We want to spread kindness, gratitude and acts of good while highlighting the work of great charities.
We want to start a wildfire of kindness and positivity online and in everyday life.
So if you are tired of negativity, strife & division—especially on social media—
It’s easy! Simply...
-On social media SHARE an ACT OF KINDNESS someone has done for you with #AmericaIsKind
-TAG 3-5 friends and your favorite charity to take the #AmericaIsKind Challenge
-PAY IT FORWARD by doing a random act of kindness for a stranger
OR
-Take the full 30-day #AmericaIsKind Challenge, with daily gratitudes, acts of goods, and our highlighted charities HERE. You can jump in or out any day...whenever you find the challenge is the perfect time to begin.
Our theme today is Difficulties, and our Charity of the Day is Project Semicolon;
A GLOBAL NON-PROFIT MOVEMENT DEDICATED TO PRESENTING HOPE AND LOVE FOR THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, SUICIDE, ADDICTION AND SELF-INJURY. PROJECT SEMICOLON EXISTS TO ENCOURAGE, LOVE AND INSPIRE.
"A semicolon is used when an author could’ve ended a sentence but chose not to. You are the author and the sentence is your life."
Gratitude: “I am grateful for the difficulties & challenges that made me who I am”
I chose this gratitude because I have recently recovered from a full year of severe clinical depression. I am not immediately grateful for what feels like a “lost year” of my life, but I am intensely grateful for the lessons I learned in the dark: among them, the huge importance of practicing kindness and gratitude. The #AmericaIsKind Challenge was born directly from my struggle with mental illness, SO— I am grateful for the challenge because of what has (and will continue to) come out of it.
Good: Encourage someone currently experiencing difficulty by sending a free e-card via American Greetings
Good: On social media, share how you overcame a specific challenge to inspire others to do the same
Good: Post an inspirational photo or quote
Good: Volunteer at your local crisis center
Good: Consider supporting our Charity of the Day, Project Semicolon;
Need more kindness & gratitude ideas? We have them.
During the year I explored 30 religions, I found that KINDNESS and GRATITUDE are 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 that America is kind because Americans are kind.
Together let's make positivity, gratitude and kindness go viral!
For daily inspiration & ideas, follow Reba Riley, author of Post-Traumatic Church Syndrome: One Woman's Desperate, Funny, Healing Journey To Explore 30 Religions By Her 30th Birthday