As promised, I present you with my first full week of the 21 Day Kindness Challenge. The difficulty has been in thinking of unique ways to express kindness. As you’ll soon read, I think I’ve failed that part of the challenge. Luckily, I’m the only one who feels my acts need to be unique. That takes some of the pressure off.
Day 1 – Tried to compliment as many people as I could. Cute outfit. Love your haircut. Love your toenail polish. People I knew and saw fairly regularly. And perfect strangers. I reserved the “love your haircuts” and “you look great, have you lost weight?” for people I knew, obviously. I lost track of how many people I made smile. But it was a lot.
Day 2 – The door for swim practice is heavy. Especially for the little ones. So, I stood outside for the first 15 minutes of practice and the last 15, just opening the door for people. Lost track of how many people wanted to hold the door for me so that I could finally go inside. Awkward.
Day 3 – Gave an insanely generous tip for a drive through place that actually accepts tips in the drive through.Was reminded of my pet peeve as she said, “Okay” instead of “Thank You!” when I told her to keep the change. Had to remind myself that this exercise was for others and not just me. Maybe she is mathematically challenged.
Day 4 – Made a conscious effort to learn the names and cheer for the other kids on my boys’ baseball team. I know. I sound horrible. But I rarely know the names of other kids so this was a challenge for me. And, I’m not very vocal. I’m more the strong, silent type of parent when it comes to cheering and by that I mean introverted and shy. My kids know I’m proud of them because I tell them so. Quietly. After the game. But this Saturday was different. And my kids noticed. They can no longer look me in the eye.
Day 5 – Completely forgot the challenge. But, and this is a big “but,” the All-Day-Compliment-Day that I did on the first day has already spilled over and I find myself complimenting people much more often than I did in the past. Must have told 5 strangers today I loved their smile, handbag and Ooooo, your baby is just precious. Does this count?
Day 6 – Wrote the Pool Committee, the most thankless volunteer position ever, an open letter thanking them for a job well done this season. Hopefully, my undying gratitude will keep me off that committee for another year.
Day 7 – Finally wrote to my 4th grade teacher and thanked her for inspiring me to be a teacher one day. According to Google/Superpages she’s alive and well and still living in my hometown. Fingers crossed she gets it.
How about you? Are you in? Share a comment below or link us to your post. We’re not picky. As long as everyone is being kind to one another. That’s the main thing! Click the button over to the right for more info and more ideas on this amazing challenge!
Theycallmejane's Blog 
Every year on the anniversary of my step-father’s death, my family tried to do a RAOK in his honor. Oddly, it often turns out to be so difficult! It’s like we can’t spot the opportunities, or nothing seems adequate enough, or seems too contrived. I think we put too much pressure on it. But we usually come up with something.
Since I started taking medication that lessens my crippling social anxiety I find it much easier to compliment strangers, and I’m almost always so happy I did. The last two to me are huge – I often MEAN to write letters praising good service/work instead of complaining about bad, but I usually forget or procrastinate until the time is lost, and I think it’s a wonderful thing to do. The letter to your teacher will probably be hugely appreciated also.
Oh dear, I’ve just written a post that isn’t very kind I was going to ask you to read it, as I value your thoughts on Adoption.
This past week I turned 40 and I wrote letters to 40 people who have impacted me in some way. It was nice to reach out to teachers, high school classmates, and old colleagues.
I loved reading your update!
Good for you! You just made 40 lives a bit brighter. Wow! (And Happy, Happy Birthday! xoxoxo)