Happy “Random Acts of Kindness” week! In response to Ann Curry’s challenge after the Newtown, CT tragedy and Toddler Approved‘s kindness challenge, I have done 100 kindnesses in the past month or two. Please come back on Friday to see Part 2 and to find out what I’ve learned from this challenge. You can read my other posts on kindness here.
1. My daughter and I visited with my grandparents to cheer up their week.
2. My daughter handed out shiny pennies at our mall’s fountain for anyone to make a wish.
3. I helped organize the “Friendship Day” in my daughter’s preschool classroom.
4. We made chocolate cookies for our mailman over the holidays to thank him for his work day in and day out.
5. We took a bouquet of flowers to our next door neighbor and completely surprised her!
6. I smiled at a complete stranger.
7. I spent some time going through some free click sites to help various causes… you can too!
8. We handed out flowers to strangers at our zoo.
9. I put magazines back on the newsstands after reading them in a bookstore; a staff person thanked me for doing that.
10. Bought bulk snacks and packaged them to be able to hand them out from our car when we see someone hungry.
11. We stopped in order to let a handicapped couple cross in front of our car on a particularly cold day.
12. We made and delivered holiday cards for cancer patients.
13. Sent a thank you e-mail to someone who gave me a compliment that was particularly flattering and complimentary.
14. Smiled and told the woman walking very slowly from the library that there was “no rush; take your time.”
15. We gave $1 donation to the Food Bank in the grocery store checkout line. My daughter likes to tear these coupons off. 🙂
16. Waved and smiled at the school crossing guard.
17. Sent some Valentine’s Day books and toys to a friend whose young son is undergoing treatment for a rare cancer.
18. Sent a hang-in-there card to a friend.
19. Saw a large truck having trouble merging into traffic on the highway so I slowed down to let him in.
20. Sent some happy mail to friends.
21. I called the son of the previous (and deceased) owner of our home when an important letter came for her.
22. I sent an Amazon gift card to my friend (see above) so they could have some household items delivered and save a trip to the store.
23. We taped a $1 bill to a vending machine to surprise the next customer.
24. I bought a can of food at the grocery store and we dropped it in the food donation bin on our way out.
25. I made a point to thank the teacher at a recent painting class.
26. I saw a family at the zoo trying to take a photo of themselves so I offered to take it for them.
27. We made and hung birdfeeders at our house as a kindness to the environment.
28. I paid for the order of the woman behind me in a drive-through lane.
29. I bought a Freeset bag made by a woman in Calcutta to help keep her free.
30. Then I gave it away.
31. After realizing that a store bathroom stall was out of TP and going into another, my daughter and I heard someone come in and go into that stall, so we proactively asked her if she needed us to hand her some TP under the door. She was so grateful!
32. Knowing our older neighbor had been sick, I wheeled her trash can up her driveway for her after trash pickup.
33. After reading this Martha Beck article, I un-enrolled in a class and boy did I feel relieved.
34. Donated change at coin machine to charity.
35. Rang the bell.
36. I gave a few extra minutes to our two kitties, petting them and talking to them.
37. Have been giving authentic, feel-good compliments on a new haircut, someone’s weight loss, a new outfit, etc.
38. We bought toiletries and made bags for area homeless.
39. Who says kindness is only for others? I directed it inward and let myself rest.
40. Made homemade Valentine’s Day cards for my daughter’s classmates.
41. Sent a nice note to the teacher after a particular class helped me make some needed changes in my life.
42. We sent handmade scarves and soap to our area women’s shelter.
43. Sent cheery note to a friend who I met through another friend saying, basically, “nice to meet you.”
44. Tossed a neighbor’s newspaper to her door on a walk around the neighborhood.
45. Collected Box Tops for Education for my daughter’s school.
46. Waved and smiled when someone let me merge in front of them on the road.
47. Have been leaving words of love, encouragement, and appreciation in blog comment sections.
48. Tossed a neighbor’s newspaper up to her door.
49. Donated a pair of shoes and some outgrown clothes to someone who can use them.
50. I take several opportunities a day to connect with my daughter.
Please come back on Friday for the second half of this list! You can read my other posts on kindness here.
I love your list. So many simple tasks and I can imagine how much they brightened the days of others. I love your kind words for the people working…it’s often rare for employees to hear the good stuff 🙂
Michele Bergh recently posted…The Magic Bullet for Success
This is what makes the world go round…
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Naomi,
I loved reading about your RAK journey. You documented everything so beautifully.
What a wonderful gift to gift to your beautiful daughter.
Happy Valentine’s Day
XOXO
This was so inspiring. I try to do nice things every day (I focus on making sure I tell someone something positive about them. Yesterday I told a lady at work that her posture inspired me to carry myself better. She carries herself so beautifully.
Arwen Lynch, Professional Joy Seeker recently posted…Position, Rank + Community
Reading this, I sat up straighter too. Thanks for reading!
What a wonderful project, and an inspiring list of how you participated! Your sense of joy and creativity as you played come through loud and clear and it’s really delightful.
Deborah Weber recently posted…Wise Dome
Naomi–I enjoyed these creative acts of kindness, and also the very simple ones. Thank you for sharing.
Janet recently posted…Grounding your Energy, Part 1 of 3
Wow. That is a lot of good will and kindness to go around! I love that you counted some of those basic things that we all take for granted. Every tiny thing we do counts. You are also quite a busy lady! 🙂
Amy Putkonen recently posted…Let’s Dance…
What a great list, Naomi!
Keep it up, as it spreads the world gets better. Thanks for the post. I will read the next episode.
Sheila Skillingstead recently posted…Deep Point of View
Thank you. This was such an interesting list. I especially appreciated all the many links you included! Looking forward to Part 2!
Ruth Packard recently posted…An Old Newspaper Clipping
So many of your acts of kindness are the kind of thing I do everyday, but I never give myself credit for them, they’re just what you do. I don’t think I want to change that sense of “This is how you act toward other people,” but I also think it’s good to give myself some acknowledgement for my kind acts.
Kate Sciandra recently posted…Springsteen: Avatar of Mindful Compassion?
I completely agree. One thing I realized is how much good I do every day that is just second nature. Hopefully we are all like that. 🙂
Good things you’re doing here, Naomi. I’m sharing your link with the Random Acts of Art FB group because our work comes from the same place of joy and giving.
Susan recently posted…Ponies in the Morning
How nice! Thank you, Susan.
Way to go Naomi! You have a heart of gold!
What a wonderful heart you have in showing the world more love. And thank you for some great ideas!
Julie McCullough recently posted…Color Theory – Psychology of Blue {Art by Julie M, http://www.juliem.pro}
Thank you, Julie. I just peeked at your site and its gorgeous! I’m going to spend more time there later…
You inspire us all with your intentional kindnesses. Let’s see…who can I surprise today?!
I know… It’s surprisingly fun!
Act of kindness 101. As I read your list, it helped me to keep going on the treadmill. Thank you for helping to keep me healthy! 🙂
Oh good! I wish I could say I exercise too… Oh well.
You have an enormous heart, dear niece. I hope to see a kindness involving your husband in the second 50 acts.
I do! And thanks.