A Holiday Challenge

“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” — Jean Baptiste Massieu

When my children were little as a way to embrace the spirit of the season, each day, we would all share three things we were thankful for and tie three red bows.  Eventually these bows adorned our Christmas tree. Not having young children at home anymore I called my college students in the beginning of November and asked them to email three things each day.  When I asked my husband, he agreed but balked about doing it every day.  His protesting didn’t last long.  Everyone emailed three things each day to each other.  It gave us all a window into each other’s lives that we don’t always get to see.  I went to the computer each morning excited to see what would be revealed.  Here’s a small sample of some of our thanks.

1. Dad putting me in dance
2. The Rockies
3. Being with Freckles during her last season.
4. Putting on the winter scarf
5. A mother who wants to keep a family scattered across the country together via email
6. My new rollerblades that I got for five dollars at the thrift store
7. Playing hockey tonight
8. Blackhawks on TV
9. The smell of fall in the air
10. 70 degrees in November
11. The kids on the block
12. Billy’s stint selling Cutco – without it I would never have owned Cutco knives!
13. I actually like my classes
14. Potato leek soup in about an hour and the new potato peeler
15. Hot cider
16. Visits and scrabble with Granny

This month, I asked my family to email each other acts of kindness.  This also is similar to something we did when they were younger that produced more bows on our Christmas tree.  I’ve challenged my college students to email their acts of kindness and my husband and I will do the same.   My challenge to my readers is to record or acknowledge each day an act of kindness.  Small acts are welcome and sometimes have a greater impact than you will ever know.  I kind word, a smile, opening the door for a stranger…these things all can make a difference.   If you take the challenge, come back here and comment and let me know how it goes.

This week:  Join the Holiday Kindness Challenge

 

Peace and Blessings,

Mary Jo

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