Today is Good Deeds Day!

While I think it would be an excellent "policy" to do good deeds every day; today is, "Good Deeds Day"! Nationaltoday.com says, "This initiative seeks to promote people giving back to their community however they can. You can volunteer, donate to a charity, or help people in your area whichever way you see fit. The beauty of Good Deeds Day is there’s no set way to celebrate it. The goal is to help others and do good for your community, fostering a sense of kindness and compassion around us. Acts of charity are never forgotten by their recipients. Spread the love on this holiday." So, on this day to do good things, be sure to do good things for others - and yourself! What kind of good things, you ask? Well, just a few good things could include . . . 

• Send someone an e-card (DaySpring.com has free ecards - check them out!)
• Spend time with someone - especially someone who is typically alone
• Make someone laugh
• Be generous - and sincere - with compliments
• Hold the door open for someone
• Let someone go in front of you
• Bake a treat for a neighbor
• Read to a child
• Buy a coffee, lunch or other item for the person in line behind you.
• Choose a "secret good deed" - Some secret good deeds are — anonymous donations, saving electricity by unplugging unused devices, and helping friends in need.
• Volunteering your time is a simple but kind way to give back to society.
• Help an elderly person cross the street. Buy groceries for a struggling family. Buy a homeless person a hot meal. Even the smallest acts of philanthropy make a difference in someone’s life.

These are just a few ideas to get you thinking . . . you'll find literally hundreds more at this link. I think the best idea is to commit to be a person who does good things every day to every person we meet! Make every day a good deeds day and other's will be blessed by your presence and you will experience joy! What could possibly be better? And there are real benefits to doing good deeds - consider -

• Giving back to the community lowers the risk of developing hypertension by up to 40%.
• People who offer aid to friends and family members have a lower risk of dying early.
• When you do good, your brain releases endorphins, the feel-good chemicals that light up your brain’s pleasure centers.
• Volunteering is good for your mental health because it induces satisfaction in life and a sense of well-being.
• People who do good deeds are less likely to quit their jobs and more likely to commit to their profession.

Read more about it at this link. And, help your grandchildren make the choice to do the same! Consider giving them weekly "goodness" challenges . . . each week brainstorm with them to think of one good thing they could do every day for a week . . . help mom get lunches ready, help siblings with chores, look for children who tend to be "left out" at school and include them, thank teachers . . . the list goes on and on! If we help our grandchildren learn to be children who do good things for others and themselves, they will grow up to be adults who do good things!

"On Good Deeds Day, no act of kindness is too big or too small. So long as you’re helping those in need, you’re doing your part to make this world a better place."