Positive Impact

Acts of kindness, big and small, have the ability to change the world, one community at a time. After more than a year of isolation for many people across the country, now is the perfect time to do good and build unity in your area.

According to a national survey from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, more than 1 in 3 Americans (36 percent) faced “serious loneliness” during the pandemic, including more than 60 percent of young adults.

You can help those craving a sense of connection with a few tips from SECU Maryland. The largest chartered credit union in the state continues to strengthen and enrich the lives of neighbors and communities, in this case aiming to inspire 70,000 acts of kindness nationwide.

USE YOUR VOICE GET ACTIVE

Words have power, and you can leverage yours to uplift, support and offer love.

- Thank a teacher for making a difference in your life or your children’s.

- Send a “thank you” card to your local fire station or police department.

- Decorate your children’s bedroom doors with paper hearts, each featuring a reason you love them.

- Leave a positive online review for a company, business or organization in your community.

- Write an uplifting text message to five friends whom you haven’t spoken to recently.

CULTIVATE GRATITUDE

- Take making a difference in your community to the next level by getting active with the organizations and associations that mean the most to you, starting at home.

- Complete chores you know your partner or family members don’t like doing.

- Donate old towels and blankets to a local animal shelter.

- Surprise a neighbor with freshly baked goodies.

- Take used books to a local library.

- Put your phone away while enjoying the company of others and focus on being present.

- Start a piggy bank for a cause in need of funding.

- Volunteer for a nonprofit that’s close to your heart.

- Surprise someone behind you in the drive-thru line by paying for his or her order.

- Leave an extra tip at your favorite restaurant or for your grocery delivery person.

There are many benefits of showing gratitude to those around you, both for your friends and family and for you. Start by focusing internally; begin writing in a gratitude journal, jotting down three things you’re thankful for each day before going to bed. Continue by reflecting on each day with your partner or family at mealtime, celebrating the moments that brought a smile to your face. Finally, show your gratitude to those all around you by saying “thank you” at every opportunity for the big things and small ones.

201-750-8880 KINDNESS CONNECTS Gao Thai Kitchen (BYOB) 63 Main St., Ramsey, 201-962-2691 Malee Fine Thai Cuisine (BYOB) 2 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, No matter the size of the act, random 201-612-7797 acts of kindness can leave a large and Massaman Thai Cuisine lasting impact. Instilling kindness in 312 Hackensack St., Carlstadt, your children can be as simple as en-201-559-1424 couraging them to take part in simple Pimaan Thai Restaurant (BYOB) (and fun) activities like these: 79 Kinderkamack Rd., Emerson, 201-967-0440 Sidewalk chalk: Inspire creativity in Ridge Thai (BYOB) your little artist by using sidewalk 50 Chestnut St., Ridgewood, chalk to write uplifting messages or 201-493-9929 draw colorful images in your neighThai West (BYOB) borhood. 22 Jefferson Ave., Westwood, 201-497-6981 Wyckoff Thai Cuisine Wildflower seeds: Sprinkle wildflower 314 Franklin Ave., Wyckoff, seeds along your next walk to add 201-485-8855 Persianpops of color for others to enjoy. Kabab on the Cliff 23 Godwin Ave., Ridgewood, Notecards: Pick an uplifting design 201-444-5100 for your child to share his or her Pardis Persian Grill (BYOB) thanks with a teacher, send a sweet 47 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, note to a friend or family member or 201-652-8000 write an inspiring message to mail to Rose (BYOB) a child in need. 1150 Teaneck Rd., Teaneck, 201-569-3600 Cookie dough: For a delicious way to put a smile on someone else’s face, choose your favorite cookie dough and bake a sweet treat to surprise a neighbor or family member. - Volunteer for a nonprofit that’s close to your heart. - Surprise someone behind you in the drive-thru line by paying for his or her order. - Leave an extra tip at your favorite restaurant or for your grocery delivery person.

Samdan 178 Piermont Rd., Cresskill, 201-816-7343 Turkish Kitchen 297 Palisade Ave., Cliffside Park, 201-943-7733 Turkuaz (BYOB) 1550 Lemoine Ave., Fort Lee, 201-944-1115 Vietnamese Bistro Du Saigon 168 Main St., Fort Lee, 201-592-0100 Ma Mí Eatery 546 Durie Ave., Closter, 201-660-7826 Mekong Grill (BYOB) 24 Chestnut St., Ridgewood, 201-445-0011 Pho Miu Vietnamese Restaurant 255 Pascack Rd., Township of Washington, 201-497-3915 Saigon Kitchen (BYOB) 2024 Center Ave., Fort Lee, 201-592-8890 Simply Vietnamese (BYOB) 1 Highwood Ave, Tenafly, 201-568-7770 TC’s Little Taste of Saigon (BYOB) 419 Goffle Rd., Ridgewood, 201-445-5509

Cinar 214 Kinderkamack Rd., Emerson, 201-523-9284 Hakki Babba (BYOB) 555 Anderson Ave., Cliffside Park, 201-840-8444 Hunkar (BYOB) 319 Hackensack St., Carlstadt, 201-507-0606 Istanblue Restaurant (BYOB) 645 Kinderkamack Rd., River Edge, 201-262-4400 Istanbul Café & Grill (BYOB) 14-25 Plaza Rd., Fair Lawn, 201-791-2222 Elise Chassen Sopov, MS, RDN, CLT Find more ways to inspire acts of kindness, give back to your community and support your neighborhood at secukindness.org. Kebab Istanbul 5819 John F. Kennedy Blvd., North Bergen, 201-861-4400 Marmaris Cafe (BYOB) 820 River Rd., Edgewater, 201-943-9090

110 BC TheMag WINTER 2020

Nutritionist & Exercise Physiologist Elise Chassen Sopov, MS, RDN Individual & Group Counseling Nutritionist & Exercise Physiologist Exercise Programming Individual & Group Counseling Exercise Programming 334 Kinderkamack Road Oradell, NJ 07649 1376 Pompton Avenue Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 201.262.6060 elise@nourishyourbodyllc.com nourishyourbodyllc.com

334 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell, NJ 07649 • • • • • • • 1376 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 1376 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 973.200.0896 • elise@nourishyourbodyllc.com • • • • • • • 201.262.6060 • elise@nourishyourbodyllc.com nourishyourbodyllc.com nourishyourbodyllc.com