On this day that we are fasting because of the destruction of the Bais Hamikdosh, what can we do that can help it be rebuilt?

We all Daven and we hope for the Geulah, what do we do to bring it closer?

Perhaps there is a way that we can reach out and help others and show Hashem we love one another and we are spreading Kindness and in this way brick by brick we can bring Mashiach one step closer.

We set up a kindness challenge. All you have to do is be Kind to three people for seven days. It is that simple. I am struggling with Mental health because of abuse I endured. The effects of  others kindness has eased the burden and, on the flip-side, when you act inconsiderate even just a bit it feels like the last straw for me.

I know firsthand how small acts of kindness changed my life, therefore, I am reaching out to you to ask you to please join me in doing the same for others.

Please join me in spreading three acts a day of kindness for the next seven days.

Simple acts make a world of a difference to someone who is emotionally drained. This challenge can take one minute a day or less for seven days. It is very simple.

1. Each day engage in three small acts of kindness
2. Set up an alarm on your phone to ring midday to remind you of “the kindness challenge” (this step is optional)
3. Email the words “Challenge Accepted” to the3k.kindnesschallenge@gmail.com (include your name if you want to). If you do not want to email write in the comments below challenge accepted.
4. Inform one person about this challenge to help spread awareness

Acts of kindness can be to a

Spouse, child, community member, stranger, friend, acquaintance, boss, employee, coworker, parent, or anyone!

Ideas of acts of kindness

Leave a note for your child telling him how much he means to you

Talk/play with your child without your phone around for five minutes

Tell your spouse a kind word midday

Share a positive memory about your childhood with your parent

Smile at someone on the street

Call someone who you think may need encouragement

Invite a single to your Shabbos meal

Send an encouraging text to someone who you think may be in need of a lift

Hold the door for a stranger (yes, simple acts when someone is emotionally drained make a big difference!)

Let someone ahead of you on line (yes, sometimes I literally just didn’t have an ounce of energy left)

Pay for the drink of the person standing behind you.

Please sign up at the3k.kindnesschallenge@gmail.com

by writing “Challenge accepted”! We want to have 1000 people join in 48 hours.

Thank you in advance for helping me and so many others in this small way.

Like a domino in the wind

Your smile turned my frown to a grin

And with newfound hope I can cope

And help the older women bring her packages in.

The older women now back at home

Sat down promptly and picked up the phone

Because she now had more time

She called a grandson who felt alone.

The adolescent who was feeling blue

Had his strength now renewed

He thought of doing a kindness of his own

He remembered what his brother was going through.

With his brother, a game of football he played

Because he was struggling to get a good grade

The brother then felt so much better

He penned a letter to the teacher’s aide.

The teacher read the boys kind note

It was just what he needed to pull in his boat

He texted a kind word to his spouse

And the wife then felt a surge of hope.

The women skipped outside with glee

And cheered up a child on the street

The child went back to school to learn

Because now he felt confident he could succeed.

The child learned and Shteiged all day

And the Godal Hadar he became

All because of one small smile

That traveled and continued to stay.

Do one kind deed and the ripples will spread

And Tissha Baav will be a time to dance instead.

We want to build the bricks again

For a time when joy will replace all dread.

Kindness

If you cannot help me climb the mountain

As I fall down once again

Perhaps you can just pass a rope

Or lend me a helping hand.

If you cannot keep the ocean calm

While I sail across the sea

Perhaps you can just cheer me on

Supporting me-to be the best me.

If you cannot shelter me from the rain

Whilst I stand there drenching wet

Maybe you can hold an umbrella

Or dry my tears or ease my debt.

If you cannot help me reach the finish line

By running the race in my stead

Maybe you can nourish me

To fortify my soul for the run ahead.

If you cannot help my roses bloom

By digging out the soil

Maybe you can just lend

Encouragement and kindness when I toil.

I will climb to the top of the mountain

And even if I sweat and fall down

I will hang in there tight

Because I know you are around.

I will run and reach the finish line

Even if rain showers; I will win the race

What strengthens me in this life of mine

Is that in your heart, I have a place.

I will brace the storm and swim the sea

Reach the shore and will not drown

Because I know you believe in me-

I know I can get up when feeling down.

I won’t give up I will succeed

And that will be thanks to you

For every small act of kindness

For encouragement, and what you do.

Just one action, just one small deed

Can save a soul when the spark is gone

The kindness that you do today

Has ripples effects that will live on.

Thank you in advance.

Devorah