Today is Day 11 of the #AmericaIsKind Challenge:

It is arguable we have never needed a show of kindness in America more than we do right now, today: Maybe you are elated by the election results, or maybe you are angry and disappointed.

Either way, we are a country divided–at war with one another. We need to remember the things we DO agree on.

When I went on an exploration of over 30 religions, meeting people of every race and walk of life and political/faith orientation—the two things we had it common were a belief in the importance of kindness and gratitude. Today we need KINDNESS MORE THAN EVER.

Our theme today is WATER, and our Charity of the Day is the WATER.ORG:

“We believe water is the way…

To break the cycle of poverty. To protect and save lives. To turn time spent into time saved. To make a bright future possible for all. We are here to break down the barriers between people and access to safe water and sanitation. We’ve already helped millions. Join us and together we can get safe water to millions more.

Water is a fundamental human need, yet 663 million people worldwide lack access to safe water. 2.4 billion people worldwide lack access to a toilet. When it takes everyday hours to find and collect water, it’s hard to find time for commerce and community. It’s hard to get through a full day at school. It’s hard to prosper without safe water.”

Gratitude: “I am grateful for abundant access to clean & safe drinking water.”

Clean, safe water is so accessible in the USA that we use it without thinking, but around the world a child dies from water-related disease every 90 seconds. Lack of access to water is a global crisis, so let us pause and be grateful every time we take a drink, a shower, or make a meal.

Good:Save a drink, save a life— For a day, a week, or even a month, reach for water instead of soda. Send the money you would have spent to one of these five great non-profits that are working to provide access to water around the world.

Good: Every day in developing countries, women and children walk an average of 4 miles to collect water for their family. Participate in (or plan!) a Walk4Water at your church or school, where people can “walk a mile in the shoes” of a person in the developing world while raising funds for water access.

Good: Share the facts about the global water crisis via social media

Good: Consider sponsoring a child in the developing world through an organization like Compassion International, which provides food, water and education for students.

Good: Donate to our Charity of the Day, Water.org

The purpose of the #AmericaIsKind Challenge is simple:

To remind us all that #AmericaIsKind because Americans are kind.

We want to spread kindness, gratitude and acts of good while highlighting the work of great charities.

We want to start a wildfire of kindness and positivity online and in everyday life.

So if you are tired of negativity, strife & division—especially on social media—

Take the #AmericaIsKind Challenge!

It’s easy! Simply…

–On social media SHARE an ACT OF KINDNESS someone has done for you with #AmericaIsKind

–TAG 3-5 friends and your favorite charity to take the #AmericaIsKind Challenge

–PAY IT FORWARD by doing a random act of kindness for a stranger

–Take the full 30-day #AmericaIsKind Challenge, with daily gratitudes, acts of goods, and our highlighted charities HERE. You can jump in or out any day…whenever you find the challenge is the perfect time to begin.

Need more kindness & gratitude ideas? We have them.

Find the other days of The #AmericaIsKind Challenge HERE.

During the year I explored 30 religions, I found that KINDNESS and GRATITUDE are present in every faith. In spite of our many differences, these qualities unite us.

Later, through a yearlong battle with clinical depression, I discovered that practicing KINDNESS and GRATITUDE are two of the scientifically-proven ways to defeat depression and increase happiness.

Coincidence? I don’t think so!

I came up with the #AmericaIsKind Challenge as a way to inspire the practice of kindness and gratitude, unite Americans with the things we have in common, help others who may be struggling with depression, and to remind us all that America is kind because Americans are kind.