This is Peanut Butter Brickle. Do you like to play games? What kinds of games do you like to play?

My persons have always liked to play a game on TV since they first knew each other.

I’m not sure I understand why this makes them so happy to compete against each other.

I could beat them both. They just don’t know it.

Digby Pancake and I like to play find the treats. Wherever those treats may be. But we really like it when Girl Person throws them in tall grass and we have to find them! It’s like a walk and snack at the same time!

But since persons like to play games so much, Digby and I had an idea. We always have the best ideas.

Since so many persons are feeling down lately and overwhelmed, what if they could start this week out with a goal? A goal of winning a game of tic-tac-toe.

But not just any tic-tac-toe game.

Kindness Tic-Tac-Toe. Are you ready to play?

Digby and I discussed what we wanted to put in the squares. Acts of kindness that we would like to see from persons more often. We came up with a few suggestions!

Smile at someone who looks sad.

Make a meal for a neighbor.

Donate to a friend’s favorite charity in their name.

Donate toys or blankets to an animal shelter.

Pick up trash and throw it away.

Read to your dog a happy story.

Bring flowers to a nursing home.

Send a handwritten note to a friend.

Plant a tree.

Why do we want you to think about doing this? Because the truth is, you persons rush around. You drive through life. You don’t drive in life.

And we would like you to slow down this week. Think about your actions and your inactions. Ponder over how you are really treating yourself and others. Can you do better?

It’s like me and Digby at dinner time. Digby eats his dinner so fast. I eat very slow. But. I always save him one bite. No matter what. Can you spare some kindness? I know you can. But it’s going to take work to make that kindness happen.

Digby and I made up the game for you to play this week. You know the rules of tic-tac-toe.

The first player to get 3 of your marks in a row (up, down, across, or diagonally) is the winner.

But we can all be winners! Tell us when you’ve completed your game. And we may just send you a thank you card!

Kindness for kindness!

When the world seems out of control, it probably is. Things are hard right now. That’s the truth. Showing kindness can turn someone’s day around and therefore turn their life around. Let’s play!

–Peanut Butter Brickle