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Subscribe to RSSA massive, unexpected wave of goodwill began online with a simple idea: "Imagine if we all committed 20 acts of kindness to honor the lost children of Newtown." NBC News National and International Correspondent Ann Curry sent the message on Twitter and Facebook. The idea has evolved into a viral effort known as "26 Acts of Kindness," in honor of the students and faculty who died at Sandy Hook Elementary.
After being in Newtown, I woke up the next morning and thought about what could be done. What is the answer to this kind of national suffering? And I remembered a moment on the edge of Darfur, when I came upon a woman who was elderly and in the hospital, recovering from burns after an attack by Janjaweed militias. She was surrounded in the hospital, by younger women carrying babies, and I asked her to tell the story of how she had suffered these terrible burns all over her body. I learned that she had tried to rescue her invalid husband when her village was attacked and her house was set on fire. She tried to carry her husband out of her house and stayed so long that the thatched roof of her house came down, the hot embers giving her 3rd degree burns. But she was unable to save her husband. Her husband died.
Antoine Sanfuentes
Ann Curry's inspiration for #26Acts of Kindness dates back to an experience she had while reporting on the genocide in Darfur in 2007, and the joy that giving Polaroid pictures of children brought to mothers who had never held a photograph of their kids.
I remember walking out of that hospital, and the producer saw the look on my face. He said, “Are you okay?” And I said, “No.” And without even thinking, I remember going to our team van and pulling out a Polaroid camera I had brought on that trip. And then I went to all of these women with their children who were in the courtyard of the hospital, knowing that they had never owned a photograph – ever – of their child. I went around from woman to woman, and I took pictures of them, I took pictures of them with their child, or just of their child alone – without even thinking, just snapping pictures. The first time I did it, I remember giving a photograph to a woman, and she looked at this black square with this quizzed look on her face, and I said, “Just wait one minute! Just wait one minute,” holding up one finger. And then I watched her face melt as she watched her child’s face slowly appear on that Polaroid.
It made me feel better. So I went from mother to mother to mother until I ran out of film.
After the experience in Newtown. I thought, “What if? Imagine if everyone could commit to doing one act of kindness for every one of those children killed in Newtown.” So that’s what I tweeted. And guess what? People committed. I said in my tweet, “I’m in. RT if you’re in.” Not only did they commit to 20 acts of kindness, they wanted to up it to 26 acts of kindness for every child and adult who was lost at the school. Some even debated maybe we should include the mother, who died, at 27 acts. Some debated maybe we should include the killer as well as he was struggling and in pain.
What’s really remarkable to me is how many people responded. They are the ones who carried the ball. They are the ones who chose what to do. People would tweet back, “I’ve done two!” “I bought coffee for a guy in line!” “I bought toys for homeless children!” “I’ve got 18 more to go!” or “24 more to go!” – whatever number they were trying to reach.
I was inspired by them. So I started tweeting about what people were doing. Some people thought it was boasting when they would say “I’ve done this” or “I’ve done that.” I don’t think so. I think that whenever you show by example an act of kindness – big or small – something that spends a lot of money, or because you don’t have the money, something that doesn’t, all of it is welcome.
There is no judgment. I think that’s the key. If people want to do it, great. But I think that if they do it, something great happens to you.
When I was tweeting, I noticed that the number one trending topic was something like "ThingsIlikeaboutmyself." I thought, “Well, if you do act of kindness, I bet you’ll like even more about yourself.” So that’s what I tweeted.
I know the truth: if you do good, you feel good. It’s the most selfish thing you can do. Right now, this country wants to heal. I think the only thing comforting in the face of a tragedy like this is to do something good with it if you can. Be a part of that wave.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
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I'm so glad you did what you did - but what were you waiting for? Random acts of kindness and community spirit should be part of your every day life! "It takes a villiage to raise a child" is as meaningful today as it was hundreds of years ago. Get over yourself - Look out for your neighbor, we all need to take care of each other.
:))... the bandwagon effect
Did this same thing last year for my birthday and made a blog.. so true- do good and feel good..
I did this same thing last year for my birthday and made a blog.. so true.. do good, feel good
Such a senseless tragedy unfolded at Sandy Hook on so many levels. The only time I was remotely "soothed" in hearing the SH reports, were when Emily's Dad spoke about his sparkling daughter and when Ann Curry's calm and caring voice reached the airwaves. I was immediately hurting for both Mr. Parker and Ann as both have experienced hurt by others actions. And yet they both showed me that true Love rises above the pain to produce GOOD in this world, give us hope in humanity and yes, even inspire us all to DO acts of kindness. I know that God gifted them first and that they know just how to pay it forward that He might delight in them. Thank you
Doing acts of kindness is a way of life for me. I don't keep track of what I have done or anything. I believe in Karma and I think if I do good to others then others will do something to help the people I love when they need it. I do like this idea and it warms my heart to see others "doing" something good.
I will ask all of you why must it take a terrible thing like 20 children and 6 teachers to be cut down to do any acts of kindness we all should do these acts 24-7 365 not just when something like this happens. I know that might be a lot to ask but if you try it is not hard. god rest the 26 new angles he now has in haven.
Yesterday I wondered what would make us all feel good again? Feel "Christmasy" again? I thought of the 1 person who did something awful...but what if everyone else did something wonderful? A random act of kindness? The best gifts are the ones you weren't expecting or for the person who REALLY deserves it. I watched the garbage man pass me on our street...got in my car and followed him. When he had stopped I got out and gave him a gift card I had in my purse, and simply said "Merry Christmas." Today I see that I'm not the only one who thinks that this is a great idea!
Ive been busy doing a few acts of kindness. My sister has 4 kids & has been going through some financial difficulties. I do not have money to give her but I was able to pull some items together to sell on ebay and raised $264. for her. My grandmother is now living in a nursing home and Ive been doing her laundry and grocery shopping. I also volunteered to make cookies for everyone living in the nursing home for their Christmas party. And I picked out a child from the Angle tree program & bought her a few gifts.
Kathy is right, acts of kindness should be part of our daily life.
Yesterday I wondered what would make us all feel good again? Feel "Christmasy" again? I thought of the 1 person who did something awful...but what if everyone else did something wonderful? A random act of kindness? The best gifts are the ones you weren't expecting or for the person who REALLY deserves it. I watched the garbage man pass me on our street...got in my car and followed him. When he had stopped I got out and gave him a gift card I had in my purse, and simply said "Merry Christmas." Today I see that I'm not the only one who thinks that this is a great idea!
I began my 26 days of kindness when I saw a young couple with a small child in the grocery store on Sat. They were trying to decide what to keep and what to put back from their buggy after their child asked for something in the snack dept. I walked away, then turned my buggie around, and gave them money to pay for their groceries (and their baby's snack). I wished them a Merry Christmas, and watched their anxiety turn to relief. Their smiles were worth more than gold to me. Pay it forward!!!! The reward was better than any gift. God Bless all lost in the tragedy in Connecticut.
I will try a little harder now. Thanks for allowing me some true humbleness and reminder that I really do care for my fellow man, especially the children....especially the children.
And not just when I'm forced to care anymore....
My 25th (of 26) act of kindness was to hug each and every one of my students as they walked into my classroom on Monday morning. I squeezed them really tight (all 26 of them) and told them that I loved them and they were safe. It was a wonderful feeling to feel the hugs back, see the smiles, and wipe a few tears. God bless all involved in the Conn. massacre....they will be remembered forever, because 26 fifth grade children received a hug and reassurance from their teacher.
Ann Curry is an inspiration to all of us...her efforts are making good works circle the world with love and generosity! Thank you Ann for making us all better with your reminder to give of ourselves to help others! Love you bunches!
im in I will start with the list tonight and start the acts tomorrow
will start tonight. This is the best gift for Christmas, because all of this gives hope God bless all of you
Do people need to die forus to start doing acts of kindness? We should always be doing good things for people. We shouldn't let too many people know are acts of kindness because we might start doing them to get praise from our fellow man. If you are doing good things so people will think good of you, then your good deeds are not worth anything. Don't let your right hand know when your left hand gives something to somebody.
Naomi Shihab Nye wrote one of my favorite poems about kindness, and it seems so appropriate for the tragedy of Newtown. How else can we move through the world if we are not sure there is kindness out there somewhere!?
Kindness
Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.
Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness,
you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho
lies dead by the side of the road.
You must see how this could be you,
how he too was someone
who journeyed through the night with plans
and the simple breath that kept him alive.
Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.
Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and
purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
it is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you every where
like a shadow or a friend.
Naomi Shihab Nye
from The Words Under the Words: Selected Poems
So may kindness go with you every where . . . like your shadow or a friend. Not just now while we are thinking of such tragic circumstances but daily where you see the need. Perhaps it will be hard to stop at 26 acts of kindness once you have begun! Wouldn't that be a wonder to add to the world!
Sadly none of this will bring those children back.
Thank you for all the "First Responder Address's". I will be sure to pass them on to as many people possible. God Bless.
I think one of the easiest and most profound things we can do is to simply smile at someone. Try it at Wal-Mart or at the person in the car next to you at the stop light. It is amazing to see their face light up as they smile back at you. The first time you do it, you may not really mean it. But I promise, the next time will be for the awesome feeling you get knowing that you brought a little sunshine into someone's life, and therefore brought some into yours. Ann Curry is so right. We do things for others because it makes US feel good. Love to all.
"God Bless Us Everyone." You may never know the good your act of kindness meant or how it may have made a difference in someone's life. The smallest act like a smile or a kind word may mean more than you can dream. Just reading these posts has made my day better. Thank you all. I believe that one small change can change the world, maybe a bit like Mark Twain's short story, "The Mysterious Stranger." Thanks again.
This is really awesome. My only issue is why wouldn't we automatically include the mother who was killed too? I think it should be called at least #27Acts. great job though everyone! spreading kindness. Why aren't we all like this every day?
To: Ann Curry - what you started was an act of kindness. You are an amazing woman - here is a thought - why don't you run on the ticket with Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election - we need more good women in the White House, Senate and House. Thank you for sharing the 26 acts of kindness program with people all over the world.
I will start my 26 acts tomorrow and continue through New Years. Thank you for coming up with this great program.
Have a joint and watch a little Fleetwood Mac. America is too uptight. Compress this MSNBC......you and Fox news thrive on compression............go to youtube, watch You Make Lovin' Fun relax, and thank me later. For the rest of ya.........Lord help ya.
Why stop at 26? I'm a firm believer in random acts of kindness and try to perform them, no matter how simple, as often as opportunity arises.
It can be as simple as helping someone at the grocery obtain an item high on a shelf that he/she obviously can't reach .. or holding a door open for someone .. leaving an unsigned note of encouragement for someone struggling with something in their life .. it doesn't take much and for those who do have financial means, try to find a need and fill it. Do it because it's the right thing to do, not for personal gratification.
Keep your eyes and your heart wide open and miracles can happen!
I wish you peace and blessings during this Christmas season and into the New Year. God Bless you and yours!