Let's declare Minti a kindness zone this holiday season!  Wouldn't it be fantastic if we were trying to out-do each other in random comments of kindness!?  How can you spread the love?

• Send a kind comment on an article you especially love.
• Answer a question with postive words of encouragement.
• Compliment someone who is not expecting it.
• Ask a question for clarification before rushing to judgment.
• Find a way to say something completely and totally positive.

But what, I hear you asking, should I do if someone is behaving badly, driving me crazy or hurting my feelings???

• Ten deep breaths.  The first reaction is often the one you regret.  Why not sleep on it first and see how you feel in the morning?
• Leave it alone.  Sometimes misunderstandings dissolve on their own--especially when there aren't too many words to add fuel to the fire.
• Vote your conscience and move on.  The star system is there for a reason.  There's nothing wrong with voting something one or two stars if you find it completely unhelpful.  But be kind enough to keep your opinions NON-PERSONAL.  You can do this by leaving a friendly comment on the author's blog or inviting them to be a friend. Disagreeing with someone else's point of view doesn't have to be the end of the world, so treat such differences of opinion lightly.
• Take a break.  Minti is a big wide world.  Go hang out in photos--you'll be delighted by the cute kid pics flying around.  Or offer some helpful advice in Q&A.  Blogs and article review are not your only option.

Here's my challenge.  Let's see if we can find five fantastic things to say a day on Minti, so we can encourage a positive atmosphere around here this holiday season.  What do you think??  With so much love flying around, I bet everything else will take on a whole new perspective!