We're Back!

We're back! We've not posted a blog in a bit but that doesn't mean we haven't been busy! We continue to work behind the scenes. In a few short weeks it's Random Acts of Kindness Week ( February 14-20 ) so stay tuned because we will have some great things to share with you. In the mean time we encourage you to inspire kindness as a way of life.

Spread Some Sunshine Today

Have you ever thought of what you would do if you were being bullied, or having trouble making friends at a new place? These are interesting questions because they take the power from others and place it back in your hands. Have you heard the inspiring story about the boy who opened doors? Here is the Youtube link: Josh - opening doors and hearts while you may or may not agree with everything in the video at its core it is a story about a boy who decided to change his circumstances by performing a random act of kindness. More than opening doors the story shows that you can take a simple idea and just run with it. Acts of kindness have the power to change our life along with others.  

What if instead of complaining about your job and coworkers you took an entire week and said only positive things. The place where you spend a significant amount of time would be a great place to spread a little happiness, its free to smile, ask someone how they are today and open a door for them as well!

Today is International Happiness Day, spread some sunshine of your own today even if you have to wear that brightly colored rain hat to do it!

Passing On Happy Feelings

Well, St Patrick's Day has come and gone! Listening to the radio yesterday morning the announcer was talking about how St Patrick was not Irish, started out as dressed in blue and instead of parades and green beer the holiday started as a quite religious holiday! Seems the way we celebrate St Patrick's Day is pretty far from that now doesn't it?

How often does that happen in our lives, we start out with one intention and suddenly something else ends up happening. Kindness is like that, you see an opportunity to be kind. It may be something simple such as opening a door, or sharing an encouraging smile. It may be helping an elderly neighbor or co-worker. The kindness that you meant to encourage someone else ends up making your day brighter as well. Hopefully your St Patrick's Day was full of fun, there is nothing like a mid-week holiday to bring down our stress level!

Even though the holiday has come and gone we can celebrate kindness everyday and keep passing on the happy feelings. Oh, and about that leprechaun's hat, don't you wonder what he would look like with one of our bright crochet hats? Green of course!  

Hats off to kindness!

Tuesday blog! Hats off to kindness! Why would you put a hat on anyway?

Well the bright crochet ones that we are giving away will certainly be smile starters. Pop a bright hat on, put your smile on and out the door you go. Isn't it crazy the power of a smile? It can put people at ease, it can start a conversation, it shows that we are happy, we understand and are friendly. That's all pretty amazing, and it doesn't cost a thing! Sometimes we get caught up in trying to come up with monumental acts of kindness when we all have this amazing power to change someone’s day with us constantly. A little smile goes a long way!

Lucky Leprechaun day! Ok, well St Patrick’s Day! Who was this St Patrick and 

why do we have a day devoted to him? Let’s start with that hat....

SPPRAK Facebook Page

Hats, Happiness and Kindness

This week is going to be a great week! Why you ask? This is a week like any other 

that starts with a Monday, however it ends with National Happiness Day on March 

20^th. SPPRAK^® loves Happiness almost as much as Kindness so you know it is our 

kind of week. 

Now, to make each day happier a bit brighter we are giving away a happy hat.

Yes, a crocheted hat that is bright and beautiful, like you. When SPPRAK^® started we 

thought about what kind of logo to have, how to engage others and of course to 

spread the word about kindness. This is where the hats and sunglasses come in. 

Because the special people in SPPRAK^® are not us, it is you, those of you who go 

out and do the acts of kindness that make differences in the world, in lives. Have you 

read the blog about our hats?

Go and give it a read, visit our Facebook and watch here everyday this week for your

chance to win a handmade hat.

Be the change you want to see

Do you ever make the mistake of looking at the comment on internet posts? If you don't usually do this, please do not start now. For some reason the internet has given people, normally kind, sweet people, permission to be mean and judgmental. For example, if there is a post regarding a car accident, people will immediately decide that the person was texting and driving. Or speeding, or eating or generally being dangerous. All of which the commentator would NEVER do. A post about a police officer doing something wrong garners more attention than the hundreds of good things they do every day. Another post from a few days ago, a couple arrested for the deplorable condition of their home, their child taken from them, for obvious reasons. Jump on the judgment bandwagon.

Now, we are not saying that people don't speed and cause accidents, no one texts and drives, police are always right and everyone should keep their children. What we are saying is that maybe it is time to stop hiding behind the internet being unkind. All the people who are in the situations above know they are there. Being unkind is never an answer, and it really makes the person making those comments look bad. Not smart, not intellectual, just mean.

If you feel the need to do something when you see these stories you can offer your sympathy, prayers or find a way to actually help. Maybe people are not always what they should be for one reason or another, but that should not change who you are. If you are kind, or want to be then be that kind person. Be the change you want to see, just as the saying goes.  

Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 8 - 15

February 8 through 15 is Random Acts of Kindness Week! Of course, SPPRAK likes to think every week is random acts of kindness week! So lets say just for this week we get intentional about our kindness acts. Lets go out of our way to make kindness happen. We will start out easy with a couple of free and easy suggestions:

Smile, that's right, smile. At everyone. Today. You might even add a hi how are you to the mix, but it is not required. Just a simple, friendly, sincere smile. You are doing it right now aren't you? Don't you feel better? Now, go spread that around! The world could use a smile or two from you!

Next, open a door for someone. “Let me get that”, you say. Young, old, male or female, your act of kindness will be a hit.

Ask someone how they are doing and actually listen to them. Not the hurried, that's good kind of listening but the kind and caring listen. You might be just the one to change their day!

Say thank you.

Say please

Hug a friend

Pet a dog

Lend a hand.

None of these cost much, money wise, at the same time they are powerful reminders of kindness. Not all worth can be tallied by money, kindness is like that. The importance is in the ability to effect those we don't even know.

Please come over to our Facebook page SPPRAK and share your stories of kindness with our followers!