A great website - whether for use in the classroom, Sunday School, or at home. Here’s an idea that never really goes out of style – see what happens when you try this out! Hope you’ll browse through the other ideas from The Random Acts Of Kindness Foundation…
Hold the Door Open for Someone | Random Acts of Kindness.
“Politeness is to human nature what warmth is to wax.” ~Arthur Schopenhauer
Thanks to Maggie, a fellow blogger with the Postaday project and author of Kaleidoscope, for suggesting this social network and online game! It’s a pretty cool site and I decided to add my own “brand” to it, so people can follow along and gain points for acts or words of Kindness. Go to my *kindnesskampaign page and start earning points for a good cause! Each month AOK (which means Acts Of Kindness) chooses a charity to support. The more points we “win” the more dollars are contributed to the charity. Just remember to post your story with the flashtag *kindnesskampaign in the title. January points are going to help Wholesome Wave support local farmers and farmers markets working to improve healthy food access to communities in need. Let’s start playing the game for Kindness’ sake!
I found a great blog tonight while looking for stories about kindness, and an additional Kindness Challenge. Check out 100 Acts of Kindness from Toddler Approved:
By the title of the blog you can tell it’s activities with kids, and they can be adapted in many ways no matter the age range. I know it’s already started but there is still plenty of time! Another great project to make a difference in your world. You can check their facebook page too.
Have fun finding ways to be kind!
Condoning poor behavior isn’t doing anyone favors - for the kids who don’t know how to conduct themselves in the world at large, or others who are subjected to their poor behaviors as adults. It’s ironic that I had just researched the Stanford Marshmallow Experiment, after hearing about it from someone else. A study was conducted with 4-6 year olds, and then followed through their progression to young adulthood. In short, it was found that kids who could delay gratification (in other words, had self-control) for the most part were more successful later in life when it came to achieving goals, in school and their lives in general.
I relate the two subjects because I believe there is a large portion of our society that doesn’t know the value of “No”. It doesn’t seem to be taught very much anymore. It certainly isn’t popular when we use it, in most situations. There was a time not long ago when one was deemed kind who set limits. I think we need to begin practicing it again. Not out of mean-ness, but out of kindness – for ourselves and generations to come.
*Join the conversation on facebook.
Self-respect is the root of discipline: The sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself. ~Abraham Joshua Heschel, The Insecurity of Freedom: Essays on Human Existence, 1967
I’ve been at a conference the last few days, and as today was the last, the breakfast room at the hotel was pretty full. I do usually like to have my space in the morning, at least until I’ve had a chance for coffee and can be “civil” (no, I am not a morning person). There were no small tables open and I ended up at a table for four, all by myself. I kept watching people walk around with their hands full, not wanting to look anyone in the eye and at the same time hoping a table would be open so it wouldn’t be awkward. Every time, I would wave in their direction and offer my other three seats at the table. A couple of people came over, and then as something else opened up they scurried off, as if embarrassed to have to share, and now relieved they had their own space.
It’s an interesting exercise. Kindness in these types of situations is not expected, at least not in the US. Other countries I’ve been in, the locals are happy to share a table, hear stories, ask lots of questions about why you are there. Wouldn’t it be fun to get to know others when we have space to share…try it the next time you’re in that situation! It’ll be a whole different perspective…
