vPAYING IT FORWARD continued from page 17 soldier, taking some time during a coffee stop to listen to a lonely gentleman’s story, sending cards to friends and neighbors to let them know they’re cared about, donating money to the Salvation Army and donating toys to the Toys for Tots program. Others took time to help ring the bell with the Salvation Army, donated Christmas gifts to a family in need, helped the Big Friend/Little Friend Program, helped pay for someone’s groceries when they were short cash, sent random Christmas cards to recovering soldiers at an Army Medical Center. As our lives return back to normal after the rush of the holiday season leaves our heads, we cram the holiday decorations back into their totes and settle back in to the comfort of the humdrum daily routine. We swear we’ll start a new diet and exercise program on Monday, after we finish off this last batch of delicious Christmas fudge. New Year’s Resolutions are fresh in our minds; if you haven’t made one yet surely you’ve thought about it or have been asked if you’ve considered anything. There’s the usual resolutions, eat right, exercise, quit smoking, save money, stress less, play more. How about trying a resolution that can help you and others at the same time? Call it “Resolution Kindness.” Consider performing one small random act of kindness every single day. Sound overwhelming? Why not try it for a few days. Those days might turn into weeks, those weeks spread out to months and before you know it you’ve poured your kindness into a full year! I’m committed to give this a try for my new year’s resolution. I’ve scoured the internet for hundreds of kind acts, from the effortless to those requiring a bit of time or a just a little money. Optimistic, I am hopeful that I will stick with this one much longer than previous resolutions, at least until April. Simple actions like paying someone a compliment, smiling or talking to a stranger, saying thank you, letting someone cut in line, holding the door open for someone or fully listening with no distractions to more challenging deeds like sending cards or notes, paying for someone’s coffee or lunch, calling loved ones, donating time or even money where needed can make a huge impact on someone else’s day. Their spirits uplifted, they pay it forward by doing a good deed for someone else and this continues as the compassion becomes contagious. Imagine the effects if a kindness outbreak swept through the community, and then further beyond. A cup of coffee for a stranger, a note for a former teacher, a smile, a hug, a gentle touch; one simple act of kindness can do so much. Blessings come in packages of all shapes and all sizes and can answer someone’s prayers. May your acts of kindness warm your heart as much as it will theirs. vBy Julie Eickhoff We encourage letters from our readers. Send us your comments or ideas. SEND?TO: Yankton Daily åPress & Dakotan c/o HerVoice 319 Walnut, Yankton, SD 57078 or submit them online at www.hervoiceonline.com Will your money retire before you do? Rhonda L Wesseln, Agent Registered Representative Bus: 605-665-4411 The sooner you start investing, the more likely you are to reach your long-term goals. Ask me about State Farm Mutual Funds . Like a good neighbor,State Farm is there. CALL ME TODAY. ® ® Before investing, consider the funds’ investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. Contact State Farm VP Management Corp (1-800-447-4930) for a prospectus or summary prospectus containing this and other information. Read it carefully. Securities are not FDIC insured, are not bank guaranteed and are subject to investment risk, including possible loss of principal. AP2013/03/0938 State Farm VP Management Corp. One State Farm Plaza, Bloomington, Illinois 61710-0001. Neither State Farm nor its agents provide investment, tax, or legal advice. 1101413.4 Start to Finish Larry’s Can Provide a Complete Installation • venting • gas piping • wood mantels • cultured or natural stone mantels HEATING & COOLING 920 Broadway, Yankton, SD • 665-9461 • 1-800-491-9461 HERVOICE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015v19