Day Thirty is here!!  What did you end up doing on the last day of the Kindness Challenge??

I have to tell you... I got a little addicted to the whole "pay it forward" concept that I wanted to end the challenge with that.  So, I had a meeting scheduled at a breakfast restaurant anyway, so I was able to buy breakfast for two other tables without them knowing who it was from!  Teehee!!  And one of the tables was right in front of me!!  It was awesome!

I just wanted to take a quick moment to thank you for joining me on this month long process.  It has helped me grow as a person and helped me to see others in a whole new way.

I am hoping that those of you who have come along with me in a big or small part, have been able to take something away from this event.  

Thank you, thank you for your support and encouragement that helped me carry on with this 30 Day Kindness Challenge!!

Almost to the finish line!!  I hope that those of you who have participated in whatever capacity have been able to receive satisfaction at practicing acts of kindness.  It has certainly benefitted me and has altered my behaviors on a daily basis.

Every small act of kindness has an impact on someone else and has the power to ripple across several people.  It has the power to change attitudes, change lives, change perspectives.  Think of all that power you have at your fingertips!

Show kindness to others today.  Share a smile, share a compliment, share a cup of coffee!

Omigosh!!!!  We only have three days left!!!  But there is so much more that I want to do!!!

Today, it was time to do something fun!  When people think of being kind, most think of things they could buy for someone.  Gifts are a nice, quick, easy, kindness gesture.  So today, I decided to take on the popular "pay it forward" form of kindness.

I'm so bummed I didn't do this sooner!!  It was SO fun!!  Granted, I have done it a little here and a little there, but wait till you hear about today's adventure!  You just might want to do it too!

Kindness goes both ways.  You give it, you get it.  Nothing is more true than today!

Funeral today.
No matter when it happens or who it happens to, there is no preparing yourself for the emotional roller-coster that you will have to go through.  Todays funeral was for a dear friend's family member.  My only concern was to be there for her and her family and do what I could, if anything, to make the day easier or relieve the burden. 

Today my kindness challenge was to just be there.  Comforting.  Holding.  Providing tissues.  Eye contact just so they knew I was there.  Mints.  If I could take away their pain, I gladly would.  It is so hard to lose a family member and while there was nothing that I could really do to ease their pain, I was glad to just be present, just in case. 

Sometimes kindness comes in the form of silence.  Just being there.  

Tomorrow, I have to go to a funeral.

Nothing is promised.  We don't know how many tomorrows we may have.  I am a firm believer of living each day as if it were your last especially in regards if how you treat others.  How do you want to be remembered?  Were you kind to those around you.  Will people have fond memories of you?

Don't wait until tomorrow to tell someone how important they are to you.  Don't wait until tomorrow how beautiful their smile is.  Don't wait to let those you love really and truly know it, without a shadow of a doubt.

We don't know how long WE have and we certainly don't know how long anyone else has either.  What if your interaction with a person was their last?  Did you pass on love or anger?  Kindness or rudeness?  Generosity or selfishness.  Leave your input on people's hearts in a positive way, because we just never know.

Today, I made a huge decision in my life that is going to change every one of my tomorrows.  I am going to be under a lot of scrutiny for said decision and I guess that just comes with the territory of having a "job" that constantly falls under criticism of others...  But the upside of being an author far outweighs the downs!   Anyway.... all that to say, that I didn't realize how much I depend on the kindness of others.  It is true that my big decision is not the "norm" (don't worry, I'll fill you in on all the details after the Kindness Challenge is over) but it makes me feel so much better knowing that my people still love and support me. 

So especially with family and close friends when you think it doesn't matter or you're sure they "know" how you feel about them, we still need to be reassured, and encouraged and even comforted.  So don't hesitate.  Tell those people that you love them and that they are important to you and that no-matter-what, you will be there for them in their corner!! 

We are getting close to the end of our thirty day Kindness Challenge- mixed feelings.  I have enjoyed keeping myself in check and like I have said before, I tend to think of myself, in general to be a kind, loving person.  But there are some days, Whoo!  that you just don't want to be kind.  You want to give in to your bad mood or tired mood and not deal with others.  Today was like that.  A long, long day.  I was tired and worn out but in the back of my mind, I had to keep myself smiling and work a little harder to extend kindness especially to those who seemed like they made it their personal mission to test me!!  So, I am glad that I had this challenge to remind me that no matter how you feel, the kindness of others should come before that.

And once I started putting that in practice, it really changed my mood.  Suddenly, it wasn't about me and my mood, it was about seeing the other person smile.  It's amazing how contagious smiles are.  And thank goodness!  I could have been trapped in that bad mood all day!!

Try it out today, give a little love, try a little kindness!  It will change your whole outlook!!

"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it it whether we provide enough for those who have too little."     - Franklin D. Roosevelt

What a great quote!!  So, how are you doing with your progress?  Are you doing at the very lease something small for others who might not have seen kindness today?  A little love, a thoughtful gift, a loving hug or even a simple smile can do wonders for someone else. 

What small act of kindness can you offer up today?

We are on the downhill slope!!  I hope there are at least a few of you still hanging in there with me!  I have discovered that even though no one is posting on the blogs, there are those that come up to me and tell me that they are indeed making good on the challenge!

Whew!! What a relief!  And here I was thinking I was all alone out here in cyberspace.  So, I am thankful for those of you that reach out to me and let me know you're receiving benefit from the Kindness Challenge.

Hang in there!  Only a few days left!  We can do it!  Even if it's something small, get out there and show a little love today!!