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Kindness Spreads



Sharing my slice of life (#sol14) over at Two Writing Teachers.  
Please join us!
To celebrate my birthday last week, I decided to practice random acts of kindness. Lately, gratitude has become a conscious and daily practice in my life and I am feeling the changes. I feel more grateful for all of my blessings. This made me want to share this feeling...so I decided to do just that. 

I made a plan. I mapped out potential random acts that I could do. I even researched them online to get ideas. Then, I started. For a while, I struggled with what "counted" and then I decided that it didn't matter. If it was kind and I made a decision to behave that way...it counted. No matter how big or small. I also decided that I wanted to keep this goal separate from spending money (mostly). I wanted to show that it's not about money, it's about choices and perspective and sharing kindness and goodness. 

 My first act was a letter to my mom. It was a simple note saying thank you for simply being my mom. I know how I feel, but as I was writing out the words I wondered if I had ever specifically told my mom how I felt in such detail. It reminded me how lucky I am to have a mom who loves me so much.

 A week filled with snow days made the completion of this task more complicated. I finished today. Oh it felt good! Here are the rest...

Today after school, two of my former students helped me with my last birthday RAK and my first #nerdlution RAK. Involving them made it even better. We had so much fun creating happy and kind cards to include in mailboxes. I think we made eight. Here's a couple: 





I will say, sometimes I get so nervous and worried about the "audience" of the act of kindness. Strange! Why do I worry that the act of kindness might not be received well. I still don't understand my hesitation and concern...but it's real and it's there. Which leads me to the next part of my story. I'm continuing the random acts of kindness...for the next fifty days. Nerdlution: The Sequel began today. One of my goals is RAK...each day. My hope is others will be inspired and pass the kindness AND I will figure out why I have anxiety about this. (Strange!) 
In case you didn't know, a nerdlution is a mini resolution. Starting on January 27th (or whenever you start) nerdlutions were made and will be followed for 50 days. You can see mine here. To help us reflect and share our progress, we are blogging about them and sharing them here on Thursdays. Please join us! Here's a great explanation of Nerdlution by Chris Lehman! 

 As I continue with random acts of kindness (which I believe will entail much card writing) I hope to figure out my hesitation around this idea. Last week I invited others to perform acts of kindness. Thank you to those who shared kindness. Let's keep it going! Here's a great video to inspire some kind words today...
"Just treat everybody like it's their birthday..."
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Comments

  1. Clare LandriganJanuary 28, 2014 at 5:37 AM

    What a great birthday idea -- could almost be a tradition! I look forward to what you learn about yourself and RAK throughout nerdlution. We look forward to posting with you on Thursday! Thanks
    Clare and Tammy

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  2. BernadetteJanuary 28, 2014 at 5:45 AM

    Love the last line - treat everyone like it's their birthday. I wonder why we wait to tell someone how much they mean to us until their birthday.
    Bernadette

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  3. Kevin HodgsonJanuary 28, 2014 at 7:47 AM

    Beautiful post and reflection, and sharing. Yet more kindness coming into our lives.
    Kevin

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  4. JulieanneJanuary 28, 2014 at 9:04 AM

    I love this post Michelle. So much in it. Little random acts like smile at a stranger. It is amazing how people reaction. People need this but as you say it seems to give more back. It almost feels selfish. Thanks for sharing, this post is a kindness. It counts in your nerdlution.

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  5. JaanaJanuary 28, 2014 at 9:27 AM

    Wonderful! I don't think this will be a birthday that you will forget soon. You have made lasting memories with your random acts of kindness project! Kudos for involving your students--great way to plant seeds for future "kindnessers."

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  6. TaraJanuary 28, 2014 at 10:52 AM

    Your birthday idea is a gift that keeps giving - for you and those around you. How wonderful, Michelle!

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  7. Luke HokamaJanuary 28, 2014 at 11:57 AM

    Such an important practice, thanks for the reminder!

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  8. Julie JohnsonJanuary 28, 2014 at 12:33 PM

    I absolutely love your RAK for your birthday. What a wonderful, thoughtful idea. On top of that, I love the cards you made. I bet those who received them smiled all day long. Your post has me thinking of how I can incorporate RAK into my day and my classroom.

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  9. Terje January 28, 2014 at 2:00 PM

    Kindness grows kindness. Your actions reach far beyond the people you have written in the reflection list. Your hesitation is natural. Sometimes people have a tendency to suspect your motives when you are kind to them. I am glad you don't let that stop you.

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  10. Kristi LonheimJanuary 28, 2014 at 3:11 PM

    Acknowledging feelings, even ones that we can't fathom a reason for is so healthy. I hope this journey helps you figure out your hesitation regarding your RAK audience.

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  11. Margaret SimonJanuary 28, 2014 at 6:50 PM

    Love your list of kindness and how you are involving your students. Kindness spreads like pancake batter and fills us up with sweetness. Thanks for heading up the nerdlution roundup. I'll be back on Thursday to post. Joining in for round 2.

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  12. Linda BJanuary 28, 2014 at 9:26 PM

    My students and I did RAKs for years & I think the community was stronger every year. Remember I always had students two years & some of them for three, so those who had been in the class kept the new ones enthusiastic at first until we were going again. Good for you Michelle, a big goal!

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  13. Holly MuellerJanuary 28, 2014 at 10:27 PM

    Such a GREAT birthday idea and #nerdlution! I love that your students helped you out. I love the part in the video when he says, "We should give everybody high fives just for getting out of bed." Ha!

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  14. StaceyJanuary 29, 2014 at 4:56 PM

    Love this! How wonderful that you're making the world a better place through RAK!

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