Chocolates?  Special dinner?  A little box of conversation hearts?

We may have received and treasured them all, but what if this Valentine’s Day was the one where you surprised a perfect stranger with a small token of love.

Buy a bag of little chocolate hearts and put a few in your pocket.  Whether you are at school, work, or out on an errand, drop off a heart in a conspicuous place — on a desk or at a restaurant inside the folder when you’ve paid your bill.  Better yet, hand a heart to someone and simply say “Here’s a little treat for you” or “Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!”

In how many places can you scatter some Valentine kindness?

 

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             In a poem about giving, well-known author, Khalil Gibran, stated:

Then said a rich man, “Speak to us of Giving.”
And he answered:
You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

Like kindness, snow brings beauty and peacefulness. It doesn’t discriminate as it covers the world. When scattering kindness, we get the chance to beautify the world around us.

Share some winter kindness. Leave a message in the snow. Drop off some warm socks or scarves at a shelter. Clear the windows on a random car. You get the idea.

No snow in your backyard? Simply scatter some joy.

 

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It’s that wonderful time of year —  when many folks are feeling overwhelmed!   If we wait for someone to ask how they can help, chances are we might wait forever. Being asked to help sends a strong message about the trust and value you place in someone.

What to ask for?  Maybe time for yourself, entertain the kids, fix dinner, plan the big day, or whatever you need. It costs nothing to ask for advice from a friend.

Go for it!

 

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Today is a global day that promotes the importance of being kind. The purpose of this day, celebrated on November 13 each year, is to help everyone understand that compassion for others is what binds us all together.

What to do?

Interrupt the ordinary

Think about the people who help you get life done (trash collector, mail delivery person, etc.) Interrupt them with a bottle of sparkling water or candy bar and a “Thanks for what you do.”

Ice cream scattering

While at the grocery store, pick up a box of  ice cream bars and drop them off at a local shelter. All you have to say is “Enjoy!”

A line to say to make someone’s day

“You are really good at what you do!”

Magazines for the homeless

If you enjoy reading, gather your used magazines and take them to a homeless shelter.

Kindness cards

Make up a few …
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Yesterday my husband and I declared it a “Scattering Kindness Day.”  We planned a variety of activities as a way of giving back for the many blessings we receive.

Our day began by baking a couple dozen cookies and taking them to a local domestic abuse shelter.  From there, we made a stop at the food shelf to bring some items they were needing.  Then it was back home to fill ten back packs with an assortment of things like snacks, socks, and water bottles.  Those will be kept in our cars to hand out whenever we see a homeless person.

An especially fun part of the day was going out for lunch at a local restaurant where we anonymously picked up the tab for a Mom who we saw with a young daughter and a screaming baby.  Needing coffee for dessert, we decided to go to a drive-through, and …
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