Random Acts of Kindness Week

Carry out a random act of kindness with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” – Princess Diana

“Because that’s what kindness is. It’s not doing something for someone else because they can’t, but because you can.” —Andrew Iskander

Kindness is the “quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.” Do you remember having an actual dictionary at your house or maybe in your classroom? I bought a huge one at a book fair one year and considered my self quite lucky! I was certain future students would love it! Oh, the naivete of a new teacher! Nowadays, I just google the word. I wonder if today’s students would have any idea of how to use a dictionary. I’m sure there are many, many skills we’ve lost over the centuries. But, I digress! Kindness is such an easy concept. Just be friendly, share, and be careful of hurting others’ feelings.

“Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.” —Harold S. Kushner

Back when I was teaching, my school corporation had adopted a curriculum model called Highly Effective Teaching. In its former life, HET was known as Integrated Thematic Instruction (ITI). You can read more than you want to here. There were many components to the model, and I spent many summer days and hours working on my curriculum and classroom. One of those components was teaching Lifeskills and Lifelong Guidelines. We had to display these in our classrooms which were all thematically decorated. My co-teachers and I used a camping theme. If I do say so myself, we nailed that theme! We had a class song (sung to the tune of “Great Big Gobs…”) as well as many, many other little chants all tied to the Lifeskills and Lifelong Guidelines. Strangely enough, none of those included kindness!

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” —The 14th Dalai Lama.

Many do credit Princess Diana with beginning this attitude of kindness when she held the hand of a patient with AIDS in 1987. Random Acts of Kindness Day began in 1995 in Denver, Colorado and spread to New Zealand in 2004. I’m not sure when I became aware of this day. I’m not going to pretend to tell you I am always kind. There are moments in my life that make me shudder when I think of them. Granted, most of them are from when I was in my adolescence and early adulthood, but I like to think I have evolved into a kinder person.

“Remember, there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” – Scott Adams

I had no intention of writing a post about kindness until I googled what is celebrated on February 15. Then, I came across the information that the entire week is Random Acts of Kindness Week. I thought it was the perfect subject for a blog post. I was a Student Council sponsor at our elementary school. One year, for Random Acts of Kindness week, we had the students write little notes for teachers and staff. I know the kids had so much fun coming up with notes, and the staff loved reading them! It was such a small act, but it truly did ripple through the school as the kids waited for the staff to read their notes.

“You cannot do kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

As I go into this week, I’m also thinking a lot about my mom. She passed on February 18. She was ready. I was not. I doubt many are ready for the passing of someone they love. I think that’s why Emerson’s quote above resonates with me. For most of us, we have absolutely no idea when that last moment is going to occur. But, these last moments don’t just apply to death, do they? Last moments occur every year for teachers as they bid adieu to their students. These last moments may occur when a friend moves cross country or a few hours away. Last moments might occur when someone just decides they are done being your friend (and, yes, that has happened to me). Wouldn’t it be nice to know the last moment included an act of kindness?

“Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” —Blaise Pascal

Oooh, I do remember learning about Blaise Pascal in one of my many math classes in college. I had a minor in math, can you believe it? I like that someone who is known for his mathematical and physics contributions still felt kindness was important in the world. Think about the last time someone said something kind to you. Did it make your day? I know, when I receive any kind of compliment, I walk around on a bit of a cloud for quite some time! Kind words, sincerely meant, can honestly change someone’s day.

“Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.” —Anne Herbert

A couple of weeks ago, I needed to make a return. I had no intention of going into J Jill, but you know what happens with intentions! I popped into the store just to look around. OK, I really wanted to see this sweater! In my head, I was saying, “I’m not buying anything. I’m not buying anything. I’m not buy…Oh, look at that!” I was absolutely not going to buy anything except maybe this sweater.

But, I’d worn a dress so I needed to try on a pair of pants to see how the sweater would work. And, then, Heather, the store manager said, “Oooh, you know what would look really cute with that? This white blouse!” Imagine her surprise when I told her I only had one white shirt, and it was linen! And, of course, Heather was right! This sweater is so comfy and such a luscious shade of greyed lavender. The leggings are the carbon color and are a blue/grey color. The shirt has 3/4 sleeves with stitched down cuffs. I wanted them to be longer so I unpicked the stitching. I was then able to fold them up over the sweater sleeves. I did buy the sweater in a misses size for added length.

The Lewk

I decided to go all out with bling for this lewk! I was sure I’d worn this necklace on the blog before, but I can’t find it. It’s an old Stella & Dot statement necklace. Some times, I will cinch it up as tight as I can so it wears like a choker. The two other necklaces are also old and from Banana Republic (seen here). The spiky bracelet is the Rebel from Stella & Dot (looks to be discontinued). The magnetic bracelet is Victoria Emerson (similar). The other two stone bracelets and large earrings are old eBay finds. The bracelets are prasiolite which is green amethyst.

Not quite there yet, but…

I do not currently have any types of affiliate links…fellow bloggers, if you have any hints on how to accomplish this, I’d appreciate it. But, I thought I’d include the disclaimer information should this ever happen! Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. On this post as well as all past posts, italicized links are provided as a convenience to you.

Wrap it up, Marsha!

I think I’ve said it before, but many times, when I sit down to write a post, I have no idea what I’m going to say. This was one of those posts! I hope the quotes spoke to you on some level. I know, from experience, even a simple Post It note can light up someone’s day. A sincere compliment to a complete stranger gives you as much joy as it does to the recipient. How about you? Do you like giving compliments? And, how do you respond to a compliment? Did any of these quotes resonate with you? Will you participate in Random Acts of Kindness Week? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can have a conversation! Thanks, as always, to my subscribers!

Where I frequently link up:

Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag and Doused in Pink. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs!

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