Intentional Acts of Kindness

As we wrap up 21 Days of Gratitude, I am truly grateful!  Grateful for the journey and thankful for those who joined me.  I will continue gratitude as a daily practice as it has changed my life in a powerful way.  It is true, the Tetris Effect has taken over, and I am constantly noticing what is good and beautiful in my world.  Studies show that practicing gratitude daily makes us happier and I have found this to be true in my life.

Next we will practice 21 Days of Intentional Acts of Kindness.  Like gratitude, practicing intentional acts of kindness (daily) has the power to increase our baseline for happiness.  In other words, when we extend kindness toward others as a daily practice, WE actually become happier.  Not to mention what it does for the people we are extending kindness to.  And it doesn't stop there.  So please join me as we change our little corner of the world one intentional act of kindness at a time, from one human being to another.

Intentional acts of kindness can be built into our routines for ease and habit formation.  That is how I suggest you begin.  So designate a time every day when you will dedicate 5 minutes to performing 1-5 intentional acts of kindness.  This can be sending an email (or 5) letting someone know you appreciate them.  It can be bringing in the morning paper.  It can be popping in on a coworker for an authentic, face-to face, "Good morning, how are you doing?" check in.  Whatever it is, keep it simple, and build it into your day.  Do it very day for the next 21 days.  And let it be something that you can continue after the 21 days.  You can also sprinkle intentional acts of kindness throughout your day doing things such as paying for a cup of coffee for the next guy in line, letting the person behind you at the grocery store go first, making a meal for your family, letting someone merge in traffic, smiling at a stranger, picking up trash on the street, putting your cart back at the grocery store, letting the frantic person at the airport go through security in front of you, cleaning up someone else's mess...the list goes on.  Have fun with it and see how many different ways you can practice intentional acts of kindness, besides during your routine practice time.

For other terrific ideas on intentional acts of kindness I recommend reading http://metropolitanmama.net/2009/06/17-intentional-acts-of-kindness/.
I look forward to our journey!