Pay it Forward February

Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness and Love

It’s February or month two where I am going to talk kindness and love while inspiring you to pay it forward to our fellow humans!

These days we tend to think of the month being marked by the holidays within the month. So of course, in February, we think Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day and the occasional leap day. This year I’m going to celebrate February 17,^th which is random acts of kindness day according to my friend Mary. This sounds like a holiday I can get behind because it doesn’t cost a thing to be kind or pay it forward. When you are kind and show kindness, you show love for your fellow humans and isn’t that what Valentine’s Day is all about? This holiday has become a day to buy sugar infested treats and shiny objects and gifts that show our love for that someone special. In many cases one feels obligated rather than excited to acknowledge this holiday. I think we just celebrated a holiday less than a month ago where we showered our loved ones with gifts.

The greatest Valentine’s Day gift I received for several years was a blank card from my grandfather. He would send an empty Valentine’s Day card in the mail, back in the day when it was exciting just to get mail. There were no words or a signature. It was just a funny card. He was a quiet and stern man, so I loved this silent gesture of anonymously showing his love for me. I intend to try this tradition with my nieces and maybe add stickers. When my boys were little, Valentines Day started with messy scattered paper hearts, silly string or putty, a book and a tiny toy such as a matchbox car. I don’t know what they learned from this, but it was fun, and I enjoyed giving. From the boys, I received the school-created book of coupons for hugs and clean rooms. I never cashed those adorable books in then. I’d like to turn those coupons in now that they have gone back to college.

I am two months into my first official year of the empty nest (YOTEN). So, I am working on the second motion in my Uncapsize Perspective. In January I accepted that both kids are off to college, and that now it is my time to choose what to do with myself. I am choosing kindness for my own tired mom self. I am choosing to love myself. But I have a daily journal that asks a series of questions for setting your mindset in the morning. This is one I love, think about “Someone I could surprise with a note, a gift, or sign of appreciation.” My answer varies every day depending on who I know I may see or who I know I should connect with. I will also choose random acts of kindness throughout the month. How do I do that? I am choosing to make connections with people.

Here are eleven things you can choose to show kindness and love for our fellow humans at no cost on a moment’s notice…

• Smile
• Wink
• Say “hello and have a nice day!”
• Give a thumbs up as a thank you
• Fist bump or elbow bong (I just made this one up.)
• High five (my husband’s favorite gesture)
• Embrace or hug someone
• Pick up a dropped object, carry an extra bag
• Hold a door open
• Give a silent cheer (this looks like jazz hands in the air)
• Text a quote, gif or prayer to anyone

Sharing kindness or paying it forward doesn’t have to cost a thing, just your thoughtfulness, the physical action of doing, a commitment and your time. Of course, you are always welcome to spend your money however you choose, in the coffee line, a shelter donation, the church offering or the diamond ring thing. A handmade card, a photo in a frame, a craft or a bouquet of flowers is sure to show and share your love too. We should share what we love too. Social media is so popular because we are obsessed with sharing what we love and how we show it. I always love getting flowers for their beauty, but early on, I had to share with my husband that I truly enjoy the random tiny bouquet of mixed blooms rather than a massive display of roses that faded too fast. So, when a bouquet of mixed blooms appears on my counter, I feel love. I know my husband thought of me when picking up his lunch:)

Finally, choose to show your love in your most authentic way. Spend a fortune or freely share and show love for your fellow humans with random acts of kindness every day. When you give love though random acts of kindness; you get love and kindness.  I took this phot several years ago and noticed that it looked like a tree which then reminded me of Shel Silverstein’s, the Giving tree, a children’s book. What will you give to celebrate random acts of kindness, and how will you celebrate the 17^th and every day before and after?

My friend Mary, A Bouquet of Words, has a few words to say about Kindness and Love and Paying it forward.

Check out her Blog post for this month