Monday, July 14, 2008

Meet Sharon

Sharon Hinck is a novelist, the author of Stepping into Sunlight. In this book, Penny Sullivan is a woman healing from personal struggles, and she decides to help herself heal by doing random acts of kindness for others. Sharon has created a blog called Penny's Project, where she encourages other people to share their ideas and their own kind acts. In Sharon's words:

In the novel Stepping Into Sunlight, the character Penny Sullivan creates a plan in a little yellow notebook. She calls it "Penny's Project" and uses it to brainstorm ideas and also record small successes along the way.

As she struggles to heal from post-traumatic stress, she turns her gaze outward as much as she is able - and sets out to do a small act of kindness for a different person each day. Some of her steps of kindness are spontaneous... Other good deeds take planning... Some are common and familiar acts... Others are new ventures...

More than just a place to share, however, Sharon's blog offers up a big challenge, but a worthy challenge that should inspire all of us to think about doing something good. Though the challenge is technically for the month of September, I don't think any of us need to wait to begin on this one. Or, if you choose to participate in September, now you have plenty of time to plan! Here's the challenge, in Sharon's words:
During the 30 days of September, 2008, we're going to do small kind acts. You can set a goal for one per day (like Penny Sullivan in the novel Stepping Into Sunlight) or one per week, or just one per month. Sound fun? Sound scary? Sound impossible? This site will provide community support, loads of ideas, and a place to share your cool experiences.
I'm so excited about this idea, I've already started making a list of kind acts. Some are big, some are small, some I don't plan to plan, but just do as the opportunities present themselves. I hope you'll join Sharon, Penny and I in this venture!

Take a few minutes to visit Sharon's blog, Penny's Project. Even if you don't participate in the challenge, I think you'll be inspired by the kind acts of others, and Sharon's desire to spread a little bit of kindness to others.

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

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