21 Kindnesses
Mon, January 28, 2013 at 12:37AM “Regardless of the staggering dimensions of the world about us, the density of our ignorance, the risks of catastrophes to come, and our individual weakness within the immense collectivity, the fact remains that we are absolutely free today if we choose to will our existence in its finiteness, a finiteness which is open on the infinite. And in fact, any man who has known real loves, real revolts, real desires, and real will knows quite well that he has no need of any outside guarantee to be sure of his goals; their certitude comes from his own drive.”
Simone de Beauvoir
I've been feeling blah. There's a lot of art going on, art I'm happy with... but I am feeling blah. Maybe it's the January blahs. Like I am not sure where I'm going, but I am going there fast. Twenty-one was my favorite number for many, many years, because it was Roberto Clemente's number and we thought he was great.
So I want to do 21 kind things. This idea started today, at the grocery store, waiting to order low sodium ham at the deli. There as a pregnant woman with two kids about 6 and 8. She was yelling at the 8 yr old. He looked so darned sorry about whatever he did. It's tough when you are exhausted and your kids are all wound up. I made a comment about how I liked the little girl's shirt and made a little joke and the little girl laughed and the mom smiled. I made another little joke and the mom smiled again and the most amazing thing happened. She turned around and hugged both of her kids!!! I don't know if it really and truly mattered. I will never know.
So. 21 kind things. Pay it forward, that kind of thing.
I also want to leave 21 comments on blogs where I have not ever commented, or have not commented in a long, long time. With the increase in pinterest and FB, there is a definite decrease in blog posts, blog comments, etc. Folks pin something to pinterest to share instead of sharing on their blogs. If these creative folks stopped blogging and stopped sharing their art I would miss them so!!! So I will also leave 21 comments on 21 different blogs. Need to find some place to start? How about Seth Apter's Art Blog list... or Hanna's huge link list... or I have a list to your right----->
Let's do this. What do you think?
Your favorite number might be six or seventeen. That's OK too. But maybe we could each do something this week that will make a difference to someone.
Reader Comments (16)
What a great idea! I kind of started the morning in that manner. Woke DH with a big smile and a kiss - and he looked at me and continued sleeping. I sang (out loud) to wake the girls (2y and 7y) and they giggled along with me in their beds. Until they needed to get their clothes on. Disaster. But I will keep on trying... :o) Thanks for the "peptalk"!
I can totally relate to the 'blah' feeling - on and off since we moved. I hope your's passes soon! :)
And of course, what you did at the store DID matter. I'm very sure. That's really one thing that's so easily done - smiling at someone or saying a nice thing, just a little comment or even just an uplifting greeting, holding the door for someone. I truly believe that those things matter and hopefully they initiate a 'pay-it-forward-urge'
Ha - just writing this makes me feel better too :)
In this sense - everyone who reads this: have a great day!
Hello
Yes I would like to join in. I am feeling blah too. I think focusing on others will help and so will joining in with this community again. I know I felt better when I was doing the ICAD challenge in summer 2011.
Thanks for this idea.
Will be starting later today after the day job.
Jan xx
i'm not good at posting to random sites but I am going through to all the ones I go to on a daily basis. It is important to let these people know that I not only appreciate their dedication to the blog-o-sphere, but that I am nourished by their art and lives. Great idea!
Wonderful post. My word for this year is Change based on the quote 'be the change you want to see in the world' and your post and inspiring actions embrace this!!
You sure did something HUGE today Tammy - yes, it matters!! There's a lot of talk about going back to the 'good ol' blogging' and leaving comments lately (Kim Mailhot here http://queen-of-arts.blogspot.nl/2013/01/i-miss-old-blogland.html and, as you said already, Seth...) I am reflecting on my own blogging these weeks and hope to come back 'refreshed' after my blog-retreat. Hope your 'blah feeling' will go away soon (it's almost February you know, and after that: March - SPRING is making its way to us!)
Another bad case of the January blahs too - I think its just that dark of the year time when we aren't yet into the hope (and signs of) Spring? If you want to visit somewhere new, come to http://atcexchange.blogspot.com - I'll put the kettle on!
I LOVE the page you featured above!
{Tammy} Marit, I popped over to Kim's blog {I'd not visited before} and was SUPER happy to see that Kim had written about this subject as well. Thank you for the reference. I don't know how you keep up with everything!
That's awesome. I totally recommend it. RAOKs restore my faith in humanity, so it's great to BE that for someone else.
I recently finished 26 Acts Of Kindness and you can read about it here: http://www.maryhassound.com/2013/01/26-acts-of-kindness.html
I just wanted to let you know how happy i was to find you again! I finally figured out how to use Google Reader on Flipboard on my ipad and now i am catching up - your blog makes me happy! I'm no artist, but i have a passel of children and often love using cool ideas/inspiration with my littles :). Thank you for making the internet more cheery and beautiful!
Hi Tammy !
I have had your blog in my RSS Feeds for a long time and do pop in and see all the awesoem, inspiring and creativty juju that you do.
Thanks so much for stopping in and visiting my blog. I agree that it would be absolutely awesome to see Blogland rejuveninated and revived with new juice ! Happy to join in and make it so !
I have had some first hand experience with how loving, kind acts towards other can cure you of the blahs and make your life light shiny again. Brava for reminding us all of that !
21 Seems like a good number. Going to start today !
#1. Say thank you to someone.
Thanks, Tammy !
Happy Wednesday !
I think it's a great idea. I'm starting here...leaving a comment on a blog I've never been to before! I found you through The Queen of Arts because Kim said she's doing this. And I agree with you about pinterest and facebook -- both have been the contributing factors to a lack of blogging. I've given up facebook (gave up pinterest long ago) and committing myself to blogging.
upping you to 23
that's my number
my blahs are banished
maybe forever...
xox
I found my way to your blog looking for index card ideas......And I found so much more!!!!! I am so on board with this idea of doing kind things. I will start today, and I will shoot for 21, but I plan to just let it flow. Thanks for sharing this thought provoking and meaningful post. There is so much beautiful inspiration on your blog.
Blessings,
Tameko
Awesome idea! And yes, I think what you did encouraged mom! This post encouraged me. Thanks!