We interrupt this blogging break to talk about the 26 Acts of Kindness movement that is picking up steam across the world thanks to NBC News and Facebook. (Check out that Facebook group because the stories will delight and shock you. It’s so awesome to see what others are doing with this challenge.) It’s always healing to focus on what we can do to make the world a nicer, kinder place in which to live. 
Ann Curry’s 20 evolved into 26 acts of kindness to honor the 26 children and adults lost in Newtown, CT. (Amanda at Kind Over Matter is doing 28 acts of kindness to include Adam and his mother.) So rather than keep my head down and go about my day-to-day life, I decided to incorporate some sort of kindness into every day from now on. Why stop at 26? (I hope I do this anyway, but it will become more conscious now.)
I certainly didn’t want or need to talk to my daughter about my fears surrounding recent events, but I did want to involve her in these acts of kindness. I asked her what she’d like to do and I’m pretty sure it was her idea to hand out flowers to people at the zoo. So we did!
Inspired by Amanda’s kind bombs, we used her flower template idea to make flower tags to add to the stems and we handed them out to people. I LOVED her post about doing the acts of kindness… and she has lots of good ideas. We also made a set of flowers to use with a small piece of candy for placing on 26 car windshields. More to come on that project.
We loaded up our stroller and set out to spread cheer. It was so so fun… I don’t know who enjoyed it more – the recipients or us. My daughter is definitely hooked.
You can find more kindness posts here.
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I’ve just nominated you for a Very Inspiring Blogger award! Check it out on my link http://wendypoling.typepad.com/wendypoling/2012/12/my-very-inspiring-blogger-award.html. A well deserved congratulations!
Wendy recently posted…My Very Inspiring Blogger award!
Thank you so much, Wendy! I’m so honored.
Great ideas Naomi and so much fun to do with your daughter. Enjoy your acts of kindness 🙂 It’s amazing how much joy we can find in helping others.
This is a wonderful thing to do, a good example for your daughter. I hope this sort of random kindness continues as a lifetime habit for all involved.
Ripples in the pond…my daughter always picks up the toll for the car behind her. She began doing that after it was done for her several years ago. Who knows how many people that one random act inspired.
Susan recently posted…All things Considered
Such a nice thing to do also! I want to do something like this too.
What an amazing initiative! Think about how much better a world this would be if more people would choose to participate in this! I’m in!
Christina Berry recently posted…One Word 2013: Peace
Oh I’m so glad! I’d love to hear about how you spread kindness if you ever care to share.
Great initiative! I believe that we all should do at least one random act of kindness each day.
Bilal Kamoon recently posted…Random Acts Of Kindness
I love this, Naomi….and celebrate
with you light swallowing darkness:)
always, always, the light is stronger.
peace and love and all the merriest,
Jennifer
Very nice! Keep up the good works!!
I adore this idea. Wonderful. I’m in.
Jess Morrow recently posted…they will be led by a little child
Not only are you spreading kindness, but you are making wonderful memories with your daughter and setting such a wonderful example!
Cathy H. recently posted…Silent Night, Holy Night
So lovely! I felt lifted just looking at your acts of kindness. I’m inspired!
I’m calling my efforts the “26 angels project.” I’ve committed to do 26 somethings each month for 26 months. For my first month I got 26 $5 dollar bills, put a sticker on the back that said 26 Angels Projects, and left them on windshields and store shelves in an area where I thought a little extra cash might be meaningful. After the holidays I’m going to start knitting scarves so that by the beginning of next years cold season I can have 26 ready…if we all do something, the world will be a better place!
That. Is. Awesome. You are putting in so much love and time.
Loved this post. I was just thinking about what we could do at our church. perhaps joining this group would be lovely.
Have a great Saturday.
You could mention the idea and I bet it would take off from there. Keep me posted!