Kindness Can Be Sticky

One of the things that makes me really happy in life is being witness to something that happens at just the right place and time.  You know, seeing something and thinking, THIS, THIS RIGHT NOW, THIS IS PERFECT.  THIS IS WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE HAPPENING, AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHERE IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE HAPPENING.

Those moments don’t pop up too often in life, at least not for me.  But one place that I can practically be guaranteed to witness at least one of them is the annual Kindness Yard Sale.

For the uninitiated, the Kindness Yard Sale is a fundraiser for Kindness Activist, which is a grassroots organization that, quite simply, SPREADS KINDNESS.  At Kindness Activist, we believe that sharing kindness, and then telling the stories of that kindness, causes kindness ripples.  That means that the people who read the stories we share are then inspired to go out into the world and spread kindness, too!!!  So, in a very real way, being open and talking about kindness can start a kindness revolution! 

My experience has been that the Kindness Yard Sale is a terrific place to see things happening at just the right place and time, and this year was no exception. 

There are hundreds of people at the yard sale – people of all shapes, sizes, ages, races, nationalities…  And they all convene on our yard and porches for two reasons:  1.  To find great treasures!  And 2.  To donate funds that will be used to spread kindness.  Every year more and more people attend the event and I get to meet lots of new people.  I love it!

Here is a short story of one example of something happening at JUST THE RIGHT PLACE AND TIME during the 2022 sale.

A man who looked like he was in his 20s came up and showed me the aqua colored funky helmet he had discovered at the sale and wanted to buy.  I asked if it fit, and he demonstrated that it did by putting it on over his long, curly brown hair.  It looked great – like a grungy surfer or skateboarder.  He really rocked it, and his grin showed me how happy he was to have seen it on the table and nabbed it.  “You can cover that thing in cool stickers!!” I commented.  He told me that was the plan, and that he had loads of stickers in mind.  He explained that his car had been impounded and his skateboard was now his mode of transportation, so this helmet was needed for safety. 

As we talked, he held the helmet in his hands and seemed to be a bit uncomfortable.  Then this man, this stranger, out of the blue asked if we needed help with the sale – if there was anything he could do for us.  That was music to my ears, and I quickly set him up on “hanger duty” – organizing hangers of clothes that had already been sold. 

I explained the job to him and gave him a place to do it, but he seemed distracted by his new helmet.  He kept returning to it – touching it uncomfortably.  “Do you have something I can clean this with??” he asked.  When I offered a paper towel, his frustration bumped up a notch and he said with more desperation, “No, maybe a wipe!  This is STICKY.  I need it not to be sticky…”

 

Honestly, I was a bit bothered.  I thought he was going to help out, but here he was asking me to go out of my way to clean his recent purchase.  “Can’t he just wait until he gets home and clean it??” I thought silently. 

 

It wasn’t until he looked at me and blurted, “I AM AUTISTIC.  THIS IS STICKY.  IT IS BOTHERING ME.  I CAN’T HAVE IT BE STICKY,” that I understood the situation.  It wasn’t simply a dirty helmet – it was a tactile distraction that was like nails on a chalkboard for him.  He would not be able to focus on anything else until he solved his helmet issue, and it was very upsetting to him.

 

Ahhhhhh yes!  The stickers that had been removed from the helmet had left a residue, making it sticky.

 

Once I understood, I set about finding a solution with him.  And, of course, I felt bad for silently begrudging his insistence and him taking me away from other things that needed doing.  But as soon as the issue was clear to me, I understood that this was the priority.  I was honored that he was willing to confront the problem head on and include me, so together, we would solve it.

 

I asked if he knew a method of getting the sticky off.  I didn’t have any Goo-Be-Gone, so he politely but determinedly explained that if I gave him some cooking oil and alcohol, he would be able to clean it.  I rushed into the house, brought back his supplies, and he went to work.

 

Once that problem was solved, he was happy to assist with anything that needed doing.  He sorted hangers.  He talked to customers and, when things got too loud and overstimulating by the cashier table, took some time away and stood in the relative quietness of the front porch.  He was super smart – he worked with one customer on how to re-set a laptop that had the donor’s password set up and talked with others about electrical and scientific issues.

 

But it was when a little boy walked up that I understood the real reason the universe ensured that the skateboarder stopped at the sale. 

 

A little boy and his mother stood in front of a small table by the check-out area that had two clear boxes on it.  “Are these for sale???” the mom asked hopefully.  “Oh yes they are!” I replied.  “Do you know what those are?”.

 

The mom grinned from ear to ear.  “Do I know what they are?  Yes!  They are Bey Blades, and they are the reason we came to the sale today.”.

 

The boxes were filled with Bey Blades.  I had heard of Bey Blades (a child had written a letter to Santa during the Santa project asking for them), but I didn’t understand their value.  A yard sale volunteer had brought me the boxes full of the toys earlier in the day and explained that Bey Blades were special and valuable, and they should not be in the big pile of toys for sale, but should be set aside for a special shopper. 

 

And there the boxes had sat – on an awkwardly placed table behind the check-out area.  But this mother and son happened upon them and were delighted. 

 

The mom pointed to her little son’s hand, which was carefully clutching a bey blade he brought with him to the sale.  “He brought this one, but he is looking for more,” she explained.  And when they opened the boxes, the boy’s jaw dropped and his eyes lit up.  So.  Many.  Bey Blades!!!

 

He reached in to touch them and it was like he had found gold.  He couldn’t believe his eyes.  “We will buy these!” his mom told him.  “All of them will be yours!!!”. 

 

It was as if he was Charlie Bucket and had found a golden ticket!!!  He was so happy!  He was speechless.  It was beautiful.

 

And that is when my new skateboarder friend quietly came up to the table.  “Do you know what THIS one is called?” he asked the boy, who shook his head no. 

 

The man who had been a bit awkward and uncomfortable with the noise and the stickiness had found his element.  He was a Bey Blade expert.  He picked the toys up gingerly and showed the little boy how they worked.  Demonstrated which were valuable (“Here!  Feel this one.  Now feel this one!  See how this one is heavier??  It is a special one!”).  The 2 boys bonded as the skater went through the pieces, smiling, proud that he could be the teacher.

 

The man who had earlier taken me aside, upset and irritated, saying, “People are talking for me!  I don’t need anyone to talk for me!!” was now talking for himself in an elegant language that only he and the little boy understood.

 

And I was witness.  Witness to 2 people being in the exact right place at the exact right time. 

 

It was beautiful.

 

Thank you to whoever donated those Bey Blades.

 

Thank you to the mom who so patiently listened to the explanations and made a nice donation.

 

And most importantly, thank you to the universe for somehow putting that man in the right place at the right time and allowing me to see it all unfold.  I am grateful.

Back To School Kindness

Hot date Saturday night here!  We went to Walmart for some BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING!! 

But not for us, for strangers.  School in this area starts on Monday.  Would there be any last-minute shoppers???  You bet there were! 

We started the adventure by strolling around the school supplies aisle to see if there was anyone we could treat.  The parameters were simple:  the student should be present, and the recipients should be diverse.   I fished my wish!!  There were lots of shoppers and they were indeed diverse.  We treated people who were Hispanic, African American, Nepalese, white, and Jamaican.

Anyone need a new backpack?

We ended up with 8 separate orders at the cash registers, but most orders were for multiple students.  We had:  an adorable kindergarten girl with beautiful braids, brothers who looked like twins but weren’t going into 1^st and 2^nd grades, a girl going into her senior year, a little girl going into 1^st grade who talked so quietly I could barely hear her, a 2^nd grade teacher, a girl going into 9^th grade, and more!  It was so fun!

Here are some stats of what was purchased:

-         9 boxes of crayons in various forms

-         6 backpacks

-         52 composition books

-         10 packs of filler paper

And lunch boxes and water bottles and pencils (oh looooads of pencils!) and erasers and highlighters and scissors and Kleenex and Clorox wipes and rules and staples and pencil cases (including several kids who picked my favorite one with pop-its on it!) and pens and mechanical pencils and Elmer’s glue and glue sticks (including the shy girl who picked the scented glue sticks that I recommended, cuz, duh, SCENTED!!!), and 3 ring binder and plastic folders and spiral notebooks and markers (including the girl who got a great pack of Sharpies that I secretly coveted) and post-it notes and dividers and a badge holder and dry erase markers and more and more and more until our eyes were popping out of our heads!!  It was brilliantly fun!

I have always loved school supplies.  They are so shiny and bright when they are brand new.  They practically scream new possibilities!  So, it was an honor to be able to treat so many kids to what they need to start the year off right. 

Sometimes when we do a Kindness Activist act, people are hesitant to accept the gift and say no.  But on this adventure not a single person rejected the gift of school supplies!  The parents were soooo appreciative, too.  One mother had been struggling to make ends meet due to a shoulder injury keeping her off work.  One dad had just had Covid and relocated his family.  Two moms cried at the check-out.  One mom’s eyes got so big when I said, “OK, those are the supplies on the list.  Now, does he need a backpack?  A lunch bag??”.  Mom gently nodded her head yes, and off her son and I went to choose the ones he wanted.

As I was ringing up one woman’s cart (the only person who did not have a child with them), I asked what grade her child would be in.  She said, “Oh, my kids are in college…  But I am a 2^nd grade teacher…”.  Well then, kids who show up to that classroom without the needed supplies will have a stash to choose from!

All in all, we rang out 8 separate orders (but served many more than 8 students as most orders were for more than one child).  We spent an average of $121.09 on each order.  School supplies are not cheap!  We were thanked repeatedly, God blessed often, given handshakes, and even hugs.  One delighted recipient asked hopefully, “Will you be here again next year??”.

No ma’am, we probably won’t be in this same store for back-to-school shopping next year.  But I can promise you that we will be somewhere, spreading kindness and then sharing the stories of it.  So be on the look-out! 

School shopping is exhausting!

Total Kindness Activist funds spent -  $1089.79

P.S. – also purchased for students on this shopping trip but not directly school supply related:  two packs of underwear and one small Anna from Frozen doll 😊

Another KINDNESS RIPPLE (Plus More Stories of Kindness)!

I had another reminder recently of how KINDNESS RIPPLES are real, and they work!  I checked my email and found an amazing note.  And I was reminded that being open and freely talking about kindness does indeed inspire more kindness to be spread.

 Here is the email:

 

“I read your blog periodically, which I love. I found it in an article, I’m not sure where now, possibly the Good News website. Anyway, I’ve been a believer in random acts of kindness for quite some time now. I happened to read your most recent post on July 25 & found it very enlightening. 

I’ve mostly done my acts of kindness quietly without sharing with anyone. I didn’t want to be ‘boastful’, so to speak. But after reading your blog about kindness ripples, I now think differently. If, by sharing our acts of kindness, we can inspire others to also go forth with acts of kindness, then it’s well worth sharing to others. 

We have a free community food shelf not far from us. We also have a local food bank, but I realize, especially now, that people might not qualify for the food bank for varying reasons, or the food bank food doesn’t go far enough. I like to stock up on canned & packaged sale items for the shelf when I do my grocery shopping. My husband & I are retired but we are fortunate enough to have more than enough to share. 

It always gives me such pleasure to put items on the shelf. I place them nicely, so people can see them as they drive by. When I can fill up much of the shelves, it is a real thrill. Lately, when I go, the shelf is completely empty :( So many people are hurting financially & food has become so expensive. I tend to buy things children like, since I’m a retired K/1 teacher. But I also love putting tins of coffee, etc. as a ’treat’ as well. We live in a rural area, so people will leave fresh produce from their gardens & even eggs from their chickens. 

It used to be just an open, rickety shelf that was affected by the weather. Someone around the corner from shelf built a beautiful, larger shelf, with a clear, latching door that stays dry! What an improvement.

So, that is my kindness story. I mostly wanted to thank you for the inspiration to share our acts of kindness with others so that kindness can spread. 

Thank you for all you do in making the world a better place.

Mary, White Salmon, WA”

IT WORKED!  THE KINDNESS RIPPLE SPREAD!  I was giddy when I read the email.  Inside, I know that sharing stories of kindness creates more kindness in the world.  But when someone takes time out of their busy lives to sit down and tell me about it, well, that gives me goosebumps!

Since we are all here and reading, let’s share a couple of stories of where Kindness Activist money has been used lately! 

First off, it is BACK TO SCHOOL time in America.  Sadly, for many teachers, that means spending money out of their own pockets to buy supplies for their classrooms.  Teachers are already overworked and underpaid, and the thought of them having to stock their classrooms, too, frustrates me.  So, when a couple of local teachers posted that they were looking for classroom items, I knew Kindness Activist funds were perfect to help meet the requests.

Amazon really makes shopping for things like classrooms so easy!  I just took a peek at the teachers’ Amazon Wish Lists, chose some items, and shipped them directly to the educators.  Easy peasy! 

Classroom items were sent to a few teachers and included items like:  glue gun and glue sticks, bean bag chair, markers, magnets, wall paper, highlighters, a bunch of great books, and pop-its!  One teacher sent a lovely thank you and this photo of her adorable classroom (Kindness Activist funds were used to purchase the teal beanbag, doesn’t it look like a cozy place to read???)

 

I hope to treat one more teacher with some needed supplies for their classroom.  If you have a wish list for your room, please comment with the grade you teach and the wish list link!

Kindness Activist funds used on 2022 classroom supplies (so far!):  $315.32

My partner David and I recently discovered a lovely coffee shop called Sweet Marlays in Daytona Beach, Florida.  The décor is warm and inviting, the coffee and food is delicious.  But even more important than those important factors was the diversity and welcomeness of the shop.  As soon as we walked in, I could feel that the space was INCLUSIVE. 

We saw a man seated in a comfy chair talking.  I thought he was talking to someone, but it turned out he was chatting to no one in particular.  He talked about what time the baseball game was going to be that evening and who was playing.  He talked about the news.  He laughed a lovely laugh, which he broke into often.  And he did all of this at a rather loud level, and all to the general space. 

As we ordered at the counter, I asked the barista who the man chatting was and if he came to the coffee shop often.  She smiled a very big smile, told us his name, and said, "Oh yes!  He is here every day.  Sometimes he leaves to go on walks, but he leaves his things here.  Those two people at that table are with him.  They stay all day.  And since tonight is Thursday, at 5:00 pm they will go next door for burger night!”. 

Her explanation of the customers was full of joy.  She was not judging them, they were her friends and a constant in her life.  And, as David and I drank our coffee, it became clear that the 3 daily visitors were friends of everyone who came in and out of the shop.  Everyone was happy to greet them, and some sat down next to them to chat.

I asked the barista if the guests were housed or not, and she explained that all 3 of them live in the same house.  I asked if the coffee shop gave them free coffee and food, and she explained that they have a “bottomless cup” policy, which is used by these three guests 😊, and that sometimes other diners pick up their tabs. 

As David and I sat, drinking, eating, and playing UNO, I listened to the chatter of the three.  It was so sweet.  Tom, with his distinctive laugh, seemingly randomly coming up with topics to talk about to no one in particular.  The woman, seated at another table, proclaiming that she needed a can of TUNA as she had decided to make Tuna Helper when she got home.  She was concerned about her lack of tuna though, after all (she explained to her housemate seated across from her), she had only ONE CAN and the recipe on the box called for TWO.  She fretted about the situation a while and came up with a plan – call another friend and check if he was going to Dollar Tree.  If he was, perhaps he could pick her up a can!  

That idea worked, but instead of putting her mind at ease, she continued chatting about the Tuna Helper dilemma.  A woman who came in for coffee sat down next to her, heard the tale, and supportively explained, “You know, you can make it with one can!  It will work!  You don’t have to have two cans!  That’s just a suggestion!”. 

Tuna Helper situation solved, the woman moved onto explaining to her housemate last night’s dinner – brown rice - and how to cook it.  She gave the recipe over and over and over, but instead of being annoying, the repetition felt comforting, perhaps like rice itself comforts. 

I couldn’t help but think I would love to spend more time with these people and be their friend.  They seemed like very kind, genuine people.  I decided that using Kindness Activist funds to support their coffee and food at the shop would be money well spent, so I bought a gift certificate for them.  Basically, I opened up a coffee tab 😊 .  The baristas will write on the back of the paper certificate how much is used and keep a running total.

I hope we get to visit that coffee shop again.  I would love to sit down and have a chat.

Kindness Activist funds used:  $100

 

If you have never been to our home, well, at times it is a bit of an overwhelming mess…

Some nice friends have said, “Susan, your house is not a MESS!  Your house is full of KINDNESS just waiting to happen!!”. 

But the donations from sweet neighbors can pile up sometimes, and our front porch can take on the look of a thrift shop.  That’s why it is never very surprising when people see me outside on our porch and assume a yard sale is taking place. 

This was the rush of donations before the 
2021 sale!  See, a LOT!

But no – the Kindness Yard Sale is once a year, so I always explain to confused would-be-shoppers that the sale is not NOW, I am just getting things organized for the upcoming sale.  I wish I knew how to explain that in multiple languages – that would come in handy!

One afternoon I explained the situation to one woman who came up hoping to shop.  She was disappointed and turned to go.  But then she came back and explained as best she could in English that she needed $2 for the bus.

I couldn’t let her shop through the piles of donations, but I could get her bus fare!  As I handed it to her, she told me thank you (both with words and with her big smile).

I hope to see her back September 17^th and 18^th for the 2022 Kindness Yard Sale!

Kindness Activist funds used:  $2

Last story for this report. 

Imagine making a fresh start.  Like, completely starting over.  Think of all of the things you would need – pillow, towels, silverware, shoes, soap…  And, you may want a bra.

If you don’t wear bras, you might not know that they are quite hard to fit, especially for large-busted people.  The bra must be supportive, comfortable, pretty, not hot…  It’s hard to find one bra that meets all of the qualifications!  And when you find one, it is usually expensive…  But, if you are starting over from scratch, a good bra is a necessity.

That is why, when I heard about the need for a bra for a woman getting a fresh start at life, I jumped to purchase two (for those not in the know, one bra is not enough – when it gets dirty and needs to be washed you have to have a back-up).

I had the bras delivered directly to where they were needed.  I hope that they fit.  I hope that they made the recipient smile.  I hope that having new bras eliminated one worry.

May we all be granted fresh starts when we need them.

Kindness Activist funds used:  $58.24

More stories about kindness soon. 

For now, go out there and keep those Kindness Ripples spreading!!  And when you DO, please tell me about it!  Send stories of kindness you do, see, or receive to:  KindnessActivist@Gmail.com .

And if you are a teacher in need of supplies, please share your Amazon wish list.  I would like to help one more classroom, and perhaps other readers will pitch in, too!

If you would like to help keep the Little Yellow Free Pantry filled, you can find current needs the following link.  The most needed items as of mid-August 2022 are:  peanut butter, canned fruit, jelly, single servings of snacks like chips, and cans of soup.  The items needed are included, but the brands are not specific, any brand works!  at:  https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/378MMHXOYF3LP?ref_=wl_share

And remember, the 2022 Kindness Yard Sale is coming up September 17 and 18!  Hope to see you there!  More information coming soon. 

Asking for Help

Asking for help is DIFFICULT.  Most of us struggle with admitting we need help, then being vulnerable enough to ask for it.  When was the last time you actually asked for help?  Not when someone voluntarily gave you help – “Here, your hands are full, let me get the door for you,” – but when you humbled yourself enough to ask for help.

I admire people who are strong enough to ask for help.  And if they put a specific ask into the universe, I am honored to have Kindness Activist funds to help meet their asks.  There have been three of those this week, so I will share them here. 

1.      A member of a Facebook group I belong to recently posted this:  “Does anybody have baby formula that can give it to me, because my babe doesn’t have any more formula.  “I really need some.  It doesn’t matter what formula it is, I just need some please.  Thank you!”

Isn’t that brave?  The past months have been filled with parents needing formula because of the shortages on the shelves.  But this mother needed formula period.  Any kind.  Just something to feed her baby.

Because of the generous people who shopped at the 2021 Kindness Yard Sale and those that gave donations, Kindness Activist had money to get this baby 3 cans of formula.  I like to imagine that baby gobbled some up and had a nice, tummy-filled rest.

 Kindness Activist money spent:  $81.96 

2.     We saw a family sitting on the ground behind their van in a very busy gas station parking lot.  It was a woman, man, 2 children, and one small infant.  The man held a sign saying that they needed gas. 

Now, I know that many people do not believe that people holding signs asking for things are being truthful.  And maybe sometimes they are not.  But I think it takes courage for this man and woman to sit out in the blazing son and ask for help.  Plus, they asked for gas, not money.  

I walked up to them and said I could get them some gas.  They all leapt into the van and the dad drove up to a gas pump.  “I can get you $50 worth of gas,” I said.  His face showed me that he was not certain what I said, so I clarified, “5 – 0”.  His eyes lit up.  $50 of gas would get him quite a ways!  As he pumped the gas (and very carefully watched the pump so that he would no go over and take advantage of the kindness being offered), I asked a bit about his story.  I could not understand the name of the country they had arrived from, but they came through Mexico to enter the US.  The children were 4, 2, and 2 months, and all were beautiful.  One little boy kept poking his head out of the driver’s window to see what was going on.  He said something, and the father translated for me, “He say he is very grateful and thank you”. 

The man showed me that he had a monitoring bracelet on his ankle.  “Immigration,” he explained.  “Difficult.”  Oh yes, so very difficult.  He said in the best English that he could that he moved his family here so they could all have a better life.  That working was hard, but when he got a green card it would all be worth it. 

         Welcome to America, sir.  I am sorry that I could not do more for you, but may               your family settle down in this country and thrive. 

Kindness Activist money spent:  $49.98 

3.     And finally for this accounting, a woman who I had left a note in the Little Yellow Free Pantry outside our home a few months ago asking for diapers one time texted today.  She said she and her son were at our door, but we didn’t seem to be home.  She needed diapers and wondered if we had any. 

Well, because of her courage in being willing to ask for help, and because of funds raised by Kindness Activist, I was able to order not only diapers to be sent directly to her, but also wipes, snacks, and toys for her children.  I wish I could be a fly on the wall and see her smile when the packages arrive on Monday. 

Kindness Activist money spent:  $88.53 

People like these, people willing to put themselves out there and ask for assistance, inspire me.  I wish more of us were willing to ask for what we need.  It’s not always a physical “thing” we need.  Maybe we wish our children would call us more often.  Maybe we would like a co-worker to go on a lunch time walk with us.  Maybe we need a bit of help setting up a new computer…  But we are too embarrassed to ASK for what we want/need.  I am going to try and take a lesson from the people I assisted recently and ASK FOR HELP.  What can it hurt, right?  I hope you, too, will be inspired and brave enough to ask for help when you need it.

Note:  photos in this piece are not my own, but stock photos.  They do not represent the actual people assisted.  

Kindness Ripple - MUFFIN STYLE!

One of the main concepts behind the Kindness Activist work is this: if people are willing to be open and TALK about kindness, they will inspire MORE KINDNESS. I like to call them kindness ripples. If you don’t keep your kindness “under a bushel”, if instead you let your kindness light shine, others will be inspired by it and go out into the world and spread kindness, too.

I strongly believe that premise, and every once in a while I am lucky enough to be reminded that kindness ripples are not only a concept, they are indeed FACT. A neighbor contacted me recently to share how she was inspired by Kindness Activist! Please see her story below. And, if the world is lucky, you will be inspired and go out into the world and be kind. And just like that, more kindness ripples will flow. 

“I want to share something that happened to me recently at Giant, a local grocery store. It was thanks to you because I remembered your post about a man who had stolen a doughnut or a burger when you were on a trip. I don’t remembe3r all of the details, expect that you made a gesture signaling “no” to him when he approached you for money or food. 

Anyways, this happened to me when I was grocery shopping last Friday: 

I was by the bakery section and a woman approached and asked if I could get her a muffin, just as she was reaching for it. I am assuming she was experiencing homelessness because of her appearance. The old me, prior to meeting you, would’ve said no. But I actually said YES! Your story came to mind when she asked me. 

My kids were impatient at the time and the grocery store was busy. I was going through the self-check out lane and was just about to swipe my card when I thought about offering to the woman that she could grab something else, too. I suggested a bottle of water since it has been so hot lately. The look on her face was priceless, and she rushed to get a bottle of iced tea. I could tell she was happy because of her big smile. 

She thanked me, and even the cashier working the self-check out who helped us ring the bakery item thanked me. It felt really good. Thank you for all of your project that continue to spread kindness. It has certainly reached me.” 

Thank you for sharing your story, neighbor! It gave me a big, big smile. If YOU have a story about kindness you have received, done, or witnessed, please tell me about it! Email me at: kindnessactivist@gmail.com .

Plant KINDNESS Wherever You Go

Running Kindness Activist could easily be a full-time commitment.  Between asking for food donations, to sorting other donations, to looking for volunteers to help hang donations, to trying to NOT let our house fill up with donations by taking them to the storage unit, to doing acts of kindness, to holding the mega Kindness Yard Sale…   Well, you can see how the work adds up quickly.

But I got an amazing surprise recently.  I was contacted by a neighbor who asked, “Can I host a plant sale at your house?  We want to raise money for Kindness Activist,”.  HUH???  You mean, all I need to do is loan you a table and my front porch, and you are going to do all of the leg-work?? 

That is EXACTLY what the plant people meant!!  They.  Did.  It.  All!!  And, as someone who leads a lot of projects, that was PHENOMENAL to me!!! 

Saturday afternoon plants started magically appearing on our porch…  House plants, outdoor plants, plants, plants, PLANTS!!!!  And Sunday morning, while I was still snoozing in bed, the magical plant people were getting ready on our porch. 

It was so fun!!!  Knowing that the responsibility was THEIRS and I could just hang out and help was a blast!  I held signs that kids had made and waved them on the corner.  I walked to a neighbor’s home and invited them over.  I got to participate instead of lead!  LOVELY!

Some kids assisted, and one came up with the idea of giving each shopper a FREE JOKE.  I later said, “Hey, let’s give jokes only to people who BUY PLANTS 😊!”, so it morphed into that.  One plant = one joke.  And let’s just say, the jokes were both funny, corny, and some not quite understandable.  But each recipient laughed as if they were the funniest thing they had heard all day. 

At the end of the day we tallied up their profits.  They raised $677!!!!  By selling plants!  It was phenomenal. 

Also fun was being able to brainstorm with them on how we should use the funds they raised.  They came up with some terrific ideas, which I am working on putting into action. 

Psst - 2 adorable little plants in these deer containers are STILL AVAILABLE!  If you are local and interested in buying them (pay what you wish for Kindness Activist), reach out and I will hook you up!

Thanks PLANT PEOPLE.  Your dedication to the cause was so inspiring.  I loved hanging out with you.  Thanks to those who grew plants, donated planters, worked at the sale, made chocolate chip cookies for the sale, shopped at the sale, and those who honked and waved as they drove by to cheer us on.  You plant people can use our porch for plant sales anytime! 

Kind is Cool!

You hear people saying that parents need to “teach their children to be kind”.

Do they need to teach them?

Or, if kids are safe, well cared for, and nurtured, might they be able to teach us, the adults, about kindness?

I know of one such child, Dexter, who is a shining example of KINDNESS and would be a terrific teacher on the subject to kids and adults alike!  Dex is kind, friendly, and wise, which is why he was named a JUNIOR KINDNESS ACTIVIST!

Dexter, age 11, was doing just fine on his own, without any funds for his kindness missions.  He and his friends pick up and recycle glass in their community.  Isn’t that kind?  He is also a great big brother to Vahn, and a super helper for his mom who has had medical issues the past couple of years.

But I wondered what Dex would do if he was given some money to use to spread kindness…  What would this thoughtful, inquisitive child do??  So, I put my money where my mouth is, gave Dex $100 of Kindness Activist funds, and dubbed him an official Junior Kindness Activist!  Here is the story of what he decided to do: 

Dexter and his mom brainstormed about the best way to use the money.  He decided on a group called “Youth For Tomorrow” (link to the organization Dex chose:  Youth For Tomorrow ).  Being a kid himself, Dex obviously felt a connection with an organization that serves children. 

 

Dexter chose several items for the kids in the program, One of the things he used the funds for was JOURNALS and pens for youth in the program.  That act alone shows his kind, caring heart.  He understands that the children being supported by “Youth For Tomorrow” are going through very, very difficult times.  And he thought about something in his own life that helps him – journaling.  I think it is so thoughtful that he chose to share the gift of journals.  Having a safe space to express your thoughts and emotions can help you work out some of the difficulties of life.

Along with the journals and pens, Dex is giving the kids in the program canvases to paint, gift cards, socks, and lotion.  I think he did a great job of putting himself in those kids’ shoes and choosing gifts that they will like.

 

We could all learn a lesson on kindness from Dexter.  As he says, KIND IS COOL!

I am proud of the Kindness that Dex shares in the world.  If you know a child that you would like to nominate as a Junior Kindness Activist, please send their details to:  kindnessactivist@gmail.com.