It’s that wonderful time of year — when many folks are feeling overwhelmed! If we wait for someone to ask how they can help, chances are we might wait forever. Being asked to help sends a strong message about the trust and value you place in someone.
What to ask for? Maybe time for yourself, entertain the kids, fix dinner, plan the big day, or whatever you need. It costs nothing to ask for advice from a friend.
Go for it!
We never know the impact of our quickly spoken thanks. Acknowledging the person at the grocery store who just rang up his 300th customer might be an opportunity missed to express gratitude. Yet, he will thank us for just being there.
Adding a couple words beyond ‘thank you’ can be what gets remembered at the end of the day — “Thanks for your great service. You are appreciated.”
May gratitude always be on your lips and in your heart.
Today is a global day that promotes the importance of being kind. The purpose of this day, celebrated on November 13 each year, is to help everyone understand that compassion for others is what binds us all together.
Think about the people who help you get life done (trash collector, mail delivery person, etc.) Interrupt them with a bottle of sparkling water or candy bar and a “Thanks for what you do.”
While at the grocery store, pick up a box of ice cream bars and drop them off at a local shelter. All you have to say is “Enjoy!”
“You are really good at what you do!”
If you enjoy reading, gather your used magazines and take them to a homeless shelter.
Make up a few …
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Was a fun day for kindergarteners! A story about three little kittens who lost their mittens captured their attention. Choosing a new pair of mittens and a warm hat appeared to be even better than snack time.
Several years ago, a little girl told me how cold her hands were at recess. The only solution at that time was to put them in her pockets if she had any. That got me started on a tradition of providing hats and mittens for kindergarteners each year. Exciting to see the smallest kindergartener jump for joy when he got to wear his favorite color.
Having the biggest job of all, and needing to supervise 21 lively kindergarteners during recess, their teacher’s new mittens were also warmly received.
Yesterday my husband and I declared it a “Scattering Kindness Day.” We planned a variety of activities as a way of giving back for the many blessings we receive.
Our day began by baking a couple dozen cookies and taking them to a local domestic abuse shelter. From there, we made a stop at the food shelf to bring some items they were needing. Then it was back home to fill ten back packs with an assortment of things like snacks, socks, and water bottles. Those will be kept in our cars to hand out whenever we see a homeless person.
An especially fun part of the day was going out for lunch at a local restaurant where we anonymously picked up the tab for a Mom who we saw with a young daughter and a screaming baby. Needing coffee for dessert, we decided to go to a drive-through, and …
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Has anyone ever told you that you are awesome? If so, how did it make you feel?
Leaving little positive messages, either verbal or written, can turn someone’s day around. No need to wait for a major accomplishment. Things like making a good cup of coffee can also be awesome. All it takes is time to notice.
And YOU are awesome!
A silver lining to saying goodbye to summer is often seen when those first golden leaves appear. Like summer, they don’t last long. Promise yourself to take a mental photo of the first sign of fall.
Welcome to autumn!
A Minneapolis parent shared her story about how her two young boys chose to make hygiene kits to donate. They helped make a list of needed items, all went shopping, and put everything together. Next was delivering them to a shelter.
“As a family, this allowed us to talk about different people’s situations, and how we can help. Our boys learned to be grateful for things like food, water, our home, and basic needs. Each month we take on a new project listed on the website Doing Good Together. This provides ideas for simple, yet meaningful ways to give back, spread kindness and engage in conversations we would not otherwise have” commented Ann K.
This fantastic organization, Doing Good Together, has many tools for families to spark kindness. Check out their “Start Kind Conversations.”
A tiny boy digs into his tiny pocket. He pulls out a coin which he places in the paper cup of a homeless man. This same tiny boy marches on down the street where he hears a steel drum, made out of tin cans. It sends beautiful music to his tiny ears. Once again, he reaches into his tiny pocket and drops a shiny nickel on the ground next to the street musician.
The tiny boy knows he has only one copper penny left in his pocket. He saves it for tomorrow. His compassion is not tiny.
