year of kindness challenge: week 51

Posted on December 25, 2013 by dallaswoodburn

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone!

Today I brought some chocolates and cards to the local nursing home in honor of my dear friend Jewell, who passed away in 2011. I miss her every day, but especially at Christmastime. She was one of the most genuinely sweet and kindhearted people I’ve known! I’ve started a tradition of bringing holiday cards to the nursing home every year as a way of remembering her.

To make the cards this year, I upcycled wrapping paper scraps by cutting out holiday designs — Christmas trees, gloves, snowmen, snowflakes — and gluing them down to blank white notecards. Then I wrote holiday messages on the back, such as:

Hope your holiday season is filled with joy and laughter!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
A friend is sending you lots of love and blessings this holiday season.

It made my heart happy to think of the residents smiling when they receive the holiday cards.

I finished wrapping all my presents yesterday, so I’m all set to go! The rest of my Christmas Eve was spent visiting with relatives, taking care of my poor brother who is sick, and baking! I made a pumpkin pie and funfetti cookies.

Now … on to the kindness challenge! We’re down to our final two weeks, can you believe it?

Last week’s kindness challenge was to donate a toy or book to a child in need this holiday season, and/or to drop off a donation at a local animal shelter. I dropped off five boxes of new books {donated through my annual Holiday Book Drive} and three new basketballs to the local Boys & Girls Club.

The timing worked out perfectly — the manager told me she was expecting to get a large donation of children’s books from another source, but then didn’t receive nearly as many books as expected so she was left scrambling to pull together enough gifts for all the children. And the holiday party was that very afternoon! I could tell from her tone that she was feeling pretty desperate.

“I was hoping you would come,” she said as she helped me unload the books from the car. “I remember you from last year. You’re our book angel!”

I can’t put into words how joyful and fulfilled the experience made me feel. The universe is magical and things truly work out for a reason!

The Week 51 Kindness Challenge was inspired by Martha Richards, the Executive Director of the WomenArts Foundation. In a recent newsletter, she wrote: “If you are like me, you are being deluged with funding requests at this time of year. If you are able to make cash gifts to women artists and women’s organizations, I hope you will do so. Most of us {including WomenArts} are working on a shoestring, and your cash gifts will really make a difference. But I also believe there is a currency of kindness that we can use to lift each other’s spirits whether or not we have any spare cash on hand. I have seen it over and over again at WomenArts and in other parts of my life — you can often give someone the courage to keep working or try something new just by listening to them carefully, acknowledging their hard work, and finding kind, supportive things to say.”

So this week’s kindness challenge is to reach out to an artist whose work touches you and tell him or her what you love about their work.

As always, blog about your experiences and include your links in the comments section below, or feel free to send me an email at dallaswoodburn AT gmail DOT com.

Merry Christmas!
-Dallas

P.S.: Head on over to this Year of Kindness Challenge page to see all the archived posts from the previous 50 weeks!

Questions of the day:

What are you doing to celebrate Christmas?
What acts of kindness happened in your life this past week?

year of kindness challenge: week 50

Posted on December 18, 2013 by dallaswoodburn

I am a little in awe of the fact that it’s already Wednesday, and just one week until Christmas! My past couple days have flown by so fast, it feels like some calendar squares simply disappeared. Anyone else feeling this way??

At least my days have been jam-packed with good stuff… teaching writing workshops at local schools, long walks and catch-ups with friends, cooking dinner for my family, sorting through and delivering donated books as part of my annual Holiday Book Drive {more on that later this week}… I’ve been collapsing into bed by 10 p.m. and sleeping like a rock!

Last week’s kindness challenge was to give a warm drink to a toll-booth worker, newspaper delivery person, or your mailman/mailwoman. I brought hot chocolate to the people working the security gate in my grandparents’ neighborhood. They were so surprised and appreciative, and it made me smile the rest of the day.

The Week 50 Kindness Challenge is to donate a toy or book to a child in need this holiday season, and/or to drop off a donation at a local animal shelter.

As always, blog about your experiences and include your links in the comments section below, or feel free to send me an email at dallaswoodburn AT gmail DOT com.

Have a marvelous week!
❤ Dallas

P.S.: Head on over to this Year of Kindness Challenge page to see all the archived posts from the previous 49 weeks!

Questions of the day:

How do you find zen in the midst of such a crazy-busy time of year?
What acts of kindness happened in your life this past week?

year of kindness challenge: week 49

Posted on December 10, 2013 by dallaswoodburn

Hi, friends! I feel like it’s been for.ev.er since I’ve written a blog post … this past week has been crazy-busy! But the good kind of crazy, the filled-up-to-the-brim-with-good-things kind:

Last Wednesday I gave a reading at San Jose State as part of my Steinbeck Fellowship in Creative Writing, and it went wonderfully! I feel so grateful and supported by the university. The audience was warm and even laughed at the humorous lines in my story. My dad also drove up from Ventura for my reading and it was so special to have him there!
On Friday, Dad and I went to a talk by Ken Burns, the amazing documentary filmmaker. It was fantastic! I was so moved by Burns’ passion and dedication to history, preservation, art and learning.

This weekend was jam-packed with friend and family time. Nothing like catching up with good friends after some time apart. Plus the gingerbread flavor is back at Starbucks! Bring on the gingerbread chai!
The sermon at church on Sunday was about “surrender.” I’ve been thinking a lot about it the past couple days, and a longer post is coming once I’ve gathered my thoughts together a bit.

And now… on to the kindness!

Last week’s kindness challenge was to help someone put up holiday decorations, write/address holiday cards, or wrap presents. I helped my Grandma get the house all decorated for Christmas {and dusted/swept/cleaned} in preparation for a luncheon party she is hosting on Thursday for her bridge friends. Doesn’t the mantel look nice?

The Week 49 Kindness Challenge is to give a warm drink to a toll-booth worker, newspaper delivery person, or your mailman/ mailwoman. Alternatively, pay the toll for the car behind you in line.

As always, blog about your experiences and include your links in the comments section below, or feel free to send me an email at dallaswoodburn AT gmail DOT com.

Have a joyful week!
– Dallas

P.S.: Head on over to this Year of Kindness Challenge page to see all the archived posts from the previous 48 weeks!

Questions of the day:

What were the highlights of your weekend?
What acts of kindness happened in your life this past week?

year of kindness challenge: week 48

Posted on December 3, 2013 by dallaswoodburn

Hi everyone! Hope your week is off to a good start!

Someone gave me an article from the latest issue of O: The Oprah Magazine called “The Do-Gooder’s Guide to Better Health” that claims “practicing philanthropy is one of the surest steps you can take toward a happy, healthy life.” The article cites studies showing that acts of kindness lead to a longer lifespan, greater happiness, better pain management, and lower blood pressure. Woo-hoo!

Last week’s kindness challenge was to brighten someone else’s Thanksgiving. My family hosted a bunch of my brother’s friends from business school; most of them were far from home and had nowhere else to go. They were so grateful! I also sent cards to a dozen of my friends letting them know how thankful I am to have them in my life.

The Week 48 Kindness Challenge is to help someone put up holiday decorations, write/address holiday cards, or wrap presents. Do you know a busy parent or perhaps an elderly neighbor who could use an extra hand? My friend Jewell used to need help addressing her holiday cards because her hands shook from her medications. Another idea: go to a mall or shopping center and offer to wrap gifts for free!

As always, blog about your experiences and include your links in the comments section below, or feel free to send me an email at dallaswoodburn AT gmail DOT com.

Have a joyful week!
– Dallas

P.S.: Head on over to this Year of Kindness Challenge page to see all the archived posts from the previous 47 weeks!

Questions of the day:

What acts of kindness happened in your life this past week?
What are your favorite ways to spread holiday cheer?

year of kindness challenge: week 47

Posted on November 25, 2013 by dallaswoodburn

Hola from Mexico! I found a spotty bit of wi-fi access in our hotel lobby so I am hoping I’ll be able to post this real quick before heading back out to the beach with my fam. {A longer recap of our trip with pictures is coming upon our return home!}

This past week’s kindness challenge was to reach out to someone who is going through a tough time and just listen. Often my first impulse is to try to “fix” things, but I’m trying to re-train myself to just listen. Sometimes when you’re sad the best medicine is a kind listening ear. I reached out to a friend who has been a little down lately and it felt good just to be there for her. I hope it helped her feel better to talk things through.

The Week 47 Kindness Challenge is to brighten someone else’s Thanksgiving. Here are some ideas: volunteering to bring Thanksgiving meals to the less fortunate; extending an invitation to Thanksgiving dinner to an acquaintance who is alone; sending cards of love and thanks to your far-flung family and friends; or all of the above!

As always, blog about your experiences and include your links in the comments section below, or feel free to send me an email at dallaswoodburn AT gmail DOT com.

Have a wonderful week! I’m off to go boogie-boarding with my mom. 🙂
– Dallas

P.S.: Head on over to this Year of Kindness Challenge page to see all the archived posts from the previous 46 weeks!

Question of the day:

What kindnesses happened in your life this past week?
What are your plans for Thanksgiving?

year of kindness challenge: week 46

Posted on November 20, 2013 by dallaswoodburn

Hi, friends! It is a cozy rainy day up here in northern California. I’m a little behind on the week, still catching up from my whirlwind weekend at home. Today feels so much like Monday to me! I’m hoping to have a productive afternoon “tcb-ing” as my brother says {an acronym he uses for “taking care of business!”} Tomorrow morning, I’ll be heading out again … I’m going to Mexico for a week with my mom’s side of the family to celebrate an early Thanksgiving! We are all super excited.

Last week’s kindness challenge, in honor of Veteran’s Day, was to do something kind for a veteran to show them how much they are appreciated. I’m planning to visit a veteran’s home in the future, but since it was a busy week at home I didn’t have time. Instead, I spent time with my Gramps and thanked some veterans in my church congregation at home.

The Week 46 Kindness Challenge is to reach out to someone who is going through a tough time and just listen. Just be there for them. Often my first impulse is to try to “fix” things, but when we’re sad sometimes the best medicine is a kind listening ear.

As always, blog about your experiences and include your links in the comments section below, or feel free to send me an email at dallaswoodburn AT gmail DOT com.

Have a marvelous week!
– Dallas

P.S.: Head on over to this Year of Kindness Challenge page to see all the archived posts from the previous 45 weeks!

Question of the day:

What kindnesses happened in your life this past week?

year of kindness challenge: week 45

Posted on November 11, 2013 by dallaswoodburn

Before sharing this week’s kindness challenge, I’d like to take a moment to thank all of the veterans who have served our country, risking their lives to keep up safe.

Including the World War II navy veteran in my life, Gramps!

I’ll get to see Gramps on Thursday when I head home for the long weekend … I haven’t seen him since August and it will be so nice to visit and give him a great big hug! I might even whip up a batch of his favorite lemon bars.

Moving on to the kindness, I came across a couple kindness-related links this past week that I wanted to share with you:

This past week’s kindness challenge came from my blogging friend Gayle Greeley, who has an amazing blog “Be the Difference” where she is chronicling her volunteer efforts for 40 different charities in order to celebrate her 40th birthday. Her idea was to create a card and send it to our troops. My dad sent me a link via Facebook for a movement called “Holiday Mail for Heroes” so I sent in a holiday card, thanking a soldier for their service for our country and wishing them a joyful holiday season. It’s not too late to send a card if you would like to join in!

The Week 45 Kindness Challenge, in honor of Veteran’s Day, is to visit a Veteran’s Home and spend time with the veterans there. Alternatively, if you know a veteran, do something kind to show them how much they are appreciated.

As always, blog about your experiences and include your links in the comments section below, or feel free to send me an email at dallaswoodburn AT gmail DOT com.

Have a marvelous week!
– Dallas

P.S.: Head on over to this Year of Kindness Challenge page to see all the archived posts from the previous 44 weeks!

Questions of the day:

What kindnesses happened in your life this past week?
Are you doing anything special on this Veteran’s Day?

year of kindness challenge: week 44

Posted on November 4, 2013 by dallaswoodburn

It’s a new week, friends! Hope yours is off to a lovely start. The weather has been SO amazingly beautiful here lately and I am soaking it in. It is really starting to feel like the holiday season is upon us … is it too early to start listening to my Christmas music station on Pandora??

Last week’s kindness challenge was to take a batch of Halloween treats to a place that could use some Halloween treats, not tricks! I whipped up some double-chocolate brownies and brought them to the nurse’s station at a local senior care facility … everyone seemed surprised and grateful for the homemade treats.

The Week 44 Kindness Challenge comes from my blogging friend Gayle Greeley, who has an amazing blog “Be the Difference” where she is chronicling her volunteer efforts for 40 different charities in order to celebrate her 40th birthday. So inspiring! She writes: “I think a great act of kindness would be to create a card and send it to our troops. There is an organization called Operation Gratitude. Here is a link I found with more information. I think this would be especially important as we move towards Veterans’ Day.” I agree, Gayle! This will be a great kindness challenge for this week.

As always, blog about your experiences and include your links in the comments section below, or feel free to send me an email at dallaswoodburn AT gmail DOT com.

Have a marvelous week!
– Dallas

P.S.: Head on over to this Year of Kindness Challenge page to see all the archived posts from the previous 43 weeks!

Questions of the day:

What kindnesses happened in your life this past week?
When do you begin to break out the holiday music?

year of kindness challenge: week 43

Posted on October 29, 2013 by dallaswoodburn

The autumn decorations are up at my grandma’s house, and I love them!

They make me smile every time I walk through the door. 🙂 I absolutely adore this time of year! The weather turned the past couple days and it truly feels like autumn. There is a cold crispness to the air and frost is expected here on the ground in the morning. I’ve busted out my cozy sweaters, scarves and boots!

Now, on to the kindness…

This past week’s kindness challenge was to buy someone else’s morning java fix or afternoon caffeine boost. I gave $10 to the barista at Starbucks to pay for the drink of the next person who came in, and said to keep whatever change there was as a tip. Two acts of kindness in one! It brightened my entire day. 🙂

The Week 43 Kindness Challenge is to take a batch of Halloween treats to a nursing home, fire station, police department, or school … anywhere that could use some Halloween treats, not tricks!

As always, blog about your experiences and include your links in the comments section below, or feel free to send me an email at dallaswoodburn AT gmail DOT com.

Have a marvelous week!
– Dallas

P.S.: Head on over to this Year of Kindness Challenge page to see all the archived posts from the previous 42 weeks!

Questions of the day:

What kindnesses happened in your life this past week?
Do you decorate your house for autumn?

year of kindness challenge: week 42

Posted on October 21, 2013 by dallaswoodburn

Happy Monday, everyone! Hope your week is off to a good start. 🙂 The BART strike continues up here in the Bay Area, and I feel so bad for all of the commuters into the city who rely on BART and now have to find other means of transportation. Please send good thoughts that the issues get resolved soon and the trains will start running again!

My cousin Arianna went to the Homecoming Dance this weekend and she looked absolutely gorgeous! I love this photo of her and my grandma … we were calling them our two ladies in red:

Yesterday was another family-filled day, and I loved it! In the morning I headed over to cheer on my cousin Makena in her soccer game — not only did her team win, but she scored three goals! I was so proud. She is quite the soccer star!

Then I headed over to the U.U. church a couple towns over {the closest one to where I live now} … it was my first time going to this particular church, and everyone was so welcoming and kind. The church itself is stunningly beautiful, on top of a mountain, and the chapel has a ton of windows looking out over the green hills and the valley below. I was definitely happy I made the drive, and I plan to go back next Sunday! It can be intimidating to walk into a new church, and it takes me a few weeks to feel completely comfortable and to start recognizing familiar faces.

In the evening, we got together for dinner with my other aunt’s family. Grandma and I made an apple cake with cinnamon crumb topping and brown sugar glaze … YUM! It was actually a very easy recipe, and was a big hit with everyone. Grandpap even went back for thirds! I’ll have to share the recipe on here soon.

Now … on to the kindness! Last week’s kindness challenge was to advocate for someone, particularly someone younger or newer or just starting out on their career path. I sent a dozen or so emails to young writers with contest information I came across, and I also spoke on the phone to a few high school students about their writing and college applications. I always come away from these conversations inspired myself — I hope they felt the same way!

The Week 42 Kindness Challenge is to buy someone else’s morning java fix or afternoon caffeine boost. This might mean paying for the person behind you in line at Starbucks or bringing lattes to your coworkers as a mid-week treat. Whatever strikes your fancy!

As always, blog about your experiences and include your links in the comments section below, or feel free to send me an email at dallaswoodburn AT gmail DOT com.

Now I’m off to work on fellowship apps and then go for a run at the gym. Have a wonderful day!

❤ Dallas

P.S.: The archives were getting pretty loooooong below each new post, so head on over to this Year of Kindness Challenge page to see all the archived posts from the previous 41 weeks!

Questions of the morning:

What kindnesses happened in your life this past week?
Have you ever moved to a new town and had to start out at a new church? Do you have any advice about making the transition?

Day-By-Day Masterpiece

Category Archives: acts of kindness

year of kindness challenge: week 51

Questions of the day:

year of kindness challenge: week 50

Questions of the day:

year of kindness challenge: week 49

Questions of the day:

year of kindness challenge: week 48

Questions of the day:

year of kindness challenge: week 47

Question of the day:

year of kindness challenge: week 46

Question of the day:

year of kindness challenge: week 45

Questions of the day:

year of kindness challenge: week 44

Questions of the day:

year of kindness challenge: week 43

Questions of the day:

year of kindness challenge: week 42

Questions of the morning: