I am completely obsessed with the idea that random kindness can change the world.
It started small as my mom taught me to do someone’s dishes after a party, as I got older it was paying the toll for the car behind me, making a meal for a new mom or maybe leaving a $20 in the street musician’s guitar case…but it really all began with my sister.
My sister taught me all I needed to know about anonymous giving.
During my poverty days of ramen noodles and no health insurance for my baby, she would hide bills all over my house and leave like nothing ever happened. Packages from L.L. Bean would arrive on my doorstep with a winter wardrobe but no note or bill. It always seemed to appear at just the right moment and when I grilled her, she would never confess.
Over time I realized that kindness came in all forms and I didn’t have to be rich to spread love and joy in the world. Tiny notes left in books at the library, a long conversation with an elderly man in the supermarket, a cold drink for a bum on the street, all of it energized my soul in a way nothing else did or could. There is no selfless good deed but it doesn’t really matter, the world needs it all… I have been on both ends of kindness and decided this was the work of my life. When I looked back, kindness had been calling me all along.
Guerrilla Goodness unfolded on my blog after a kindness adventure I did to remember my friend Happyanne whose love and energy is ever present on this earth even though she has gone on. This is one of a zillion gifts she gave to the world. GG has evolved over time and hopefully will spread in ways I can’t even imagine.
You can read more about Guerrilla Goodness and how to practice here:
guerrilla goodness 5 and ding-dong ditchin’
guerrilla goodness: Takin’ it to the Sidewalks
guerilla goodness: it was guerrilla good
guerrilla goodness 9: candy kids
guerrilla goodness gone disastrous
guerrilla goodness 6…going gourd
guerrilla goodness 7…we’re lucky to have you
guerrilla goodness 8…miami love in technicolor
I’d love to hear about your own guerrilla adventures, and maybe I can send some link love your way…patience@kindnessgirl.com
