Random Acts of Kindness and Love

I am on a mission. A mission that has been nestled in my heart and mind for several months now. It is not a new concept. It is a way to keep yourself in a giving and loving frame of mind. My mission is to shower the world with love through doing good deeds, spreading love and smiles one person at a time and spreading joy by putting the idea into action. I would love to accomplish 10,000 random acts of kindness this year. Sound impossible? I do not think it would be too difficult. Do the math. If 100 people or families filled a 100 page notebook with their good deeds, bam! You've got 10,000!

Random acts of kindness and love are simply things that make someone feel good. The concept was represented in a film called "Pay It Forward", and many inspirational people recommend the act, as well. Do something nice today...just because it would make someone smile or help them out. In today's depressed or recessed, or whatever you choose to call it, world, I do not know of a single person that could not use a smile or a feel-good moment. Something as simple as a compliment or a smile or letting someone cut in line at the store is worth more than we realize. Doing a chore for a neighbor or family member, visiting with an elderly person that is lonely, buy someone a cup of coffee in line behind you when you stop for your own, buy a gallon of gas for someone at the next pump. Can you imagine their surprise? Can you imagine the feeling you will have by just giving a little love and kindness to someone? It's beautiful and powerful and we can spread love and joy, simply by doing small things. One person at a time, we can make the world a happier place.

This is a great family project, as we teach our children to be giving and loving, we are cultivating a happier community and world. It would also be a wonderful project for church youth groups, scouting groups and school or daycare groups. Eventually, it will not be only a project or challenge, it will become a way of life. A natural daily experience of expressing love, joy and smiles to those we encounter in our daily lives. By logging your entries you can reflect on the positive things you are bringing to others. You have the ultimate source of joy in just giving.

Here are some tips and suggestions to get you started on your journey to random acts of kindness and love. If you have young children, it is especially fun to get them involved. As a parent, I accumulate a multitude of paintings, pictures and small craft projects that my children produce at home, school and daycare. Some parents choose to save them all. Some parents choose to display some and pack the rest away. For me, it has become routine to display a few at a time and donate the remainder to local nursing home patients. Colorful paintings and pictures will lift the spirits and bring smiles to those patients who do not receive a lot of visits from young children. Another favorite idea of mine is to leave some quarters at the self serve car wash with a little sticky note saying "you are the recipient of a random act of kindness. Enjoy and please pay it forward if and when you are able." I also like to cut some fresh flowers from my garden to place on various windshields when I go to the store, again, attaching a little note.

Being creative is part of the fun in sharing love and kindness with others. Random acts of kindness and love do not have to cost a lot of money nor do they need to be time consuming. It is just a matter of wanting to give to others all for the fun of it. Paying for someone's meal or gasoline is a wonderful treat but not always feasible, as so many families are struggling in today's economy. Consider a cup of coffee, spare change at the newspaper stand, one gallon of gas or helping someone with their grocery bags. It all adds up to whole lot of love and kindness.

Are you ready to spread love and kindness to the world? Please join me on this journey of 10,000 Random Acts of Kindness and Love. Start your own journal today with your family, school group, church group or at work. Teach your children to be giving and loving people. Help your community to become a better place, one smile at a time. Reach out to someone in need, someone that looks sad, a friend, or a stranger. Please give someone a smile today, and I promise you will receive one back. We can make our world a happier place with love.