At the start of the 40 Acts thingy, I posted small bars of chocolate through the doors of all my neighbours.

Yesterday I found a box of chocs on my doormat with the above note... how lovely.  And totally unexpected.

A tricky balance being attempted here - on All Fools Day, when pranks and jokes abound, the suggestion to come alongside someone for whom life is not a barrel of laughs and endeavour to bring them a smile.

Can I mention P.  P is "someone I know" through the world of cancer and who now faces a terminal prognosis.  As she undergoes aggressive tratment that might buy her more time, she shares the slightly crazy practice of the support groups she is in whereby everyone jumps into her pockets to travel with her to appointments.  Each day she fills those imaginary pockets with fresh supplies of sweets and cakes to sustain her supporters.  It generates a smile.  It reassures her that she is not alone.  That fine line is negotiated effectively.

Here is today's challenge

The guy who created the Knock Knock jokes deserves a 'no bell' prize (Ba-dum-tsch! You're welcome, we're here all week, etc. ...) Today is April Fool's Day, so feel free to steal that dreadful joke if you've got no others up your sleeve. For some people, though, today won't be particularly bright and breezy. Some people are carrying heavy burdens. Could you try to lift someone's load today, and make life a little lighter?

LET'S GO:

Be kind, be aware, be educated. An ongoing attitude of 'kindness first' is a good first step. A small shift in your awareness can make all the difference on a daily basis. And it's a great idea to read up on things like depression, anxiety and other mental health issues, so that you're equipped to support people around you.

GET ACTIVE:

Can you think of someone in particular who won't be laughing today? Think of ways you might be able to make them smile in the next 24 hours. You might want to tell them it's not an April Fool!

GO ALL OUT:

Could you commit to stand by someone in their struggles beyond just today? There are few things more incredible than knowing someone is standing shoulder to shoulder with you when you're facing tough times. Let someone know you're not going anywhere.