WHERE IS THE LOVE?

Crisis in the Middle East.  Domestic violence.  Racial tension.  These are just a few of the headlines that maximize the news media these days.  So much negativity around the world  that the mere thought of it all brings about a heaviness that is depressing.   I notice more people on edge and angry.  More people are more anxious and depressed.  This can't be life as we know it, can it?  

Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world".  This quote resonates with me.  I may not be able to solve the world's problems single-handedly, but I can be the person to show love and do my part to make a difference in someone's life.  Suddenly, the idea of random acts of kindness came to me.  A random act of kindness is defined as a selfless act performed by a person wishing to assist or cheer up another person.  Imagine if everyone was intentional about being kind and showing some love?  

For the month of October, Mending Maria is hosting a challenge: 31 Days of R.A.K.  Every day in October, make an effort to perform one random act of kindness to at least one person.  To make this more fun and engage more people, I have decided to add a giveaway!  You can earn a chance to win a $25 Starbucks gift card every time you tweet your daily RAK. Use the hashtag #31daysofRAK and you will earn one entry to the giveaway. You can also earn a chance when you follow @MendingMaria on Twitter and subscribe to the Mending Maria Mondays blog.  

My goal for the month of October is to purposely seek out ways to make someone smile.  Despite all of the negativity on the news and the life challenges we face daily, we can still be a light in a dark place and share the love.  My teen nephew gave me his Top 10 list of what we can do during 31 Days of R.A.K.

1. Pay for someone's gas 
2. Let someone go in front of you in line 
3. Give away your parking spot
4. Mow your neighbor's lawn
5. Pay the toll for the person behind you
6. Buy a homeless person a meal
7. Help change a tire
8. Donate books to the library
9. Write someone a thank you note
10. Volunteer at a charity

There are thousands of other random acts of kindness you can perform.  Take these few days before October to come up with your list of how you can brighten someone's day.  Every day I will tweet a different R.A.K  to give you more ideas of what you can do.  Together we can be the change we want to see in this world.

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Mending Maria