Today is another Blog Action Day of sorts and the challenge is for bloggers to go out into the world (gasp!) and engage in acts of kindness. Coincidentally, the 4th gift for Christmas is kindness.

Here are 25 ideas for acts of kindness to get you started.

1. Let someone in line before you.
2. Pay the toll for the car behind you.
3. Pick up a piece of litter.
4. Smile to a crying child.
5. Give a link.
6. Comp someone’s meal behind you at a restaurant.
7. Listen with an open mind.
8. Give someone a cheer CD or music compilation.
9. Send a card.
10. Rake you neighbor’s leaves.
11. Shovel your neighbor’s snow.
12. Take bagels into the office.
13. Give an inspirational book to a homeless person.
14. Give a hug.
15. Give away a dozen roses or any flower.
16. Take your boss a cup of coffee.
17. Say thank you.
18. Ask a stranger how their life is going and really listen.
19. Babysit for a friend.
20. Sit with an elder in a nursing home.
21. Say a prayer for a friend.
22. Cook a meal for a busy mother.
23. Ask someone to dance.
24. Buy crayons for an adult.
25. Sing a lullaby for someone.

On the 4th day of Christmas, perform 4 acts of kindness. Be creative

In Spirit,
Nneka

A scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back. The frog asks, “How do I know you won’t sting me?” The scorpion says, “Because if I do, I will die too.”

The frog is satisfied, and they set out, but in midstream, the scorpion stings the frog. The frog feels the onset of paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown, but has just enough time to gasp “Why?”

Replies the scorpion: “It’s my nature…”

When you forgive you don’t forget that the other person is a scorpion, nor do you pretend that they aren’t. They are who they are. When you forgive, you are releasing yourself from whatever anger, resentment, hurt, or pain you have wrapped up in the situation and the person so that you can move on with your life.

Today, give yourself and 2 other people the gift of forgiveness.

In Spirit,
Nneka