November examples of random acts of kindness

Here are a few ideas of random acts of kindness.  Mow a neighbor’s grass or sweep a neighbor’s walk. Say nice things randomly to facebook and twitter friends.  Call a homebound person.  Clean graffiti from neighborhood walls and buildings.  Give your full attention to someone in need and simply listen.  Sponsor people in fundraising walk-a-thons.  Remember the bereaved with phone calls, cards, plants, and food.  The list of course can go on and on!

Wrapping up the 20

The HBO Max 20 Days of Kindness campaign is such an wonderful idea, and I have been pleased to talk about it here. Day 17's charity was Teach For America. Yesterday was Day 18 and the spotlight went on International Rescue Committee. Today it's The Joyful Heart for Day 19 and tomorrow it all wraps up with Day 20's focus on Planned Parenthood. Each of the 20 organizations received $20,000.  Visit https://www.hbomax.com/superintelligence/kindness to learn more and look closer at each of these organizations!

It's about the thanks

It's not about the feast, or the shopping, or the football, or the parades, or even the gatherings of friends and family.  Many of those things won't be happening this year anyway.  Just look to the name of this holiday.  It's about the thanks.

tomorrow

We all know what tomorrow is.  Thanksgiving Day happens to be my favorite holiday.  This year we all should be kind to ourselves and to each other.  As much as we might enjoy huge feasts with lots of people, let's instead invent new and safe ways of celebrating.  Technology can let us hookup and we won't be putting anyone at risk!

The rest of the 20

Since I began telling you about HBO Max 20 Days of Kindness campaign, I suppose I should catch you up.  Day 11 - Common Sense. Day 12 - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Day 13 - Together We Rise. Day 14 - The National Coalition for the Homeless. Day 15 - Movember is the leading charity changing the face of men’s health.  Tomorrow is Day 16 and they look at Habitat For Humanity.  If there are organizations you are unfamiliar with, check out their websites.  Donations are welcome too!

Make the call

Call a friend out of the blue or call an aunt, or call your grandparents, or perhaps a distant cousin. Come to think of it, call anyone you don't normally call. You'd be surprised how good it can make someone feel to know that someone is thinking about them. This is especially true for the many who haven't been able to be out and about due to the pandemic.  It doesn't have to be a long call (in fact it is good if you are very conscious of whether you are really connecting or if you are interrupting). I know I love getting calls from folks I seldom hear from. I'm sure you have people like that in your life too. 

A little more

I'm going to say a little more about the HBO Max and their 20 Days of Kindness campaign, because I think it is such a wonderful (and certainly kind) thing they are doing.  Yesterday on day eight, they honored Trevor Project which provides crisis services to LGBTQ youth.  Today they spotlight HRC.  Tomorrow, as they reach the halfway point, they focus on Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger relief organization.

Think of the other folks

I keep hearing people say "I would survive COVID-19.  I'm taking my chances." The way I see it, yeah.  I'd probably survive it.  I just might carry it to someone who wouldn't though.  That dear readers is the problem.  Be kind.  Think of the other folks!  This is especially important this week.  Stay home.  Stay safe.  Help keep your friends and family safe too.

Make-A-Wish

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America is incredible.  They try to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a critical illness.  Today as part of the HBO Max 20 Days of Kindness campaign, Make-A-Wish is in the spotlight.  Go to https://wish.org/ to find out more about this amazing program and be prepared to have your heart warmed.  Donate to them too is you are able, or to any being honored in the 20 Days of Kindness.

Those 20 Days continue

Those of you who read this regularly know that I never do any sort of commercial plug here, but I've mentioned HBO Max and their 20 Days of Kindness campaign here a few times already.  I have no relation at all to HBO Max, but what they are doing is awesome!  They donate $20,000 to a different good cause daily for 20 days and encourage others to lend their support. On day one, AT&T kicks joined with them making a $1 million contribution to Girls Who Code. Wow!  Today is Day 6 and World Central Kitchen is being honored.  Tomorrow they will spotlight one of my all-time favorite organization!

World Kindness Part Two

You are right that I'm making up this Part Two, but why not?  Yesterday was indeed World Kindness Day, and don't you think we should continue it every single day?  That's what this blog is all about, and that's what life is all about!  I will say that the HBO Max Twenty Days of kindness is continuing and today is day five with the focus on Conservation International.  I don't usually get commercial here and I have no connection at all to HBO Max, but I think this is a great thing they are doing here!

World Kindness Day

365 days a year I write something here about kindness.  I try really hard to actually practice my advice too.  (I did miss a few days when I was in hospital back in September).  Today a lot of people are joining in talking about kindness and hopefully it will cause more people to get involved.  Kindness heals.  Being kind brings joy and happiness.  Today is World Kindness Day - not something I made up, an actual observance.  Keep spreading that kindness!

Twenty Days continues

Tuesday I told you about the 20 Days of Kindness campaign that HBO Max is doing together with their new film Superintelligence. Star Melissa McCarthy has been talking about it on social media. Pretty wonderful. They highlight and donate $20,000 to a different good cause daily for 20 days and also encourage others to lend their support. Yesterday being Veteran’s Day it was so appropriate that Team Rubicon was honored. Best Friends Animal Society is honored today, and tomorrow on World Kindness Day, the spotlight will be on Step Up Womens Network.

Twenty Days of Kindness

Usually I don't talk about anything commercial here, but this I just can't ignore.  HBO Max today begins a 20 Days of Kindness campaign together with their new film Superintelligence from New Line Cinema.  HBO Max will highlight and donate $20,000 to a different good cause daily for 20 days and at the same time encourage others to lend their support.  Girls Who Code is honored first.  I will say more in the days ahead, but this is fantastic!

We need a little Chaplin

In this difficult month, this difficult year, we need a little Chaplin,  The films of Charlie Chaplin are legendary.  His words are too.  This morning I am thinking particularly of his statement from him:  "The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish." 

Kindness for my sister

Happy birthday to my dear sister.  She certainly knows about kindness.  Today I hope a lot is directed back at her!

Vote

Today is the day! Election Day is finally here, and it isn't just the Presidential race, but also all 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate, and thirteen state and territorial governorships, as well as numerous other state and local elections, will also be contested.  If you didn't vote early, get out there today!  One of the kindest things you can do is participate in the process.