My Easter SMOCK campaign

What do both Easter and lent mean to you?

Well in Australia, it’s the perfect excuse to indulge on hot cross buns and chocolate eggs as much as you like.

But the religious reason behind lent pre-Easter is to give up an indulgence (food and/or technology) up to honour how Jesus Christ made the ultimate sacrifice by offering to be crucified on the cross for our sins as well as to morally appreciate what it’s like to live without it as a luxury, sort of like putting yourself in someone else’s shoes to see what’s it’s like to “make do” (if need be) and/or gain a different or better perspective on life.

I understand that times have changed, with busy lives and over-demanding careers, but that in itself, shouldn’t stop us from frequently helping and being kind to others (whenever, wherever and with whatever way we can, no matter how big or small).

I can’t fast with food because of my cerebral palsy and I’m a freelance writer, which is why I (in a non-addictive way) constantly need my computer and iPad on hand.

This is where the SMOCK campaign comes in…

SMOCK stands for Small Measures Of Contagious Kindness and is a concept that was implemented by the American TV show The Doctors with its philosophy being that small acts of kindness can make a world of difference in improving one’s health and even their quality of life.

So in the spirit of pre-lent and the upcoming 2015 Easter festivities, I’ll be posting some photos that will be some examples of where I’ve used the SMOCK campaign myself.

I’d like to keep this initiative going, so for the next 40 days (lent period) starting Monday February 16, 2015; I’d like to invite all of my Facebook friends (Orthodox friends included) to SMOCK people and send them to me (photos and videos are allowed) and then give me a testimonial at the end of the 40 days about the experience as well as spread this important message and try to pay it forward themselves.

Here’s to plenty of acts of kindness this Easter.

       

September 2014: My first visit to Bexley Dental, I went there to give back to Dr Psillakis himself, but he wasn't there unfortunately, but I'd like to thank 2 out of my 4 musketeers nurse Melissa Kiparizov and former managing receptionist Hannah Sayer for making me feel so welcome.

October 2014: My "Welcome back from Greece" present to my "grandparents".

December 2014: My second Bexley Dental visit, this time to give back in the spirit of Christmas (left to right), meeting the man himself Dr Psillakis and 3 out of my 4 musketeers, nurse Melissa Kiparizov and receptionists Kelly Smith and Rachael Turner.