On July 1 I started a Happiness Challenge. Inspired by Scott E Geller, a Virginia Tech professor who encourages individuals to create a more compassionate world by actively care for others, I decided to challenge people to engage in one act of kindness every day in July and share their actions on social media using #31HappyActions. [Read More]
Will you join the challenge?
Need ideas? Check out the actions below for some inspiration!
My #31HappyActions:
- Day 1: It was interesting to start the challenge on my birthday, a day where you are normally the one getting all the gifts and attention. Yesterday I focused my kind actions on making sure I thanked everyone who sent me birthday wishes and appreciated everyone who came out to celebrate with me…and despite it being my birthday I also did some chores around the house, because I knew it would make Pablo happy. What was your Day 1 happy action?
- Day 2: Picked up an extra shift at my internship next week after my boss said she was short staffed
- Day 3: Smiled, nodded and/or waved to every runner and walker and to cars allowing me to cross on my run this morning. Have you done your happy action today?
- Day 4: Helped friends clean up after their 4th of July party.
- Day 5: Mailed old jeans to BlueJeansGoGreen to be recycled into insulation.
- Day 6: Donated used running shoes to Pacers for the MORE Foundation.
- Day 7: Took on middle of the night dog duty.
- Day 8: Registered to vote! I am super excited to have the right to vote and be an active citizen in my community!
- Day 9: Donated to my friend’s Aids Walk fundraising efforts.
- Day 10: Guest blogged for Montana at Pretty Lil’ Mudder while she’s away on vacation!
- Day 11: Shared some fellow bloggers’ posts that I love on Twitter
- Day 12: Gave a fellow DC Tri Clubber a ride to Swim For Life
- Day 13: Chatted with the lady who parked next to me during T1 of my double brick and 2 hrs later during T2 when we were both back at our cars
- Day 14: Helped a friend out
- Day 15: Spoiled my amazing dog today. Dogs need kind actions too!
- Day 16: Signed up to volunteer at a kid’s triathlon
- Day 17: Donated items to Goodwill
- Day 18: Put the phones and all job stressed away, and hung out with friends for a few hours
- Day 19: Shared a lane with a fellow swimmer (I know this is common courtesy, but what’s less common is for people to actually stop and respond to the request, which I always make sure to do)
- Day 20: Complimented the SUP yoga teacher (and hoping to take one of her classes soon! It looked awesome and she’s in killer shape!)
- Day 21: Listened and supported a friend who was feeling down
- Day 22: Stayed calm talking to customer service despite annoyances
- Day 23: Made tea for my husband because he wasn’t feeling well
- Day 24: Cheered on a co-worker training for her first 10-miler!
- Day 25: Was extra kind to the lady at the camp site check-in
- Day 26: Went back to the camp site to put away something for a fellow camper in between my race simulation
- Day 27: Picked up a package for a neighbor
- Day 28: Apologized for making a mistake
Other #31HappyActions: It feels nice to be the receiver of kind actions!
Supportive messages from my husband
- Donations from wonderful companies to help me make a difference in the fight against blood cancer
- Kind words from a supervisor
- A ride from a friend
- Gifted a copy of A Patriot’s A to Z of America: Things Every Good American Should Know to celebrate my newly acquired American citizenship
- A thank you note from a Ragnar teammate
- An ask me questions about anything anytime from a coworker
- Spending time with friends and getting their dedicated, tech-free, distraction-free, attention
- Having a friend join me for my bicycle rides and sticking with me even though she can ride faster
Don't know where to start? Here are some ideas for your #31HappyActions: The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation - Kindness Ideas Action for Happiness - 40 Acts of Kindness Happify - The Science of Giving Hello Human Kindness Random Acts - Performing Random Acts of Kindness
Follow Lean Green Island Girl’s board #31HappyActions on Pinterest.