Let's change the world one act of kindness at a time...

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Each Life Effects Another

We may not always realize
That every thing we do,
Affects not only our lives
But touches others, too!

For a little bit of thoughtfulness
That shows someone you care,
Creates a ray of sunshine
For both of you to share.

Yes, every time you offer
Someone a helping hand...
Every time you show a friend
You care and understand...

Every time you have
A kind and gentle word to give...
You help someone find beauty
In this precious life we live.

For happiness brings happiness
And loving ways bring love;
And Giving is the treasure
That contentment is made of.

~ Amanda Bradley ~

Monday, May 18, 2009

Everything We Do

We may not always realize
That every thing we do,
Affects not only our lives
But touches others, too!

For a little bit of thoughtfulness
That shows someone you care,
Creates a ray of sunshine
For both of you to share.

Yes, every time you offer
Someone a helping hand...
Every time you show a friend
You care and understand...
Every time you have
A kind and gentle word to give...
You help someone find beauty
In this precious life we live.

For happiness brings happiness
And loving ways bring love;
And Giving is the treasure
That contentment is made of.


~ Amanda Bradley ~

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Encourage Kindness With Children

Our children are the key to making a difference in our world tomorrow.

It is easy to get children excited about kindness. Here are some great ideas:

~ Have a child deliver a hand-made card to your neighbor

~ Gather up kids in your neighborhood and take them to a local orphanage or shelter to deliver some balloons and cookies

~ Ask a child to share or give one of his/her toys

~ Bake brownies with a youngster and have them pass it on to the mail-man or janitor, with a thank-you note

Suggest some of these kindness ideas to a school teacher to help spread the word!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Kindness Begins With Me

Is anybody happier because you passed this way?
Does anyone remember that you spoke to them today?
The day is almost over, and its toiling time is through.
Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you?

Can you say tonight in parting with the day that's slipping fast,
That you helped a single person of the many that you passed?
Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said?
Does the one whose hopes were fading now with courage look ahead?

Did you waste the day or use it? Was it well or sorely spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness, or a scar of discontent?
As you close your eyes in slumber, do you think that God will say:
"You have earned one more tomorrow by what you did today?"

~ Author Unknown

Sunday, April 5, 2009

A Heart-Warming Experience

A little over a week ago I met a family that was facing the possibility of being homeless. They had experienced some difficult times and couldn't seem to get "a break". The father is currently out of work and the mother is disabled. The children are 18 months and 10 years old.

I knew that I could help them. And this is where my most recent "act of kindness" begins...

First, I helped them find an affordable place to live. Then the next Sunday, I stood up in church and asked for help. The family had next to nothing. They had no furniture, no beds to sleep on, no table to eat at, no couch to sit on and no television to watch. So, I asked my congregation friends for "any household items that you are no longer using".

I received an overwhelming response! Some people went shopping for the family and bought them some basic household items. Some people chipped in money. Some people brought in household items that they were no longer using.

I had people calling me that weren't even from my church. They had heard about the family from members of my church. I had one person contact me and invite me to walk through an estate that they needed to empty and simply told me to "take whatever they need".

When my husband and I brought over the first truck load of items, the 10 year old girl was so excited! She went running into the apartment to get her mother.

When I walked into the empty apartment, it didn't even look like they had moved in yet (and yet they had). By the time we left, the apartment looked a little more like home. We were able to provide them with dressers and beds, a couch, a television, linens, dishes, kitchen appliances, books, pots and pans and much, much more.

It was truly one of the most heart-warming experiences I have had in a long time. It is amazing what a difference we can make in someone's life when everybody just chips in a little.

It truly is a good life!

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Sharing Extra Coupons

I love to share my extra coupons with fellow shoppers. It always comes as a big surprise to them and yet it is such a simple thing to do.

When I am at a store and I have an extra coupon (which I always try to have), I simply turn to someone that is getting ready to check out and I ask them if they would like to have a coupon. They are always thrilled!

Coupons that are a standard percentage off are the easiest to give someone. Whenever I go to Michaels, AC Moore or JoAnns, I always print extra coupons. (You can visit my other blog for some of these if you need some). Sometimes, if I see that I have a specific coupon for one of the items in someone else's cart, I will offer it to them as well.

It is a wonderful way to spread some kindness!

Some Easy Ways You Can Make a Difference

  • Smile and say "thank you" to a bus driver or toll collector

  • Compliment someone at least once a day

  • Give a lottery ticket to a stranger

  • Let the person behind you at the grocery store go ahead of you in line

  • Give up your seat to someone on the bus, train or subway

  • Pay the toll for the person behind you

  • Pick up trash when you see it

  • Give another driver your parking spot

  • Open the door or hold the elevator for someone