35
For my 35th birthmonth, I decided to do 35 acts of kindness. 35 didn't seem like a lot. In fact, I felt like it wasn't enough. But I only had 28 days to complete the task I've given myself. Each one I dedicate to each year I've lived thus far. Some, I would say, are not even headline worthy, but it felt good doing them anyway.
And here it goes...
1. Donated blood during our community blood-letting activity.
2. Shared Cameron Von St. James' story about his wife's cancer and how they continue to fight it by spreading awareness and helping others acknowledge their fears.
3. Helped out friends who were in a bit of a bind.
4. Gave a generous tip to a waiter who looked like he was having a bad day.
5. Donated clothes to H&M in support for their movement to reduce waste.
6. Paid a stranger a compliment.
7. Consoled a family friend whose father had passed away.
8. Taught the kids at the playground the importance of sharing and taking turns.
9. Prepared dinner for our masseuses.
10. Helped promote a friend’s new business.
11. Prayed for a sick friend.
12. Helped generate donations to stop violence against women.
13. Answered trivia questions to help feed homeless animals.
14. Helped generate funds to save our oceans.
15. Answered trivia questions to help plant a tree.
16. Clicked on a site to protect wild animals and their habitats.
17. Answered vocabulary questions online to support the UN’s World Food Programme in feeding the hungry.
18. Clicked on a site to help children in need.
19. Helped generate funding to provide blankets for abandoned animals.
20. Clicked on a site to help save the rainforest.
21. Visited a website that helped raise awareness and rally condemnation of seal hunting.
22. Helped generate funding for food for primates rescued from illegal bushmeat hunting and trade.
23. Helped generate donations to benefit CarbonFund which works with both businesses and individuals to reduce their carbon footprint.
24. Helped generate donations to the Defenders of Wildlife who work to protect America’s wildlife.
25. Helped generate donations to provide books for low-income children and promote literacy.
26. Clicked on a yellow button on a French site to help provide food, shelter, and other support for abandoned animals.
27. Donated baby clothes and toys to Grace To Be Born.
28. Purchased Cloister Cookies from the Pink Sisters in Tagaytay for their fund-raising.
29. Selling, promoting, and using Human Nature products, which are pro-environment, pro-poor, and pro-Philippines.
30. Bought food from our favorite street-corner vendor and told him to keep the “change.”
31. Gave a stranger at the supermarket a gift certificate she can use to pay for her groceries.
32. Showed compassion toward 2 mall employees who made an error by overcharging my debit card.
33. Bought a stranger a cup of pearl milk tea.
34. Left tokens on top of several arcade games and rides for the next player/user to enjoy.
35. Gave a homeless person a bag that contained a bit of food, clothes, and some change.
