In the words of George Costanza, “I am speechless. I am without speech.” This morning I woke to the most amazing gift on my 100th day of kindness – over 100 (the magic number) beautiful people who have reached out and shared their own amazing kindness stories, their insightful thoughts and their positive encouragement.
I will do my best to respond to you all individually tomorrow, and I will also share today’s kindness story with you, which was one of my most moving kindness experiences to date. But right now I just want to say THANKYOU. There have been many moments on this kindness journey when I felt discouraged and I wondered if anyone saw the value of what I was trying to achieve. Thanks to all of your kind words there will be far less of those moments from now on. It’s amazing to know that there are so many kindness crusaders all over the world. And don’t worry, you don’t have to be doing a whole year of kind things to be a crusader. There are so many ways to be kind – just wishing for more kindness in the world is a kind deed in itself.
And for those courageous souls that participated in the kindness challenge today, THANKYOU, and please feel free to share what you did and how it went! I would genuinely love to hear all about it.
I hope your week has been kindful so far. And if it hasn’t, you know what to do!
yearofkindness 
Jul 13, 2011 @ 23:03:13
Beautiful and inspiring!
Jul 14, 2011 @ 12:14:12
Thanks, Ilana. Just checked out your website – what an incredible organisation! Helping children feel like children certainly is magical under those circumstances. It makes my heart swell to know there are people out there doing such beautiful work. And I love, love, love the starfish story!
Jul 13, 2011 @ 23:54:44
You’ve inspired me. I teach 3rd grade and each year teachers and students celebrate the 100th day of school in a variety of ways. Why not challenge my students to engage in acts of kindness each day, then come up with some sort of large-scale, philanthropic celebration? Please let me know if you have any ideas, and keep it up!
Jul 14, 2011 @ 11:21:24
That’s fantastic, Cameron! I actually spoke to a group of high school students a few months ago and some of them have since taken up their own kindness campaign at school which was amazing (bringing lollies for the teachers, cleaning up rubbish in the playground)! Also, I used to be a preschool teacher and I did a kindness project with them. We created a Kindness Tree to hang on the preschool wall (all the kids helped to paint it and cut out the branches) and then everytime a child did something kind (e.g. helping a younger child wash their hands) I would write the kind deed on a paper leaf and they could place a leaf on the tree. They absolutely loved it! Feel free to email me if you’d like to know more (yearofkindness@gmail.com). Otherwise good luck with your project and do let me know how it goes. We definitely need more kind teachers in the world! 🙂
Jul 14, 2011 @ 02:22:13
“There have been many moments on this kindness journey when I felt discouraged and I wondered if anyone saw the value of what I was trying to achieve.”
But you did it anyway – and that’s what real kindness is about 🙂
Thank YOU!
Jul 14, 2011 @ 06:52:41
I completely agree!! Keep doing what you’re doing, in the words of Jerry Seinfeld, “Alright!”
Jul 14, 2011 @ 08:17:23
Thanks pandp. Gotta love Seinfeld! There’s a quote for every situation!
Jul 14, 2011 @ 08:56:57
Yes, you’re right enermazing, I did do it anyway, because I believe kindness is of value no matter how it is taken or viewed by others. Kindness is kindness is kindness!
Jul 14, 2011 @ 02:32:41
You’ve really gone beyond your comfort zone, and have a plethora of people taking notice. Keep it up!
Jul 14, 2011 @ 08:45:56
It’s a little bit crazy, Eric! But amazing, too. The power of Freshly Pressed, huh? You keep all your kindness up too – all this shows how much projects on giving are appreciated and supported, even when we don’t know it!
Jul 14, 2011 @ 02:38:13
What a beautiful message you’re sending to the world. Thank you so much for sharing kindness and paying it forward. The best thing? You don’t need anything in return when you’re giving freely. Keep up the hopeful spirit. We need it in this day and age. 🙂
-Mimi
Jul 14, 2011 @ 08:42:19
That’s very true, Mimi, I’ve learned not to expect anything at all when being kind and that makes it far more enjoyable. Someone paying it forward or expressing gratitude is just an added bonus. But it sure is amazing knowing there are people all around the world who support the kindness cause so strongly!
Jul 14, 2011 @ 02:48:10
I stumbled across your blog on Freshly Pressed yesterday and I’m sure glad I did! What an awesome and inspiring idea. Thank you for bringing much-needed kindness to this world and keep up the good work!
Jul 14, 2011 @ 08:35:24
Thanks for reading and commenting, sprivera. It definitely is much-needed, and I will! Very cute blog, btw – love the Gandhi quote! 🙂
Jul 14, 2011 @ 09:06:32
You’re very welcome, and thank you for checking my blog out too! The first post of yours I saw (Kindness Army: Now Recruiting) inspired my post from today and was meant to be an act of kindness for an ex (coincidentally, today marks 100 days since you began your kindness journey and also happens to be my ex’s birthday…how cool!).
Quotes and song lyrics are two of my favorite things and that particular Gandhi quote has always meant a lot to me :). Here are some of my favorite quotes about kindness; hopefully you’ll find some use for them!
“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” -Dalai Lama
“Three things in human life are important: The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.” -Henry James
“Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust and hostility to evaporate.” -Albert Schweitzer
“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” -Lao Tzu
Also, you had mentioned guest bloggers so if you’re ever in need/interested I’m more than happy to help contribute!
Jul 14, 2011 @ 09:13:47
Lovely, Shawn! I’m a huge fan of quotes of any kind, I’m always collecting them. Absolutely, shoot me an email (yearofkindness@gmail.com) and let me know what kindness-related topic you would like to write about, or alternatively, what change you would like to see in the world (my kindness journey was partly inspired by Gandhi’s “be the change you want to see in the world” quote.)
Jul 14, 2011 @ 05:40:58
To help celebrate your 100th day of kindness I myself made a small gesture of kindness. I wrote a nice message on a post-it and carried it around with me today, looking out for opportunities to use it. I finally planted it, sandwiched between 2 tuna cans in a stack on a shop shelf. I hope someone finds it and it make them smile.
Can’t wait to here what you did.
Jul 14, 2011 @ 08:21:21
That’s fantastic, I love that Jo! I imagine someone would have been very surprised and happy to find that as they were shopping! And I love that you just went with your instincts, too. Awesome.
I will try to write about yesterday’s kindness this afternoon – it was pretty amazing.
Jul 14, 2011 @ 11:09:02
You are an inspiration true to ur heart and soul !!! I guess it’s always the ‘uncomfortable zone’ that stops us from going ahead with such meaningful acts…but u have so successfully set an example that..it might not be easy but it is worth it…worth making this world a better place to be in.May this ‘kindness’ be contagious enough to dwell in every heart !! Thank U for being U !!! God Bless !!
Jul 15, 2011 @ 21:17:31
Thankyou, incessantme. I think it is definitely fear of feeling uncomfortable that stops people being kind to strangers. Being judged or misunderstood is something that I find scary each and every time. But you’re right, it’s worth it if it makes someones day brighter and makes someone realise there is good in the world.
Jul 14, 2011 @ 12:09:14
I hope I did your mission justice! Keep up the great work Cat, you are such an inspiration to us all! 😀
Jul 15, 2011 @ 21:24:44
Like I said, you went above and beyond, Lexy, I was blown away to read your post detailing all those gorgeous kind deeds.
Jul 14, 2011 @ 15:10:25
Here is my contribution to your kindness army. A small thanks. Congrats again on the link to Freshly Pressed!
http://resolvetogive.wordpress.com/2011/07/13/post-christmas-resolution-day-201-–-kindness-to-a-stranger/
Jul 15, 2011 @ 21:21:53
Your kindness was really lovely, Eric. Thankyou for being a support and inspiration from the very beginning if this project, it is always a help to know someone on a similar journey!
Jul 14, 2011 @ 17:44:44
I would like to begin by telling you how inspired I was after reading your post, and how I admire your bravery and dedication. This is an incredibly worthwile cause. You never know exaclty what impact on act of kindness will have on a person. I recall receiving an e-mail from my father a few years ago. It told the story of a young boy who dropped his books as he was walking home. Another boy stopped to help him, and proceeded to walk with the boy to his house. It was later revealed that the boy who dropped his books had intended on commiting suicide that day because he did not feel as tho anyone cared about him. This other boy however, showed him that he was not invinsible and prevented his unnecessary death. This e-mail made me sit back and reflect on how we can make a difference without fully realizing the implications. Keep doing what your doing because you may have just saved a life yourself. Thank you for sharing your incredibl journey. On a side note – my daughter and I made oatmeal butterscotch cookies for her teachers on the 13th. I took pictures on my post for that day if you would like to see =) I look forward to reading more in the future!
Jul 15, 2011 @ 21:31:15
I was so moved by your story, fresh, I have shared it with several people who were also deeply affected by it. My very first post posed the question “Can kindness be powerful?” and your comment proves beyond a doubt that it is one of the most powerful forces there is.
And what a gorgeous kindness. I can’t tell you how my heart warms when we teach children the value of kindness. And the value of teachers! Beautiful.
Jul 16, 2011 @ 16:35:47
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing. Alex absolutely adores doing things for others. In fact she is not shy at all, and will run up to people and give them hugs…lol. At times I get embarrassed but then I sit back and think for a moment, and I realize that I would not prefer her any other way. I love who she is as a person! If she likes to tell the world her story or share a hug from time to time then thats okay. Looking forward to reading your new post, and wishing you a great day/night =)
Jul 19, 2011 @ 22:59:36
Absolutely, you should be very proud! Being open-hearted is one of the most wonderful qualities someone can possess. You have obviously done an amazing job. 🙂 I really believe kindness is something that comes so naturally to children. I’ve done kindness projects with preschoolers and even the ones with the most challenging behaviour ended up being fully engaged and excited about the possibilities of helping others. You should check out my post called Chocolate and Rainboots and watch Sarah Kay’s spoken word poem “If I should have a daugher”. Just reading the way you talk about Alex reminds me of the beautiful wishes Sarah has for her own yet-to-exist daughter.
Jul 25, 2011 @ 20:25:28
Love the George Costanza reference 🙂