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Final Verdict: Kindness counts

Easter kindnessMore than 40 days ago I wrote to you about my Lenten pledge, which was to perform a random act of kindness everyday of Lent. Well, hippity hoppity Easter is on its way this weekend and here are a few things I have learned this past month.

First and foremost, kindness counts. No matter how big or how small the act of kindness, it truly impacts someone’s day. As you know, my first week in to this promise was a bit dicey. I had really believed that these opportunities would simply present themselves, that however, was not the case. I had to look for ways to be kind randomly.

At week two, I had redefined the word “random.” My slight tweaking of the definition was that it simply had to be random for the recipient, not a random act on my part. For example a friend was mentioning a book she had heard about. I got online ordered it and it just showed up at her house, no note but just “randomly.” I loved it, she loved it but let’s be honest, it wasn’t random.

By week three, what I noticed more than anything was that going out of my way for a stranger became more habitual. Each time I did something like send a note to a long-lost friend or pay the person behind me’s parking I felt amazing and the recipient was sadly, always truly surprised by my kindness.

As I entered the home stretch what became the single best part of my resolution was that kindness seems to be contagious. Who knew? When stuffed some money in a sleeping homeless man’s shopping cart,suddenly a ripple effect occurred, others looked at me and then did it too.

While, I must confess that I did not perform 46 random acts of kindness, I did come  close with 37. At the end of the day it didn’t become about having to log my kindness, it became about how wonderful it felt to make someone’s day. Although, Lent ends on sunday, I think this resolution might just stay around a little bit longer.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

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Ways to make a difference

Random acts of kindness: one week in

old and young handsHow many of you made New Years Resolutions or Lent sacrifices? If so, how is that going for you? I can honestly say after a week into my commitment to perform 46 random acts of kindness, this is more challenging than I thought.

Part of the problem with resolutions I’m discovering is, that we have an expectation in our minds of how they are supposed to play out. We give up chocolate and see ourselves as a super model in a bikini or we give up Facebook and see ourselves with so much extra time. Sadly, these preconceptions are often what becomes our roadblock to success.

I, of course, envisioned myself helping hundreds of little old ladies from Pasadena who were just lining up waiting for me to help them…randomly of course. Surprise, that hasn’t been the case. This past week I have had to go looking for opportunities, they did not come to me as I had thought.

Day one I helped a handicap man at mass, day two I helped an elderly lady at the grocery store, and day three there was no one in line behind me so I could pay for their coffee….hmmm so I put money in an expired parking meter. Then I hit a serious lull, it was late in the afternoon nothing had presented itself (or I wasn’t paying attention) and I panicked..what to do? I picked up the phone and phoned a friend, one I hadn’t spoken to in a long while. Warning: grey area here. Is this a random act of kindness or pre- meditated desperation to fulfill my obligation?

Either way it was a good feeling and even better conversation. So I have still have 39 days to make this right, be kinder, make an effort and more importantly make a tiny difference in this world. Hey, a difference is a difference! Random or not.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Charity Matters.

Copyright © 2013 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

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