Spotlight on Kindness - Amy Giddon
Spotlight on Kindness - Amy Giddon
It is my pleasure to introduce the Spotlight on Kindness portion of our newsletter, highlighting the inspiring and empowering work of another to bring kindness, joy, love and hope into the world.
This month’s Spotlight on Kindness is Amy Giddon. Amy understands that to create harmony we must all hear one another and respect the song we all infuse into this world. Through her incredibly inspiring app, The Daily Haloha, she is ensuring that HARMONY is alive and well in the world!
And we are happy to share with you how she started this amazing project:
“My Daily Haloha story began in the fall of 2016 after the US presidential election. Like many, I was dismayed by the level of division and polarization that had arisen during the election process. I was brokenhearted by the “othering” that had crept into our public and private discourse, and even to the discussions around our family dinner tables. We had stopped listening to each other. While feeling the heaviness of our division, I had an uplifting and transformational experience in a New York City subway station.
At this time, I was commuting to NYC’s Union Square for a consulting assignment and one day as I was rushing for the subway I caught a glimpse of a colorful sticky note display that was beginning to blossom across the walls. I stopped for a closer look. I saw notes of hope, affirmation, and encouragement. I was captivated as I saw the New Yorkers rushing by also get drawn in by the colorful notes, and feel compelled to participate.
I watched as the commuters would pause in thoughtful reflection as they considered their own unique contribution. Once they wrote out their note, they would add it to the wall and snap a photo as their note became embraced by the whole. It was a moment of togetherness and harmony— not because the notes were singular in their sentiments— but because placing a note on the wall said I’m here too, in this moment, feeling something too.
This project, started by artist Matthew Chavez, was known as Subway Therapy and culminated in 50,000 bits of benevolence. It was so simple but felt like magic. How did this simple experience create a feeling of kinship and harmony among thousands of anonymous strangers?
I started searching for other examples of public projects on city streets that invite passersby to express themselves anonymously and then display the collective responses, creating a mosaic of shared humanity. I found plenty! Whether through writing on a chalkboard, putting up a sticky note, or sharing a secret on a postcard, these projects allowed the participants to share a bit of themselves and become a part of the bigger human story.
I began to understand the source of the magic. In all of these projects, anonymous strangers come together and express themselves free of judgment. Every thought matters and everyone belongs. In the display of the collective contributions, we see our uniqueness and our sameness, harmoniously woven together. They remind us of how good it feels to connect, as humans.
I realized how different these collaborative experiences were from social media, which runs on judgment and popularity contests. Despite its promise of connection, it can also fuel divisiveness with echo chambers and outrage, and fuel loneliness with social comparison and digital addiction.
Could there be a digital experience that feels more like gathering together at a sticky note wall and less like an endless feed? Could we bottle up the magic of city streets and serve it to people any time and everywhere, connecting us all on one big sidewalk? Those are our goals with Daily Haloha.
Daily Haloha presents the entire world with a new thought-provoking fill-in-the-blank question each day. The questions are an invitation to reminisce and imagine, create and contribute. Just like the projects on city streets, participants offer their personal reflection, which then joins the reflections of others in a colorful wall of thoughts and feelings from around the world. Because it’s all anonymous, and we leave out the judgment and popularity contests, participants can express themselves freely. Our Haloha Wall sparks curiosity and compassion, inspiration and perspective. Maybe even magic.
We need connection and compassion more than ever. I couldn’t have imagined back in 2016 the challenging times we are experiencing now in 2020. Daily Haloha is a welcoming place for all of us to get to know ourselves and our fellow humans a little better. And to be reminded of the remarkable human story we are all a part of.”
~Amy Giddon
The Daily Kindness Digest #1109
Kindness Quote
“The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward.”
Steve Maraboli
Act of Kindness
Forgive Yourself! We all make mistakes and we all fall short sometimes. Allow yourself to get up and take a step towards making things right. Yes, we need to remember the mistakes we’ve made to prevent us for making them again, but YOU are not your mistakes – you are better than that!
Positive Affirmation
Today I will remember that everyone deserves a second chance. Everyone makes mistakes, including myself! Instead of holding a grudge, I will forgive and let bygones be bygones.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1108
Kindness Quote
“Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.”
Dale Turner
Act of Kindness
No matter where you get your inspiration from, it’s always good to remind ourselves to keep dreaming! Find a way to remind someone of their dreams and help them pursue those dreams.
Positive Affirmation
Today I am MOTIVATED to achieve my goals. Nothing can stop me from following my dreams!
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1107
Kindness Quote
“Look up and not down. Look forward and not back. Look out and not in, and lend a hand.”
Edward Everett Hale
Act of Kindness
Decide to lend your skills to someone or some cause that can benefit. We only truly own what we give to others.
Positive Affirmation
Today I am IMPORTANT. People need me to help them on their journeys and I am more than willing to lend a helping hand. It feels great to be this important.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1106
Kindness Quote
“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
Rumi
Act of Kindness
Make it a practice to always give people the benefit of the doubt. Try seeing the situation from their point of view. Understanding where a person is coming from may cause us to change our own perspective.
Positive Affirmation
Today I am WILLING. I am willing to take a risk that can change my life for the better. I am willing to help anyone. I am willing to change myself.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1105
Kindness Quote
“Helping others isn’t a chore; it is one of the greatest gifts there is.”
Liya Kebede
Act of Kindness
Contact a nursing or assisted living facility to see if any residents need clothing. You may be able to donate some old, used, or even buy some new clothing items. This is a great way to help out some local seniors.
Positive Affirmation
Today I am a HELPER. I can make someone’s day go from bad to good. I can do it with a smile, a kind gesture, a compliment and so many other ways. I help in every way I can.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1104
Kindness Quote
“Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better by change.”
Jim Rohn
Act of Kindness
Instead of just thinking it, compliment someone. You have the ability to change someone’s day around.
Positive Affirmation
Today I will welcome any changes that occur in my life. Change can be beautiful and positive! Just as the seasons change and bring new opportunities for life and growth, I will view the changes in my life as an opportunity for renewal and maturity.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1103
Kindness Quote
“Life is much more fun if you live it in the spirit of play and collaboration, working with instead of against others.”
Wally Amos
Act of Kindness
Give someone a reason to smile. Share a funny story or tell a joke. Even a simple thing like that can relieve stress they may have.
Positive Affirmation
Today I will let go of my stress and anger, and acknowledge what a beautiful world I live in. I will smile and enjoy what surrounds me.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1101
Kindness Quote
“People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
Act of Kindness
Spreading kindness can be as easy as you maintaining a positive attitude and carrying a big old smile with you. Smile often!
Positive Affirmation
Today I am patient. I may not understand why things take longer than expected, but I recognize that the act of waiting does wonders for my character.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1102
Kindness Quote
“Encourage, lift and strengthen one another. For the positive energy spread to one will be felt by us all. For we are connected, one and all.”
Deborah Day
Act of Kindness
Engage in an anonymous act of kindness by leaving an encouraging letter on someone’s doorstep. Hidden acts of kindness have a way of healing us from the inside out.
Positive Affirmation
Today I choose to respond to the world around me with positivity and certainty.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1100
Kindness Quote
“My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.”
Henry Ford
Act of Kindness
Make a BFF movie. Stuff all the glory days of your friendship into a short animated video and send it to your best friend.
Positive Affirmation
Today I inspire my friends to pursue their dreams. Sometimes all we need is a push in the right direction.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1099
Kindness Quote
“One of the first conditions of happiness is that the link between man and nature shall not be broken.”
Leo Tolstoy
Act of Kindness
Give a little love to the environment today! Start recycling or even gardening.
Positive Affirmation
Today I will help make this planet a better place to live.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1098
Kindness Quote
“It’s never too late to become who you want to be. I hope you live a life that you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start over.”
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Act of Kindness
Start an exercise routine. You have to take care of your health in order to be the very best you can be! It’s not about how much time you allocate, it’s about consistency.
Positive Affirmation
Today I am going to work hard at achieving a goal I’ve been wanting to accomplish. I am starting fresh, focused, and determined.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1097
Kindness Quote
“He stands erect by bending over the fallen. He rises by lifting others.”
Robert Green Ingersoll
Act of Kindness
Make an important introduction for someone. Remember, we rise by lifting others.
Positive Affirmation
Today I will be there for a loved one. Whether it is to help with a problem or just checking out on them. It’s easy to forget how the we all deal with hardships differently but it’s important to be there for one another.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1096
Kindness Quote
“No one can ever take your memories from you – each day is a new beginning, make good memories every day.”
Catherine Pulsifer
Act of Kindness
Make today a day of new beginnings. Have you been thinking about making a change? Today is the day to take that first step.
Positive Affirmation
Today I will be open to CHANGE. I know that when one door closes, another door opens. I will greet the new door with an open heart and a positive outlook!
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1095
Kindness Quote
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”
Mother Teresa
Act of Kindness
Spread the love today! Compliment everyone and everything that pleases you today without hesitation. You never know when the right words will make another’s day.
Positive Affirmation
Today I will be mindful of my words, recognizing that each word holds with it the power to make someone’s day or ruin their life.