Chain Reaction Kindness - Celebrating Birthdays with Random Acts of Kindness
Submitted by Tina on Mon, 07/12/2010 - 10:06.
I turned 44 yesterday. While I was reading Michelle's post from So Wonderful So Marvelous last week about performing a random act of kindness for each year of her life in honor of her birthday, I clicked on the link to her inspiration Robyn from Mix Mingle Glow. Robyn, along with her 3 daughters and husband, had her best birthday celebration ever by committing 38 random acts of kindness on her 38th birthday and sharing it on her blog. Now it would be difficult for any humanitarian to perform 38 truly random acts of kindness, so she had a few ideas in reserve but tried to make most acts random (i.e., taking a photo for a couple of tourist, helping out a lady at the grocery store who's hands were full, and my favorite #15: Chased down and caught runaway Happy Birthday balloon and returned it to the owner’s unlocked car. Then secretly watched as he returned and was completely baffled at the balloon sitting in his front seat!)
What I really loved about this project was the chain reaction of kindness she started. Not just with Michelle and me, but the 128 people who responded to her post and were inspired to commit random acts of kindness. As I came to the end of reading her birthday adventure, I saw that she too had been inspired by Kimberly who spent her 30th birthday doing 30 acts of kindness.
Well, I failed to get the creative juices flowing to complete 44 Acts of Kindness, (NOTE: I am older than Michelle at 34, Robyn at 38, and Kimberly at a puny 30. I know - excuses, excuses) but I have a plan for my 45 birthday!
What a great idea ladies. Thanks for the inspiration!
Easier than you might think!
I'll admit I am a planner so I had a whole list of things that could be done. The biggest surprise for me was how quickly it actually went once we got on a roll. Some of them (passing out reusable bags at the farmer's market) didn't work out for one reason or another (not enough people at the time we went) so I found that having a list was a good guide, but it was A LOT easier when we scrapped it and just started looking for opportunities to give. We stopped right on the street to give the money to the homeless man, we bought lunch for someone because my mom wanted an iced tea, handing out gift cards and buying diapers in Target, etc...
You could easily do 44 or even 50 or 60 in one day if you just started looking for opportunities.
Thanks so much for the mention and I can't wait to see how you rock your birthday next year!!
So glad you commented!
I am an extreme planner myself which is why I was so intimidated by the challenge. But I think if you gathered help from friends and family and just made it a fun day of helping strangers, it would be so much fun and gratifying.
Thanks Michelle for making the world kinder!
I read that post and was
I read that post and was also inspired! I'll be 39 on the 1st of next month, so I'd love to do something like that. I've been figuring out how I'll go about it. :)
Daunting Task
You'd be so exhausted by the end of the day. But what a birthday to remember. So cool!
August first is my son's birthday too! (lightbulb) Maybe I can work on 13 acts of kindness with him. Sounds a lot easier than 44.