It started as a seed idea and turned into a full-grown dream. The #Sowkind Movement has roots embedded in a belief that our words have unique and distinct power. Though words are freely given to each of us, we have a responsibility to steward them well.

When I first shared this dream, I invited you to think about someone you wanted to encourage in written form [the teacher who went the extra mile, the neighbor who routinely took out your trash, the leader who opened a door of opportunity for you]. The kind of card didn’t matter. The length of the note didn’t matter. Elegant words were not a requirement.  I simply asked you to draft a letter of kindness, put a stamp on it, and put it in the mail.

Personally, I’ve had some deeply moving experiences over the past two months. Pouring  thoughts onto paper doesn’t always come out sounding near as poetic as it does in your brain. I’ll be honest, there were times I sat and started at a blank card for longer than I wanted. Here’s what I discovered, writing the words of encouragement has proven to be as much for me as the receiver. Learning how to hold things loosely, including outcomes, is a gift I didn’t know to expect from sowing words of kindness.

Many of you jumped into the arena with me. You sent notes, used the hashtag, and shared photos on social media. You have been the best kind of partners in this movement of kindness. So…

Are you ready for a few more #sowkind opportunities?

#Sowkind t-shirts are here! They are 100% cotton and come in three colors: military green, indigo blue, and ice grey. Sizes and quantities are limited, but we will make more available in the future. If you are interested, please use the contact form to send me your desired size and color.

In addition to fun shirts, I’d like to introduce you to a contest. [woo-hoo]

#Sowkind Social is an easy entry into this movement of kindness. Here’s how it works: Engage in an act of kindness, take a picture of the process, and upload* to facebook, instagram, or twitter using the hashtag #sowkind AND #sowkindsocial. If you follow these steps, you are automatically entered to win one of the NEW #sowkind shirts!

Here are a few suggested acts of kindness you might choose from:

1. Write notes of encouragement on post-it notes and place them all over the front door of one of your neighbors, family members, pastors, friends, etc. 
2. Write a letter of appreciation for your mail-carrier and leave it in your mailbox.
3. Pay for the person’s order behind you in the drive-thru.
4. Send an overdue note of gratitude to someone special.
5. Surprise a widow or single mother with a bouquet of flowers. 
6. Show up and mow the lawn of an elderly friend or neighbor.
7. Volunteer your time at a local shelter.
8. Leave an encouraging note taped to the mirror in a public bathroom.
9. Write your first #sowkind note.

There are simple ways to enter into this movement of kindness if you just aren’t ready to draft a letter. Join in the #sowkindsocial contest and help keep the ripple of kindness moving.

The contest is open from 5/11/18 to 5/25/18. A winner will be chosen on 5/26/18 and announced here on the blog.

[*Uploaded pictures do not have to include people. We are not trying to promote our own acts of kindness, but to swap ideas. Always put the wellness of others first.]