Today, I turned 40. I don’t feel any different. In fact, I think my body has been at the age of 40 since I was 35, so my age has finally caught up to me!

In April, I shared my grand plan of celebrating my 40th birthday with 40 days of kindness.

This birthday was the first one I’ve wanted to celebrate in a while, and I thought by doing things for others, would bring me joy. It did, but I am disappointed that I couldn’t do it for 40 days. I managed to do something intentionally kind for 25 days. The other days? I wasn’t intentional with what I wanted to do. I may have done something kind and not realized it, but if I don’t remember it, then it doesn’t count.

While I am disappointed that I couldn’t do it for 40 days, I know this exercise was a success…not a failure. The reason I know it’s a success is that a young woman searched for #DadLunchNotes on Google, found my name, and sent me an email to thank me for what I did. Giving her a gas card allowed her to fill up her car and eat lunch. Otherwise, she had to choose gas over food.

Being kind is not rocket science, but it is incredibly difficult at times. Whether it’s our busy lives, work, drama, or just stuff, it can be difficult to always be intentionally kind.

And in a hateful and evil world, we all need kindness now more than ever.

Day 0: April 26
Bought flowers for someone.

Day 1: April 27
Left a big tip for the barista.

Day 2: April 28
Raised money for a non-profit (this was really an on-going push as I was raising money for NAMI)

Day 3: April 29
Leave a gas card at the pump.

Day 4: April 30
Left a big tip for a server at a restaurant.

Day 5: May 1
Left letters of encouragement on people’s cars.
Day 6: May 2
Thanked Jackson’s teacher with a gift.

Day 7: May 3
Left letters of encouragement on people’s cars.

Day 8: May 4
Hid a love note for Ashleigh. She found it a few days later…

Day 9: May 5
Mailed copies of my book to local Boys & Girls Clubs.

Day 10: May 6
Held the elevator for someone.

Day 11: May 7
Left a positive review online.

Day 12: May 8
Mother’s Day

Day 13: May 9
Donated old towels to our local animal shelter.

Day 14: May 10
Took time to really listen to someone.

Day 15: May 11
Send #DadLunchNotes messages to random people on the Internet.

Day 16: May 12
Send #DadLunchNotes messages to random people on the Internet.

Day 17: May 13
Sent a random thank-you email to someone I admire. I didn’t hear back from him, so I hope he got it.

Day 18: May 14
Bought my dad brunch after Jackson’s baseball game.

Days 19-22
I don’t know why I didn’t do anything.

Day 23: May 19
Raised more money for NAMI!

Day 24: May 20
Paid for overdue fees at our local library.

Day 25: May 21
Participated in NAMIWalks St. Tammany.

Days 26-29
By this time, I was exhausted. We were in the final days before buying our first home and moving. I feel guilty that I didn’t do anything.

Day 30: May 26
Bought lunch for our moving crew.

Day 31: May 27
Bought lunch for our moving crew.

Day 32: May 28
Bought lunch for our parents.

Days 33-39
New house. New town. Still exhausted. I wanted to do things, but I was focused on getting our new house in order. Does buying stuff at the Farmer’s Market count?

Day 40: June 6
Be kind to myself.