Join Us in #30DaysOfGratitude & Change the World!
It’s November and what I like to call, “the month of gratitude.” Every year in November I like to pause each day and remember something that I am grateful for. Usually I post these things to social media such as my Facebook or more recently Instagram. While I know it’s meaningful to say these things out loud and proclaim them to the social media world I thought this year I would try something different. The idea came to me while driving home from the airport from work one night. There are a lot of 30 day challenges floating around – some that involve eating a certain diet, others working out or even abstaining from certain behaviors. Most of these challenges, it seems to me involve improving the self or the ego. After all, what does the world benefit from your bulging biceps or you cutting bread from your diet? Who cares how many times you frequent the gym in 30 days? I wanted to take on a challenge that did not benefit me, but benefited others…anonymously. Instead of saying out loud what I am grateful for or posting to Facebook, I have decided I want to pass my blessings on to others. For everything I am grateful for I wanted to help improve someone else’s day.
Thirty days of gratitude. Thirty random acts of kindness.
So I have made a list of the 30 random acts of kindness I wanted to perform. They are in no particular order but I have to complete one each day. The beneficiary of my kindness must be random. I also decided I would let my yoga classes, friends via social media, and YOU at Happiness Series readers know my plans so that it might inspire others as well. Imagine if we all stopped thinking of ourselves for a moment and thought of a way we could help someone else with no applause. It’s part of the idea that people won’t remember your name, what you look like, or what you said but they will always remember how you made them feel. Well, I want to make people feel good and I hope others join me in this.
Here’s my list:
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Buy the person behind me in line’s coffee
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Leave the mailman a nice note
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Leave a flower on a strangers car
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Buy someone something from their baby registry at random on amazon
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Give blood
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Give a homeless person gloves/hat
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Feed an expired parking meter
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Shovel neighbors driveway when it snows
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Send someone dessert in a restaurant
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Leave a compliment on a mirror
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Leave change in a vending machine
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Leave a quarter in a gumball machine
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Leave a nice note for the next flight attendant
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Leave candy for the next flight attendant
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Leave a $1 in my favorite book at the book store
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Leave a $1 somewhere random for someone to find
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Donate a meal for thanksgiving at the grocery store
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Donate hotel toiletries to a woman’s shelter
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Send a just because note to someone I haven’t talked to in awhile in my address book
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Bring a treat for my flight crew
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Send a card to someone in the military overseas
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Let someone go ahead of me in line at the grocery store
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Give a lottery ticket to a stranger
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Leave a book/magazine somewhere for someone to read
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Leave $5 on a pack of diapers at the store
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Give someone a sincere compliment
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Leave an inspirational note in a book at the book store
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Write a nice sidewalk chalk note at the park
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Fill up the water containers and baggies at the dog park
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Tip 100%
“Great acts are made up of small deeds” – Lao Tzu
I know I have much to be thankful for each and every day. My health, my family, my friends, my job, my daughter, my life… I could count my blessings forever. I don’t think any of these small acts in and of themselves will change the world but I know they will change someone’s day and make it a little brighter.
Thirty acts of kindness. Thirty days of gratitude. Starting November 1st. It’s not much…but it’s a start.
Join Natalie & all of us at Happiness Series & practice 30 Days of Gratitude with 30 Acts of Kindness. And post your acts of kindness & images on our social media with the hashtag: #30daysofgratitudeattitude
