-NESS???

Yes, that is the question.  And the answer seems to be continuously evolving.  Ever since I committed to making 2009 a year of “goodness,”  I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what a “good deed” really is.  What if there is a bad reaction or no reaction to an act done from a place of kindness?  Is it just about our intent or does the outcome matter?  Can these “acts” or “deeds” come in different shapes and sizes?  These, and many more, questions have been flying around in my head.  I decided to look up “good deed” in the dictionary and came across this definition:  “A selfless act of doing something good for another with no recognition, not calling attention to the doer, and not done in return for a favor.”

Although I think this definition is the root of a good deed, I know it’s just a starting point.  I’m pretty sure this year is going to be a journey of continuously defining and re-defining an “act of goodness.”  What it means to me,  to you… yes, I’m taking you all with me on this journey (Lucky you!)     I’m no expert and I am growing and learning as I go, so please share your thoughts, suggestions, experiences, inspirations, and more!

To start, I’m simply going to  look at the world through the lens of “How can I help?  How can I contribute? How can I make a difference?” The variations of these “good deeds” or  “daily bits of goodness”  may be big (i.e. assisting and giving aid to large global causes) or small (i.e. sending a card to a friend or family member out of the blue and thanking them for making a difference in your life) or anything and everything in between!

My biggest hope for 365 Days of Goodness is others get the “kindness is contagious” bug.  I would love to  help others (as well as myself) be more conscious and aware of the world we live in.  It’s very easy to get caught up in one’s personal business and problems (guilty as charged!), but I hope to open up hearts and minds and to share the goodness for the next 365 Days.