12 days of kindness

Every year at Christmas time, since I was broke and in school, I have tried to create a "12 Days of Kindness" movement around Christmas.  I have done my part to try to make the season a little more meaningful than presents and money spent. I have done things like helping strangers, holding doors, returning bus passes, and giving to local food banks.  It has always made me feel really good.

A few months ago some friends and I were talking about acts of kindness and I shared my Christmas tradition with them. They encouraged me to invite people to join me this year by creating an event on Facebook.

The event started on December 1st. I invited people to join me, and to ask their friends to join us too. I asked people to be creative and think of ways to extend kindness to one another, and I encouraged them to think beyond the monetary.  I then asked them to come back to the event page daily and share their stories with one another. I thought this would help us all to be more creative, and if we heard an idea that we liked, it would make it easier to continue by "borrowing" and idea and using it as well.

It has been 4 days so far and the most wonderful thing has happened. We are all starting to be more aware of the way we engage with people. We are actively thinking of ways to be more kind and generous of spirit and we are sharing our stories. But, a wonderful aside has happened. As part of the project, people are starting to share stories of kindness that have happened to them, or to friends of theirs over the course of the day. It has warmed my heart and I hope it has warmed the hearts of all of the people that are taking part.

So far, this December has brought me some new friends, some wonderful stories of sharing and caring, and a warm and happy heart. I can't think of anything more in the spirit of Christmas that I could have asked for. I think, for me, that Christmas has come early.This is truly a very merry time and a wonderful Christmas. I am looking forward to the next 8 days and the warmth and love that will be shared.

Peace and blessings of the Christmas season to you all.