Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Some ideas for spreading kindness....during a time when you can't go anywhere except the grocery store every 2 weeks....

Dropping off home cooked food (or even take-out if you don't cook!) for neighbors and friends...just leave on their doorstep with a handwritten note

Dropping off flowers from your backyard, or plants or other cuttings or SEEDS!

Dropping off books for house-bound folks to read (I did this for friend's kids..they loved it)

Some places are still taking donations of essential items for the homeless--they always welcome clean blankets, water bottles, trash bags, granola bars....call and see what they can use (I called two places and was excited they could use things I had)

Collect groceries from neighbors to drop off at food banks or soup kitchens

"Visit" neighbors from your driveway or sidewalk (socially distance yourself) and have a chat; sing happy birthday from the street (we've done this three times already!)

Set up to make music in your driveway and invite others to join in a social distant way (our neighborhood just did this) or practice your instrument outside (at a reasonable hour)

Ask your kids to make a spreadsheet of organizations you want to collectively donate to (if you can) and talk about donating as a family

Call 6 different friends every day just to chat and see how they are doing
Same with family members; set up zoom or facetime calls with folks

Think of what you can be doing for someone else---whether it's your child, your partner, your roommate or someone far away....your day will be brighter and your heart will feel lighter. You might send a package to someone far away, WRITE A LETTER by hand and enclose something special....or closer to home, you might just do the dishes without worrying about who did them last, fold and put away the laundry, or just have a positive presence.

Walk outside in nature (if you can) and take time to NOTICE everything around you in a really mindful way. Take a picture or two and send to friends to brighten their day.

Plant something in the ground

Look at old photo albums---send pics (from your phone) to old friends to share!

Make sure to check in on elderly neighbors and immunocompromised friends and offer support in any way you can....could be prayers, supplies, food, or just someone to talk to.

Use sidewalk chalk to chalk up a positive message on your home or outside on the sidewalk/driveway! (Mine has smiley faces and hearts and says "We are all in this together"--and I can't draw)

Spread the good news--share stories from karunavirus.org with others

Know that we will all emerge from this stronger and even more connected with each other and our planet. LOVE YOU ALL!