#20

Sunday August 29th, 2010
Usually, we have someone come to clean out our pool filters... the past two years, however, we just haven't and my father has always been the one stuck with the dirty job... I usually stay as far away as humanly possible from that thing... However, this time I offered to help him out with it.
I can honestly say it was THE MOST DISGUSTING THING I HAVE EVER DONE! Seriously... Two showers later, and I still feel like I'm covered in a year's worth of pool gunk... and not to mention the spiders... ewww......
But at the end of the day, I know my father appreciated the help, and it felt good to go out and do something productive.

Happy end of summer, all!

Keep it Kind
& Keep it lifted!
-C

#19

Saturday, August 28th, 2010
Tonight I made a donation to a foundation that I care a lot about. I've been meaning to give for a long time, and tonight I finally got the opportunity.

That's all for tonight, folks!
Keep it kind
& Keep it lifted!
-C

#s 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18

Hello helpful peoples!

Sorry for the delay in posting - I've been out of the country with (very) limited internet access, and a million and one things to do. Thankfully, I'm back now, and we can let the kindness continue! :)

SOOOO, here's an update on all you've missed:

#14

Monday, August 23rd 2010

Today I went on a 6 hour flight with a completely full plane... I had randomly been assigned the window seat, and in the spirit of AoK, I offered my seat to both of the people sitting in my row. Neither accepted the offer, but I made the effort (and trust me, it took a LOT to make that offer).

Also, just as a side-point, I met a really awesome guy from Switzerland while on this flight, and even though I was TOTALLY antisocial the entire flight (I thought he only spoke french) and he didn't have to go through customs (since he was taking a connecting flight to somewhere in Europe), he still offered to walk with me and carry my (super huge) carry-on to customs. I declined the offer, but it was a AoK that made me smile :)

#15

Tuesday August 24th 2010

Today I went touring with a friend through Old Montreal and the Old Port (both SUPREMELY cool places to visit), and to get around, we took the metro, a bus, and the metro again. On our way back, it was rush hour, and so the train was FILLED. Once one seat opened up, I was about to sit down, and then realized that there was an older guy sitting next to me, so I offered him the seat instead. It looked like he appreciated it, and later on two seats opened up for my friend and I, so it all ended really well!

#16 

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

For today's AoK, I went to help my friend and her older sister help set up their classrooms for the upcoming year. 

Also, tonight I went to a wedding, and while there I was accosted by a very grumpy, french-speaking, elderly lady, who literally grabbed my purse and refused to let go until I heard out her request. I was not so keen on this idea, being that I dislike grumpy elderly women who take my purse hostage, and yet for my AoK, I did my best to stay cordial, and I went ahead and brought this woman all the cookies and deserts she requested... at which point my purse was returned, and I got a very brisk thank you before speeding as far off as possible! 

#17

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

Today I left montreal, and returned home after a spectacular vacation from my real life :)

Though my parents insisted they really didn't want anything, I bought them a souvenir before leaving and made sure to get montreal-themed toys for the kids of a family friend. All of which were greatly appreciated, thank G-d. 

#18

Friday, August 27th 2010

Today I drove 30 minutes out of my way (and braved the freeway alone - a daring feat in and of itself)  to say goodbye to a friend, even though I had a lot to do and my mother wasn't so keen on the idea. If, she's reading this, I'm REALLY gonna miss you C, and I'm sorry that my visit was so short! Be safe! :)

And that's all folks!!!!

Keep it Kind

& Keep it lifted!

-C

#13

Sunday August 22nd, 2010
This is sort of a continuation of last night's AoK, but today my family and I went to deliver the food to my teacher's widow. I've never met her before, and since I get SUPER awkward in uncomfortable situations, I was really NOT looking forward to this... but she seemed appreciative, and I think it was important for us to let her know that there are people in the community who are thinking about her and are here to help.

Keep it Kind
& Keep it Lifted
-C

#12

Saturday August 21st, 2010
Tonight I helped put together a basket of comfort-food to deliver the wife of one of my teachers who passed away this past week.

R.I.P Mr. Mc... You'll be missed.

Keep it Kind
Keep it lifted
& do something nice for someone you take for granted - you never know how short life is.
-C

#11

Friday August 20th, 2010
For today's AoK, I went out and bought a bouquet of Gladiolus to give to my friends and their family. They are the most wonderful people I've ever met, and I'm so GLAD (get the pun?) to have them in my life :) But seriously, this family has taken me in, let me stay in their house whenever I wanted or needed to, fed me, clothed me (yay for hand-me-downs) and they've all been such an important part of my life these past four years. I don't know what I'd do without them, and these flowers were just a tiny way for me to show how much I appreciate them.

So without further ado,
have a wonderful weekend my blogger friends!
And keep it kind
& keep it lifted!
-C

#10

Thursday August 19th, 2010

For today's AoK, I played doorman, and made a point of holding open the door for everyone who was walking behind me in or out of the stores I visited (yay for shopping!) - some people didn't notice at all, but others said thank-you (which made me feel good at least!) and considering the amount of stores I was in and out of today, I was pretty pleased with it.

Keep it Kind

& Keep it lifted!

-C

#9

Wednesday, August 18th 2010
Today's AoK was something that I had a total blast doing: swimming! How, you may be wondering, is that an act of kindness? Well, let me expound:
A very close family friend, has three adorable little kids that have been a part of my life since almost the day each of them were born. The youngest one still insists that I'm her 'step-sister' and though we've tried many times to explain to her that we're not ACTUALLY sisters, she still doesn't get it. Anyhow, over the past year or so we've all been busy and haven't had much time to spend together except when they'd come to my house for help with school work or just to hang out for an hour. The middle child, (we'll call him 'B' for privacy's sake) had told his mother a few days ago that he missed how we all used to go swimming together, and his mom related his complaint to me. So, today they all came over to my house for, what they thought, was just going to be another boring afternoon reading, me helping them with their summer-school homework, and maybe playing video games. Instead, however, I jumped into the pool and we all had a great day swimming, and hanging out as in years past. It was a lot of fun, and the kids were all really excited... and I was happy to put a smile on their adorable little faces :)

Special shout-out to Soldier, who was there during the festivities!!!
:)

Keep it Kind
& Keep it lifted!
Gooooooooood night!
-C

#8

Tuesday August 18th, 2010

Today I told people who I often take for granted that I appreciated them..
And that's all for tonight folks!

Keep it Kind
& Keep it lifted!
-C

#7

Monday, August 16th, 2010
ONE WEEK DOWN!!! wooooot wooot!
Okay, so today's AoK is one that (providing you are able) I strongly encourage you to go out and take part in yourself! It will take somewhere between 5-30 minutes (depending on how far you live from a book store), cost between 1 and 8 dollars and is a really great way to help the children in your community. At our local Borders Book Store, they've started a literacy program (though the name escapes me) where you can offer to purchase a book for as little as $1, and it can be donated to a local school, womens' shelter, or a whole host of other places in the community. It's really cheap, and I think that it's a great way to not only promote literacy, but also help out underprivileged kids. I went ahead and donated a few books, and I was really happy to see that a big company like Borders was so invested in 'giving back'.

So, that's all folks!
Keep it kind
& Keep it lifted!
-C

#6

August 15th, 2010
Gosh, I hate to do this two days in a row, but today's AoK is another one whose details I don't feel totally comfortable sharing. I feel super redundant starting a blog about this stuff, and then deciding to keep so many things private - but I think its safer that way, and it keeps all of you in suspense ;)

So, in other news, I've been thinking up ideas for AoKs, since it's almost been a week (yippee!) and my creativity is just not kicking in yet. I've got quite a few tricks up my sleeve, but I'd like to open it up and ask for suggestions: what things make you happy? And what do you really appreciate? I, for one, am in love with thank-you cards. They're my favorite thing to receive, and I keep almost all of them either in a notebook or hanging on my wall. I love it when people take the time to express their gratitude, and I think a thank-you card is the perfect way to do it... So you can expect to see some "gratitude AoKs" in the future (I'm actually thinking of starting a whole series of different ways to say thank you... but I don't want to get overly ambitious here). I've also been thinking of little ways to improve my community that won't take too much money or time (neither of which I have), so you can expect to see some of those too.
Anyway, I'd love to hear what you have to say!

Keep it kind
& keep it lifted!
Happy sunday!
-C

#5

Saturday August 14th, 2010
Today's AoK was something small I did to help a family member out. The details of this one are going to stay between the two of us, but the act itself helped me realize that making someone you see every day smile is just as important as helping a random stranger on the street.
:)

Keep a look out over the next day or two... I have a pretty special AoK planned, and I'm excited to see how it turns out!

Keep it kind
& keep it lifted!
-C

#4

Friday August 13th, 2010
Since I didn't get outdoors much today, I figured I'd go simple and choose an AoK that I always appreciate receiving: a phone call from a long-lost friend (ok, maybe not SO long lost, but you get the idea)... I scanned my contacts list, and found 3 people that I haven't spoken to within the last 3 months. So I gave them each a quick call to set a time to catch up and wish them a great weekend.... When I'm having a hard week, its always little things like that, which help me get out of a "funk" and I'm constantly grateful for my thoughtful and talkative friends :)

So, have a spectacular weekend
keep it kind
and keep it lifted!
-C

#3

Thursday, August 12th, 2010
Driving down Wilshire, on our way to the LACMA, my friends and I pulled up alongside a police car. The fuel door on the car was left open, and so (after some mild cajoling) I was convinced to roll down the window and inform the officer of her mistake. Normally, I would never have thought twice about this act, except that the person in question WAS a police officer, and in the (relatively recent) past, I have not had such positive experiences with cops... especially those of the female persuasion (is it just me, or are they always acting TOUGHER than the guys???) In any case, I overcame my fear and let her know. The cop was quite cordial, and thanked me for telling her. And thus, my friends, ends today's installment of 365 Random Acts of Kindness :)

Keep it Kind :)
and keep it lifted!
-C

#2

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

Surprisingly, I may have (already) topped the list of "helping others" cliches (or, almost at least) with today's AoK. How, you may be wondering? Well, just short of helping an old lady cross the street... I helped a blind man cross the road... So, here's how it went down:
 While crossing a major street this afternoon, a blind man stepped out onto the road... my friends and I were walking beside him. As we walked, he started veering to the left, and into the way of oncoming traffic. I ran up to him and (after a moment of awkwardness and complete idiocy when I said 'this way' not realizing that he had no way of seeing where I was! - fail) told him to stay to the right. 

The experience left me feeling a little... weird. I don't know how else to say it. My friend and I burst into nervous giggles after we had safely crossed the street, and part of me was seized with the urge to stay beside him and help him navigate the crazy city streets... and we stayed close for a while, but it made me wonder: 

What must it feel like for someone who is disabled in any way to HAVE to get assistance from others? The man seemed grateful, but also very embarrassed. I know that if I were in the situation, I would be mortified. I like my independence, and don't like it when others step in and try to tell me how to do things... Is it ever hard to live, knowing that everyone around you is worrying for you?

I'd appreciate some other people's opinions on this... its a train of thought I haven't really encountered before.

Keep it Kind! :) 

and keep it lifted!

-C

#1

And so it begins...
I was talking with some friends about the project, and the conclusion was reached that I shouldn't be allowed to do the same thing twice. While I'm not sure if my creativity will produce 365 unique AoKs (I think I like the sound of that acronym), I'm going to try my best to keep it original. So, without further ado... let's get this thing rolling!

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010:
Today's AoK wasn't a very large one, and I'm not totally sure if it made a difference, but it made me feel good, and if anything, it kept someone from having to waste 5 cents.
I watched as someone pulled into a parking spot today that had a parking meter on it... the meter was out, so I went ahead and dropped in a nickel as I was passing by. It wasn't a lot, but hey - you never know what one small deed could do! (at least thats what I keep telling myself ;)
Hope tomorrow's proves more interesting!

Until then -
Keep it lifted!
-C

Introduction

Hello!
So lets go ahead and get the basics covered:
My name is Chana. I'm a high school student, and I started this project partly out of curiosity and partially because I believe in 'passing it forward.' Everyone has had someone (be it a friend, family member, teacher, or complete stranger) do something nice for them in the past - and a lot of times its that one small act that says "I care" that can make a day or change a perspective. I'm pretty lucky to have had lots of those moments in my life - especially this past year - and so this upcoming year, I intend to give it back.

Originally I had planned on executing this project in private - keeping a journal entry of each day's act - but after much thought, the reason I decided to make my project a public affair was that I'd like to hear what other people's random acts of kindness are, and if even one person stumbles onto this blog and decides to do one kind thing for someone else today, then I think that this blog has served its purpose.

I won't be posting the details of every act I do - some things are better kept private - and I can't promise long in-depth posts. This blog is simply a record of the little things that each of us can do to make our community, our lives, and (though I don't want to sound too pretentious) maybe even the world a better place.

Keep it kind & Keep it lifted!
-C