersticker that says “Practice Random Acts of Kindness” good for you!
Thanks for dropping by The Cafe today dearest. I am so glad this is going so well for you.
As a Scout, we Do a Good Turn Daily, and I always try to do a bit more whenever I can.
Should you have room on your prayer list, The Bear family could use a little spiritual support at the moment.
Thanks
It’s amazing how far just a little bit of kindness can go. Great 13!
You reminded me that I have someone to call on the phone who is having a hard time.
My seven year old son and I participated in Operation Christmas this year. We fill shoe boxes with toys and send them to children in poor countries. Our churches children ministry helped sent it up.
My son enjoyed buying toys for some other seven year old boy.
ok… I am giving into the happiness and joining!
Out of my way grumpy winter BadKelly!
I’m gonna be happy… and positive… and in warm weather! soonish.
You make me want to be a kinder, gentler soul.
I am pretty gosh darn happy today on my blog and “doing a little dance.”
Come on over.
I very much enjoyed this post; so informative and encouraging!
I certainly hope you know, and everyone else appreciates, just how wonderful you are!
Debora – We’d love it if you joined our little group.
Heart in SF – You are so naturally kind that I think it’s hard to see all that you do. Thank you for being a part of our little community.
Kaige – I like that bumper sticker too. It’s been a wild experience.
Sassy Mama Bear – Consider yourself added! I hope things improve.
Maggie – Amazing – and miraculous.
Colleen – It’s nice of you to be kind to a foul weather friend.
Chelle Y – What a great way to build compassion. I haven’t heard of that – but I bet you son had fun doing that.
Kelly- HURRAY!! Not a moment too soon!!
Cajun Vegan – You? A kinder soul?
Joyce T – Glad you liked it.
Christy – Gosh, thanks.
Wow. How fabulous is this. I love your list- very inspiring.
Wow I love your site. I just stopped over from fondofsnape’s site and I am glad I did. I am heading over to check out the Kindness site now…..
[...] Since the Everyday Kindness challenge began with a Thursday Thirteen, I thought you might like a little update. Thursday Thirteen #24 – Simply kind every day. Here are a few things that have happened since January 2008: 1. We have thirty-two bloggers who have completed more than? 2. ?2400 simple act … Source: Thursday Thirteen – Simply kind every day [...]