Howdy Peeps!
You know the saying "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine." I think in this picture the one is saying 'please, please, scratch my back, I promise I'll scratch yours this time. I really have an itch in the middle of my back, pleeeaasssse!'
OK, what do these 2 Meerkats have to do with Acts of Kindness?
I know how good, a small act of kindness feels – to give and to receive. I'm sure you've all been the recipient of a gift from someone, when you weren't expecting it. Or you were the one doing the giving and the other wasn't expecting it.
I'm not referring to material things necessarily, but smiling at someone just when they needed it, or holding the door for someone whose arms are loaded down.
Or maybe you shoveled your neighbor's sidewalk or driveway after a snowstorm before they got home. Or mowing their lawn while they're on vacation and not expecting you to.
You get my drift.
Some of you may remember the movie, Pay It Forward. It was about a little boy who had a school assignment – think of something that would change the world. He came up with doing good deeds for 3 people and they in turn would do good deeds for 3 more people.
If you haven't seen the movie, it's awesome and it shows the start of the ripple effect, like a pebble in the pond.
This morning I thought of doing something like that – small acts of kindness. If each of us would do just one thing a day for someone else, without the expectation that they will in turn do something for us (scratch our back :)), look at the ripple effect it would have. Or if we did one act every day for the next week, or two weeks, or every day, period. Look at the potential.
As I said, they don't need to involve money, just something you wouldn't normally do and the other person isn't expecting it. And you aren't expecting anything in return.
I found a site while searching for the movie – there are lists of 'pay it forward ideas'. This site is Help Others .org and they have Kindness ideas: HelpOthers.org – Kindness Ideas.
There are stories people have done and ideas to do for people you know, you don't know or the world or yourself. So if you can't think of something, there may be an idea for you there.
The last time you did an act of kindness, the other wasn't expecting it and you just did it – how did you feel afterwards? Probably pretty awesome – right?!
So why not do an act of kindness for someone, today, tomorrow, every day, and feel good too!
I will warn you though, doing acts of kindness have been known to be helpful to us as well. Not only in the feeling good, but it also turns our focus off of us. And if you're not having a good day, it's always good to turn your focus somewhere else – and spread positive vibes – right?
My act of kindness will be later today or tomorrow – which I'll tell you about later… đŸ™‚
I would love to hear about your act(s) of kindness. You can either add them on the comments below or post them on Facebook.
Pass this blog on to someone you know will join in with an act(s) of kindness. I'd love to feel the ripple effect I know we can have.
Angel Blessings to you!!
Sue
The photo came from: Animal Photos.
Lovely thoughts for living.
Now there is an AWESOME act of kindness!!! Thank you Sweetie!!!
I have two friends with sick husbands – well interestngly enough I know 4 women with sick husbands. However, the first two I mentioned are financially and emotionally destroyed. Besides being a friend, I have been thinking of something to do for each of them. I don’t have a lot of extra money…but I have been thinking about sending each $20 anonymously. I’m a little worried about sending it thru the mail…but I think it will be ok if I put it in a card.
Ask Archangel Michael to keep it safe through the mail and it will make it where it’s supposed to safe and sound. I’m sure they will appreciate it.
Pay It Forward is now my favorite movie. I teach a massage therapy class & we have been doing a class project to Pay It Forward here in Anchorage. Unbelievable how incredibly warm & connected it makes you feel. I am deeply inspired by the number of people I am seeing actually acting on this concept! Thank you for your post!
That is awesome. And as I was reading your comment, my chimes went off! They do that as an emphasis or pay attention :). Thank you!! I appreciate the wonderful words!