Getting Back to Kind

I’ll be honest, I’ve been in a funk. Being a full time stay-at-home parent is tough at times with three kids, five and under- (Did I mention the youngest is one and into everything and climbing on everything?!) There’s always a constant list of things I have to do, need to get done and most importantly I must keep the kids alive (healthy, happy, well balanced). I enjoy blogging and guest writing, but it adds to the list. I try to stay positive, but when a day goes wrong it makes it very challenging. Anyone else? And catch me at the wrong time, I may not be the nicest to strangers. At the end of the day, I want to be able to say that I chose kindness today. 

So, for November, I’m declaring it a start to get my kindness towards others back! I’m not going to set myself up with a month-long, every day task. It’s just not possible. Instead, I made a list of options and I’m going to target achieving ten for the month.

Feel free to join me…

1. Pay it forward in a drive-thru.
2. Make care packages for the homeless and give to those at traffic lights.
3. Give someone chocolate.
4. Give a compliment to a stranger.
5. Let someone ahead of you while waiting in line. (Tough one!)
6. Let someone in front of you in traffic. (even harder, road rage!)
7. Pick up someone else’s litter.
8. Send someone flowers…just because!
9. Leave a treat in the mail for the mail carrier.
10. Only let kind words out.
11. Return a cart for someone else.
12. Bake cookies for firefighters or police.
13. Listen to the person talking, really listen, don’t listen to just respond.
14. Be honest on social media, just once.
15. Buy pet food for the animal shelter.
16. Explain patiently, even when you’re tired.
17. Leave bubbles in the park for kids to find.
18. Leave positive messages with chalk at the park.
19. Don’t complain for the entire day.
20. Share a friend’s blog, business website or art on social media.
21. Smile when you feel like scowling.
22. Every night before you go to bed, think of three things you’re grateful for. Or better yet, start a gratitude journal!
23. Buy from a local company.
24. Leave a positive note in a library book.
25. When you hear that negative, discouraging voice in your head, remember to leave yourself alone — you deserve kindness too!
26. Say yes to your kids all day long. 
27. Provide water for your garbage workers. 
28. Have a hug day with your kids.
29. Paint kindness rocks. 
30. Volunteer with Seeds of Caring. 

Do you have any others you would add to the list? Let’s all choose kindness this month!