As a mama in a world that seems to be full of brokenness and despair, I often worry about sending my babies out there without me being able to protect them. I know I can’t hold their hands forever, but what I can do is set an example. I can teach them that although our world is broken, love can most definitely win and kindness can make an impact.
The Third Annual 26 Days of Kindness social media event is happening now – November 19 – December 14, 2015. Click this link to be a part of this special event that honors those that lost their lives on that tragic day in Newtown, CT on December 14, 2012. For this event you will need to perform a random act of kindness each day for 26 days in memory of each of these victims. In light of the recent tragic events in Paris and others that are occurring world wide, I can’t think of a better time to spread love and kindness throughout your community. I also want my own children to witness love prevailing and to realize that one person can make a difference! The following list provides some ideas to get you started:
- Leave flowers on someone’s car in a store parking lot.
- Offer to babysit a friend’s child so that both parents can go Christmas shopping together.
- Do an extra deed at work to lighten someone else’s load.
- Leave exact change at a Laundromat, vending machine, or even Red Box for the next user.
- Send in school supplies to your child’s class.
- Donate a new book to your local library in honor of one of the lives lost on December 14, 2012.
- Let someone in front of you when waiting in line at the store.
- Offer a parent of your child’s friend to drop off or pick up their child from a sports practice or birthday party.
- Buy dessert for the table next to you at a restaurant.
- Leave a surprise note in your spouse or child’s lunch bag.
- Bring a plant or flowers to an elderly neighbor or donate anonymously to a nursing home specifically to someone who doesn’t get visitors.
- Donate food to a food bank.
- Pay someone’s library fines.
- Write a positive Facebook message to three friends you don’t often see or chat with.
- Leave a basket of chocolates in the break room at work.
- Bring a bag of new tennis balls to leave at a local dog park.
- Bring a sweet treat and/or beverage to your child’s parent/teacher conference.
- Pay for the person behind you at the drive-thru.
- Leave a 50% tip instead of the usual 20%.
- Donate supplies for a special art project already prepared to a local daycare.
- Write a letter. The World Needs More Love Letters is a great site to offer encouragement to someone in need.
- Volunteer for the USPS Letters to Santa program.
- Bake a treat for a neighbor or friend.
- Donate an item or food to an animal shelter.
- Post an item for free on one of the Facebook tag sale sites.
- Make a special breakfast for your spouse or family member.
For each act of kindness, use one of these tags for each of the honorees to be remembered. For more information or to post your own acts of kindness go to 26 Days of Kindness on Facebook.
Have your own ideas or just want to share ways that kindness has been spread in your part of the world? Please share in the comments! LOVE WINS!
