The kids and I were soooo excited to start our daily acts of kindness. We got our friends involved. We talked about how stopping at 26 seemed both arbitrary and like a token gesture. We talked about how making this a habit in our daily lives and being mindful of acting kindly automatically changes the tone and expectation of society around us. How we should do these things not expecting recognition or thanks, but because it’s the right thing to do. How we don’t have the right to judge who is deserving of acts of kindness or monetary donations. That we will just go through life grateful and kind-hearted, and everything falls into place.
That was the plan–in an ideal world things fall into place. This ideal world clearly does not involve my karma. We’ve had some stumbles coming out of the starting blocks. My 6-year-old daughter came home from school yesterday reporting her attempts at kindness didn’t go over so well. Apparently, she asked her friend if she needed help. Over. And over. And over. Again. And again. And again. Until the poor friend begged, “By golly, I don’t need ANY help. Please. Just go away!” Looks like I passed on the lack of the moderation gene to another generation. Badger ‘em until they scream Uncle (or By Golly)!! Then swoop in to help when they’re exhausted to save the day! Needless to say, my daughter wasn’t digging this random act of kindness thing.
Today I was getting coffee, and offered to pay for whatever the gentleman behind me was getting. Turns out I was aiding and abetting. The guy quickly hid his muffin behind his work files, and grabbed a bag of chips for me to buy him. So instead of creating an opportunity for paying it forward, I created an opportunity for not paying for food.
Essentially, we’ve started off our #26ActsOfKindness with harassment and theft (#CrimeSpree perhaps?). We’re going to keep trying tomorrow, and every day thereafter. Until someone screams By Golly. Or gets arrested.
BonneVivanteLife 
By Golly! Harassment and Theft! That’s a good start! 🙂 Of course, there is no intent, so the charges will never stick! What a good, kind soul you are. Your acts of kindness are making a difference even if they don’t go ‘as planned’. I was following your lead and decided to put ‘kind’ notes on the bathroom mirror at work. Every time I came in…it just looked so silly. I feel like I need to do it again today, just so it feels like a part of something bigger…not just a random thing some random person did. Funny. Go, change the world, one stolen muffin at a time. (Shame on him, by the way!)
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Outstanding!! Love that idea!! I am going to take a page from your book and walk around with notecards and tape for mirrors, cars, etc! Love!! Look any less silly today??
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