Day Thirty -One

Today was one of those great days, when things are going well and all is right with the world. I was cleaning out a drawer in my kitchen when I ran across an old camera that I had put aside when I recieved a new one for my birthday. I remembered that one of my colleagues had mentioned that she needed a camera for her classroom. So, I put new batteries in the old camera, found a memory card that worked, and presto!! New camera for my colleague! She was glad to get it, and I was glad to have something put to good use that was just lying around in a drawer.

Quote of the Day - " One man's junk is another man's treasure." Anonymous

Day Thirty

Today was a very busy, harried day in the classroom. There were, however, many opportunities to show kindness to others. There were children who needed hugs, as they are adjusting to being in a classroom , away from Mom and Dad. Also, there were nervous parents, who were getting used to letting their little ones go....to first grade in a new school. No matter how many years I have taught, I always find that it comes down to this- the parents all want what I wanted for my child;just to know that the teacher cares and is going to give their child all the love and TLC that is possible. I found myself hugging a nervous parent, who was far more upset than her child. Just a little bit of caring goes such a long way.......

Quote of the day -

"The essence of love is kindness." Robert Louis Stevenson

Day Twenty-nine

Chocolate. It is my guilty pleasure, especially the dark variety. The candy jar on my colleague's desk had been empty for far too long; I think it had been at least three days or more! So, as I passed by the candy isle in the store today, the family-sized bags of chocolate were calling out to be purchased. I refilled the candy jar, knowing that many people this week will stop by to get a sweet treat and a little pick-me-up. Chocolate. It has to be good for you.

Quote of the day - "No good thing is pleasant to possess without friends to share it." Seneca the Younger

Day Twenty-eight

It was only a phone call. My friend from high school had recently divorced after over twenty years of marriage. I just called her to see how she was doing, no questions asked. There is nothing worse than having people ask for details when one is experiencing a difficult time. This conversation was lively and animated, as we caught up with each other after a number of years. Most of the time that we talked, I listened. Much of the time that I talked, she laughed. It was like a breath of fresh air to have these moments of reminiscing. She thanked me, but I should have thanked her. Her cheerful voice reminded me that although life is sometimes unpredictable, it can always be full and meaningful.

Quote of the day - "Burdens shared are easier to bear." Jesse Jackson

Day Twenty -seven

It wasn't hard to find opportunities for kindness today; hungry teenagers bombarded my classroom at the end of the day with one question- " Got anything to eat?" I know by now that I have to keep a special cabinet of snacks for my daughter and her friends. When I go to the grocery store, those "buy one get one free" offers help me stock my private shelf just for such a time as this. Several kids filtered in and out of my room, each with a granola bar or a handful of crackers. They smiled or waved as they left. I love seeing them at the end of the day. It helps me to remember that even though they are often taller than me, they still need that small bit of reassurance that there is a place to go , food to eat, and someone who cares.

Quote of the day - "Man does not live by bread alone, but he does not live long without it." Frederick Buechner

Day Twenty-six

It was another day to be kind to the planet. I am trying very hard to be aware of turning out lights, recycling every scrap of paper, picking up litter,and printing as little as possible. At lunch today, my students happen to notice that someone had left trash on the picnic tables. When one of them saw me picking up trash, they all began to do likewise. We collected a medium sized bag of trash in only about 5 minutes. One of my students even suggested that we forego recess in leiu of spending the time picking up trash on the campus. (So cute!) Well, we had time for litter patrol and recess. The picnic area looks a lot nicer, now!

Quote of the day -

" What is the use of a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?"

Henry David Thoreau

Day Twenty- five

Today was another day that presented so many opportunities to extend kindness to others. It was the first day of school, and for some students, today was the first day in a new school. I remembered the year I changed schools, and how with fear and trepidation, I had entered the new classroom. These children were no different; one of my students was crying (very loudly), and another just kept asking, "Can I please call my mommy?" After much consoling, hugging, and reassurance, these two were able to make it through the day, after which they were joyfully reunited with their mommies. The little kindness that I was able to offer them was not much, but it mattered. Sometimes a little goes a long way.

Quote of the day -

"It is not attention that the child is seeking, but love." Sigmund Freud

Day Twenty-four

I recently wrote about meeting a new friend who was about to undergo a double-mastectomy. She had her surgery last week, so a couple of us("the girls") got together and made a basket for her. I put in some things that I knew would be meaningful and encouraging to her at this time. I am thinking that I should make up several of these baskets to give out to people that are sick or recovering. Soft socks, a journal , perfumed lotion, some magazines (O is my personal favorite) , crossword puzzles, and DVD's of funny movies. All of these things help the patient take her mind off of herself for a while, and remind the recipient that she is cared for by her friends.

Quote of the day - "Friendships multiply Joys and divide Griefs," Thomas Fuller

Day Twenty-three

Today I went inside to exchange an item in Target (my favorite shopping place!) . I lugged my items inside, only to find that all of the shopping carts were outside of the store. So, I went back outside, got a cart, headed inside, and continued my shopping trip. When I finished my shopping, I unloaded my items into the trunk of my car. Instead of leaving the shopping cart to roll around in the parking lot, I rolled it over to a lady with a little boy in her arms. She was glad to have the cart, without going on a search throughout the parking lot. I watched as she smiled, put her precious cargo into the cart, and rolled away happily.

Quote of the day -

"Everyone smiles in the same language." Anonymous

Day Twenty-two

There were so many opportunities today to extend a kindness or a helping hand to others. As my colleagues and I continue to prepare for a new school year, the frantic rush is coming to a crescendo. There is too much left to do and too little time in which to do it, or so it seems. Therefore, I looked for that "deer caught in the headlights" look on people's faces, and if I saw it, I tried to help. The one thing that stands out was the sense of relief that I noticed when just a little help was offered. It really only takes a thimble-full of encouragement to help brighten a person's day. Scrubbing "goo" off of a classroom white board, helping a new teacher set up her room- such small things, nevertheless,big to the person receiving assistance.

Quote of the day - "People in the same boat should help each other." Saying (Chineze)

Day Twenty-one

I have a very hard-working friend who often works late. I went out for Starbuck's coffee and bought her favorite- a low-fat latte. She was delighted and the pick-me-up helped her as she finished her work. I sipped my coffee, too, as we enjoyed a few minutes of conversation - a nice treat for both of us!

Quote of the day - "Way too much coffee...but if it weren't for the coffee, I'd have no identifiable personality whatsoever." David Letterman

Day Twenty

I was traveling today, by car, and stopped to fill up my car with gas. The opportunity for kindness presented itself- I left my spare change in the dish for the next person who comes along and needs that extra penny or so to complete his purchase. Small things- one day at a time!

Quote of the day - "Deeds of kindness are equal in weight to all the commandments." - Talmud

Day Nineteen

This is another harried day, packing to take my daughter to college. I left something I needed at work, so I stopped by to get it. As I walked home,(yes, I walked) I again picked up trash along the trail. What disturbed me was that my bag was not big enough to pick up all the trash I found! I truly want to be kind to our earth, this big, beautiful planet that we all share. I promised myself that the next time I walk this path, I will take a large trash bag, and leave not one piece of trash in sight. If we all picked up one piece of trash each day, what a difference it would make to our earth.

Quote of the day - " Earth is a single huge organism intentionally creating an optimum environment for itself." Richard A. Kerr

Day Eighteen

I felt as if I was running a marathon today- jogging from one meeting to another, taking a 20 minute lunch, back to another meeting. Some days are like that, and I wonder as I take this journey, how will I have the time do something for someone else ? But, opportunity always knocks, and so it did in the form of simply helping out another colleague today with her pre-planning activities (for school). I offered to do some things for her that took very little of my time- laminating posters, carrying books. I am learning that as I look for opportunities to extend kindness to others, I think very little about negative things. I just don't have the time!

Quote of the day - "A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds." Frances Bacon

Day Seventeen

Today I wrote some notes thanking people who have done things over the past year for me. None of the things that were done for me were for any other reason than out of the goodness of their hearts- a kind word, a casserole when I was sick, a card of encouragement- these small things were their kindnesses to me, but I wanted them to know how much their actions meant . It is never too late to say "thank you"!

Quote of the day - "There is a built-in sense of indebtedness in the consciousness of man, an awareness of owing gratitude, of being, called upon at certain moments to reciprocate, to answer, to live in a way which is compatible with the grandeur and mystery of loving."

Abraham Joshua Heschel

Day Sixteen

I was shopping for school supplies today when a lady pushing a cart with two restless children and only a few items walked up. I let her go in front of me. It is such a little thing, but I remember well those days when going shopping with small children was such an ordeal. Just being able to go ahead in line is helpful when one is balancing a cart full of items and kids.

Quote of the day - "We are obligated to love one another. We are not strictly bound to "like" one another." - Thomas Merton

Day Fifteen

My friend just had surgery on her elbow - ouch! She is one of those people who do so much for others - and never thinks to ask for help for herself. I baked four pans of lazagne a few days ago,and froze three of them for such a time as this. I sent home a pan of my very delicious lazagne with her - one meal that she won't have to cook with her ailing elbow.

Quote of the day - "You can't be of help to everybody! say the narrow-minded, and help nobody." - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach

Day Fourteen

Today I decided to be kind to the earth by walking to work and weeding a flowerbed(someone else's, not my own). If I walk to work even just once a week, I will save gas, contribute less pollution, increase my aerobic heartrate, and enjoy some pretty scenery along the way!Also, I find it theraputic mentally to pull weeds; there is something so satisfying about seeing the result of a nice flowerbed that is weed-free.

Quote of the day - " Our earthy ball, a peopled garden." - Goethe

Day Thirteen

Today's act of kindness did not cost any money and cannot be touched or seen. Today I simply listened- my friend was distraught about a problem that she is wrestling with- one that many moms face. She is trying to balance work, kids, community responsibilities, and now another academic degree. All I did to help her was to listen as she talked out her feelings and frustrations.
Everyone needs someone to just listen once in a while- it can help make things a lot clearer and problems seem not so overwhelming.

Quote of the day - " Friends feel each others' joys and sorrows as their own." - anonymous

Day Twelve

Today was one of those days where several opportunities for acts of kindness presented themselves. First. there was a fellow teacher who had moved into a new classroom and found herself with no chairs for her students. There was a plea from the administration to help, so I donated 4 of my classroom chairs to her. I really like those chairs, and use them in a special area; however, it will be a minor inconvenience to me, and mean a great deal to my colleague, who is truly in need. Several other teachers also pitched in, and in one day, Mary had enough chairs for her entire classroom. Later in the day, another teacher found herself with a room full of furniture, piled high in the aftermath of floor waxing, that needed to be organized and moved around. Three of us (teachers) got together, and in under one hour, her classroom was in order.

Small things- done with great love....that's everyday kindness!

Quote of the day -

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." - Matthew 7:12 - The Holy Bible

Day Eleven

Today was the first day back in the classroom in preparation for the new school year. The day was filled with unpacking boxes of supplies and labeling desks with the names of my new students. As I looked at each name, I thought about all of the opportunities that we might have together to offer kindness to others. I am hoping that my students become as excited about this project as I am!
I gave cold, bottled water to some very thirsty workers today. Their thirst was quenched as they labored in the hot sun, and I was glad to share this basic element of life with them- water.

Quote of the day -

"To serve is beautiful, but only if it is done with joy and a whole heart and a free mind." - Pearl S. Buck

Day Ten

Today a very hot, tired, hungry, thirsty teenager showed up at my house to hang out with my kids. I offered him a plate of food and something to drink. It wasn't long before the plate had been practically licked clean and several glasses of water had been downed. I hope that when my own children show up at their friends' homes that someone there will feed them, as well! Teenagers are great- I never have to worry about leftovers being wasted !

Quote of the day -

"Love and business and family and religion and art and patriotism are nothing but shadows of words when a man's starving." - O.Henry

Day Nine

Today I was cleaning a closet and ran across some old photos from high school.I took that trip down memory lane, and regretted that I was unable to attend our last high school reunion. One of my classmates has since passed away, but is still in our hearts with her smile and great sense of humor. I came upon a really nice photo of her today, so I decided that it would be a nice thing to send this (high school) photo of her to her family. I made a call to an old friend, got the address, and the picture is in the mail. I am hoping that this photo brings many smiles to her loved ones. Little things, one day at a time....

Quote of the day -

"It is the experience of touching the pain of others that is the key to change...Compassion is a sign of transformation." - Jim Wallis

Day Eight

As I passed through the toll booth today, I remembered the times that I have frantically searched for the exact change needed to satisfy the toll meter. So, I paid for myself and the car behind me. Maybe that person behind me will do the same for the person behind him. Who knows?

Quote of the day -

"People must help one another; it's nature's law." - LaFontaine

Day Seven

Today I had the rare privilege of meeting a woman who is about to undergo a pretty serious operation for treatment of breast cancer. Mary( not her real name) is having a double- mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, just like I did two years ago. She is anxious, hopeful, emotional - all of the feelings that one experiences at a time such as this. I met her with a mutual friend of ours, and we sat in a diner- laughing, joking, a bit somber at times. I know Mary will be fine, but just knowing that someone else has gone before her in this journey and came out alright is the reassurance she needs right now. I am not sure who was the most blessed by our encounter - Mary or myself! We exchanged contact information, and I felt as though I had made a new friend. Sometimes just a thimble full of hope and encouragement is all it takes to change the course of a person's life.

Quote of the day -

"There is no greater loan than a sympthetic ear." Frank Tyger

Day Six

Today was one of those busy, marathon days, one of those days when I forgot to eat lunch until around 3:00pm. I was searching the used car lots for a "new-to-me" used car, and lost track of time. I noticed that there was trash on the ground in the car lot, so I took this opportunity to pick up litter as I continued my search.

The car lot is now trash-free, and yes, I found a car!

Quote of the day -

"Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness." - George Sand

Day Five

Today I picked up trash in my neighborhood, as I did my morning walk. I think that being kind to the earth is important, so I try to reuse, reduce, and recycle. In this case, I threw away the trash that I collected, and then recycled the plastic bag that I collected it in. Again, a small thing, but it matters.

Quote of the day -

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." - Aesop

Day Four

Today I spent the afternoon packing up cosmetics that I have never used to give to my local charity. I love to donate things that I no longer use, because I think that if you own something, you should either use it or get rid of it! I packed up a rather large box, filled with cosmetics that I either purchased or was given as a gift. I know that someone will enjoy these things for free, instead of them taking up room, unused, on my bathroom shelf. This activity was cleansing for me, and hopefully, beneficial to others.

Quote of the day -

"Sometimes when we are generous in small, barely detectable ways it can change someone else's life forever." - Margaret Cho

Day Three

Today I invited one of my daughter's friends over for Sunday dinner. This is usually a time just for our family, when we sit around the table, sharing food and stories . I am actually a little selfish with this time- I don't often invite others to join us. This Sunday, however, was different. My daughter's friend really loves to eat with us, so I made it a special dinner, using my best china and my favorite corn casserole recipe. The conversation around the table was lively and fun, enhanced by our guest. It was heart-warming to serve my family and my daughter's friend, as well as to listen to their laughter. Our spirits were fed, as well as our stomachs!

Quote of the day -

"That best portion of a good man's life,
His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love." - William Wordsworth

Day Two

Today is the second day of my project.

I wrote a letter to our local hospital, praising the care that my daughter had received as a patient there. I know that nurses, like teachers, work tirelessly, with very few accolades, and are often the unsung heros in the world of patient care. I just wanted the administrator of the hospital to know that these nurses were wonderful, caring, and truly professional when it came to the care of my daughter.

It didn't take a great sum of money - only a few minutes , and the cost of a stamp to write and mail this letter.

Small things done with great love. That is what this project is all about.

Quote of the day -

"I have always depended on the kindness of strangers." - Tennessee Williams

Day One

Today is the first day of the project.

I have made the commitment to do one act of kindness every day for at least 30 days, beginning today. Some of these acts of kindness will be spontaneous and others will be planned. Either way, I am determined to change my corner of the world, one kind act at a time.

Today, the act of kindness was unplanned. My friend Sue (not her real name) was planning to walk to her destination, only a few short blocks away. She does not drive and it was threatening to rain. I gave Sue a ride, and just as we buckled our seat belts, the clouds opened with a downpour. Sue was relieved not to be caught in the rain, and I was glad to have been in the right place at the right time.

Even though this was such a small thing, I believe that small acts done with great love and compassion are what will change the world; I am going to begin that change in the world by changing the person that I see in the mirror.

Join me on my journey, even if you can only stay for a month, a week, or even just a few days!


Quote of the day -

" Everyone thinks of changing the world but no one thinks of changing himself." - Leo Tolstoy