A to Z Challenge: B(e) Kind 366 - G is for Giveaway!

Last year I blogged A-Z with lists of acts of kindness. Here is G's list: Random Acts of Kindness beginning with "G." This year I'm doing an act of kindness (random or otherwise) every day in 2016 - that's where B(e) Kind 366 comes from - and blogging about it for the month of April.

Today, G is for Giveaway!

For the rest of the A-Z Blog Challenge and until the end of May I'm hosting a giveaway for all of you wonderful visitors! The prize is a Blind Date with a Book. The winner will receive a random book of my choosing!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A to Z Challenge: B(e) Kind 366 - F is for Feet, Friends, & Stress Free

B(e) Kind 366 has been in the works for a few years now. Every day in 2016 I'm doing an act of kindness (random or otherwise). In 2015 I blogged A-Z with ideas for RAKs. Here's last year's F list: Random Acts of Kindness beginning with "F."


Today was my best friend's birthday and my gift to her was a pedicure and dinner! We spent the afternoon at a salon getting our feet pampered and then had dinner out. It was below zero today, but our toes are ready for summer!



Today was also my last day teaching my first semester as a university instructor. After the students finished writing their final tests I handed out stress relief packages and said farewell!

Directions: Pop stress relieving capsules every four to six hours
or as needed. If symptoms persist, grab a sweet treat!

One specific idea from last year's F list is something I am actually doing every day: Fundraising. Part of B(e) Kind 366 is a fundraising campaign for three charitable organizations that have deeply effected my life. If you're able and interested in supporting me financially here's the link to my site: B(e) Kind 366.

A to Z Challenge: B(e) Kind 366 - C is for Chocolate and Consent Culture on Campus

I'm doing an act of kindness (random or otherwise) every day in 2016. That's where B(e) Kind 366 comes from. Last year I blogged A-Z providing alphabetized lists of potential acts of kindness. Here's the C list: Random Acts of Kindness beginning with "C."


I'll start with the fun part of this post: Chocolate! For some unknown reason, Chocolate was not on last year's list. Candy was, but not chocolate. Anyway, I just got back from leaving these sweet treats for some unsuspecting students who were studying at the university campus. It just so happens that the brand name of this chocolate is Carnaby and if we want to have even more C fun, the french word for pig is cochon. So we have a Carnaby chocolate cochon on campus for today's act of kindness!


Now for the not-so-fun, but definitely more important, Consent Culture on campus. It's a fact that universities and colleges across North America have a serious issue when it comes to dealing with sexual assault on college and university campuses.

A group of students on the university campus have organized a We Believe Survivors website to allow survivors of sexual assault to anonymously submit their stories. Today, as a lead up to their event on Wednesday - Airing BU's Dirty Laundry - they released this anonymous contract that a survivor of sexual assault was required to sign on campus. The result has been complete and utter outrage at the total disregard for survivors' rights as shown by this gag order. As an entire society we need to move away from rape culture and replace it with consent culture. University and college campuses are a solid place to start!

Connection Through Kindness (A #1000Speak Post)

May 20th marks month four of 1000 Voices for Compassion, an amazing movement of bloggers coming together to flood the blogosphere with posts dedicated to compassion. The kickoff in February was simply themed "Compassion," March was "Building Beyond Bullying," and April was "Nurture." May's theme is "Connection" and you can read all of the beautiful pieces by visiting the 1000 Speak link up. We post on the 20th of every month so if becoming a part of our community is something that interests you, please keep in touch and join us with your own post in June.

Once again, my 1000 Speak post will be directly connected to my own special project: B(e) Kind 366. In 2016, I'll be doing a Random (or not) Act of Kindess every day of the year to raise funds for charity. Throughout the month of April I blogged A to Z, listing Random Acts of Kindess that begin with each letter of the alphabet. It was a blast!

Today I want to talk about the connections that RAKing, and really just kindness in general, creates. On June 13th I'll be participating in the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life with my husband, best friend, and a group of her friends some of whom I've met and some whom I have not. We've all connected through our dedication to a cause that touches us all in some way.

One year, at my place of employment at the time, instead of purchasing gifts for one another like we usually did, my colleagues and I decided to adopt a family through Christmas Cheer. We connected over the purchase of food and gifts and shared in the delight of the family when we arrived with "Christmas" at their door.

A few years ago, my Mom and I spent Christmas Day serving turkey dinner to the community with Westman and Area Traditional Christmas Dinner. It was one of the best Christmases, and days in general, that I've ever had and I connected in a very special way with my Mom.

Just today, I put an ideas from my "Random Acts of Kindness beginning with P" list into motion. I mailed a Purple Box of Power to my closest friend from grad school. I met her during the first week and as soon as I found out that she was a Canadian prairie girl like me, we were connected for life! It's been two months since I moved back to Manitoba and she stayed in New Brunswick. While we were in the same city, we were each others' support system. I just know that this collection of purple "power" items will be a much appreciated surprise.


Nearly every day after I come home from work, I take my small dog, Memphis, for a walk. Since I've returned home from school my husband and I joke that we should change Memphis' name to Velcro because it is rare that he is not attached to me. I have a special connection with my little Pom-Chi and the best part is that our mutual love calms our anxiety (yes, Memphis and I both battle anxiety on a daily basis).

Random acts of kindness like leaving an extra generous tip for your server at a restaurant, telling a parent in the grocery store how well-behaved their children are, complimenting a stranger on their coat/hat/shoes, holding a door open for the person behind you, or even just smiling at someone you pass on the street all create, at the very least, fleeting, but often lasting connections with the recipients of your kindness. Those people are highly likely to tell a co-worker, friend, family member about "that nice thing that happened to them today," creating a chain of connections and inspiration to pay that kindness forward, through one simple act!

Go forth and be kind! The connections you will make in the process are truly invaluable!

A-Z Challenge: Reflections

A-Z is over and I made it! I had to cheat a bit at the end (due to poor health) by turning the final eight letters into two posts, but I made it! I blogged Random Acts of Kindness ideas for twenty-six letters and it was amazing! I listed 170 words and 365 acts! That means that if I actually perform every one of the acts I listed, I will have enough to complete B(e) Kind 366 - the whole reason behind posting all of these acts of kindness. 

I had a blast compiling each of the alphabetized posts and, judging from some of the comments I received, people enjoyed reading them. 

I have to give a huge virtual pat on the back to all of the A to Z Hosts! I was impressed each and every time one of them visited my blog. Jeremy Hawkins was the very first co-host to stop by and wish me well. S. L. Hennessy inspired my "If Jane Austen blogged A to Z" post and also paid me the best compliment I could have received by saying that my theme was one of the best she'd seen in the challenge. Aw shucks! Lisa stopped by to say how much she enjoyed my posts and C. Lee McKenzie is now my most recent follower. Alex J. Cavanaugh offered up a few ideas to add to my list and even the mastermind Arlee Bird himself stopped by a few times. That makes SIX co-hosts who found the time to visit little ol' me. 

Special thanks must be paid to Annalisa Crawford for actually taking the time to participate in my rather unsuccessful giveaway (I guess I better make it easier to enter next time!) and to Sandy for being my most avid commenter. I've been a fan of her work with Bridge and Beyond for years now and never tire of reading about the wonderful work she is doing for the homeless population in her city. 

Extra special thanks goes out to Randi Lee for showcasing me on her blog as part of her Sunday Series: Meet a Blogger! She even refers to me as The Queen of Kind! I think that deserves an "Aw shucks" as well. 

All in all I had an incredible time AtoZing this year! My goal was to start building a better following on my blog as I gear up to launch my kindness project in 2016. I am happy with the results and hope that many of the wonderful folks who stopped by my blog over the past month will continue to visit from time to time and, most importantly, will support B(e) Kind 366! 

A-Z Challenge: Random Acts of Kindness beginning with "W," "X," "Y," and "Z"

I'm still battling with my health, (although I am seeing some positive progress) so this post also contains four letters like the last one.

Throughout the A-Z Challenge I'll be blogging through the alphabet using each letter to create a list of Random Acts of Kindness. I've been collecting RAK ideas for some time now as I gear up to the 2016 launch of a project dear to my heart: B(e) Kind 366. I'll be performing an act of kindness every day of the leap year starting January 1st, 2016 while raising funds for World University Service of Canada (WUSC), an organisation that changed my life.

I'm starting each post with a synonym (of sorts) for kindness. I added this part to my posts because of an amazing movement I am a part of 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion. We link up monthly and blog about changing the world for the better. It's magical really. We're even on Twitter! @1000Speak

W is for Warm, but to be honest, I could not come up with synonyms for "X," "Y," or "Z."

Walk - with a friend, alone, take your dogs!

Warm and Cozy Toes

Watch - the sunrise, the sunset, the rain come down.

Wave - to people you drive past.

Wish - leave coins on a wishing well or fountain for others to wish with.

        

X (as in kiss - xoxo) - send someone a special message and use it to sign off, leave it as a comment on a loved one’s facebook, make some out of paper and leave caring messages on them.

XD (the emoticon for a laughing face) - text it, facebook it, tweet it!

X Marks the Spot - bury treasure in a playground and leave clues for a child to find.

Xavier Rudd - So much of Xavier's music is incredibly beautiful and kind. I've chosen one of my favourites, "Better People," to share with you. 

Xpialidocious - say it, sing it. Embrace the awesomeness of the “word.”

Yoga - attend a class, follow a video, try a different type (ashtanga, bikram, hot, restorative, vinyasa), attend a Yoga-thon!

Zombie Run - take part as a participant or a volunteer.

Zumba - try it! Attend a Zumba-thon!

That's it; that's all, folks! I'll do a wrap up post in a few days with a count of how many RAKs I listed A-Z. Here's a fun thought: before I do the count, YOU venture a guess and post it in the comments. I'll do something especially kind for the person who is the closest to the correct number. 

In addition check out my super fun "If Jane Austen Blogged A-Z" post, test your Janeite knowledge, and win some Jane Austen swag! 

A-Z Challenge: Random Acts of Kindness beginning with "S," "T," "U," and "V"

Well folks, my health has gotten the better of me over the past week which has led to me missing a few posts and packing S, T, U, and V all into one! Four letters makes for a long list of RAKs so I hope you find some inspiration!

Throughout the A-Z Challenge I'll be blogging through the alphabet using each letter to create a list of Random Acts of Kindness. I've been collecting RAK ideas for some time now as I gear up to the 2016 launch of a project dear to my heart: B(e) Kind 366. I'll be performing an act of kindness every day of the leap year starting January 1st, 2016 while raising funds for World University Service of Canada (WUSC), an organisation that changed my life.

I'm starting each post with a synonym (of sorts) for kindness. I added this part to my posts because of an amazing movement I am a part of 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion. We link up monthly and blog about changing the world for the better. It's magical really. We're even on Twitter! @1000Speak

S is for Supportive

The first time I shaved my head in 2011

Scented Soaps - put them in random lockers at the gym with a little note.

Shave your head! (I’ll be shaving mine on February 4, 2016 for National Cancer Day.)

Shopping carts - put some stray ones away.

Shower - for only five minutes.

Sidewalk Chalk

Sip-a-dee-do-da

Sing - to a child, at an open mic, at karaoke, in the shower, for your supper!

Smile - at strangers! Make a conscious effort to keep one on your face all day J

Smore People Like You

Snow flowers

Snowman Chocolate Bars

“Sock” someone!

Soda Bouquets

               

T is for Thoughtful

The toys and books I took to the
Children's Ward as one of my
29 RAKs for my 29th on Jan. 29

Take WhatYou Need - put these signs up in public places. 

Tell - a parent how well behaved their child is.

Text - someone just to say good morning or good night.

Thank you - make it public on a poster, make it private in a note.

Thankful list

Tic-Tac-Toe

Tip - leave a generous one.

Toys - take some to the children’s ward of a hospital, leave some a playground.

Trash Scavenger Hunt

Tweet - to promote a cause.

U is for Understanding

Unplug - electronics

Upside down - snowman, build one!

I couldn't come up with a "V" synonym; can you?

Virtual - greetings, smiles, hugs!

Volunteer - My plan is to volunteer with at least one different organization every month in 2016! 

Now that's a long list, but I am always looking for more RAK ideas so if any come to mind please do post them in the comments!

After all of that, be sure to check out my super fun "If Jane Austen Blogged A-Z" post, test your Janeite knowledge, and win some Jane Austen swag! The more people who enter, the more swag I'll add to the bag.

A-Z Challenge: Random Acts of Kindness beginning with "R"

Throughout the A-Z Challenge I'll be blogging through the alphabet using each letter to create a list of Random Acts of Kindness. I've been collecting RAK ideas for some time now as I gear up to the 2016 launch of a project dear to my heart: B(e) Kind 366. I'll be performing an act of kindness every day of the leap year starting January 1st, 2016 while raising funds for World University Service of Canada (WUSC), an organisation that changed my life.

I'm starting each post with a synonym (of sorts) for kindness. I added this part to my posts because of an amazing movement I am a part of 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion. We link up monthly and blog about changing the world for the better. It's magical really. We're even on Twitter! @1000Speak

R is for Respect

Random - Pick a name from the phone book and mail surprise note/gift  

Re - shelve misplaced groceries, -hang clothes that have fallen off store hangers, -use plastic and canvas grocery bags.

Read - to a child, to a senior, something you normally wouldn’t, something from a banned book list, something written by someone from a marginalized group, a book that someone recommends, to participate in a reading challenge or a read-a-thon. Read something and pass it along to someone else or leave it in a public place for a stranger. I recommend: Citizens of Nowhere

Recycle

Review – a book, a film, a restaurant, someone’s customer service, BUT make sure it’s all positive!

Run – 1km, 5km, 10km, a half marathon, a full marathon. Run to raise funds or run just to run! (I’ll be running a half marathon in December of 2016.)

Ride for Refuge (I'll be biking 25km in October of 2016.)

That's it for my "R" list! I am always looking for more RAK ideas so if any come to mind please do post them in the comments!

Since I keep urging you to check out my super fun "If Jane Austen Blogged A-Z" post to win some Jane Austen swag, it's only fitting that I give you an "R is for Reading" recommendation from Jane Austen's novels as well. If you have read two or more Austen novels, I highly recommend Northanger Abbey. It is, by far, my favourite. If you have never read Austen or have only read Pride and Prejudice, then I recommend Sense and Sensibility! It's hilarious and you'll love it! If you enter my giveaway, you'll have a VERY good chance of winning some read-worthy Austen books!

A-Z Challenge: Random Acts of Kindness beginning with "Q"

Throughout the A-Z Challenge I'll be blogging through the alphabet using each letter to create a list of Random Acts of Kindness. I've been collecting RAK ideas for some time now as I gear up to the 2016 launch of a project dear to my heart: B(e) Kind 366. I'll be performing an act of kindness every day of the leap year starting January 1st, 2016 while raising funds for World University Service of Canada (WUSC), an organisation that changed my life.

I'm starting each post with a synonym (of sorts) for kindness. I added this part to my posts because of an amazing movement I am a part of 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion. We link up monthly and blog about changing the world for the better. It's magical really. We're even on Twitter! @1000Speak

Try as I might, I couldn't come up with a synonym of sorts that starts with "Q" - can you?

Quarters - leave some by payphones, next to bubblegum machines, top up someone's parking metre.
Quiet - take a vow of silence for a few hours, for a whole day, for even longer if you can handle it!
Quit - Don't!
Quote - share some inspiring ones via social media.

My "Q" list is quite short, but I am always looking for more RAK ideas so if any come to mind please do post them in the comments!




Check out my super fun "If Jane Austen Blogged A-Z" post, test your Janeite knowledge, and win some Jane Austen swag! The more people who enter, the more swag I'll add to the bag.

A-Z Challenge: Random Acts of Kindness beginning with "P"

Throughout the A-Z Challenge I'll be blogging through the alphabet using each letter to create a list of Random Acts of Kindness. I've been collecting RAK ideas for some time now as I gear up to the 2016 launch of a project dear to my heart: B(e) Kind 366. I'll be performing an act of kindness every day of the leap year starting January 1st, 2016 while raising funds for World University Service of Canada (WUSC), an organisation that changed my life.

I'm starting each post with a synonym (of sorts) for kindness. I added this part to my posts because of an amazing movement I am a part of 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion. We link up monthly and blog about changing the world for the better. It's magical really. We're even on Twitter! @1000Speak

A sample Pay It Forward card

P is for Peace

Paper FortuneCookies

Pay It Forward - read the book, watch the film, but most importantly do it! If someone does something kind for you do something kind for someone else. 

Pet Cloud

Photo - send an old one to a friend or family member, offer to take one for a group of strangers, take on a Photo-a-Day Challenge.

Plant - a garden, a tree, flowers, something in a mug!

Play - with a child: make faces, peekaboo.

Poetry - read some, write some! (I will write a poem for everyone who donates to B(e) Kind 366 in April 2016.)

Positive - Free Thought Sign

Positivity Challenge - For 5 days post 3 positive things that happened to you or that you are grateful for that day. At the end of each day, tag/nominate 3 people to take part in the challenge.

Purple Box of Power

I have to give a special "P" shout out to Pinterest as part of this post. Most of my ideas for my RAK lists have come from boards on Pinterest. I've been linking to most of the pins when the opportunity arises on each post, but if you're interested in finding all of the pins in one place follow my new B(e) Kind 366 board and my 365 Days of Kindness board - a board I have been collecting RAK ideas on for over a year!

A bit of a longer list for "P", but I am still always looking for more RAK ideas so if any come to mind please do post them in the comments!


"P" also happens to be for Pride and Prejudice and while P&P is not my favourite Jane Austen novel, it tends to be the favourite of most people. It is also the subject of Master's of Arts thesis so I finally took the time to include a photo of the swag up for grabs in my super fun "If Jane Austen Blogged A-Z" giveaway! The more entries I get, the more swag I'll add so go and test your Janeite knowledge or even just venture guesses!

A-Z Challenge: Random Acts of Kindness beginning with "O"

Throughout the A-Z Challenge I'll be blogging through the alphabet using each letter to create a list of Random Acts of Kindness. I've been collecting RAK ideas for some time now as I gear up to the 2016 launch of a project dear to my heart: B(e) Kind 366. I'll be performing an act of kindness every day of the leap year starting January 1st, 2016 while raising funds for World University Service of Canada (WUSC), an organisation that changed my life.

I'm starting each post with a synonym (of sorts) for kindness. I added this part to my posts because of an amazing movement I am a part of 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion. We link up monthly and blog about changing the world for the better. It's magical really. We're even on Twitter! @1000Speak

O is for Open-minded

Off (the grid) - live without electricity, running water, electronics for a set amount of time. (I’ll be doing this in July 2016 for a minimum of five days.)

Offer - to help someone, anyone with something, anything!

Open - the door for someone.

Orange You Glad Basket

Order - delivery for someone else, dessert for a random table in a restaurant.

I decided to include a video of Matisyahu's "One Day" because it is such a beautiful song that perpetuates hope for a better world! 

That's it for my "O" list! I'm always looking for more RAK ideas so if any come to mind please do post them in the comments! 

Check out my super fun "If Jane Austen Blogged A-Z" post, test your Janeite knowledge, and win some Jane Austen swag!

A-Z Challenge: Random Acts of Kindness beginning with "N"

Throughout the A-Z Challenge I'll be blogging through the alphabet using each letter to create a list of Random Acts of Kindness. I've been collecting RAK ideas for some time now as I gear up to the 2016 launch of a project dear to my heart: B(e) Kind 366. I'll be performing an act of kindness every day of the leap year starting January 1st, 2016 while raising funds for World University Service of Canada (WUSC), an organisation that changed my life.

I'm starting each post with a synonym (of sorts) for kindness. I added this part to my posts because of an amazing movement I am a part of 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion. We link up monthly and blog about changing the world for the better. It's magical really. We're even on Twitter! @1000Speak

N is for Nurture

The really neat thing about this synonym is that "nurture" happens to be the 1000Speak theme for April. I chose the word for my "N" post before 1000Speak chose it for their April theme. Kind minds think alike!

Husky Raised by Cats Acts Like a Cat

Nature – spend some time it. Take on a 30 minutes a day for 30 days nature challenge. 

Negativity – counteract it with positivity. Ex. For every negative facebook post you see, post something positive!

New NeighbourWelcome Basket

News – watch it, read it. Read online news from another country to gain global perspective. 

That's it; that's all for "N"! I'm always looking for more RAK ideas so if any come to mind please do post them in the comments!

Check out my super fun "If Jane Austen Blogged A-Z" post, test your Janeite knowledge, and win some Jane Austen swag!

A-Z Challenge: Random Acts of Kindness beginning with "M"

Today is an extra special day: We are half way through the alphabet! "M" is letter #13 and today, April 15, is also my MOM's birthday! My Mom is my best friend, my cheerleader, my mirror, my sounding board, my support group! She is, by far, the most important person in my life! She is the reason I am the woman that I am. She is the one who taught me that kindness is always the answer. I dedicate this post to her!

Throughout the A-Z Challenge I'll be blogging through the alphabet using each letter to create a list of Random Acts of Kindness. I've been collecting RAK ideas for some time now as I gear up to the 2016 launch of a project dear to my heart: B(e) Kind 366. I'll be performing an act of kindness every day of the leap year starting January 1st, 2016 while raising funds for World University Service of Canada (WUSC), an organisation that changed my life.

I'm starting each post with a synonym (of sorts) for kindness. I added this part to my posts because of an amazing movement I am a part of 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion. We link up monthly and blog about changing the world for the better. It's magical really. We're even on Twitter! @1000Speak

M is for Mindfulness

Practice Mindfulness

Magic - learn some, perform it for others, believe in it (if only for a day)!

Memory Jar - make one for yourself or to give to someone special. 

Mirror - leave small ones with inspiration post-its stuck to them for people to find.

Money - give some, lend some, leave some in the children’s section of a dollar store!

Mud Run - take part in one!

Music - listen to something new, learn to play an instrument, support a budding musician, attend a musical event (I’ll be making a customised playlist for everyone who donates to B(e) Kind 366 in August 2016).

That's it for my "M" List! I'm always looking for more RAK ideas so if any come to mind please do post them in the comments!

Check out my super fun "If Jane Austen Blogged A-Z" post, test your Janeite knowledge, and win some Jane Austen swag!

A-Z Challenge: Random Acts of Kindness beginning with "L"

Throughout the A-Z Challenge I'll be blogging through the alphabet using each letter to create a list of Random Acts of Kindness. I've been collecting RAK ideas for some time now as I gear up to the 2016 launch of a project dear to my heart: B(e) Kind 366. I'll be performing an act of kindness every day of the leap year starting January 1st, 2016 while raising funds for World University Service of Canada (WUSC), an organisation that changed my life.

I'm starting each post with a synonym (of sorts) for kindness. I added this part to my posts because of an amazing movement I am a part of 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion. We link up monthly and blog about changing the world for the better. It's magical really. We're even on Twitter! @1000Speak

L is for Love

Learn – something new! A language, a skill, a new word every day!

Lemonade – make some, share some. Play the video; I promise it will not disappoint!

Letter – as in the old school way of communicating! Paper, envelope, stamp, send it to someone special or a stranger! Leave a stamped envelope and a blank card for someone else to fill out and send.

Licorice Rainbow

Litter – pick it up!

Lotto tickets – leave some scratch and wins for a lucky stranger to find.

Lunch – pay for a friend’s or better yet a stranger’s!

That's it for my "L" List! I'm always looking for more RAK ideas so if any come to mind please do post them in the comments!

Check out my super fun "If Jane Austen Blogged A-Z" post, test your Janeite knowledge, and win some Jane Austen swag!

A-Z Challenge: Random Acts of Kindness beginning with "K"

Throughout the A-Z Challenge I'll be blogging through the alphabet using each letter to create a list of Random Acts of Kindness. I've been collecting RAK ideas for some time now as I gear up to the 2016 launch of a project dear to my heart: B(e) Kind 366. I'll be performing an act of kindness every day of the leap year starting January 1st, 2016 while raising funds for World University Service of Canada (WUSC), an organisation that changed my life.

I'm starting each post with a synonym (of sorts) for kindness. I added this part to my posts because of an amazing movement I am a part of 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion. We link up monthly and blog about changing the world for the better. It's magical really. We're even on Twitter! @1000Speak

K is for KINDNESS

Oddly enough, I have a very short list today so in the spirit of kindness, I am linking to other "K is for Kindness" posts that I happened upon while blog and twitter hopping:

- Chantelle from Cocktails and Memories writes about how kindness between strangers developed into a beautiful friendship. 

- Joy from My Own 2 Sense writes about how teachers and parents contribute to a world of kindness.
- Melanie from Melanie Schulz writes a brilliant piece of flash fiction with kindness at its heart.  

- Rachel from Rachel's Ramblings writes about how small acts of kindness from her coworkers made her day. 

- Shantala from Shanaya Tales writes about how a brief moment of stranger kindness has remained with her throughout her life. 

Now for a few simple RAK ideas and a few more links to some "kool" blogs: 

Karma - do and be good; attract good. Check out C. Lee McKenzie's K is for Karma post. 

Kickstarter - check out the projects - find one that speaks to you - support it! Type "kindness" into the

search engine for a place to start.

Kindness Wins - Galit Breen's brand new book! Get yours!

Kiss - a loved one unexpectedly, blow one to someone special. Give someone a chocolate one! Check out Katie Paul's tantalizing post K is for Kissing.

Kitchen - open yours up to guests and host a dinner party. 

Kooky - allow yourself to act, dress, just be! Encourage others to join in! Check out Kelly Martin’s K is for Kooky post. 

That's it for my "K" List! It's a short list, but I do hope you'll spread the kindness by visiting some of the blogs that I linked to in this post. 

Check out my super fun "If Jane Austen Blogged A-Z" post, test your Janeite knowledge, and win some Jane Austen swag!

A-Z Challenge: Random Acts of Kindness beginning with "H"

Throughout the A-Z Challenge I'll be blogging through the alphabet using each letter to create a list of Random Acts of Kindness. I've been collecting RAK ideas for some time now as I gear up to the 2016 launch of a project dear to my heart: B(e) Kind 366. I'll be performing an act of kindness every day of the leap year starting January 1st, 2016 while raising funds for World University Service of Canada (WUSC), an organisation that changed my life.

I'm starting each post with a synonym (of sorts) for kindness. I added this part to my posts because of an amazing movement I am a part of 1000 Voices Speak for Compassion. We link up monthly and blog about changing the world for the better. It's magical really. We're even on Twitter! @1000Speak

H is for Happiness

HappinessCafe - approach a local cafe about hosting a day or week long event.

Happy Pills

Heat - turn it off for one cool weather day.

Hello - say it to someone, anyone, everyone - especially a stranger!

Help - someone, anyone do something, anything! Carry groceries, shovel snow, rake leaves. Help someone who has dropped something.

Homeless - do something for them. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, give your spare change, put hats and scarves in places they can be easily found.

Hug - a loved one, a friend, a stranger. Give out free ones! Send one in the mail. 

That's it for my "H" List! I'm always on the look out for more ideas so please help me build my list of Random Acts of Kindness by leaving suggestions in the comments!

Want to win some Jane Austen swag?! Who doesn't?! Check out my super fun "If Jane Austen Blogged A-Z" post and test your Janeite knowledge!

I'm Officially a RAKtivist!

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation

I've been doing random acts of kindness for years. I did a 100-Day Challenge, I completed 29 RAKs for my 29th birthday on January 29, and in 2016 I'm launching B(e) Kind 366  - one RAK a day every day of the year. Ever since I started doing RAKs I've been following The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation on Facebook and Twitter. At the beginning of this week I noticed that the Foundation was taking applications for RAKtivists. In the lead up to the launch of B(e) Kind 366, this opportunity was just perfect timing. The application was short and straightforward and within one day of submitting it, I received a response letting me know I was officially in! I'm a RAKtivist! I strongly urge you to think about becoming one too. Really and truly and once you do, here's the application: Become a RAKtivist™ today!

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation also has a Pinterest and YouTube page filled with pretty much unlimited kindness ideas. The Kindness Ideas page of the Foundation website supplies kindness ideas in the categories of Environment, Animals, Community, Work, Family, School, Sports, Just for Me, and Everyday Kindness. The acts can be sorted by expense and time investment. As a RAKtivist I take part in a weekly challenge with hundreds of fellow RAKtivists. I can't wait to turn my RAKtivism and the ideas and inspiration from The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation into a big part of B(e) Kind 366!

Coming Soon: B(e) Kind 366

It's been about a year since I posted on a regular basis. I've been on hiatus and I still am (sort of). While I complete my Master of Arts degree, blogging is one of the things that has to be put on the back burner so to speak. Most of the posts you'll see if you stop by will likely be book reviews. My New Year's resolution of sorts was to read for pleasure more often. To keep up with that promise to myself I signed up for a few 2015 Reading Challenges. Every now and again, though, you'll find a post like this. I've had a plan in the making for some time inspired by 366randomacts.org. A few years ago I started and finished 100 Days of Kindness. Then on my 29th birthday (January 29th) I performed 29 Random Acts of Kindness that day and asked others to perform RAKs as well. The results were incredible with 51 people in 7 countries across 5 continents performing 70+ acts of kindness!

In 2016 I plan to launch B(e) Kind 366. 

I'll do a RAK (Random Act of Kindness) every day of the year. At the same time I'll be raising money for the WUSC (World University Service of Canada) SRP (Student Refugee Program), an organisation and program that I have been involved in for over a decade and one that has changed my life! Every month I'll have a different theme for my RAKs and different surprises for everyone who contributes to my fundraising efforts. It'll all be part of a perpetual kindness cycle and I hope you'll be a part of it!

2016 is going to be a fantastic year; I can just feel it and as part of the build up I'm going to try my best to write an anticipatory post like this at least once a month in an attempt to build my blog following. In 2016 I plan to update my blog daily as a record for B(e) Kind 366 and I'd like as many people to follow along and take part as possible! So, if you stopped by this post, please stop by again and tell all of your blogger friends. Leave a comment and I'll be sure to visit you too!

Follow Up: 29 RAKs for my 29th on Jan 29!

I had one heck of a 29th Birthday on January 29th! In the midst of work and class, I managed to pull off my goal of performing 29 Random Acts of Kindness to celebrate my birthday. My original list can be found here, but this is what the list ended up looking like by midnight on January 29th (just a few changes). I actually did more than 29, but this is what I kept track of:

Random Acts of Kindness (as at 9:30 a.m.)
1. Put a gift in my mailbox for the mail carrier.
2. Left snacks in two bus stops.
3. Mailed two letters (yes, like actual hand-written letters).
4. Bought donuts for the office.
5. Bought coffee for two hardworking baristas.
6. Paid for the person behind me at the drive thru.
7. Had a friend deliver flowers to a wonderful public health nurse.
8. Eyebombed around campus (a.k.a. put googly eyes on inanimate objects).
9. Put up Stress Relief posters on campus (a.k.a. bubble wrap posters).
10. Put up Smile posters on campus.
11. Stuck funny & inspirational post-it notes to public washroom mirrors.
12. Filled the communal office photo-copier with paper.
13. Left a little gift for someone to find.

Random Acts of Kindness (as at 5:40 p.m.)
14. Took cookies (that I baked) to class.
15. Left Forbidden Flavours Coffee gift cards on desks for students in the library.
16. Dropped off children's books for the waiting rooms at the clinic.
17. Dropped off a bag of stuffed toys, crayons, and puzzles to the Children's Ward at the hospital.

18. Topped up parking meters at the clinic.
19. Cleaned up the trash that was on the street by the clinic.
20. Taped coins to a couple drink and snack vending machines at the hospital.
21. Left a scratch and win ticket for a stranger to find.
22. Let a group of children cross the street (not at a cross walk).

Random Acts of Kindness (as at 11:00 p.m.)
23. Left coins on payphones at the hospital and mall.
24. Put bookmarks in novels at the book store.
25. Left pennies by the Wishing Well at the mall.
26. Put a toonie in a toy machine (with one of those claws) so it was ready to play.
27. Put quarters into candy machines.
28. Held the door open at the mall for a girl with her arms full.
29. Tipped 30% at dinner.

So that was my list. THIS is the list of things that other people did in honour of my 29th birthday and my 29 RAKs:
51 people in 7 countries (Canada, US, Thailand, Ireland, Bolivia, Botswana, and Haiti) across 5 continents did 72 Random Acts of Kindness!
1. Tipped big.
2-10. Brought donuts/cookies/chocolates to work/school. (9)
11. Left a scratch and win ticket on a stranger's car.
12. Sent e-cards.
13-4. Bought lunch for someone else. (2)
15. Donated to a foodbank.
16-18. Donated clothes. (3)
19-20. Donated to a cause. (2)

21. Left credit in a vending machine.
22-5. Bought someone coffee. (4)
26. Mailed a letter.
27. Left books for people to find.
28-9. Topped up parking meters. (2)
30. Held doors open.
31. Bought and left newspapers in public space.
32. Took granddaughter tobogganing.
33. Thanked a public service person.
34. Found a kitten a new home.
35. Collected coupons for diapers/baby items and gave to a mom in need.
36. Took out all of the garbage bins on the street.
37. Visited with a stranger.
38. Paid for the person behind at a drive thru.
39. Drove a friend's car home.
40. Stocked the bathroom shelf at the office.
41. Helped an elderly lady move about in slippery conditions.
42. Allowed people to cross the street (not at a crosswalk).
43. Left a gift for the mail person.
44. Gave a full loyalty card to a stranger to get the freebie.
(by clicking on 44. or 45., you can see the video associated with them)
45. Gave an abundance of spare change to a busker.
46-7. Complimented/smiled at strangers. (2)
48. Promised not to yell at anyone for the day.
49. Took a surprise lunch to a sick friend.
50. Supplied the beverages for a charity fundraiser.
51-3. Donated textbooks. (3)
54. Let a stranger us personal computer to print an assignment.
55. Helped a friend with legal advice.
56. Filled out a survey for student research.
57. Helped strangers get their car unstuck.
58. Donated a television to a friend.
59. Planned a games night for coworkers.
60. Left coins by payphones.
61. Bought and handed out Fair Trade chocolates.
62. Gave a new backpack to a girl to go to school.
63. Took care of sick mother.
64-6. Decorated my office for my birthday/brought me cake/flowers. (3)
67. Launched free music.
68. Bought food for a struggling family.
69-70. Unknown. (2)
AND 71-2. My favorites: These RAKs were performed by my 9 and 6 year old cousins - Gave coffee money to all of the moms dropping off children at dayhome and each left 5 loonies at the concession counter at school so that unsuspecting strangers could have a treat! (They used their own money, too, not their parents' money!)

...AND KINDNESS RULED THE WORLD