30 Acts of Kindness

So recently I hit a mile stone in my life... I am no longer in my 20's... I am officially in my 30's!  Wow... I feel old.  ;)  I saw on Facebook a friend of mine participating in the birthday project (see www.thebdayproject.com).  I wanted to share one quote I got off of the blog:

"The Birthday Project is about more than performing random acts of kindness to coordinate with how many years old you are.  It's about recognizing that we are all here for a reason that is bigger than ourselves.  The Birthday Project is the vehicle that will change personal priorities, family traditions, and cultural celebrations for generations to come.  It's about remembering, in the midst of all our busyness, that the day we were born matters.  That WE matter and we are called to remind others that they do too."

I love that, I want each and everyone of you to know that you matter!  And by doing these 30 acts of kindness, I hope I was able to share with others that they matter also.  

This doesn't exactly go with the theme of this blog except to say that I believe that the more kind we are, the more prepared for life we will be.  If we think in terms of giving and service I believe that means we are happier and by being happier and kinder we are better prepared to tackle each day with optimism and love.  Be prepared to share your love with others and making this world a better place one kind act at a time.  

So, I changed it from random acts of kindness to just acts of kindness because they weren't exactly random.  And I wanted to give a disclaimer that I decided to do this last minute so some of them maybe not everyone would consider them acts of kindness but I feel that I was being kind by doing it so I counted them!  :)  

So here are my 30 acts of kindness done on my birthday:

1-2.  I left random treats with a little message on 2 random cars.  

3.  I had to run an errand to the doctor's office and they happened to be moving offices the next day so I gave them a box of chocolate covered macadamia nuts with a note that said "Happy Moving Day!"

4.  I left a note on our mail room bulletin board that said "free smiles" and they could pull off smiles on the bottom!  (I pulled off one so people got the idea, when I went back later that day 2 other smiles were ripped off!)  

5.  I left a treat and note for the mail person, thanking him for delivering our mail.

6.  We had to go to the post office and while waiting in line, I left the fellow behind me go first since he only was buying stamps and I was mailing off 2 boxes.  

7.  I gave the post office worker a treat and little message.  :)

8-9.  I mailed off 2 boxes to two different people in Hawaii.  

10.  I gave a box of box of chocolate macadamia nuts to our management office of our apartment complex and thanked them for all they do.  

11.  I gave my son a new toy.  :)

12.  I also allowed my son to have undiluted juice for lunch.  That was very kind of me as he normally doesn't get juice and if he does, it's half water.  :)  He loved it.

13-15.  I wrote 3 letters of appreciation to different people just to thank them for being a part of life and the blessing they are to me.  

16.  Someone that my husband works with shared the same birthday as me so he also got a treat for his birthday.

17.  I left a compliment on someone's blog.  

18-20. I made muffins and gave them out to 3 of my neighbors.  What a cute little helper I have.

21.  When my husband has to work we meet him on base for dinner, I gave the ID checker at the gate a treat and message.

22.  I gave a toy to a mommy to be.  

23.  I also gave a friend a ride to base so she could also have dinner with her hubby.

24.  I also paid for her dinner as she did not have cash on her.

25.  I gave the lady who takes our money at dinner a treat and message.  

26-27.  I made 2 bags to hand out to these certain homeless people who are always holding signs at these certain areas nearby.  Unfortunately, I guess I was too early when I went to do my errands that morning because they weren't there!  But the bags are made and are sitting in the car ready to give it to them when I pass them by again.  I also tried again later that day and apparently I was too late.  

 28.  I invited our neighbor over for dinner.  She's this sweet elderly lady.  She was so happy for the invitation and when she came for dinner a few days later she brought us flowers, a present for my son and a card saying thank you for being so thoughtful.  It was really sweet and she is just a sweetheart.  

29.  I went through my clothes and donated what I don't use.  I donated it to my nieces and nephews but whatever they don't want they are to donate it on.  :)

 30.  I saved my pink lids from the yogurt we buy and entered them on the computer.  For every lid General Mills donates 10 cents to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 

 I thought this was such a fun experience!  I loved how my birthday was pretty much all spent giving!  It turned out also that I opened my presents the day before my birthday because my husband had to work on my birthday and we had a birthday dinner the day after my birthday for the same reason.  So on my actual birthday my focus was on giving service and it was a great birthday.  I look forward to doing this also with my son when he's old enough to understand.

There are so many ways to be kind!  I also posted on my facebook page that whoever was willing could also do an act of kindness on behalf of my birthday and these were some of the responses:

- Helping someone find their kitty

- Said hi to everyone we passed on the river today...offered to help another mom at the library.

 - Held the door open at Starbucks earlier for a lady with a stroller.

  - Noticed one of our girls at volleyball was a bit blue after we won the game, so I took the time to talk to her and encourage her - turns out she is just frustrated with her playing since she is coming off from an injury. She seemed happier after talking with me.

       - Giving change to a little kid who didn't have enough to get a slurpee today... He really wanted on and he looked so sad that he was short on money.

- Filled up my fiance's car with gas. and I paid for gas for a girl whose card wasn't working/the machine wouldn't read it. :)

   - Listened to everyone's problems & paid for our food :)

- Made dinner for my family. Picked up my sister & her baby & gave them a ride to where they needed to go. Made a baby laugh and smiled at a stranger.

-          Helped by selling fundraiser bread tickets for someone else, picking up the bread and delivering them.  And at a potluck, stayed afterwards and helped clean up.

- Stopped at Zippys this morning to buy a napple. I saw this little lady I've seen many times before I think she has a slight disability, anyway, I took out $5 from my wallet and gave it to her. She had a big smile on her face as I waited for my order, she smiled and waved at me as she ordered a coffee.

- Took my kids teachers a thank you gift of Halloween munchies.

- Picked up my dad and step-mom up from the airport and drive them back to Kahuku

- Pretty much be more courteous & respectful to elders.  Opening the doors is like an everyday thing but its just about being courteous to everyone. :)

Giving simple acts of service can be so easy but yet so meaningful to those receiving.  I hope we can all make it a point to make giving acts of service everyday.  I know that most people already do these things and I think that is amazing!  Keep up the good work, your smiles do not go unnoticed.  If you participate in the birthday project or have any acts of kindness given or received that you would like to share, I would love to hear about it.  :)