26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #20: A Simple, but Unexpected Gift

Ready for another Intentional Act of Kindness?

This challenge is simple and easy, but a fun one to complete.

If you're anything like me, every little penny gets pinched till it can't be pinched any more.  The extra little things just don't happen in our family.  So when they do happen, the little things are actually a very big deal.

So this challenge is all about the simple things.  Pick up a special treat for a friend, ... or a spouse, .... or a child.  A favorite soda to go with dinner, a dessert for Saturday night, a pretty piece of jewelry for a friend...

The challenge is to keep it small and simple.

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #19: A Hot Meal

Ready for another Intentional Act of Kindness Challenge?  This one requires some forethought, but it's one that anyone can appreciate.

As you're planning your meals this week, think about someone you can bless with a hot meal.  That might mean planning your husband or kids' favorite meal this week.  Or it might mean planning a meal for a friend or a neighbor.  Who do you know that could just a little encouragement?

There are so many in our lives that could use a night off: the friends who's kids are having health problems, the mom that's overwhelmed, the neighbor who is unexpectedly hosting family.  If you look around, I'm sure you'll someone who could use a night off.  So put on your thinking caps and think,... who can you bless with a hot meal?

What Intentional Acts of Kindness are you practicing?

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #18: Warm Towels

Here's an Intentional Act of Kindness to practice in your own family.  It's so nice to step out from the shower and be greeted with a warm towel.  But how often do we take the time to  practice this guesture?

This week, why not warm your children's or husband's towel for them while they're in the shower or bath.  Greet them with a warm smile and a warm towel as they step out.  It's an easy act of kindness, but one that require intentionality and thoughtfulness.

What about you?

How have you been practicing Intentional Acts of Kindness?

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #17: Pregnancy Center

It's been quite awhile since we did an Intentional Act of Kindness so I thought one was way over due.  If you're new to this series, we've left bubbles at the park for kids, learned about holding the door for others, left encouraging notes on public mirrors, blessed our neighbors and more.  Although this series has certainly taken longer than I had planned, I'm glad we've done it.  It's brought to mind a deeper consciousness of the people around me.  And disciplining my kids in this area as well.

Our next Intentional Act of Kindness has been on my heart for some time.  Around mid-summer, we were on a road trip.  Hubby and I started talking about the next year and where  we were putting our time and money.  One of the ideas we tossed around was putting more energy into supporting our local pregnancy center.  It just seemed like a natural step from where we're at as foster parents.

So I want to do some cleaning in the next couple of weeks: go through the clothes that the little one has outgrown.  Put some things aside for the little cousins and then fill a bag for the pregnancy center.  And I really need to clean out my maternity clothes.  It's time.  So part of this is to clean and donate that as well.

Therefore, your next Intentional Act of Kindness is to contact your local Pregnancy Center, find out what they can use, and donate what you can.  Even if you don't agree with the politics of all this, I think we can all agree that there's nothing wrong with supporting women, children, and families.  Can you donate clothes?  Formula?  Baby gear?  Diapers?  Where in our budget can we find the resources to help these families?

Are you in?

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #16: Look in the Mirror

How are you doing practicing Intentional Acts of Kindness?  We're per half way through and I love how loving on others is becoming a more intentional part of our family's culture.

Are you ready for a new challenge?

Challenge #16 is to leave encouraging notes for others.  Do you ever look in the mirror and just see the gray hair?  Or maybe the bags under your eyes?  Or may that blemish that was too hard to cover with concealer?

What if someone was standing right there in that exact moment to tell you that you're beautiful?

Or maybe you're looking in the mirror remembering how you yelled at your kids this morning.  Or how you had a fight with your husband before work.  Or how you haven't talked to your mother in awhile.

What if there was someone there to encourage you to make a change in that moment?

So here's the challenge:  Write out a series of encouraging notes on post-its and carry them in your purse/bag as you go about your life in the next week or so.  Then when you're in a public bathroom, leave one on the mirror.  At the library, the grocery store, the gym, the park, ... wherever you find yourself.

Maybe one says You're beautiful.  Another says You make a difference.  Still another encourages Today is a new day.  I don't know about you, but I'd love to have a little encouragement in my day.

Are you ready for challenge?

How are your Intentional Acts of Kindness going?

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #15: RedBox Love

Hey there, Mamas,

Our last challenge was to leave a couple of diapers and wipes at a public changing area to bless another mom who might be in a tight spot.  We chose the library to make our drop.  Our library has a wonderful children's area complete with family bathroom and changing area.  So the kids and I borrowed the key and left diapers and wipes.

Our library is always very busy with a wide range of patrons.  From some of the most affluent of our community to some of the most down and out families.  Our hope is that those diapers and wipes served to be a blessing to a mama who found herself in need of a little encouragement in her day.  I've been praying that they would be found by just the right person.

Ready for our next challenge?

This next challenge is to leave some money at a Redbox to bless the next customer.  I know as a family on a budget, Redbox is often the surest way for my hubby and I to have a date night or to spend an evening relaxing with the kids.  It doesn't take much and that's what makes this challenge a great one.  It takes so little to bright up someone's day.  So get creative.  Think about your target.  And go find a way to pay for someone's Redbox (Blockbuster, etc) rental!

Share with us how your Intentional Acts of Kindness are going... Have you noticed a difference in your kids (or yourself)?  What has blessed you the most in these challenges?

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26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #14: Diaper Blessing

Well, since we didn't finish our 26 Intentional Acts of Kindness in 2013, I decided to continue the challenge on into 2014.  It's been fun to challenge myself and the kids in blessing other through these challenges and I hope your family has been blessed and will continue to be blessed in the new year.

Ready for Challenge #14?

This one's for those Mamas with little ones.  Have you ever been stuck somewhere and the baby has a blow out and there's just not a diaper in sight?  I know I've been there for sure.  Typically it's the most inconvient place to leave: the grocery store, the library, sometimes the gym.  Wouldn't it be nice if a diaper just seemed to drop from heaven?  Well, maybe we can make that happen for someone else.  Challenge #14 is to leave a couple of diapers and some wipes in a public changing area.  Think about where you might be doing errands throughout the day and just leave a few items to bless a few mom.

Can't wait to hear how it goes...

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #13: Ready for Fall Blessing

Ready for another challenge?

The tree in our front yard is dropping leaves like crazy.  I love this time of year with the changing colors and the kids living it up in the huge pile of leaves.  They make for a lot of fun ... and a lot of messiness.

What if we all took our rakes, our energy, our warm autumn afternoons and raked someone else's backyard?  An elderly neighbor?  A disabled vet?  That single mom who is busy round the clock?  What if we just showed up, uninvited, and raked someone else's yard?

So that's your challenge... my challenge... our challenge!  Here's to the secret leaf raking society!

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #12: Appreciate your Librarian

Hey how did your mission go this week?  Were you able to bless someone with a surprise?  Our lives have been crazy.  CRAZY!  Did I say crazy yet?  My husband and I had a weekend getaway planned a few weeks ago and we both had the flu during some point of that weekend. Then the two older kids went to the lake with Grandma and she got the flu.  To top off this joyfest, our A/C went out on our hottest day of the year.  One hundred seventeen degrees.  That's 117!  Needless to say, we need a do-over on Challenge #11.  But I'm really hoping you had better success than we did.  :-)

Are you ready for a new challenge?

Show your appreciation to the librarian.  I know our librarians put up with a lot.  Lately people have been stealing the CDs out of the cases.  So now they have to file the CDs behind the counter and scan each one individually for patrons, besides how busy the library is for the summer reading program.  Our library has been BUSY lately and these librarians are working extra hard to make it a great place for all of us.  So how can we show our appreciation?  Drop off some cookies, offer to shelve some books, bring some cool snacks on a hot day, offer to help with crowd control during story time... what ideas will you come up with?

Will you join us in an Intentional Act of Kindness?

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #11: Vending Machine Blessing

This past week we set out to do something nice for our mailman.  He's so busy and delivering mail in the summer heat is no fun.  So we chilled a couple of bottled waters and set them out for him along with a granola bar for an afternoon pick me up.  Simple and thoughtful, and didn't take a lot of time.

I think that's what I'm learning most in these challenges.  Blessing others doesn't really take that much time.  But it does take some forethought.  And that's really changing the way my kids and I think about others.

Are you ready for the next one?

For this challenge, we're back to leaving change at the vending machines.  I don't know about you, but my kids and I are out and about all week long.   Going to the gym, stopping by the library, picking up something at the store.  There are numerous places to complete this challenge.  So we're going to bank and picking up some quarters.  Don't forget to leave with a note letting the recipient know they're there to take.  And bless someone with an unexpected cool drink or snack for the day.

Will you join us in this challenge?

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #10: Bless your Mailman

Our challenge last week was to write notes to a loved one telling them why we love them.  Since there's been a lot of sibling rivalry going on in our house lately, I decided to have the kids write notes to each other.  And since it's summer, we turned it into a project.

I encouraged the kids to pick each other's favorite colors and make a card for the other.  On the each petal of the flower, they wrote something they loved bout the other or something they loved to do together.  Some of them really surprised me.  

"I love slip n sliding with you."

"I love playing kitchen with you."

"You're a great swimmer."

"You tell funny jokes."

"I love you more than you know."

All in all, it was a great exercise and I'm really hoping it helps with some of the craziness around here.  I know they really do love each other; it's just hard to communicate that to each other.  But I really loved hearing what was going on in their heads.

Are you ready for this week's challenge:

We have a great mailman who works hard every day.  The temperatures have been topping 100 degrees and here he is walking the streets, delivering mail every day.  What a long day!  So we want to do something to show our appreciation.  I have a few ideas: some fresh fruit or snack to give him a mid-day pick up, a cool drink in the afternoon, something to brighten his day.  I'm putting my head together with the kids and we're going to come up with something great.  :-)

How about you?  

Are you ready for the challenge?

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #9: Love in the Family

  

We had so much fun with our last Intentional Act of Kindness.  The kids really got into this one.  We picked up some three packs of bubbles from Dollar Tree.  Then while we were at home, the kids tied notes to them with a sticker.

We waited till there was quite a few kids at the park then Noah and Lydia ran around and hid them all over the playground.  We continued to play after that, keeping on an eye on the spots where we knew they were hidden.  

Funny thing is, the joke was on us.  We kept watching the kids look at them, but no one picked them up.  Finally, Noah couldn't stand it any long and he had to tell the boys they were for them.  So in the end, they figured out the bubbles were from us, but it was still a lot of fun nonetheless.

Are you ready for another challenge?

This challenge can keep you close to home or far away, depending on how you adapt it for your family.  We're going to write notes to someone we love, telling them why we love them.  For our family in particular, I'm going to have the kids write to each other.  And I'll probably write one for each of them.  But this is a pretty open challenge.  Kids can write to their grandparent, a teacher, a neighbor, etc.  It takes so little to brighten someone's day and especially hearing that they are loved.

Are you ready for the challenge?

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #8: Bubbles at the Park

Sorry guys,
I was going through my blogging calendar a few days ago and realized it's been ages since I posted an Intentional Acts of Kindness challenge.  I've had a few ideas running around in my head, but they just haven't made it here to Creative2xmom.  But we're back on the challenge bandwagon.  Ready for the next one?

For this challenge we're going to brighten a stranger's day.  And a little one at that.  This time around let's leave a bottle of bubbles in the park for a child to find.  The weather is warming up and more and more kids are spending the afternoon at the park.  The dollar store sells the small bottles in a three pack.  So pick up one... or two... or three.  Write a note for each one and leave them where the kids can find them.  Take your kids along to hide them around the playground and then sit back and watch till someone finds them.  What a great way to bring a special little surprise to someone's day!

Will you join us in this challenge?

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #7: Cleaning for Others

Hey there,
It's time for another Intentional Act of Kindness.  How did last week go?  Did you learn something new about a neighbor around you?  We have an elderly neighbor across the street from us that our kids have adopted. A couple of weekends ago we even had the chance to attend her 90th surprise birthday party.  Yep, 90 years old and still just as active as ever.  My kids have taken to popping over to her place once or twice a week, just to say hi.  So this past couple of weeks we've looked for opportunities to bless her as well, everything from taking out her trash to taking her an Easter card.  Funny thing is, my kids just want to keep giving her more.  I think we're developing a true friendship.

Ready for this week's challenge?  Here's #7: Clean something for someone.  Do you know someone who needs help cleaning out a garage?  Someone with a new baby that could use an afternoon off while you clean the kitchen?  Maybe someone who just needs you to clean out their flower beds?  Let's get out there, roll up our sleeves and get to cleaning.  Think of what a blessing you and your children can be in someone's life.  Let's get cleaning!

Will you join us as we march through our 26 Intentional Acts of Kindness?

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #6: Blessing your Neighbors

So we missed another one and this is one that I really wanted to follow through on.  And one I will be going back to int the future.  The hospital can be a lonely place and whatever we can do to help out a little, I want my kids and I to be involved.  So we will be doing this, just not right now.

I think that's been one of the hardest lessons for me as a mom.  No matter how noble the cause, I just can't do it all.  And I hate that.  There is so much of the world for my kids to see and be involved in.  I just don't ever want them to forget to look out for everyone else around them.

But moving on.  I really hope you've had a chance to complete this last challenge and you're ready for this one.  This one keeps us a little closer to home and those we know best: our neighbors.  This week's challenge is to find a way to serve your neighbor.  Dinner, trash morning, running an errand, mowing their lawn... How creative can you be?  Here's your chance to step out your own front door and bless your immediate community.  Best of luck!

Will you join the challenge?

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #5: Hospital Vending Machines

In our search to be purposeful in loving others, our last assignment was to bless someone monetarily.  Through prayers and lots of keeping my eyes and ears open, I felt the need to reach out to a new mom. She's a first time mom and many of us can remember what it was like in that first year, getting our bearings and trying to figure out who we are in this new role.  So I just wanted to bless her and remind her that she's not alone.  While I was out this past week, I picked up a $5 starbucks gift card and a card congratulating her on her new addition to the family.  We wrote a short message and then popped it in the mail.  I hope it brightened her day.

What about you?  Where you able to bless someone this week?

This next challenge we're busting out and take it to the streets.  During the next two weeks, we're going to the hospital to leave change at the vending machines.  We live in a very small community with a pretty small hospital.  So we're going to leave some change taped to the soda and vending machines.  I think this will be a great opportunity to open up a variety of conversations and I really look forward to doing this with the kids.

Will you join us in an Intentional Act of Kindness this week?

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #4: Blessing Others

So I fell down on my job last week and didn't post an Intentional Act of Kindness.  I had a plan for what I wanted to do in sharing some food hospitality with someone, but as happens to all of us, life just got away from me.  Finally I was able to make some baking time with my kiddos and we delivered some Strawberry Rhubarb Cookie Bars to our elderly neighbor across the street.  She's been so good to the kids and they seem to have developed quite a relationship.  Our relationship since we've moved in has been such a blessing.  We truly lucked out when we got her as a neighbor and I can only hope we're as much a blessing to her as she is to us.

Ready for another Intentional Act of Kindness?  This one is going to require a little money, which might be a sacrifice for some of us.  I know it is for me, but what better way to really demonstrate kindness than in sacrificing for someone else?  Over the next two weeks, we're going to be thinking and praying about someone that we want to bless.  Maybe a mom that needs a little break or a family that could use a meal.  Maybe it's just a friend who could use a new bottle of fingernail polish.  Consider who you might want to bless then send them a gift card just to let them know they're cared for.  It couldn't be as simple as $5 for Target to pick up something special or a gift certificate for a family dinner.

So start thinking and praying...

Crack open your wallets...

And bless a friend!

Who will you touch with an Intentional Act of Kindness?

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #3: Dinner Delivery

How are you being intentional in your day to day life?  Well, we're on a journey of being more intentional with others this year.  And in the process, I'm bringing my kids along with me.  In the last two weeks, we've written letters of love and encouragement to our family.  The kids' enthusiasm and excitement for the project was actually a little overwhelming as it ended in an afternoon of construction paper, ribbon, markers, and all the trimmings.

But their energy for the project was inspiring.  In fact, I found myself sitting down and writing my own letters to some dear friends.  Funny thing is, what was meant to bless someone else made me feel so blessed in remembering our friendship and all that we've been through.

Our Intentional Act of Kindness for these next two weeks is to fix a little extra dinner and deliver it to a friend or neighbor.  This can be as big or as small as fits your time and budget.  Maybe you know of a family who could use a break for the evening.  Or maybe you have a neighbor who just needs to know they're being thought of.

Don't have dinner in your budget?  Cookies, banana bread, a mix of fresh fruit... whatever it maybe... food goes a long way in opening relationships.  There's something homey about food and it reaches deep into people's souls.  This is one Intentional Act of Kindness that's sure to be a hit.

So get your kitchen ready...

Who will you bless with something yummy?

Won't you join us in Intentionally Acting in Kindness?

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #2: Thinking of You Notes

I'm loving this journey that we're embarking upon.  Twenty-six Intentional Acts of Kindness throughout the year as we bless others... how are we acting intentionally through out our days and teaching our children?    I'm excited about where the year will take us and how both my children and I grow through this experience.

The past couple of weeks have been interesting.  We've been holding doors for others and observing some interesting reactions.  I've tried to point out to my kids that we do this as a way of being polite and blessing others.  They're still kids so sometimes it goes over their heads.  But in small ways, I see it taking an effect.  My 7 year old son is starting to be more observant of those around him and that's a step.

Our Intentional Act of Kindness these next two weeks is to mail love notes to our family that is far away.  Yes, we're celebrating love as Valentine's Day gets closer and we're reminded to tell those we love.  How often have we all longed for someone to remember us?  I know I often walk to the mail box, wishing for something other than bills and the weekly grocery flyer.  It's a great opportunity for the kids to say I love you and be an encouragement to those we don't get to see often.

I'm participating in the challenge as well by mailing a letter to a friend.  Mail?  What's that?  Oh, it's the slow, time consuming sacrifice of writing out your thoughts.  There's something special, almost sacred, about a handwritten note and it's a gift that I'll be giving in the next couple of weeks.

So who will you encourage today?

Who needs to hear that you love them?

Won't you join us in Intentionally Acting in Kindness?

26 Intentional Acts of Kindness #1: Holding the Door

I'm not sure I really like the term "Random Acts of Kindness."  I love the idea and thought behind it, but do I really want my life to be defined by random acts?

As a mom of three, I don't have time for random.  My life is so crazy busy; if I'm not intentional with my time, days just fly by.  At the end of the day, I wonder if my time has been spent building the kingdom or putting out fires?  And while there are certainly fires to be put out, I want to be known as a kingdom builder.

So it's time to turn that phrase around.  What if we walked through our days intentionally blessing others while our kids watch?  What if we built into our lives an intentional thought process of genuinely thinking of others?  What would our families look like?  What would I look like?

We're embarking on a journey, my kids and I, and I'd like to invite you in coming along with us.  Purposefully, prayerfully, and intentionally, we're going to pick an act of kindness to bless others every two weeks throughout the year.  It won't be expensive, extravagent, or overwhelming, but rather something simple and thoughtful.

Will you join us?  Pretty please?

Every two weeks, I'll post the Intentional Act of Kindness that we're working on.  Then I'll include a link-up for you to add your post, inspiring all of us.  This will be a chance for all of us to inspire and encourage each other with shared stories and new ideas. 

Additionally, if you don't have a blog, you can always share your ideas and thoughts on the Creative2xmom Facebook page.  Feel free to post pictures that you might have as well.

Our family's first Intentional Act of Kindness is making an intentional effort to hold the door for others.  My husband and I were talking the other day about how harried life has become and how the little things have gone by the way.  So for the next couple of weeks we're going to look for opportunities to hold the doors for others.  I especially want to incorporate my kids in this one as it's a very easy way for them to bless others.

So come on... Won't you join us?  How can you be a bless to others?

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