#26Acts of Kindness

December 19, 2012

After the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary last week, I wasn’t quite sure what to do or how to process it. I’m not a parent and can’t imagine losing a child. I have experienced the loss of my mom, so that was the frame of reference for grief that I had, which just left me frozen. A fellow blogger‘s nephew, Noah Pozner, was killed in the shooting, and it just made the world seem so small.

Earlier tonight, I read about #26Acts and I finally knew what I could do to help – what we can ALL do to help.

Newtown’s heartbreak has a lot of us asking, “What can I do?” Thinking about this, Ann Curry took to social media and asked people to imagine what would happen if all of us committed to 26 acts of kindness to honor each life lost in Newtown.

Check out the original story by Ann Curry, which includes an amazing live feed of people’s #26Acts. I scrolled through for an hour with a huge grin on my face. Also check out the 26 Acts Facebook page.

Are you in?

26Acts_1

I created a quick sheet that you can print off and cut up to include when you’re doing your #26Acts. Names, ages, and profiles of the victims can be found in this Wall Street Journal piece.

26_acts_printable

Need help coming up with random acts? Here are some lists:

Sure, we should always act in kindness and hopefully we try to. Perhaps this will remind us to try a little more to brighten up others, and boost yourself as well. It’s not about how much we can give or whether or not anyone knows you did it. Secret joys are a delight to have.

Are you in? Share your ideas for kindness below. 

  • http://inhabitthebeauty.com/ Lydia

    Any way you could make it 28 acts to include the Ms. Lanza and the shooter? She was a victim as well, and I think any good act done to counteract his terrible one couldn’t hurt.

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      Oh absolutely!!! You can make it whatever you want. I think it started aas 20 acts for the children only, then turned to 26 to include the adults at the school. People are doing 27 to include the mother, and 28 to include the shooter. No matter how many you do, the idea is just to do something.

  • http://www.daphnealive.com/ Daphne @DaphneAlive

    I just wanted to say, that you have an awesome blog and I’m amazed at your progress. Good Job :)

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      thank you :)

  • Sarah

    thanks for the PDF link!! :) I’m spreading my random acts around my town tomorrow morning before I go volunteer at my kids’ school! :)

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      Great! Have fun :)

  • Steph

    I just blogged about this last night! I created a list and made an image of it. Feel free for you (or your readers) to use it! http://kitchenkm.com/2012/12/19/kindness/

    • http://www.skinnyemmie.com/ Emily Sandford

      Awesome!!!

  • http://twitter.com/300poundsdown 300 Pounds Down

    Love this!!

  • http://greenhatlady.com/ Berlin Patience

    I was shock with the death of all those young children. I also do not have any kids but my heart goes to all there family.

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