challenged

i'm always trying to be consciously aware of how i treat people. it is, after all, the golden rule:treat others how you would want to be treated. this is very important to me when it comes to my friends and family, but it's really important to me in how i treat strangers as well. you never know what kind of day that person you just walked by in the grocery store is having. you hear stories all the time about how ms. smith was having the crappiest day ever,but then a stranger did something-smiled, offered a ride, gave her five dollars and it just MADE her day. i know when i'm having a crappy day it's the little things, like the barista not charging me for an extra shot in my coffee, that perk me up.

earlier today, a big hearted friend of mine posted a link on facebook for the great kindness challenge that is taking place on august 13th. it involves children doing good deeds for others on this day. it's awesome because it gives the children the sense of how it feels to help other people out, as well as getting them involved in their community.

but it got me thinking.

just like how the "christmas spirit" shouldn't be around only during christmastime, people should do kind things for other people on other days this year besides august 13th. soooo i made a challenge for myself. lucky for me, i love a good challenge.

the great kindness challenge website has a list of 50 kind things for the children to do, but this list is also very applicable to adults. my(short term) goal is to complete every good deed on this checklist.

i'm really excited about this because there are a few things that are super easy and within my comfort zone (smile at 25 people, compliment 5 people, read a book to a younger child) and some that are just fun (take a treat to your local firefighter, cut out ten hearts and leave them on 10 cars).as i complete each task i will blog about my experience doing it and i'm sure, knowing me, there was also be plenty of pictures. :)

of course challenges are more fun when there's lots of people involved, so i invite anyone who is reading this to do the challenge with me!this can obviously be done in any city in any state and at little to no cost. it would be so fun to compare stories, and maybe even complete a step together! if you are interested, let me know!