Last week, I recommended one of my favorite blogs, People I Want To Punch In The Throat. Lest you think I am a mean and nasty kitty (I am not, I am actually quite gentle!) I am offering balance this week by recommending another one of my favorite blogs:
by Ryan from In Or Near Chicago, IL
As the title of the blog suggests, the author has a goal of completing one random act of kindness daily for the entire 366 days of 2012. We have all seen the bumper sticker that encourages us to "practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty"; but how many of us actually do that? I mean really; do the owners of these bumper stickers even follow their own advice on a somewhat regular basis? Or would that make their acts of kindness less random? I digress...
The reason I like this site is because it points out the simple things humans can do to make the world a better place - from making a difference to one person to making a difference int he lives of many. This week, while my Mommie was riding on a bus, the driver got to preaching about how it is easier to hurt a stranger than someone you love; which is why people take their anger out on people they do not know - the cashier at the supermarket; the slow driver in front of us; the person who looks at us the wrong way while passing us on the street. Maybe, instead of ruining their day by reacting with anger, we could all try to act with understanding - which would be a random act of kindness in and of itself, now wouldn't it?
366 Random Acts Of Kindness blogs daily about the kindness planned or done; and even offers an update on how the pre-planned kindness went. One of my favorite kindnesses was one from this week - Day 54: Gave Away Free Wishes. The author describes how, as children we wish upon everything; but as adults many of us outgrow this charming habit. He has not; and shared the child-like pleasure by standing on a street corner in downtown Chicago, offering pennies as "free wishes" to anyone who wanted to throw them into a fountain. The results he describes are both touching and humorous!
366 Random Acts Of Kindness offers ideas for all of us - some of which can lead to stronger relationships with the people in our lives, like Day 46: Became A Pen Pal To A Sick Child or Day 33: Took A Soldier And His Family To A Game. Some are obviously more of a commitment than others - time-wise, and financially - but it costs no money and only a little time to do something like the author did on Day 42: Donated An Old Cell Phone (it took less than 10 seconds).
366 Random Acts Of Kindness is inspiring, funny, thoughtful...and if nothing else, a good way to brighten your own spirits! I recommend it to families with young children who are trying to teach those children the importance of being kind to others; or to people looking for community service project ideas, as many of these acts can be done on a group level; such as Day 48: Passed Out Free Soup (to the homeless). I also recommend it to people who are seeking to be more generous of spirit, but haven't a clue where to start; or even to people who need something to brighten their - or a friend's - day. The language on the site is family-friendly, so you do not have to worry about what young eyes might see; and you can even browse the site as a family! What could be nicer than that? I suggest you do that right now, so I can go take my nap on that luscious spread of Sunday newsprint!
Snuggles,
Tazi
P.S. For every Facebook "Like" and Twitter "Follow", 366 Random Acts of Kindness will donate 10-cents to charity! --T.K.
Confidential to Mr. FJZ and Ms. PYZ: My deepest condolences on the passing of your beloved kitty-cat.
Ask Tazi! is ghostwritten by a human with a Bachelors of Arts in Communications. Tazi-Kat is not really a talking feline.
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