Something caught my eye on the Twitterverse tonight…The hashtag #26Acts. My interest was piqued, so I clicked to find out what the heck it meant.
After a bit of digging, I discovered it’s a movement, inspired by Ann Curry, to turn the Sandy Hook shooting tragedy into something positive. The reasoning? To honor the 26 lives taken by doing 26 random acts of kindness.
I don’t know about you all, but I haven’t been able to shake the news since I first heard it early Friday afternoon. It literally stopped me in my tracks to hear that someone had hurt so many innocent children. I instantly grabbed my babies and hugged them and cried. Obviously, they had no clue what was wrong with me, but Kinley patted me on the back and gave me a good hug and it was like she knew I just needed a moment to reflect and then to collect myself. We got outside to play and I tried to avoid the news, but everywhere I turned, there it was.
I have had nightmares the past few evenings as well. The thought of my babies ever being in danger has my guard on high alert. I can’t even begin to imagine what the parents are feeling…I can’t even go to that place in my mind because it’s dark and I’m not sure I would be able to pull myself out.
The news is already starting to filter in other stories. Yes, these lives will never be forgotten, but there comes a point in time where we have to move on as a country.
I’m personally trying to move on because I know that’s what these kids would want. It’s the holiday season and I don’t know about you all, but I don’t want a dark cloud covering my memory of December 2012, and I am sure those kids and teachers wouldn’t want that either.
So when I saw the idea to do 26 Acts of Kindness, I knew had to jump on the bandwagon. What our world needs right now is love. We need to show our kids that despite darkness and evil, love and kindness can {and always} will prevail.
Imagine if thousands of people commit to acts of kindness. We can turn December 2012 into a month of LIGHT, not darkness.
Will you join me in conducting 26 acts of kindness in the weeks ahead?
Stock.Xchng Photo // Image created using PicMonkey
This is a wonderful idea, Lauren. (Just the other day, while Christmas shopping, I bought myself the gift of a page-a-day calendar: “Random Acts Of Kindness”.)
I know what you mean about hugging your little ones. My 32 year-old son went to dinner with us Friday evening, and although I always give him a little peck on the cheek at the end of the evening, that night I hugged him. Hard. They’re always our babies, no matter how old they are!
Yes, I am definitely on the bandwagon for this! Beginning today.
Merry Christmas, Lauren. And thanks for passing this on.
What a cool calendar idea! We should all be doing RAOK every day, but this time mine are just going to have a tad more meaning.
Aww, I’m so glad you still hug and kiss Marshall – it’s so nice to feel loved, no matter your age!
Merry Christmas to you too, Dianna!
I am in. I hope that I can make just a few people’s lives a little brighter. My heart just aches with this tragedy. Those poor children were all about the age of my youngest daughter so it hits home hard.
Aww, I feel for you. It’s hard enough on me without having school-aged children. Kind of makes me want to shelter them forever, but I know that’s not feasible. So glad you’re in!
This is so beautiful. I shared a link back to your post on my blog. Ugh, my heart just aches.
Thanks so much for the love, Lindsey! With each passing act, I feel my heart ache go away just a tad. They may be gone, but they will never be forgotten.
We should not use this as an excuse to hug and thank. That should be an ongoing part of our lives. People that I would include on this list would be Doctors,and anyone in the Mental Heath community. Also the families of those affected. Also don’t be afraid to speak out about someone who needs help. I would not be writing this if it wasn’t for those that helped me.
Lauren,
What a beautiful post this is, and these are really all GREAT ideas. Hugs are especially awesome — I got a really *genuine* close hug from a friend the other day when I wasn’t expecting it, on the day after the Conn. tragedy, and it really made my heart sing for a second. You are such an inspiration my dear, one of my absolute favorite people, and I hope you know that you’re making the world a better place. I’m starting a new hashtag..#WWLD…What would Lauren do? 🙂
You crack me up! I’m not all innocent, but my plan since the day I was born was to brighten the world somehow. It’s just FUN!
Genuine hugs are the BEST. I need them more often, too! Glad your friend could make your heart sing because you’re heart is beautiful 🙂
You crack me up! I’m not all innocent, but my plan since the day I was born was to brighten the world somehow. It’s just FUN!
Genuine hugs are the BEST. I need them more often, too! Glad your friend could make your heart sing because your heart is beautiful 🙂
I love hugs! I don’t think people do it enough. It’s priceless. Thanks for linking up your post, feels good to try and do something, however small.
That darkness saying? Always gets to me! Love it!
Me too! I was looking for an awesome quote to include with the pic and came across that one. It fits perfectly for this!!!