Posts filed under ‘Random acts of kindness’

Kindness is Becoming an Organ Donor


Kindness is attentive, considerate, friendly, and thoughtful. Kindness sees a need and fills it. Sometimes that need is commonplace like delivering a meal or writing a letter. Sometimes it requires more of a conscious effort like becoming an organ donor.

Becoming an organ takes more conscious effort because you have to think about death. Your death. And that is not a popular topic to dwell on.

There is a huge need for organs. Sure, it might sound creepy, but it is kind

113,000 people are on the organ donor transplant waiting list in the US according to July 2019 statistics. 20 people die each day before receiving a transplant. Only 36,528 transplants were done in 2018. There is clearly a lack of organs.

95% of adults agree with organ donation, but only 58% have signed up.

Did you know that one donor can save eight lives?

I live in California and so am interested in California stats. The following info came from the DMV.CA.Gov site:

  • More than 21,000 Californians are waiting for a second chance at life.
  • About 20% of those nationwide waiting for an organ transplant are Californians

Go here for more nationwide stats. 

Sign up today.

  1. Driver’s License. It is easy to sign-up for this when you apply for or renew your driver’s license (or identification card).
  2. Health App. You can sign up via the health app on your iPhone.
  3. State Donor Registry. It is easy and quick to register with your state’s donor registry. 
  4. Tell your family. Make sure you tell your family, your wishes. Talk to them even if they are resistant to the idea.

Read this book: Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadaversby Mary Roach. This book shows scientific contributions and ways cadaver research has impacted modern life.

Along with cadavers, the protagonists of Roach’s book are the doctors, technicians, and environmentalists who labor over decaying flesh for larger causes. Underlying the eleven chapters of Roach’s book is her clear-eyed belief that, despite the perceived indignity of dismemberment, the fate of cadavers may be better than that of corpses. In its usefulness for organ donation, science, and the environment, a cadaver is a “superhero.” Quote taken from ENotes.Com

Here is a video review of the book.

If you want you to donate your whole body, you’ll need to go to a local hospital to fill out extensive papers  That is something I want to do as I think we don’t need more coffins  I will not be in my body after I die  I like the idea of being helpful, even after I pass from this earth.

Your Turn . . . Are you an organ donor? If not, why not? … Have you thought about being a whole-body donor?

You can practice being kind by leaving me a comment. 

Please leave me an idea or two that I can add to my acts of kindness list. The idea can be intentional or random.

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Want to know what other acts of Kindness are on the list? Go to my Landing Page . . . Scattering Kindness: A 31 Day Adventure of Intentional & Random Acts of Service.  

Previous #Write31Days Topics

Thanks go to Elizabeth Symington for making my #Write31Days button and basic graphic for the kindness quotes. Elizabeth is writing a 31 days series on Summer of Service in Yosemite.

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Kindness is Hosting a Card Making Workshop

Scroll down for the Landing Page (aka Table of Contents) for this Kindness series.

“I just used two of my “praying for you” cards today – cards that I made at the workshop you gave us. And it felt like a real gift to be able to send these folks a handmade card. Thanks again for leading that workshop. And thanks for helping us make such awesome cards.”

I recently sent the above message to my friend, Gillian, who is on the Women’s Ministry Team at my church and is also a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator.

Gillian said, “I always tell people that card making is a two-part process. We get the joy of making something ourselves, sometimes with our friends. Then we brighten someone else’s day by gifting them with our handmade card.”

Most women I know like the idea of crafting. But many are insecure about their ability and so don’t make time in their schedule to do this at home.

Kindness is attentive, considerate, friendly, and thoughtful. And kindness sees a need and fills it.

A need we saw at our church was a card-making workshop. We had one last year which was well-received. And we will have one this year. Soon each attendee can have the two-fold blessing of creating something and then gifting that to someone else.

Kindness is Hosting a Card Making Workshop.

My Landing Page for This series . . . Sprinkling Kindness: A 31 Day Adventure.  Please leave me an idea or two that I can add to my acts of kindness list. The idea can be intentional or random.

You can practice being kind by leaving me a comment. 

Your Turn . . . 

  • Do you like making cards? Come join our class.
  • When was the last time you recieved a handmade card? How did it make you feel?
  • What need do you see that you could fill?

Related Posts . . .

Previous #Write31Days Topics

Thanks go to Elizabeth Symington for making my #Write31Days button and basic graphic for the kindness quotes. Elizabeth is writing a 31 days series on Summer of Service in Yosemite.

. at . Leave a comment

Kindness is Planting a Tree

Kindness is doing something that is thoughtful and beneficial. Taking care of our planet by planting trees falls into that category.

Several years ago, some ladies from my church and I went camping at Smudea campground in Northern California.. One of the activities was to plant seedling trees. It was a meaningful time for all of us. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to plant more trees.

I don’t think you can have too many trees in any city.

My city is having a tree planting event on Saturday, March 28. My daughter and I are going. Want to join us? The details are below

March 28 — Cordova Meadows Neighborhood & Taylor Park Planting

Saturday, March 28 8:45A – 12:00P

Join us in planting trees in the Cordova Meadows area of Rancho Cordova! The trees we plant will improve mental health, create more breathable air, and reduce negative health outcomes such as asthma and cardiac disease!

Go here for more information.

Your Turn . . . Have you ever planted seedling trees? … Been to a tree planting party? … Do you know the song about Johnny Appleseed?

Related Posts …

You can practice being kind by leaving me a comment. 

My Landing Page for This series . . . Sprinkling Kindness: A 31 Day Adventure.  Please leave me an idea or two that I can add to my acts of kindness list. The idea can be intentional or random.

Thanks go to Elizabeth Symington for making my #Write31Days button and basic graphic for the kindness quotes. Elizabeth wrote a 31 days series on Summer of Service in Yosemite.

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Kindness is Calling Someone by Their Name

Scroll down for the Landing Page information  (aka Table of Contents) for this Kindness series.

“A person’s name is to him or her the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”   Dale Carnegie.

If a name tag is present, I will call a nurse, wait staff, or a receptionist by their name. I think calling them by their name acknowledges them and shows respect.

I like name tags. Wearing a nametag makes me feel more connected because if others are wearing one as well, we have the option of calling each other by name. There is less awkwardness. I want the person I am addressing to know I believe they are important. Using a person’s name has that power.

Using a person’s name is thoughtful, attentive, considerate, and friendly. In short, it is kind.

In the past two years, the people at my church have been wearing nametags. This has allowed me to learn the names of many people. Seeing that visual reinforcement week-after-week is helpful since I am a visual learner.

I believe others also find this a useful way to learn names. Regular attenders are not the only ones who benefit. Newcomers are also impacted. We can greet each other by name. I believe this adds to the friendliness of our church.

Calling folks by their name is, indeed, a kind thing to do.

Your Turn . . .

  • Do you call people you see on a regular basis by their name?
  • How do you feel when someone calls you by your name?

Related Posts . . . 

You can practice being kind by leaving me a comment. 

Please leave me an idea or two that I can add to my acts of kindness list. The idea can be intentional or random.

_____________________________________________

Want to know what other acts of Kindness are on the list? Go to my Landing Page . . . Scattering Kindness: A 31 Day Adventure of Intentional & Random Acts of Service.  

 

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Kindness is Sitting With Someone

On most Sundays, a majority of people sit in the same spot at church. They do this out of habit, so they can see or hear better, so they can socialize with their seat buddies, or so they can leave the sanctuary mid-service (for a potty break or to tend a child) without disturbing a lot of people.

Plus, doing so brings pleasant feelings. Regularly sitting in the same area gives people a sense of belonging and familiarity. These feelings enhance the worship experience.

If you are new, shy, or haven’t made friends yet, you probably don’t have a set seat. And worse yet, if you take someone’s set-seat, sometimes you are given a frown or shooed away. All this can lead to feeling like an outsider.

Let me suggest one thing. The next time you go to church, sit with someone who is alone. Or invite him/her to sit with you. Doing this sends the message that you are inviting him/her into your sphere of friends. It is a kind thing to do.

Kindness is making a point to sit with someone who is alone.

Need a refresher on what kindness looks like? Kindness is caring, considerate, friendly, hospitable, observant. A kind person wants others to feel like they, too, belong.

Your Turn . . .

  1. Do you have a special spot you like to sit when you attend church?
  2. How do you feel when someone sits there?
  3. When was the last time you purposefully sat with someone who was alone?
  4. Tell about a time someone did that for you.

Related Posts . . .

You can practice being kind by leaving me a comment. 

Please leave me an idea or two that I can add to my acts of kindness list. The idea can be intentional or random.

_____________________________________________

Want to know what other acts of Kindness are on the list? Go to my Landing Page . . . Scattering Kindness: A 31 Day Adventure of Intentional & Random Acts of Service.  

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Kindness is Writing a Letter

 

Do you write letters on a regular basis?

I like to. In fact, I have several letter writing projects on this blog.

However, I got bogged down and didn’t keep either project as an ongoing habit.

Today I received a letter from a friend who lives locally. She moved to a different area and attends a different church. I let my life overrun my schedule. We were out-of-touch with one another. My friend gave a recap of her year and shared answered prayers. I felt such joy reading about the faithfulness of God in her life.

Her letter reminded me of our shared interests and love for one another. Her letter rekindled a desire to make this friendship a priority. I texted her right away to say, “Yes, let’s meet up.”

This weekend, I will take time to write her. Yes, I will do that even though we will see one another soon. I want my friend to receive the same joy I had after reading her letter to me. After all, kindness is writing a letter.

Can writing a letter really be called kindness? Yes! If the letter is attentive, considerate, friendly, and thoughtful, it is a kind act. Both the writer and recipient benefit from this kind act. Such letters reaffirm friendship, reminisce on shared history, and remind of what’s important in life – people.

I want to get back to my letter-writing habit. It is a great way to let others know how important they are to me. So, I am going back to setting aside the third Sunday of each month as a letter-writing time. (March 15th will be my first time to do this.) Of course, I can write more letters than this, but my realistic goal is once a month.

Your Turn . . .

  • Do you think letter writing is an important habit to cultivate?
  • Do you see it as an act of kindness?
  • When was the last time you wrote a letter? How did you feel after writing it? How was it received?
  • Will you write a letter this week?

Related Posts . . . 

You can practice being kind by leaving me a comment. 

Please leave me an idea or two that I can add to my acts of kindness list. The idea can be intentional or random.

_____________________________________________

Want to know what other acts of Kindness are on the list? Go to my Landing Page . . . Scattering Kindness: A 31 Day Adventure of Intentional & Random Acts of Service.  

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Kindness is Feeding People

Food is at the center of American activities. Food is a necessity and a luxury. It is a joy and it bonds people. Denise, a woman who oversaw the kitchen at our church felt that when food was served at an event, people felt welcomed and at ease.

There are many ways we can share food as an act of kindness. Be sure to add your ideas to this list.

  • Invite someone over for dinner.
  • Take an extra portion of your sack lunch contents to give to a co-worker.
  • Make cookies for a neighbor or the school crossing guard.
  • Make an acceptable goodie for someone who has food allergies. Getting a treat like this is rare and makes the recipient feel noticed.
  • Take a meal to someone who needs help (a new mom, someone just home from the hospital, someone who is grieving). I think a just-because meal would be gratefully accepted, too.
  • Buy gift cards to fast food restaurants to give to a teenager or homeless person.
  • Donate food to the food pantry or to a program like Neighborhood Meals (NM).

NM is a free community meal served at my church (near Sacramento, CA) the last Friday of every month. If you are hungry, come and eat; if you’re not, come and serve. We have room for people to help in the following positions: set-up, clean-up, serve food, help our guests take food to the table, and visit with the guests while you both eat. We also take food and clothing.

“There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

When someone is hungry and doesn’t have easy access to food because of homelessness, pain, depression, or recuperation, that is a vulnerable state to be in.

Kindness is noticing that food is a necessity and brings comfort and acceptance. Kindness is feeding people.

Your Turn . . . When was the last time you performed this act of kindness? . . .  When was the last time someone gave you food? . . . How did either/both situations make you feel.? . . . Who can you gift food to this week? 

Related Posts . . . 

Go here for yesterday’s post . . . Kindness is Trick-or-Treating

You can practice being kind by leaving me a comment. 

Please leave me an idea or two that I can add to my acts of kindness list. The idea can be intentional or random.

_____________________________________________

Want to know what other acts of Kindness are on the list? Go to my Landing Page . . . Scattering Kindness: A 31 Day Adventure of Intentional & Random Acts of Service.  

This post is part of #Write31Days where bloggers write every day in October on one topic. I am writing about Acts of Kindness, random and otherwise. It will be interesting to note how I am different and/or how my community is different.

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Kindness is Trick-or-Treating

“Cor, all I have to say is, ‘Trick-or-Treat’ and people will give me sweets?” Robbie asked this multiple times during the car ride to Bentwaters Air Force base which was 80 miles northeast of London, England).

I assured him that was true. My two kiddos, Tim (6) and Elizabeth (5) had several Halloweens under their belt and knew the drill. But for Jamie (7) and Robbie (3 1/2) this was their first time since this holiday wasn’t observed in England. We had three more delightful Octobers together exchanging sweets for a three word sentence before we moved back to the United States.

Candy is universally loved whether you are a child or an adult. So I decided to give out Halloween candy to my neighbors as a way to get to know them. Of the 14 apartments near mine, i “knew” only one lady (because of her friendly cat.

However, this giving had a twist. I was going to reverse trick-or-treat.

  • I would go to their homes.
  • I would do this on a night other than Halloween because I hoped to catch my neighbors at home.
  • They didn’t have to say, ‘Trick-or-Treat.’
  • And if they weren’t home, I planned to leave the treats on the door step.

This is a sample of what I left for those who didn’t answer their door.

As a shy, introvert, I was so nervous. On the first night I went to six apartments.

  • I talked two people who were quite receptive to my gesture of friendship.
  • One lady ran from me into her apartment. I put the goodies by her front door.
  • Two apartments had packages on their porch, so I left my treats on top.
  • At one home, the occupant opened the door when I left. I heard the creaking so I said, “Oh, good, you are home.” Their reply was a slammed door. I left their treats on the door step.

I was so discouraged by these results. But last night, I tried it again. I dropped off treats for eight more apartments.

  • Two people weren’t home. Again I left their goodies by the door.
  • One person  didn’t answer the door. I could hear him talking. But he got treats, as well.
  • I talked to five neighbors! Four of the neighbors were happy to meet me.

In total six ladies were glad I knocked on their doors to introduce myself. Kindness is getting to know your neighbors. Kindness is reverse trick-or-treating to do just that.

Your Turn . . .  How well do you know your neighbors? . . . Would you try reverse trick-or-treating as a way to introduce yourself to your neighbors? Why or why not? . . . How did you get to know your neighbors?

You can practice being kind by leaving me a comment. 

Please leave me an idea or two that I can add to my acts of kindness list. The idea can be intentional or random.

Want to know what other acts of Kindness are on the list? Go to my Landing Page . . . Scattering Kindness: A 31 Day Adventure of Intentional & Random Acts of Service.  

This post is part of #Write31Days where bloggers write every day in October on one topic. I am writing about Acts of Kindness, random and otherwise. It will be interesting to note how I am different and/or how my community is different.

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Go here for yesterday’s post: Kindness is Being a Friendly Driver

Related Posts . . . Rolls and Buns: A Communication Mishap . . . Kindness is Neighboring Well

Previous #Write31Days Topics

Thanks go to Elizabeth Symington for making my #Write31Days button and basic graphic for the kindness quotes. Elizabeth is writing a 31 days series on Summer of Service in Yosemite.

. at . 5 comments

Kindness is Being a Friendly Driver

Road rage is on the rise. People are stressed, tired, and have too much to do to arrive places on time.  Or at least that’s what we tell ourselves. As a result we have driving expectations that are often not met.

We want  . . .  the traffic to be lighter … all the lights to be green . . .  and for people to get OUT of our way right NOW.

I want my own personal lane. Or at least for native CA drivers to have a dedicated lane for us. Shouldn’t there be some perk for living in California?

This is selfish thinking. This is entitled thinking. This is dangerous thinking which can lead to us arriving at our destination frustrated at the last and full of road rage at the most.

Calm down. Notice the needs of others. We all have some place to go. Share nicely. These words need to replace our rage-enduing ones.

Let’s change our mindset that WE are the most important drivers on the road. Kindness is being a friendly driver.

  • Let people merge even when they do so incorrectly.
  • Leave an appropriate space between you and the car in front.
  • Don’t speed trying to push the car in front to go faster.
  • Use your blinkers.
  • Allow more time to get to your destinations.
  • Give grace when people drive like an idiot.

Remember that sometimes we are the idiot and want their grace. So be a kind driver.

Your Turn . .  .  What is one way you can be a kind driver? . . . What do you most appreciate from others when you drive like an (accidental) idiot?

You can practice being kind by leaving me a comment. 

Want to know what other acts of Kindness are on the list? Go to my Landing Page . . . Scattering Kindness: A 31 Day Adventure of Intentional & Random Acts of Service.  

Please leave me an idea or two that I can add to my acts of kindness list. The idea can be intentional or random.

This post is part of #Write31Days where bloggers write every day in October on one topic. I am writing about Acts of Kindness, random and otherwise. It will be interesting to note how I am different and/or how my community is different.

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Go here for yesterday’s post: Kindness is Going to the Funeral

Previous #Write31Days Topics

Thanks go to Elizabeth Symington for making my #Write31Days button and basic graphic for the kindness quotes. Elizabeth is writing a 31 days series on Summer of Service in Yosemite.

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Kindness is Going to the Funeral

“But I don’t like going to funerals. I feel awkward, don’t know what to say, and I didn’t even know Julie’s dad,” I said to an elderly mentor.

“Is Julie your friend? Is she hurting?”

I answered both questions with a “Yes.”

“Often times,” my mentor said, “we go to a funeral to support our grieving friend. It has nothing to do with us. It makes a difference that we attend.”

I found out at the funerals of my parents, that it did make a difference. Some people who attended didn’t even know my parents. I felt supported, loved, and understood because these friends were with me during a HARD time.

Besides going to the funeral, send a card. And find the most meaningful card you can. My grandpa Carol, a very unsentimental dude, told me about a card he received after his wife, Ruby, died. “It was the prettiest card and the words were so comforting. I put it on the TV for months.” This card was a little gesture, a kind gesture, that meant so much.

Kindness notices the needs of others. It meets those needs. Kindness is going to the funeral. It is sending a card.

Your Turn . . . Do you attend funerals or do you skip them whenever you can? . . . Have you ever thought about how significant a card can be? . . . What is something else we can do to support a grieving friend?

You can practice being kind by leaving me a comment. 

Want to know what other acts of Kindness are on the list? Go to my Landing Page . . . Scattering Kindness: A 31 Day Adventure of Intentional & Random Acts of Service.  

Please leave me an idea or two that I can add to my acts of kindness list. The idea can be intentional or random.

This post is part of #Write31Days where bloggers write every day in October on one topic. I am writing about Acts of Kindness, random and otherwise. It will be interesting to note how I am different and/or how my community is different

________________

Go here for yesterday’s post: Kindness is Putting Away Shopping Carts

Related Posts . . . 

Previous #Write31Days Topics

Thanks go to Elizabeth Symington for making my #Write31Days button and basic graphic for the kindness quotes. Elizabeth is writing a 31 days series on Summer of Service in Yosemite.

. at . 5 comments

Kindness is Putting Away Shopping Carts

This post is part of #Write31Days where bloggers write every day in October on one topic. I am writing about Acts of Kindness, random and otherwise. It will be interesting to note how I am different and/or how my community is different.

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I arrived at the store ready to do a BIG shop. With a list in hand and a ticking clock, I went towards the cart coral inside. There wasn’t a single cart. Not one! I’ve never seen it empty before. I fumed a little as I went back out and grabbed one of the many carts that were parked by cars near the entrance.

Shopping done, on my way out of the store, I noticed that the in-store cart corral was still empty. I tucked my groceries into the trunk, and looked at my cell phone clock. I had finished early! 13 minutes early.

I put 13 minutes on my timer. Then I whizzed around gathering carts. I put the gathered carts into the outside cart corrals. Isn’t it funny that I didn’t want to get “caught” by a store employee. A few people thanked me. And one man said, “Why are you doing THEIR job?”

“So you can have a cart now and not have to come back outside,” I replied.

The older gentleman grunted as he took a cart from the cart cage. I whispered, “You’re welcome.”

Just as I was getting into my vehicle to drive away, a store employee was taking carts into the store. I don’t know whether I was spotted or not, but I did a spontaneous,13 minute, kind deed for the day. And it felt good.

Your Turn . . . Have you ever gathered a bunch of carts to return them? Did you feel conspicuous like I did? . . . Did you ever think of returning your shopping cart as an act of kindness? . . . What spontaneous act of kindness can you do today?

You can practice being kind by leaving me a comment. 

Want to know what other acts of Kindness are on the list? Go to my Landing Page . . . Scattering Kindness: A 31 Day Adventure of Intentional & Random Acts of Service.  

Please leave me an idea or two that I can add to my acts of kindness list. The idea can be intentional or random.

Go here for yesterday’s post: Kindness is Praying

Previous #Write31Days Topics

Thanks go to Elizabeth Symington for making my #Write31Days button and basic graphic for the kindness quotes. Elizabeth is writing a 31 days series on Summer of Service in Yosemite.

. at . 3 comments

Kindness is Praying

This post is part of #Write31Days where bloggers write every day in October on one topic. I am writing about Acts of Kindness, random and otherwise. It will be interesting to note how I am different and/or how my community is different

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Prayer impacts people and situations.

  • We can lift them up when they doubt God’s involvement and power.
  • We can pray that peace will replace worry.
  • We can ask God to heal physical, emotional and spiritual wounds.
  • We can ask God to give guidance for a situation. And then to give them the power and tenacity to follow through.
  • We can pray that people will come to know and accept God’s love (as shown through salvation).

Because our God is unlimited, we can pray for any and every need. Prayer doesn’t work because of what we pray, but because of WHO we pray to: the Creator of heaven and earth, including each person.

Max Lucado says it this way, “Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.”

Prayer is the best gift we can offer our family, friends, and even the world. Prayer is the best thing we can offer our enemies. Pray first, act second. Corrie ten Boom asks, “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?”

Spend some time today in this free and POWERFUL act of kindness.

Your Turn . . . Who will you pray for today?  . . . How do you answer Corrie ten Boom’s question, “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?”

You can practice being kind by leaving me a comment. 

Want to know what other acts of Kindness are on the list? Go to my Landing Page . . . Scattering Kindness: A 31 Day Adventure of Intentional & Random Acts of Service.  

Please leave me an idea or two that I can add to my acts of kindness list. The idea can be intentional or random.

Related Posts . . . 

Previous #Write31Days Topics

Thanks go to Elizabeth Symington for making my #Write31Days button and basic graphic for the kindness quotes. Elizabeth is writing a 31 days series on Summer of Service in Yosemite.

. at . 3 comments

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