The #AmericaIsKind Challenge: Day 21

The purpose of the #AmericaIsKind Challenge is simple: To remind us all that America is GREAT when Americans are KIND. After a devisive election, our country has never needed kindness more than we do right now.

Take the #AmericaIsKind Challenge today! Here’s How:

–On social media SHARE an ACT OF KINDNESS someone has done for you, or that you have witnessed, with #AmericaIsKind

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

–TAG 3-5 friends to take the #AmericaIsKind Challenge

–Take the full 30-day #AmericaIsKind Challenge, where we are practicing gratitude and kindess every day for a month. You can find the daily gratitudes, acts of goods, and highlighted charities HERE. You can jump in or out any day…whenever you find the challenge is the perfect time to begin.

Today is Day 21 of the 30-Day #AmericaIsKind Challenge:

Our theme today is FOOD, and our Charity of the Day is: The International Basket Brigade

“The International Basket Brigade is built on a simple notion: one small act of generosity on the part of one caring person can transform the lives of hundreds… the Anthony Robbins Foundation’s International Basket Brigade provided baskets of food and household items for an estimated two million people annually.”

Gratitude: “I am grateful to be able to put food on the table for myself and my family–on Thanksgiving and every other day of the year.”

Good: Be a friend. Too often we assume people have somewhere to go for the holidays, but they do not.Invite a neighbor, single person, or foreign exchange student to join your family for Thanksgiving.

Good: Volunteer. With your church, school, or community organization’s holiday food drive. If you can’t volunteer, make a donation or food or funds.

Good: Fill a need. Call your local food pantry to ask what items they need the most. Purchase those items up on your next grocery trip and drop them off on your way home.

Good: Commit a Random Act of Kindness. At the grocery store, purchase a store gift card. Give it to the clerk to give away to the next person in their line who is in need. On the card write the amount of the gift and “To a stranger, from a friend. Happy Thanksgiving!” (This is one of my favorite things to do because it gives the clerk an opportunity to experience doing a random act of kindness.)

Good: Join the International Basket Brigade this Thanksgiving and deliver baskets of food to those in need and/or donate to fund a basket.

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 KINDNESS and GRATITUDE 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 America is kind because Americans are kind.