March 2009 ~
Hello to every eye who can see this post, who has an ear to hear!
Times are tough for alot of folks right now. I was thinking, for all of you who read this, lets take a few moments today to practice simple acts of kindness.
I was thinking since people will read this at all different times, for who knows how long...it could help create a small kindness wave. I would love for you to share what you did by commenting on this post. It will be uplifting to hear your stories!
Remember...keep it simple. Most things can be FREE.
A phone call to someone who is lonely.
Hand me down clothes to someone in need.
Bake your family cookies and tell them you love them.
Send a hand written note! People love this. :)
Give a big tip.
Stick a love note in your kids lunch.
BRING ON THE IDEAS!
LET THE KINDNESS BEGIN!
Suggestion...do it right away to keep this going!
SHARE YOUR STORY: BE SPECIFIC!
BethAnn Long ~ Spokane Realtor- Coldwell Banker Tomlinson South Inc.
509-362-4607
...there's no place like your home!
Kindness can be contagious! It's time to get back to simple things that can bring happiness.
Hey, I've got the slogan: Kindness: Pay it Forward!
I agree, kindness goes a looong way. Thanks for the post.
OKay, I'll start. I have been involved with Big Brothers/Big Sisters for almost 4 years. I have a little brother (he is almost as tall as me now, so not so little) but I also am involved with "first friends". They are all the little bros and sis' that have signed up but don't have "bigs" yet. Joe, the leader of first friends puts together events throughout the month and a bunch of us volunteers go pick up some first friends, 2-3 each, and take them to these events.
We have done bowling, art nights, game nights, football games, etc. This Thursday we are going to a small farm where a guy shows us the process of making maple syrup. I hear it is fascinating and can't wait to share the moment with some great kids from the community. Plus we get pancakes at the end! How cool is that?
Great idea for a post. Can't wait to hear other responses. :)
A note to your wife on the mirror in the morning. Not honey would you do this, but "I love you"
Send Birthday Cards to your SOI. I do, and you would not believe the response I get when I see them. Works great!
Jeanette Hemmer, Re/Max Plus Realty, Clarksville,Ar
BethAnn - great post! I'm involved in a group called 29 Days of Giving and we do random acts of kindness for 29 days in a row. Many people have done it over and over. It is a conscious way of helping to change someone's day. You can find them at visit 29 Days I did 29 blogs about my first 29 days and how it changed my life each and every day.
Pay it forward - it works
BethAnn, I'm on board with this kindness thing. Here's a suggestion.....go buy some food for your localfood bank.They are allreally struggling right now. You'd be surprised how much $20 willbuy.
Lizette, Chris , Wayne, Russ, Jeanette, and Susan, share the love and thanks for the comments!
Bryant ...FOOD BANK great idea!
I am giving a benefit concert ofr a local charity that has a food and clothing bank.
How about hug a Realtor, we all need some love. Oh heres one have pizza delivered to the homeless people that congregate under the bridge. Those are probably truly homeless.
Agree-- there are seemingly too many people angry and so many things.
Go Charles! Order the pizza
BIG HUG
Kindness..... Can there ever be to much? Surely is not enough... I'll do it!
Go Mark go!
I have been haring a lot lately about random acts of kindness. A friend of mine had a stranger ahead of her in the Taco Bell drive-through line pay her $30+ bill for her. She has aleady recipricated that kindness to someone else, and on it goes! I like the Hug a Realtor idea, too!
Hi BethAnn!
Does cooking dinner for your hubby count??? LOL! Actually, I now can't wait for tomorrow to look for some things I can do! Thanks for the idea!
Love this idea! Paying it forward is so important! I find it takes so much more time and energy to be rude than it is to be kind. Thanks for the push and let's see how it catches on!
Love the idea and love the foodbank suggestion. I think it is so important for us to be involved in the community - good for the soul, good for the community, and good for business.
Janna, Paula, Sheila and Lisa...
tag you're it! Share your story :)
Every year I have a project....I take someone who I can't stand (for whatever reasons....) and decide that year I am going to put the past in the past and be super nice to them, actually go out of my way to be nice to them....It is amazing....maybe it is just me, but things really turned around, and once I actually started getting referrals from that person!
Jared, Ihave had BB BS in the back of my mind for a few years...JUST this past weekend I filled out an "application". I was spurred on by the death of a 15 year girl in our town...She had been on drugs for years (I couldn't believe that)...her mom died when she was 8. I kept thinking maybe someone could have made a difference, like big sisters..so I checked out the site, and filed the application...I am waiting to hear back....
Pat thank you for sharing!
Kindness is the oil that keeps our souls malleable and our lives filled with meaning.
BethAnn, thank you for writing an important post which obviously inspired many remarkable answers. It is now featured on the Optimist Group and I am flagging it for an AR feature.
My specific story... just keep your heart open on a regular basis and you will accomplish great things. I don't even think, I just do. Whenever someone needs a shoulder to cry on, an arm to hold on to, a rock to lean on... I'm there. It just feels right and it nurtures my soul. If you are open to it, the opportunities to commit random acts of kindness will present themselves with regularity. Sometimes they are small, sometimes they are significant, but always, they are appreciated, and always, they nurture the giver as much as they they nurture the receiver.
BethAnn, You are right how far an act of kindness will go. Thanks...
Your building consultant for life in Brentwood, TN ~ Michael
Thank you Mirela and a hearty Amen!
Hi Michael !
Janice, thanks and such a groovey look!
Hi BethAnn!
Thanks to you, and I really mean, thanks to YOU, I saw an opportunity for an act of kindness and followed through on it.
I was at Lowes buying light fixtures for a listing. I also picked up some odd lightbulbs for my own house. I had to bring the burnt out ones just to know what to buy. When I was at the back of my car loading up the fixtures, a nice young man (Herman) approached me. He asked if I would like him to take the cart. I said sure...just let me get my old bulbs out of it. He then said, "I can throw them away for you". I was floored, and thanked him for his kind offer. When I got in my car, I thought of your act of kindness. I picked up my phone, called the store (even though I hadn't left the parking lot) and told the manager how nice Herman had been...how he had gone out of his way to help me. Thanks for giving me the inspiration!
Paula that is fantastic! I bet you really made his day!
Paula, Thanks for the reminder, kindness comes at no real cost to any of us. Let's exercise it!