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Well, can you believe it. We’re in the last month for 2008. It’s the season of festivities and love, where we celebrate the birth of Christ and remember all the good things that have been made possible through him.
Now, whether you are religious or not, I’d love for you to take part in this challenge! It’s been on my mind for the past few months. Here’s what I’d like you to do.
I would like whoever may stumble upon this post, to perform a random act of kindness for someone this month.
- Starting date is TODAY, December 4th 2008 and this will run until the new year finishing at midnight on January 4th 2009.
- Once you have performed this act of kindness, I would like you to blog about it on your own blog.
- In your blogpost, I would like you to link back to this post.
- Then leave me a comment on this post so I can view your story.
- Once confirmed that you have indeed spread some love this holiday season, I will add your name to my lucky dip basket and on January 5th 2009 I will draw and announce the winner of this gorgeous painting (below).
Title: Pure Love
Size: 25cm x 25cm
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Artist: CTTK aka Chavah Kinloch
About the painting:
This particular painting was inspired by famous artist Cy Twombly. It was created as part of a NZAG Masters Challenge and was voted both Members Choice and Most Creative Use of Theme. It has been exhibited in both Auckland and Invercrgill and when it’s not away on exhibit I have it displayed in my own home in the dining room where I have had comment after comment about it.
Now it can be yours! I LOVE this painting but seeing as everyone else is going to be doing something kind, the least I can do is offer this as a reward. I think it’s a fitting painting choice for this challenge.
Definition of a random act of kindness:
A random act of kindness is a purportedly selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual or in some cases even an animal. There will generally be no reason other than to make people smile, or be happier. Either spontaneous or planned in advance, random acts of kindness are encouraged by various communities.
An example from my own life:
I was a mother at a young age. If anyone has been in a situation similar to mine, or known somebody in a situation similar, you’ll know that it is a very hard and scary place to be both emotionally and financially. While my husband and I both did everything we could to prepare for becoming parents, there was definitely a lot of struggle when it came to finances and dealing with judgement from some people.
One day my husband, myself and our 2 very young children were loading our things into the car after spending a few hours window shopping at the local mall. It was one of those days we just needed to get out of the house. All of a sudden an asian man called out and came running towards us from the shops. At first we just stood there, thinking there must have been someone behind us he was calling out to but when we looked around we realised he was speaking to us
He slowed down and approached us asking “Do you have a baby?” We were puzzled by the question but nodded and said “Yes”. He then reached out his hand and handed me a Pumpkin Patch bag while saying “I buy too much.” I stood there stunned and tried to say no but he pushed it toward me and said again “I buy too much, this is for you.” My face lit up and my eyes welled up with tears as I thanked him for his generosity over and over again. After all, at that point in time Pumpkin Patch was a place my young family couldn’t afford to shop at. We said goodnight and headed home.
Once we arrived home, we looked inside the bag. Inside it was the cosiest little outfit I’d ever held and attached to the items were the price tags which added up to over $100. I’m still overhelmed by this random act of kindness by a man I’d never met before or ever seen again but this memory will always remind me how showing love, respect and kindness can turn someones day and sometimes life around. I still have the outfit, it has gone through three children now. That man taught me a wonderful lesson on how much one small act, can impact a persons life.
I look foward to hearing from you!
*You may enter more than once but must have one act per entry.
**Everyone is invited to participate no matter where you live.
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OMG – Chavah I’ve gotten all teary over that guy in the carpark, what a beautiful person!
WOW! I have goosebumps!! That is just such an amazing story … ! I love your challenge I think it’s fantastic
Thank you ladies
It’s obviously had a huge impact on me. This was about 5 years ago now that it happened. I feel it’s time to pay it foward. I’ve done little things before but I’m hoping for a little more this time. So glad you both stopped by and left a messege!
What a wonderful challenge and story Chavah. I had to read it out to my husband too. I am definitely inspired.
Fantstic Melissa!
Sophia has goosebumps, me too! I have already posted my entry on my blog before reading your response Chavah, where you talk about paying it forward. Those were the words I used, too! Here’s the link to my blog:
http://juliesartblog.blogspot.com/
Huge kudos to the Asian man who overspent at Pumpkin Patch!!!
Fantastic Julie! Add me to the list of goosebumps, I’ve had so many messeges the past few days and now reading that someone has actualy taken on the challenege and completed it… wow. I just had chill after chill go down my spine. I can’t wait to read more! Thank you Julie:)
Here is a link to my blog posting about my RAK, quite unexpected, unplanned, but just perfect. http://thecraftychook.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-cheer.html
Oh, and I blogged about your RAK giveaway in another blog post, to let my readers know about it too
Thank you Aunty Brenda, that is a beautiful story! I think by the end of this month I’ll be all cried out hahaha.
Hey Chavah, Such a great challenge and lovely to read ….I’m not sure if this qualifies as I’ve never been one to look at what I do as a random act of kindness – but here goes… I got a phonecall yesterday – one of our members father in law died suddenly in the night – she had her artwork booked to exhibit in 2 days time but just couldnt work out how to do get it there – so I told her not to worry and I did the 2 hour round trip to collect it from her and sort it out. Didn’t feel like much in the scheme of what they are going through but hopefully gave them one less thing to think about ….
Hey Soph, that definitely counts so if you can add it to your blog etc you’ve got yourself a completed entry! You should feel pleased with yourself, that was a very generous thing to do and I’m sure the member is absolutely grateful you helped ease her heavy load at this time.
Heya, would you just settle for a link to this challenge on your blog (whihc I was going to do anyway lol) rather than me actually writing my “story” Feel a bit embarassed as I would have dont the same for anyone …
Awww Soph, you have no need to be embarrassed. I am ok with just a link but I really encourage you to share your story. You never know who may be reading your blog and be inspired by it and Of course you’d do it for anyone, you’re a caring person! I don’t think anyone that participates is actually going to be doing this for any glory. I really think it takes a certain type of person to even consider thinking of anothers happiness. Sadly, it’s a dying breed.
I did somethings, so here they are. I’m still looking for something more significant but my story is on my blog.
Lisa
Thats fantastic Lisa! Sorry for taking so long to respond, feeling a little under the weather. Can’t wait to read your blog
Chavah I just wanted to thank you for doing this and I wrote you a thank you on my blog, but just wanted to thank you here as well. Thank you so much for doing this.
Lisa
Hi! I’m sure you don’t know me, but I saw your post on BabyCenter, and I knew I needed to pass on the many kind things that have been done for me. The first thing I wrote about I already had in the works when I saw your post, but the second one was purely spur-of-the-moment on Christmas Eve…enjoy!
http://tnkrbel.wordpress.com/
Thank you for remembering! I’m off to read now:)
Lisa, thank you also, I stopped by to read and really appreciate that you took part.
It’s so refreshing to find articles like the ones you post on your site. Very informative reading. I will keep you bookmarked. Thanks!