February 17th was National Random Acts of Kindness Day.
I appreciate this day and all of the enthusiasm that goes along with it. But, I still keep coming back to one main thought.
Wouldn’t it be better to have random acts of kindness every day? Like, 365 days a year?
You’ve probably been the recipient of a random act of kindness in your lifetime. Think back to an instance in which someone has helped you out of a tough situation when they could see you were having difficulty or when a friend simply paid you a compliment out of the blue. A sweet surprise like this can really make a difference. Did you also know such experiences can also be good for your health and overall well-being? It’s true.
A random act of kindness can be as simple as buying coffee for the person behind you in line or as complex as mowing the grass for an elderly neighbor. Random Acts of Kindness can also be a kind word, supporting a local business, or even a smile. Oftentimes, it doesn’t take much effort to brighten someone’s day.
So why aren’t we kind more often? I get that these last twelve months have been beyond odd and stressful. People are afraid, uncertain, and exhausted and many times it leaks out as impatient, self-centered, and rude. But I also truly believe that, behind every mean person, is a wounded soul who just needs to be seen.
To be heard. To be told that they matter.
Did you know that not only do random acts of kindness promote good feelings among other people, being nice to others makes us feel better as well?
Numerous studies have shown a positive effect on mood when people engage in random acts of kindness. For me, I always feel uplifted when I do right by someone. My mood improves, my anxiety lessens, and many times I just feel energized.
But I also know that, by nature, I am a “giver.” Early on in my adult career path, I shifted from being an attorney to being a licensed family therapist because I wanted to heal instead of fight.
This also means my “energy well” runs a little low sometimes because I am so busy supporting others. If you know of someone like that (your mom, sister, daughter, your child’s teacher, and your significant other) take the steps to do some extra acts of kindness for them as well.
Right now, I am knee-deep in the most ambitious project I’ve ever created; a goal of publishing FIVE #OWNVOICES diverse picture books in 2021.
This monster of a project is being funded by Kickstarter so your random act of kindness will mean SO much to me and the hundreds of young readers who will benefit from the Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess series. Learn more about the Kayla Kickstarter and make a pledge HERE.
Need some other ideas for spreading Kindness? Check out this past blog post (one of my most popular posts from 2o20) called 100 Simple Ways to Be Kind.
RandomActsofKindness.org also has a wonderful free downloadable Kindness Bingo Game here.
Now more than ever, the human race needs to really work on…and really be mindful of… what is needed to practice KINDNESS.
Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess proves that Black and Brown characters can be the stars in stories about hope and dreams.
Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess:
A heartwarming story about family, role models, dreams, and discovering a determination for growth. This five-part diverse picture book series shines the spotlight on a little brown girl who loves musical theatre and never lets anything get in the way of her dreams. It seems that everyone else has an idea for who she should be, but in the end, she discovers that she is the one who gets to decide.
The story also reveals the very special family dynamic that Kayla shares with her mom- a hard-working woman who struggles with the guilt of not being as available for her young daughter as she would like. But as the story progresses, Kayla and her mom realize the impact of valuing the time they have together as well as the importance of seeing each other acknowledge (and pursue) their individual dreams. {ages 4 to 8}
Written by veteran author, Deedee Cummings, the Kayla: Modern-Day Princess series is inspired by her own real-life princess and Broadway actress, Kayla Pecchioni. This #OwnVoices project is a five-part series set for Rapid Release in the spring and summer of 2021. Following the picture series will be a middle-grade series and a script to continue to tell the story of this dynamic and necessary character.
Learn more about the Kayla Kickstarter and make a pledge HERE.
Please share this Kickstarter on social media and with friends and family 