40 Days of Kindness, Gratitude & Simple Acknowledgments
Monday, November 28, 2011 at 10:04 AM “Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter every day epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.” Sarah Ban Breathnach
Today is my beautiful friend, Mindy Stern Meiering’s, 40th birthday. I had the pleasure of spending a fabulous week with her this past summer where each day was filled with epiphanies, awe and transcendent moments. Last week Mindy made a request on Facebook that in honor of her big day, we do something kind for ourselves or someone else. That’s the special kind of person Mindy is, so I wanted to do something exceptional on her behalf.
Taking myself for a refreshing sunrise walk was a good start on a Monday morning, but I wanted to do something more lasting in honor of this delightful woman. So, while out wandering and pondering, I landed upon the idea of a gift of 40 Days of Kindness, Gratitude & Simple Acknowledgments. Care to join me?
For the next 40 days, I am committing to sending at least one random note of kindness to someone in my life. My hope is to do this the “old-fashioned way” via US postage when at all possible. I have a beautiful new “Blessings” diary that someone gifted me on my birthday and I will use it each day to record who, how and what I sent. My hunch is that there will be additional ponderings to record as an added benefit of this endeavor.
Since we have just celebrated the holiday of Thanksgiving here in the United States and are entering the season of Advent and Giving, I would like to invite you to join me in 40 Days of Kindness, Gratitude & Simple Acknowledgments – your way. Wouldn’t it be great to celebrate because we want to and not because we feel we should? Think about the ways you can acknowledge the people who have helped shape how you experience life and the world. How would you like to be honored? What does expressing gratitude look like for you? Sharing your gifts of photography or poetry? A quick Facebook "hello"? An "I've been thinking of you..." note? Random acts of kindness? Prayer or intention setting? The possibilities are only limited by your imagination, so start pondering and share what you come up with here and with others!
Stay tuned for my journey over the next 40 days and I look forward to hearing about yours, too. Spread the word. It could change the world!!
Namaste.
Reader Comments (11)
Timing; Watched the movie Fireproof last night with my wife; based on the 40 days of love. Our introduction to this, we had never heard of it. Today I read your post on the 40 days of Kindness, Gratitude & Simple Acknowledgments. There is message here somewhere. We shall see in 40 days.
What a wonderful idea Kayce, and very much something you would think up. I'll start by saying I'm very grateful for you and all you do!
Lovely way to celebrate a birthday!
Namaste right back at you, your awesomeness.
Thank you so much, Kaycee! I am honored and so glad my request inspired this post and 40-day journey. One of the things I decided to do in honor of my birthday is write 40 letters of appreciation to the special people in my life. I am on 24... and each one I write reminds me how truly blessed I am to have such beautiful souls in my life. Like you!
shea - that is really interesting about the 40 days of love coincidence. i'm not familiar with that movie/movement either. yes, we shall see in 40 days :)
tess - i am very grateful for you... i also discovered you have your own gratitude thing going on. hmmmm. something must be in the air!! xo
maureen - i was delighted to see you pop in here so quickly especially since my posting is so sporadic. definitely a gratitude moment for me!!
betsy - the feeling is absolutely mutual. xo
mindy - thank you once again for the inspiration. i definitely feel like the blessings are already abounding by even broaching this subject of gratitude. happy birthday!! i'm so grateful to have met you this year!! xo
a couple of days late to the party, but I'm in!