#26 Random Acts of Kindness..why stop there

In the weeks following the heartwrenching tragedy of Newtown came the idea of #20 then #26 random acts of kindness. We all jumped on board buying coffees for 26 random people or handing out gift cards in restaurants or grocery stores It was our way of paying homage to those lives lost and at the time of year we all want the warmth of our families close. Along with our generosity came anger and the whys and a nation divided again on how to fix things. Is it gun control we need to fix? Is it better mental health? Is it better school policy on bullying? Is it censorship on video games? I don't know the answer to those questions. I do know that not having guns didn't stop Timothy McVeigh...he used fertilizer to make a bomb to kill 168 people in Oklahoma City but then maybe if Adam Lanza had not had easy access to an assault rifle this tragedy could have been avoided. I don't know. Yes, we need better heath care in this country and easier access to mental health but you can lead a horse to water..but you can't make him drink...as much as I believe we need better health care I don't know if that would helped. Again, Yes! we need better school policy on bullies! As a parent of a special needs child, my child was bullied and the administration didn't do much. It is one of the reasons I homeschool my children today. For me that is an easy fix..its not only the administration's responsibility to teach our children to respect and not hate and harm those who are different IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A PARENT! Is it violent video games? Yes, we have alot of violence in our culture now from tv to video games, but would taking them away curb the Dylan Klebolds or James Holmes'. I don't know.

What I do know is that we each have our own place and our own ability to make it a kinder more loving world. Show acceptance of those who are different not prejudice. Offer a hand in friendship. Don't stop at 26 acts of kindness show thoughtfulness 365 days a year. It doesn't have to be monetary it can be as simple as holding the door open for someone even if we are in a hurry, offering to share your umbrella in a rain storm with someone who forgot theirs, an errand for the elderly or sitting at the lunch table with unpopular kid who is eating alone. Simply open your heart.