Happy New Year!
Usually today is the day for me to write resolutions for the year. However, I’ve not really thought much about them for this year. I do hope to keep the monthly art journal going, so we’ll see how that goes. And maybe there will are a couple other things I want to accomplish this year including more fabric dyeing. However, whether I write a resolution list or not, 52 Random Acts of Kindness (RAKs), will be one of my goals.
I absolutely love Ann Curry’s kindness campaign: #26acts. If you are not aware of this project, she has asked everyone to join in and do 26 acts of kindness in memory of the children and teachers who lost their life in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in December. It’s amazing how this project has spread.
Dave and I did a couple things before Christmas, and after a little discussion we decided that for 2013 we will make an effort to do at least one RAK every week. If we all can do just one thing to make someone smile, the world will be a better place. I felt SO good when we did those acts – bringing me much more joy than anything I could buy.
Several years ago when I taught my Journaling the Journey class (the six-session class that ended up lasting for six months!) at the church we used to attend, one of our lessons was on kindness. At that time, I based my lesson on The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation information. I challenged my students to do a random act and then come back the next week and report on it. It was so interesting to hear their stories.
There are lots and lots of RAKs we can do this year. The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation and 366 Random Acts of Kindness have many ideas. Or just google random acts of kindness.
RAKs don’t have to involve money. Just being kind to those store clerks and cashiers or opening doors qualify.
If you are artsy and want to share your art, Tamara Laporte of Willowing Arts started a Facebook Kindness gang, a group that is creating art and then placing that work in different public places for people to see. If you don’t have time to create your own art, several of the group members have uploaded their art for you to print out and use. Tamara’s can be downloaded here. The Art Abandonment group has been doing this also for the past six months.
And lastly when we think of spreading the kindness, don’t forget to be kind to yourself. Let’s try to be more patience with ourselves and just do the best we can do.
Again, Happy New Year! It’s going to be a great year. If you are making resolutions, I’d love to hear them.
And if you want to join Dave and I on the 52RAKs this year, just come on board – no dues, no reporting – just spread the kindness around.
I love the idea of RAK for 2013, especially when it comes to being kind to ourselves. Over the years, we’ve all been a little hard on ourselves…it’s time to nurture ourselves in order to nurture others. Happy New Year, Lynda!
Teresa recently posted..A week of fun & life-long learning at the library…
This is such a wonderful idea! Thanks…and Happy New Year!
Robin recently posted..Boy What a Year!
What a cool idea. I love that it doesn’t have to be planned far in advance.
Rinda
Rinda recently posted..2012 OLW Clean-Up
Wow! What an absolutely wonderful and refreshing post! An excellent way to start a new year and a permanent path of kindness. So inspiring. Thank you! I enjoy all that you share in your posts and thank you especially for this post Lynda. A very Happy and successful New Year to you and your family! Cheers!
Robin, Thanks! And Happy New Year to you too!
Rinda, Yep, no planning – just do! Happy New Year!
Ashley, Thanks for your kind words. Happy New Year to you!
Hi Lynda! I made a similar resolution this year to do somewhere between 52 and 365 acts of kindness (some more random than others). I was also inspired by Ann Curry and the 366 Random Acts blog. I’m happy to see someone else making a similar commitment to spread the love.
Stephanie recently posted..The Very Beginning
Hi Stephanie, Great! Thanks for sharing and dropping by. Have a great 2013.
Teresa, Yes! We definitely need to not be so hard on ourselves. Happy New Year to you too!!
What an awesome post…kindness can make the world go round. It also reminds me to take some time for myself once in a while. TY!!!!
Moon Stumpp recently posted..New Year…New Day
Moon, You are so right! And thanks for dropping by.
Wow, that is the best new year’s resolution! Wonderful idea, thanks for inspiring us Lynda! Have a great 2013 🙂
Kristina recently posted..happy new year
GREAT idea! I decided to do the same thing this year and posted about it on January 1 as well. I’m looking forward to spending this year thinking about how to share kindness.
Kim Peek recently posted..A Little Over-Enthusiastic About Random Acts of Kindness
Kim, Thanks for dropping by. I’ve already had fun thinking about what I can do. I have really tried to be kind to everyone I’ve ran into and to be more patient. I’ll keep in touch to see how you are doing this year.