I’ve often seen mentions of random acts of kindness. The stories delight me, but being the planner that I am, I don’t want to leave things to chance. What if I’m distracted thinking about my next blog post or what to have for dinner. Maybe I’m sleepy from staying up late at night with a good book. It seems that opportunities would be missed. Others wouldn’t receive a blessing and I would miss out on the joy of making someone’s day a bit better.

Surely I’m not the only one who would miss opportunities by leaving things to chance. What if the acts of kindness were intentional, even sought out. Perhaps having a month where we focused our thoughts on all the big and little ways we could bless others would increase the number of times it actually happened. Perhaps that month could be July, and so it is. If you’ve never heard of it before, now you know.

This is your invitation to plan and scheme all kinds of creative ways to bring joy and show kindness. Write a list when things come to mind. Start small with making eye contact and saying hello, call people by name when they’re wearing a name tag, hold doors open, leave a generous tip, give a sincere compliment, make a friend a pot of tea and be a good listener as you catch up on their stories, buy someone’s coffee or even their meal. Maybe invite a friend for a hike and bring a tasty lunch.

May I be open

To all God puts in my path

Creating blessings

For extra credit and a gold star, start your day by asking God to make you aware of opportunities. If a friend comes to mind, give them a text or phone call to let them know you’re thinking of them. Invest in sidewalk chalk to leave happy messages when you’re out walking, give more hugs to those you love, invite someone out for ice cream. July is also National Ice Cream Month.

“Kindness is more than deeds. It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch. It is anything that lifts another person.” -C. Neil Strait

“Leave everything you do, every place you go, everything you touch a little better for your having been there.” -Julie Andrews