"30 Days of Gratitude" ~ Day 16 ~ Local Neighbours

There are a couple of neighbours in my neighbourhood who are really prone to acts of kindness.  Here are a few of them:

• one neighbour offered supportive comments during myfirst few months of dog ownership.
• another neighbour pulled up with his riding lawnmower with no provocation, and started mowing my boulevards
• another had his son knock on my door to offer to shovel
• another kept an eye out on a weird neighbourhood night when things were a little 'off' safety-wise
• another gave some iris advice
• another offered some starter tomato plants.

Nothing over the top, but they are a nice crew.  It's a comfortable neighbourhood.  We have smiles for one another.  I'm thankful.

"30 Days of Gratitude" ~ Day 4 ~ Acts of Kindness

This one is so easy, it is difficult! 

Would it be the comments a friend posts when they think you need a boost?  Would it be the pumpkin pie a friend brings because you're going to spend Thanksgiving away from family?  Would it be the stranger who gives you an extra big smile and welcomes you to a table of new people?  Would it be the person who lets you know they know *who* you are and like you anyways?  Would it be the friend who comes to see you do something difficult to support you?  Would it be when they help you move towards your goals by promoting you to others?  Would it be the friend who got you involved in writing cards with positive affirmations to others?  Would it be the friend who shows up with a bag of groceries when money is a bit more scarce than you might like? 

Or would it be the time that you reached into your pocket to give your change to the gentleman in front of you at the til?  Or the time that you paid for the coffees for the car ahead of you?  Or the time you took to walk someone less 'sure of foot' accross the street?

I love acts of kindness.  The acts of kindness I give, help me to feel joy, purpose and meaning. The acts of kindness I receive help me to feel that the world is looking out for me - that God is making sure I don't go without when life has less to offer than what he wants me to have.

"I like smiling; smiling is my favorite."  ~ Buddy the Elf.