Are you
familiar with the song, The 12 Days of Christmas? Sure you are, the
first line says, “On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge
in a pear tree.” What if…we took that same concept and called it The 12 Days
of Kindness?
I wish I
could say I came up with this title, but I didn’t. I saw it on Instagram. Here’s
the spin I’ll put on it. Let’s create s 12 Days of Kindness Challenge. The
challenge begins with being kind to yourself. Instead of a partridge in a pear
tree on the first day of Christmas, the first day of kindness will be self-care
for you.
Start your challenge
by coming up with one positive word that represents you. On the second day of
kindness, come up for two positive words for a friend, and share them with him
or her in a text or email. Let the list of kindness expand from here.
Third Day
of Kindness – buy a
cup of coffee/tea/snack for three people.
Fourth
Day of Kindness – in
the spirit of “four calling birds,” call four friends or relatives just to say hi.
Fifth Day
of Kindness – give away
five potted plants, make them poinsettias with gold ribbons attached.
Sixth Day
of Kindness – encourage
six friends to donate to a cause. Do you have a favorite charity or know
someone in need? Come up with a creative way to help.
Seventh
Day of Kindness – in
the traditional song, seven represents “seven swans a-swimming.” Since swans
are beautiful and graceful, come up with seven things that make you feel
beautiful and carefree. No need to do them all at once. Keep your list and do
them when you want.
Eighth
Day of Kindness – leave
an encouraging message at eight places you visit.
Ninth Day
of Kindness – let’s
go back to the song again, and what the lyrics say, “nine ladies dancing.” Invite nine friends to dancing. Get your body
moving, it’s a form of self-care. If you don’t want to go out in a crowd, use
Zoom or another virtual platform to create a dance party.
Tenth Day
of Kindness – what is
the most valuable thing that you can give away, but can never get back? Time.
Give yourself the gift of time. During this Holiday season give yourself 10
minutes a day to relax in any way you choose. I said any way you choose, but I
do have a few suggestions – read, listen to soft music, meditate, look at
Christmas lights while relaxing with a warm beverage. You get the idea.
Eventually you’ll expand your ten minutes and create valuable uninterrupted
time for yourself.
Eleventh
Day of Kindness – send
a letter to eleven family members with updates on what’s happening in your
household and find out what they’ve been up to.
Twelfth
Day of Kindness – write
a positive affirmation or quote on twelve pieces of paper, make it like a bookmark.
Leave one in 12 random books at the library.
What would
you add to the list of things to do for the 12 days of kindness? Remember most
of all to be kind to yourself.
