Random Acts of Kindness

Kindness, described as 'the voluntary, intentional act of being friendly, generous, and considerate towards others without expecting reward. It involves empathy, compassion, and action—such as helping or supporting someone in need—which builds relationships, reduces stress, and fosters a sense of belonging'.

I like kind.

Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day. It's a global observance dedicated to encouraging individuals to perform acts of kindness for others. The day serves as a reminder that gestures of goodwill, whether big or small, can have a significant positive impact on someone’s day.

A few examples:

Buy coffee for the person behind you: My friend M is also a volunteer at the hospital and one day whilst she was in the queue to buy a coffee the lady in front of her asked what she wanted and bought it for her. This is a lovely gesture but I suspect there could be problems in high street coffee shops. A lot of coffee places have a scheme whereby customers can purchase an extra drink or food item in advance for someone in need, and then that amount goes into a kitty until needed.

Compliment someone: I often compliment people on maybe a nice outfit, hair, makeup, shoes, and more than once at the hospital men who might be dressed a little quirky, wearing a kilt, a nice bow tie or cravat.

Someone left a few Christmas decorated stones around the village which made me smile.

If someone in customer service has been especially kind or helpful take an extra five minutes to tell their manager.

Try to make sure every person in a group conversation feels included. This is very important. We have a lovely 94 year old, highly intelligent lady in my WI group and sometimes she gets overlooked because she has a very quiet voice and we don't always hear her, so we try to ensure that she is included in all the conversations.

Smile at five strangers. 

Everyone is important. I always smile and say "Good morning" to the bus driver, and then "Thank you" when I leave.

Thank a retail store worker. They work all year round for us. I often say "How are you, I hope people are being nice to you"

 

Write a gratitude list in the morning and again in the evening. I do often say a quiet thank you to myself for everything I have.

Let someone out into the traffic. I often do this.

Buy a plant. Write positive words that describe a friend on the pot. Give it to that friend! I like this.

   
Leave a kind server the biggest tip you can afford.

   
If you know a friend is going through a difficult time cut out a few paper hearts and on each one write something that is special about that friend. Put them in a box, give them the box and tell them to pull out a heart anytime they need encouragement.

    

Donate dog or cat food to an animal shelter.

Practice self-kindness and spend time doing something you love. I think it's important to remember ourselves as well.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day, celebrated annually on February 14th, is a widely recognised day for expressing love and affection through gifts, cards, and romantic gestures. While rooted in ancient Roman fertility festivals and Christian traditions, it has evolved into a global, modern celebration of romance and companionship. It's also a huge money spinner for Hallmark cards and red rose sellers! 

A Morrisons heart shaped crumpet was delicious with fruit, yoghurt, orange curd and a sprinkling of chopped hazlenuts.

And yesterday there was a heart shaped crisp in my cheese and onion packet! 

💘

I read this below online somewhere which I thought was lovely, and if I had a significant other half I would love to do this for them:

Make or buy some paper hearts. On each one write something that is special about your partner. Put them in a nice box and present it to your loved one on Valentine's day. Tell them to pull out a heart anytime they need reminding just how special they are.

💘 Happy Valentine's Day 💘 

A Good Read

The Appeal by Janice Hallett

The Fairway Players are in the midst of rehearsals when tragedy strikes the family of director Martin Hayward and his wife Helen. Their young granddaughter has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. When they hear that a very expensive experimental treatment is available their castmates rally to raise the money to fund it. But not everybody is convinced of the experimental treatment’s efficacy, or of the good intentions of those involved.

As tension grows within the community, things come to a shocking head at the explosive dress rehearsal, and the next day, a dead body is found, and soon after an arrest is made.

In the run-up to the trial, two young lawyers sift through the material - emails, messages, letters - with a growing suspicion that the real killer may be hiding in plain sight. The evidence is all there, between the lines, waiting to be uncovered.

The format of this won't be for everyone's liking - the plot is told through the emails, texts, letters, and essays that the lawyers are sifting through and the narrative often shifts voices and perspectives. When I started the book I didn’t think I could continue with it but I did and I enjoyed it.

I regularly had to refer to the extensive list of characters given at the beginning of the book, and make notes. The characters are well crafted and it’s a good plot. I did pick up a couple of clues but not who the murderer was!

∼ Happy Reading∼ 

Polly x