Another type of kindness...

Hey everyone. 

I need your help. 

I've signed up to the worlds greatest shave for next week. I'm NOT going to shave my head but cut off most of my long locks to give to wig makers for cancer sufferers AND then colour what's left of my hair for the Worlds Greatest Shave for people with leukemia. 

I need your help to raise the $500+ I've signed up to raise. I was sick last week so didn't get a chance to share my plans with you. You can donate online at www.worldsgreatestshave.com  

You just have to type in Daena Guest in the "sponsor" section. I'm an 'individual' not a group or team This is my first time volunteering to do this! 

My hair grows super fast, to the frustration of some, but I thought I would actually use that awesome super power for good & hit two birds with one stone*. So please help me to raise money to keep a family together whilst one of them is receiving treatment for blood cancer. 

Cancer is a big deal in my family, breast cancer being the worst and affecting almost all of the women in my family (most of them on my mums side - including my mum). And the wigs make a difference to women who loose their hair due I cancer treatments. So if you or someone you know would also like to donate hair to make wigs Pantene Beautiful Lengths is one way to do it! http://www.beautifullengths.com.au/?gclid=CMXw8LCHt8MCFQYAvAodnj4AOQ 

Thank you so much for helping me out. So far it looks like this will all happen on Friday 13th March (this coming Friday). I really appreciate your help raising money to help out others in need. 

Thanks again, 

love Daena 

*no actual birds were hurt in the making of this post! 

So many things to say... (but maybe I need a better title)

Hey everyone,
So I've been a busy little bunny.

This year so far has been filled with weddings, anniversaries, funerals, birthdays, catching up with friends, and continuing to get healthy.

I got my contract renewed for all of this year, so I am back working for the Social Justice Unit. Which as you all know, is a passion for me. Doing things for others, and creating kindness in everything. Plus its nice to get paid! heheheh.


I am still working on my kindnesses. This year I was introduced to a "Charity" that I hadn't heard of before. I was introduced to Days for Girls. Days for Girls is groups of people all over the world (there is a group right here in Perth, Western Australia), who are committed to providing girls in third world countries access to feminine hygiene products, so that they don't miss school. I ripped this next bit straight from the international webpage...

What is Days for Girls?

Every girl in the world deserves education, safety, and dignity. We help girls gain access to quality sustainable feminine hygiene and awareness, by direct distribution of sustainable feminine hygiene kits, by partnering with nonprofits, groups and organizations, by raising awareness, and by helping  communities around the world start their own programs. Thanks to a global grassroot network of thousands of volunteers and supporters on 6 continents, we have reached women and girls in 76 countries on 6 continents.  It's working. You can help us reach the rest.

Imagine…

What if not having sanitary supplies meant DAYS without school, DAYS without income, DAYS without leaving the house? Girls use leaves, mattress stuffing, newspaper, corn husks, rocks, anything they can find...but still miss up to 2 months of school every year. It turns out this issue is a surprising but instrumental key to social change for women all over the world. The poverty cycle can be broken when girls stay in school. Learn more 

Mission:

Creating a more dignified, free and educated world through access to lasting feminine hygiene solutions. 

Days for Girls International is a grassroots 501(c)3 non-profit. Women, and girls discover their potential and self-value, are equal participants and agents of social change and are given opportunities to thrive, grow and contribute to their community's betterment while ensuring quality sustainable feminine hygiene.

Vision:

Every girl and woman in the world with ready feasible access to quality sustainable hygiene & health education by 2022.​ 

If you want to know more about the international organisation you can read more here. 

I met one of the Perth Days for Girls representatives at a talk she gave a group of CWA ladies, including my mum, sister and I. She told us all about what Days for Girls needed and what we could do to help. So some of my kindnesses over this last month has been providing some of the things she, and her fellow workers, need to send to girls. This in turn means that the girls go to school, instead of missing out because they are bleeding which is completely normal and healthy (gentlemen... it happens!)

The Perth Chapter are available on Facebook here and are always looking for supplies and donations (if you find a chapter of Days for Girls in your area, I suggest contacting them and finding out what they need most). 

What they do need (stuff for a pack): 
100% Cotton for the liners and Shields
Flannels/ Face Washers (bright coloured preferred over white)
Zip Lock Bags (28cm to 36cm)
Plastic Snap Fasteners (not metal)
Knickers (girls sizes 14-16 and womens sizes 8-10)
Small soaps (Hotel sized ones are perfect)
PUL - the only waterproof lining for shields that Days for Girls uses (It has limited sources so Chapters are happy to receive money for the purchase of this stuff). 
Bright Coloured fabric (100% cotton not required) to make drawstring bags to hold it all.

You can also check the website if you are inspired and start your own group or chapter. 

Apart from that, I have been doing my kind deeds everyday, sometimes more than one. It has been so busy.

Yesterday I went to my nieces 7th birthday party and helped a whole bunch of kids Ice Skate for the first or second time. I'm pretty confident on skates (years of Rollerblade as a young'en) so I could help kids, parents and toddlers alike (oh yes... the toddlers seemed the most adventurous). Happy Birthday AV! :)

I've been cleaning out my bookcases (a miracle for me) and donating books to charity and to libraries.

I've been cleaning out my clothing and donating all the stuff I don't use any more to charities and op-shops! Not to mention I have been going op-shopping and buying clothes from there. Reusing and recycling are kindnesses to the planet.

I helped a friend, who lives out of town get her musical instrument back from a group she lent it too a while ago. Because she lives out of town, I went a picked it up and stored it at my house until she was back in town. 

I helped create decorations for my sisters "Love Boat themed" valentines day birthday party.Happy Birthday V! :)

That beautiful life preserver I made from a $2 swim ring and a whole roll of Masking tape and a roll of red Gaffa tape

I spent time and money sourcing and buying knickers, flannels, cloth, soaps and other things for Days for Girls. I know I mentioned Days for Girls already but my sister, mum and i have been working with other interested people to get a range of stuff to the Perth organiser. Here are some of the things we have acquired between us.

Photo from the Days for Girls Perth facebook page: Fabrics from the CWA ladies, money and kickers from people of the hills (near where my sister lives). Mum and i dropped this delivery off on Saturday.

Bright face washers (I bought at IKEA) and the 9 packs of unpacked knickers (from K-mart), my next door neighbour supplied all the hotel soaps, my sister supplying all the other knickers in the photo.  Plus there were Snap lock bags not in photo which my sister also got. These were taken to Days for Girls Perth HQ on valentines day.

I bought and donated wool to be made into blankets for Wheelchairs for Kids, Nursing homes and for homeless people. 

Not to mention working and having a social life. This year I have been making a concerted effort to see people and catch up with old friends. 

Last year I was basically in hibernation with all the stuff that happened then. Dad passing away, mums cancer and her surgery, some personal issues of my own, not to mention trying to function as an ordinary human. Its been pretty full on this last year. But I'm so glad its over. 

Good things did happen though. I saw my Best friend Tanya get married to her now, hubby, Isaac and in a week they will be celebrating their first wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary! :) 

I got a 3 month contract for work in the Social Justice Unit of the Uniting Church, which turned into a 6 month contract and that has now extended again! YAY! I work with some amazing people! Pretty awesome there. 

We got a 'new' car. Our little blue baby had to go to Car Heaven after dying quite spectacularly. Our 'new' car is Silver and can hold a lot more stuff than the little blue one... which has been a blessing getting big things from the shops! So i have been trying to look after it better, hence the photos of me washing it on new years day ! we have had it for about 11 months now... time flies so fast. 

Like I said... so much to say...   and I know its not a day by day listing of my kindnesses, like I have done before, but at least you are seeing some of the things I'm doing. Or at least see that I'm sharing them.

Anyway, I hope this finds you all well. 
Much love, 
Daena x

An anniversary of sorts... still missing dad!

Hey everyone,
So today is the anniversary of my fathers death.Victor Guest (my dad) died one year ago.

Just after midnight this day, last year, mum & I got a phone call to say dad had passed away peacefully in his sleep. We made our way down to his nursing home, and said our good byes. My sister Vandra made the journey down from the hills, to say her own goodbye. And then we waited with him until the early hours of the morning to see him taken safely into the care of the undertakers. We watched over him like guardians.

When we eventually got home we slept badly (my sister having to sleep on the couch in our tiny house). And we woke early, after only a couple hours sleep, to make the phone calls and tell those who knew us, and dad, what happened. It was one of the longest nights/days of my life. 

But even through it all I am grateful. He is at rest. No more suffering. No more pain! It hurts for those of us left behind but it is a blessing for dads body and his spirit. I miss him. But he is a constant companion to me when I work, and spend time in the garden. Social justice and Permaculture, just two of his many and varied passions!

I miss talking to him. He would be so proud of us, working together as a strong family (those biologically related and those "add ons"). He would be proud because we are following our passions in all shapes and forms.

I'm proud to have had a dad like Victor. He helped build me into the amazing person I am today (and a modest girl too. Lol)! And I miss him, I miss him oodles. I continue to love him dearly, in new ways, for the things he taught me without me knowing it!

He taught me kindness, understanding, and generosity of spirit (all with the help of my amazing mum). He taught me that it doesn't matter what colour, race, religion, creed, sexuality,or life choices a person has made, they are still human, after all "we all bleed red blood". He taught me that everyone deserves kindness, and that is what I am trying to pass on to others too. So a part of him will live on in others, even if they never got to meet him.

So today I ask something simple of you... could you please do a kindness for a guy you've never met today, to honour his life? You don't need to tell me what you've done, just that you did it. Please? Thank you! I appreciate that! :)

Lastly, can I say, rest well Dad, you deserve the peace. See you in the next life.
Love from your little Miss Chief! Xxx

New Years resolutions... blogging

Hello my beautiful followers, friends and family!

Every year for the last 5 years, I have been striving to do a kindness a day. So far so good. 5 x 365 (+1 day for a leap year) and all in all... Well... that's a pretty kind start (I'm just starting the 6th year of kindnesses). 

I start each year with such enthusiasm for kindness and for blogging. Each year I drop one, and every time it's been the blogging. I endeavour to blog regularly. But like almost every other New Years resolution, I start strong and then it doesn't always continue like I mean it to. This year I didn't even start strong. So far this year I've only posted once but trust me when I say... The kindness continues! 

My aim with this blog has always been to encourage you. To inspire you to be passionate, like I am, about kindness. To show just how easy kindness can be! So that we, together, can change the world by becoming the best versions of ourselves. 

I want to share my adventures with you through this life. How I've read books about kindness ideas, or how I've been challenged by others perspectives. I want to be the best person I can be.

This last year has shown me how strong, how loving, how kind and how generous, I can be in the face of tragedy. It was a tough year, loosing my father to his illness, having mum have both her breasts removed because of cancer, and the persistent and lingering complications. And then to have my own health issues and personal struggles on top, that I bravely continue through even today. Often I've kept this so tightly in my grip that I've closed off the hurt and sadness to be numb to almost everything. It is amazing how someone else's kindness is enough to reach me, and remind me why I do what I do.

One blessing, through the darkest times, has been this project. With everything I've been through I was forced to think of kind things to do for myself and others. It was a small joy in a dark time. And I am grateful I was stubborn enough to stick it out. 

I want to be the best person that I can be. And whilst that makes me kind, I admit it doesn't make me a reliable blogger. So for that I apologise. But please know, I will endeavour to do the best I can, to keep you posted on my exploits in kindnesses, and the things in life I think you might appreciate or understand the most. If through blogging I can help one person in some way to be kinder to another or even themselves, I'll take it! :) 

But thank you for reading this. You took time out of your day to read my words and that is invaluable to me. I cherish your comments, secret kindnesses and enthusiasm for kindness, no matter when, how or why you do it! I appreciate you and your own possibility of becoming the best version of yourself! 

So I will keep doing my kindnesses through everything. Because I'm learning kindness is not a weakness, it requires the greatest strength. I'm learning how to be kind to myself, because that is often harder than being kind to others. And I'm learning how much is still left to be done! 

I wish you all the best of luck in your own kindness endeavours. For those that are doing one of the kindness challenges... Bravo!  I'm so proud of you! Keep up the awesome work. If anyone is interested in starting any of the following, #365DaysOfKindness #52WeeksOfKindness or #12MonthsOf Kindness I'd love to hear from you. You can start at any time! If you need help just comment below on the blog, or follow me on Facebook or Twitter (@DaenaGuest). I'm not always on social media, but I'm still attempting to keep you posted, and I will always try to help as much as possible. :) 

If you want simple ideas check out my Pinterest page under "kindness ideas". I scour the pins for some awesome ideas, stories and motivation and have collated them all there! Hope you find them useful.

Much love to you.

Luv Daena x

A new year of kindnesses from 1st Jan 2015

Hello beautiful friends. 

I am back! I hope you haven't worried about me not being back blogging this year yet? If so don't worry! I have been doing my kindnesses this year again. I've been on Facebook to keep people posted and I'm really sorry it's taken me this long to get to the blog. 

This year I am asking people to join me in my kindnesses. Think you could do a kind deed a day? Or a kind deed a week? Or maybe a kind deed a month? Well this year I'm asking you to join me with your kindnesses. 

#365daysofkindness

#52weeksofkindness

#12monthsofkindness 

I urge you to take on the challenge. 

I've found it such a true pleasure to do a kind deed that I want others to experiment and experience that joy! :) 

I know it's already into the new year and I have started my 365days of kindness already but you don't have to go from 1st of January to 31st of December. You could do whatever date you want to start and continue for a full year. I'm happy to support you along the way.

Mum this year has decided to join me. Her kindnesses will be different and also sometimes the same as mine. But it's always lovely having someone to join you. And I want to walk with you on the journey. And celebrate the good things in life! :) 

My kindnesses so far this year: 

January 1, 2014 - I detailed our car for my mum. It's not a job she can do. So I scrubbed and waxed our car so it is now all shiny. 

(I think I was pretty tired after the last photo! Who guessed detailing the car would be so tiring! But it looked amazing!)

January 2, 2014 - I supported a friend who needed some advise and needed someone to listen. It was an honour and a privilege to be there for them when they needed me. 

January 3, 2014 - today was my brother in laws birthday party. So I made dip for my sister so she could finish other stuff ready for the party. 

I played a couple of games of chess with my nephew because it kept him out of his parents hair whilst they were busy doing other things... Amazingly I lost at chess, twice! Clearly need to brush up on my chess skills! 

I played "hangman" spelling game with my niece whilst cooking.

I made cups of tea for my mum, sister, nephew and niece. I also offered to my brother in law but he kindly declined!

I also helped move the new "family" guinea pigs safely away from where all the noise would be for the party. I also had a cuddle with Chocolate and Prince, the two male guinea pigs, helping my niece and nephew continue to get used to holding them. 

Okay... So today was a busy day! :) but it was lots of fun and totally worth it! :) 

I hope your Christmas and New Year celebrations went splendidly. And I hope and wish for a year filled with love, joy and kindness for you all! 

Let me know here, Facebook, or twitter if you are joining me for one of the kindness challenges! I look forward to hearing from you! 

Much love, 

Daena x

It is the season to be kind!

Merry Christmas to all you wonderful people. I wish you the happiest and kindest Christmas, and an even better beginning to the new year! :) 

To those who don't celebrate Christmas (or if you belong to another religion) I wish you a peaceful and relaxing end to the year. I hope the new year also brings you kindness and joy! 

I really want to thank you for your encouragement & support this year & over the last few years! It has meant so much to me. It has been such a hard year, in so many ways for my family and I that we are looking forward to a better year next year! 

So here is to a new year filled with hope and kindness. :) 

luv much,

Daena x

Kindness continues...

Hey everyone, did you miss me? I sure missed you. Life has been crazy and all my plans of blogging daily have gone right out the window. But at least I'm back writing again. :) 

For those who don't know, this month is NaNoWriMo or, to the uninitiated, National November Writers Month. It's been going for years and I've been doing it for years but this year I have come full circle and am writing fantasy stories about characters I've written about in the past! But I have to tell you writing, whether it be blogging or story telling, keeps me happy. I have so many ideas and often I find life get in the way. But that just adds more inspiration!

 I sometimes wish I had a job as a writer then I'd get paid to do what I love, which would also mean I would have accountability to others. Plus i work so well to a dead line! :)

Anyways, that wasn't what I was really wanting to tell you about. Seeing as I haven't has a chance to upload the hundreds of kindness ideas yet (for the last several months), I thought I would share with you today's kindnesses (and yes there was a few more than one).

So today I went to help mum at her MU (Mothers Union) meeting. It's a group of Christian women who come together and have a good time, eat food and try and support local community groups. Well, today was their Christmas craft day that mum was helping with. I volunteered to help the ladies, aged between 60-95 years young, make Christmas crackers! And amazingly it's much harder than it sounds. But not too complicated! I didn't take any photos I'm afraid but it was very successful. :) there was other crafts too, ready for next months MU Christmas party! 

Not only did I make Christmas crackers for all those that were working at other tables as teachers for the craft I also made crackers for those that couldn't make today's meeting and I helped others make their own. I also helped the ladies organising the event (mum included) to pack away, then I did a load of washing up, dryed up and even brought the rubbish bins in from the road!

I was very busy and I'm exhausted now but it was a lot of fun! 

I just wanted to share this with you so you knew I was keeping up with my kindnesses! :) 

Simple kindnesses are the best. Today cost me a bit of time, but no money. Sometimes your time is the most valuable asset you have! :) 

Hope this finds you all well! :) 

Luv Daena x