A Month Of Kindness

In October 2017, the TOS ran a “Campaign for Kindness” in which members were invited to perform extra little (or big) acts of kindness. The results are in, and they’re awesome:

  1. I rescued two worms that had washed onto the sidewalk after a heavy rain. Had they stayed on the sidewalk in the sun, they would have baked to death. I put them back in the grass—within a few seconds, they had wriggled to the ground and began burrowing into the dirt.
  2. I carried a heavy box for a pregnant coworker and loaded it into her car.
  3. I let another driver into the lane in front of me.
  4. I found a bug in my house and gently took it outside.
  5. I watered my neighbor’s flowers while she was away.
  6. On my days off I provide free plumbing and electrical help to whoever needs it. My community has many elderly people and I've been busier than busy.
  7. I collected new socks and donated them to the homeless.
  8. I assembled ziplock bags of essentials like water, snacks, and socks and gave them to the homeless.
  9. Despite the fact my daughter is in dialysis she is pushing herself to start a kidney support group to help others…she is one awesome young lady!
  10. Every Fall since 2002, I’ve donated dictionaries to 3 rd graders at 27 schools in Chicago’s western suburbs. I do a 35 minute talk to teach them how to use their new dictionary. It’s so important to get the kids to start using this book while they’re still young.
  11. During a conference, I brought a wedge cushion and an exercise mat from home to one of the participants who is 8+ months pregnant because I could see she was uncomfortable. She was very grateful and used them all weekend.
  12. My co-worker cleaned his girlfriend's garage so she would give me a free massage when I desperately needed one.
  13. I work at a school. A lady called and asked how to pay off a lunch balance account. I asked her the name of the child, and she said she didn't have a name in mind. She wanted to pay it forward to the most delinquent account.
  14. Several years ago I started to carry in the empty garbage cans of my neighbors on garbage day. I figured that would make life a little easier for both my elderly neighbors and also those who work. Once they realized what was going on, they seemed appreciative, which was a nice reaction but not necessary. I did it because it helped the people around me, and that was rewarding enough.
  15. In October, I raised $1,764 for St. Balderick's, leaders in funding research for childhood cancers. I also raised $200 and donated my hair to Hair We Share so they could make a wig for a child who lost their hair due to cancer treatments.
  16. When I see Facebook posts by rescue groups about animals in need of emergency care, I am not always able to send money, so I have started doing the Ho’oponopono Prayer as well as long distance Reiki on the animals.
  17. My friend was having lots of medical problems, and his birthday was near. I alerted his friends and asked them to call him, not just post on Facebook. He was thrilled to talk to so many friends that he normally wouldn't have. I think those things really matter—I’m sure he felt the love.
  18. I dropped an anonymous card to a Veteran today. I walk by his house at the lake and appreciate listening to his music, looking at his garden, chickens, dog, and all of the flags he has out. So I just sent a note of appreciation.
  19. I frequently call my US Senators to ask them to vote NO on any horse slaughter language and keep the horses wild.
  20. I helped a baby cockroach out of the bathtub (and later off the floor) so I didn't step on him.
  21. I shut off the shower while soaping up to conserve water.
  22. I helped a spider move to a better location in the kitchen.
  23. I loaned a former Lodge member some emergency money.
  24. I sent daily thoughts of healing to the Caribbean and to Mexico.
  25. I gave the bus driver a little wave goodbye every evening.
  26. I sent my indoor houseplants thoughts of love and appreciation most days.
  27. I helped shuttle a lodge member who can no longer drive back and forth from meetings.
  28. I deliberately use humor and teasing in my office most days to foster good feelings among coworkers and refocus attention from insignificant annoyances to loftier things.
  29. I sent hope for compassion/wisdom to leaders and members of the TS, TOS, and ES every morning in meditation.

Thanks to everyone who makes the world a better place with their little (and big) acts of kindness! As Dr. Seuss famously taught, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

see all For the Love of Life issues
see all Publications

see all News and Events