Expose Your Kindness

I've really been looking forward to this post, not just because it’s in collaboration with one of my favorite bloggers and friends Lauren, from Felix and Flora, but because it’s about spreading kindness.  This year has been significantly marked by hatred and disaster. Unthinkable and unbearable pain has been felt by so many people, people who need a glimpse of hope.

Which brings me to the heart of this post, I want to end this year and set the tone for the next one by giving others a bit of that hope and spreading some light into the darkness.  And I want to do it with you!

I want you to #exposeyourkindness

 This time of year is famously known as a time of giving, but more often than not, it unintentionally becomes about what we want.  With all of our wishlists, it is so easy to make things about ourselves.  However,  I want us to be aware of what others want/ more importantly, what they need. 

 Kindness can be exposed in big ways, such as joining or starting a non-profit for a cause you’re passionate about, being intentional about giving up your time, money, etc. to help someone else, inviting someone into your home that doesn’t have one, or inviting someone to your holiday celebrations who doesn’t have anyone to share this time of year with, starting the process of becoming a foster parent, making a generous donation to a charity or organization you love, the list is endless.

A friend of mine, who really did expose kindness, ran 50 miles to raise funds for childhood cancer research.

Don’t underestimate the little things as well. Simply smiling or having a conversation with a stranger, where you genuinely care about what he or she is saying, brightens his or her day. As cliché as it sounds, it’s true. Everyone just wants to feel as if they are seen, they are heard, and that they matter, and by taking the time to listen to them you are telling them that they are worth the time and that they matter.  

I would love for you to share with me how you are exposing kindness by tagging me if you post about it on social media! If you don't want to post that's perfectly okay, the kindness part is what matters. 

I would not write this post and ask you to do something, if I am not willing to do it myself. So, here are a few ways I am #exposingkindness.

I am not asking for anything specific for Christmas this year. I told my family that presents were not a necessity, and I would rather they use the money to donate to a cause they are passionate about or to go out and serve others who need it. I understand, this is not a new concept, but it's a first for me. I'm also being more intentional about sharing kindness, by donating to some of my favorite organizations and charities. Along with these, I will seek for opportunities where I can show love to others and meet their needs. 

Some Ideas on Where to Give:

Disaster Relief: https://www.worldrelief.org/disaster-response

End It Movement: https://enditmovement.com/

Conner's Heroes Foundation: https://www.generosity.com/medical-fundraising/inaugural-river-city-50-miler-hurtin-for-a-cure

Pencils of Promise: https://pencilsofpromise.org/

Feed More: https://secure3.convio.net/feed/site/Donation2?df_id=4121&mfc_pref=T&4121.donation=form1

Housing Families First: http://www.housingfamiliesfirst.org/donate/

Hope Tree: http://hopetreefs.org/support-us/