Sukkot 5781 Virtual Chesed Day #2

Even if you see this after October 7, 2020, select some of the 30 ideas below and commit to doing them as the world can always use more kindness and it can positively impact you and many others. 

Every person in the world has been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  As a result many are not able to celebrate Chol HaMoed Sukkot the way they had hoped.  Sukkot is called Zman Simchatenu, a time of joy, happiness and celebration.  One way to experience joy is to actively bring joy to others.  Through these acts of kindness, you will impact yourself and many others.

Here is how it works:

• Each community has different rules, regulations and restrictions.  You must follow all federal and local mandates and only select those items that meet your areas guidelines.
• Please bear in mind that the suggestions below are just that, merely suggestions and you can come up with your own ideas as well.
• Select an idea, two or three from the list below.
• The list has ideas that you all able to do now safely while maintaining physical distancing, following all protocols and guidelines and while still meaningfully helping and impacting others.
• Consider creating a Kindness Challenge – similar to the Ice Bucket Challenge- where you video you and your family doing an act of kindness and tag or mention 3 other people or families that you nominate to follow your lead.  If you do this, we suggest completing the Kindness Challenge within 3 days.  Post your video on social media and be sure to tag @Areyvut and use #KindnessChallenge or #CoronaKindness in your posts.
• You can send any pictures or video clips to us at info@areyvut.org.
• The day is dedicated in honor of the medical staff and first responders and their herculean efforts -every day over the last six months they have been on the front lines of this pandemic- and in the merit of a speedy and complete recovery for all those currently suffering from COVID-19.
• We encourage you to use these ideas well beyond today.

Sukkot 5781 Virtual Chesed Day #2 Ideas

1. Look around for opportunities to perform small acts of kindness. Chances to be kind are all around us.
2. Do that one thing you have been putting off. Answer that email, make that call, run that errand. You can do it. Just take the next step.
3. Be mindful to hold the door open for people.
4. Call up a friend, sibling or old classmate and schedule some catch-up time. The best time is always now.
5. Empower someone you know to keep going despite the hardships that seem to follow them. If you never give up, you never fail.
6. Return a cart for someone at the grocery store. A seemingly small act may make a big difference in someone’s day.
7. Help a colleague, classmate or friend finish a project they have been working on. Two heads are always better than one.
8. Take the time to thank someone who has helped you in your life, whether that is through a difficult obstacle or for just by being there to make you smile and laugh.
9. When somebody pays me a compliment, instead of denying the compliment, I take it in, and say “thank you”.
10. Today, pick up some trash you find on the street. It is important to give thanks to the world you live in. Treat everyone and everything the best you can!
11. Accept help from someone offering a lending hand. Receiving kindness is just as important as giving it forward.
12. Send an anonymous donation to someone you know who is struggling financially.
13. Practice humility. Remember, the skills we have are the tools we have been given to make the world a better place.
14. Call or pay a visit to an elderly person in your life. It’s not a chore, it’s a privilege – remember it!
15. Make an effort to see people for who they are not just what they can do for you.
16. Choose your word wisely. It is not always about the words we say, but rather how we say them.
17. Time for real connection! Keep your cell phone out of site when you are out with friends or family. Let us focus on being present.
18. Leave a bouquet of roses or some other exciting surprise outside a loved one’s doorstep. Don’t forget the note, it’s oftentimes the most valuable part of the entire gift.
19. Plan a fun filled family night; board games, karaoke or some heart to heart conversations.
20. Publicly share an act of kindness someone has done for you. It just may inspire others to seek out opportunities for kindness.
21. Be YOU.  Seems obvious but so often we are in constant pursuit of being someone else that we forget that who we are is absolutely AWESOME!
22. Make someone feel extra special; a heartfelt compliment, a thoughtful letter, spending some quality time together. Be a someone for someone.
23. Take a leap and do one thing today that is new, exciting and scares you just a bit (in the positive sense, of course!).
24. Mindfully do a favor for a sibling or close relative. We oftentimes lose sight of the fact that kindness begins at home.
25. Give a treat (a sweet dessert, cup of coffee, fruit) to a security guard or crossing guard you encounter on your way to work or school.
26. Be courageous. Stand up for what is right, in business, in school and in your day to day comings and goings.
27. Enjoy dinner tonight with family or friends completely tech-free. Put your phone aside and open yourself up to some good old human connection.
28. Head to YouTube to learn a fun card trick and spread some joy and amusement to others. Perhaps try it out on a grandparent.
29. Create a list of the top ten things you are grateful for in your life right now. Leave it somewhere you will see it each day.
30. Grab some sticky notes, jot down inspiring messages and post them up in your home, school or workplace.