26 Acts of Kindess

For my final post of 2012, I was all set to do a fun little giveaway for a healthier 2013 but then the shooting in Newtown happened and counting calories seemed infinitely less important. I struggled that week to string together entire sentences much less a word or two about how I was feeling.

There is an immeasurable sadness that accompanies a tragedy like this, but as unintentional as it is the intensity begins to fade and life returns to normal when something like this happens in a distant proximity to our immediate selves. I really felt guilty just resuming life as always when so many parents, sisters, brothers, mothers, and daughters were just beginning the long journey towards a life that resembles something of a new normal.

There's not much I can do from my little place on Earth 1900 miles away. I can't hug them, hold them, or bring them flowers. Really all I can do is mourn with them from a distance, send them as much light and love I can muster, and be presently grateful for the blessings in my own life: my infinitely amazing husband, my beautiful healthy child, and so on.

I think there is something else to be grateful for. Something unexpected perhaps... something like Facebook.

Facebook and Twitter and Skype and FaceTime and heck even MySpace and Google+ and all the other miracles of communication the Internet affords us. Because of social media I can have my blog and share photos of my kids and keep up with friends and family I might not otherwise see.

More so, because of social media, we as a world-wide community can take part in a world-wide manifestation of human comfort. We can be there for our neighbors next door and 1900 miles away. Even if not one of those families personally affected by the NewTown shootings is not on a single one of my friend's lists or social groups... I can... We Can... do something. Simple things that will hopefully reach 1900 miles away... 1900 miles and then some.

Ann Curry started this amazing project called 26 Acts. She asked every day people like you and me to commit 26 acts of random kindness in honor of each of the lives lost on December 14th. My sister in law told me about it (via Facebook no less) and I couldn't wait to get started.

My first act was giving a grocery store gift card to the one-eyed man behind me in the line at the grocery store. I have to be honest I was terrified! I handed him the card and ran away like a crazy person. I heard the clerk behind the register say "that's so nice she bought that for you..." but I didn't get to tell him why or see if he appreciated it. See, I want to believe I'm a good person. I want to believe I help people every day, but honestly giving gifts to random strangers is apparently outside of my normal comfort zone. Walking the walk kind of feels like what I imagine jumping out of an airplane: exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.

I've completed (along with Hubby) 5 acts now. After doing a few and following others at facebook.com/26acts, I realized many were attributing each act in memory of one of the victims. I wish I had thought to do the same, but I have been including a note with each gift indicating the act of kindness is in honor of Sandy Hook and which number their gift was.

If you are in need of an honest cry or a reminder of the good that still exists, go over to facebook.com/26acts and read all the amazing acts of kindness taking place all over the world. Maybe you'll get inspired too, and maybe your 2013 resolutions will include doing even 1 random act of kindness for someone you don't know.

I've peppered this post with images of people being kind. As you celebrate the end of 2012 and welcome 2013, I wish for you a beautiful year of kindness and hope. Take these images with you in your mind and revisit them whenever you are feeling low.

Happy New Year my lovies. Thank you for a wonderful year ❤