Kindness is a verb to me. I try to live my life with kindness at the forefront, I’m not perfect though, there are days kindness blows away with the gust of anger and madness that life can sometimes throw our way. I would love to tell you I have never said an unkind word, but that would be lying and I’m no liar. When ugly words fill my head or come across my lips I become upset with myself because I know better. I know that we are all in a struggle, we should try our hardest to be a little kinder. I also know I’m human and I’m in no way perfect, so I just need to try harder next time. Today, while I was out with my husband we celebrated Veterans’ Day, the kids’ elementary school put together a sweet assembly for our veterans, that assembly was one big act of kindness! And as you imagined- those of you who know me- yes, I cried. If Taps doesn’t make you get choked up or cry, then I don’t know what will. (Then again, I’m an Army brat and veteran’s wife.)
The assembly set the tone for the day, we (my husband and I) talked about our Army days, we talked about the veterans we knew who we lost, and we talked about life. Life. I’m always thankful for life, but when you’re reminded once more of how life can be taken away it really makes you even more grateful to be alive. When you think about the sacrifice the military and military families give day in and day out :::heavy sigh::: that’s one of the HUGEST acts of kindness. We take from them daily, they’re giving us freedom, and in return they don’t ask for much. Anyway, ::choking back more tears:: I made it a point to smile at people today, say hello, and open doors. One of our stops was the USPS, I went alone while my husband took a call for work. I carried a big box into the post office and a woman was ahead of me, so surely she would open the door for me, right? WRONG! To me little things like opening doors, smiling, saying hello, and asking someone about their day (and really listening) are all acts of kindness. So, in the spirit of kindness and thanks giving 😉 I came up with a little something.
Yesterday, I posted a challenge on my Instagram, I asked people to write a thank you note each day this week to someone. Here’s the actually post:
After I posted this my sweet friend Lowanda of Sunshine and Elephants reminded me that this week was World Kindness Week, which made think I need to do something more! (This Friday is World Kindness Day btdubs) So, here’s my challenge to you!! Go out into the world and be the good! Do an act of kindness it can be big or small, cheap or free, party of one or three, it really doesn’t matter to me. If you write thank you notes for friends, teachers, postal carriers, or our troops let’s see ’em! I want you to share your kindness with the world!!! Tag your #RandomAOK on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or your blog and don’t forget to tag me. I’ll be sure to share your kindness on my social media as well. Once you’re done sharing wherever you choose to share come linkup your #RandomAOK below. I will choose one kindhearted soul to win some goodies to spread a little more kindness in the world. 🙂 Are you in!?!?
I’m giving away: Stickers, Stamps, Thank You Notes, Pens, Page Flags, Glitter, annnnnnd $10 Target gift card. (I’ve been known to throw in extras 😉 )
This challenge is open to everyone, however the giveaway is open to US & Canada (minus the stamps) only, I’m sorry. Please only linkup your RECENT acts of kindness. You may linkup your Instagram, Facebook, or blog post with your #RandomAOK. I cannot wait to see what you share!!!
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Lowanda J
November 10, 2015 at 8:58 pmAwww, thanks Dean! I’m just getting around to your post and was so surprised to see my name! Thank you so much for being the person that you are and I’m so blessed to be able to call you a friend! 🙂
Lowanda J
November 10, 2015 at 9:16 pmHelp! How do you download your Instagram pics that you use in your post?
MrsA0K2001
November 10, 2015 at 11:12 pmSorry! Just saw this. When I add the IG photos to my blog, I do it from my computer. Go to you IG account (from your computer) click on the image you want, there are 3 small circles on the left click those, embedded should pop up. You’ll then be asked if you want the quote or no quote option, pick your preference then copy the code. Go to your blog in HTML setting and add the code. I hope that helps 🙂
XO
Lowanda J
November 11, 2015 at 9:27 pmThanks bunches! 🙂
MrsA0K2001
November 14, 2015 at 2:15 amYou’re welcome! XO
MrsA0K2001
November 10, 2015 at 11:13 pmYou’re too sweet!! Thank YOU! I’m lucky to have had the opportunity to meet you & call you friend.
XOXO
Bev
November 10, 2015 at 9:30 pmI think we ca all do a little more to spread kindness. Thanks for the reminder! I’m going to make sure I do a little extra something this week 🙂
MrsA0K2001
November 10, 2015 at 11:14 pmYay!! I hope you will share with us.
XOXO
Sonya
November 11, 2015 at 12:46 amBeing a kinder person is something I’m working on. The world is better when we are kind and acknowledge others when they are kind too. This is a great challenge ?
MrsA0K2001
November 11, 2015 at 10:26 amThank you, Sonya! I hope you will join in 🙂
XOXO
Karen
November 11, 2015 at 8:42 amThis is awesome! I’m thinking of something I could do for this challenge with my daughter. : )
MrsA0K2001
November 11, 2015 at 10:26 amI cannot wait to see what you two come up with!! I know it’ll be awesome 🙂
XOXO
Caryn
November 11, 2015 at 11:25 amThis is wonderful. It’s wonderful that the world is starting to focus more on kindness and love especially this time of the year. (Though we should all do it year round.) Happy Veterans Day.
MrsA0K2001
November 11, 2015 at 3:30 pmI agree, kindness is not seasonal, it’s daily, we should live it and share it.
XOXO
Holly @ While I'm Waiting...
November 11, 2015 at 1:12 pmYou are speaking my love language! 😉 It’s the best feeling in the world to do something for someone! Keep spreading kindness!!!
MrsA0K2001
November 11, 2015 at 3:27 pmI couldn’t agree with you more, Holly!
You speak my language 🙂
XOXO
Akaleistar
November 11, 2015 at 9:01 pmYes to throwing love and kindness out there like glitter! Also, just thinking about Taps gets me choked up…
MrsA0K2001
November 13, 2015 at 3:16 pmYou are my people! Letter writing, book reading, goodie making, and Taps tears.
XOXO
Tamara
November 11, 2015 at 9:16 pmSpreading love and kindness and being the good. Imagine if we ALL just dropped everything and did it. I believe.
I’ve said unkind words too and recently and I was just sitting here in a self-loathing way! Ugh. It’s not too late to make it better.
MrsA0K2001
November 14, 2015 at 2:14 amIt’s never too late. 🙂 I’m hoping for some kindness & peace for our world. We need it.
XOXO
Nina
November 12, 2015 at 12:16 amWhat a great challenge! I can only focus on one thing at a time, so my act of kindness the last week or so has been to actually say hello to people I pass by at work. Too often you just stare straight ahead even though you probably know this person’s name and see them all the time. So now I say hello to everyone, and they say hello back!
MrsA0K2001
November 14, 2015 at 2:46 amI love that, Nina! I try to make it a point to say hello or good morning to people when I’m out and about. I don’t even have to know them, sometimes people say it back & sometimes people look at me like I’m crazy. 😀
XOXO
Chastity
November 12, 2015 at 3:17 pmI love this challenge! I’m going to have my kids get involved too! xoxo
MrsA0K2001
November 14, 2015 at 2:26 pmThank you, Chastity! I cannot wait to see what y’all come up with. 🙂
XOXO
Lauren
November 13, 2015 at 11:01 amwhat a wonderful idea! I think we can all use some random kindness this season!
MrsA0K2001
November 14, 2015 at 2:30 pmThank you, Lauren! Our world totally needs more kindness.
XOXO
Shecki @ Greatly Blessed
November 16, 2015 at 4:27 pmOne of my favorite RAOK is to pay for the car behind me in the drive thru. 🙂
MrsA0K2001
November 18, 2015 at 5:50 pmI love that too 🙂
XOXO
Danita Carr
November 24, 2015 at 11:52 pmLove this challenge! Thanks for your encouragement to do something kind! #SmallVictories