The Falling Leaves
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!
Kind Kids
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.”
Compassion
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.
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Kindness Takes Over Olympics
We are seeing so many acts of kindness by Olympians competing at the highest level of their sport.
After tripping and falling, two running rivals finished the race together. Another two rivals chose to share a gold medal instead of breaking their tie in the high jump competition. And how about the defending Olympic champion and world-record holder who said how proud she was of the 17-year-old swimmer who beat her.
Thanks to all of these wonderful Olympians for scattering kindness across the world!
Sometimes you just need a hug
This short video has probably been watched a million times, yet its message is so powerful.
A little boy asks his friend if he’s ok. Although he replies “Yeah,” this perceptive little guy realizes his friend is upset. His question “You need a hug?” leads to a warm embrace.
The video, originally shared on TikTok by user @shackychan2 demonstrates pure kindness.
sometimes you just need a hug video – Bing video
“We’re Here For A Reason”
Here’s what a few folks had to say about kindness:
“If someone were to pay you ten cents for every kind word you ever spoke and collect five cents for every unkind word, would you be rich or poor?” Nonpareil
“For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.” Audrey Hepburn
“We’re here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark.” Whoopi Goldberg
“Always be a little kinder than necessary.” James M. Barrie
Which are the Kindest States in America?
There are good people everywhere, but which state has the kindest people around?
Verizon worked with Kindness.org to find the kindest states in America as part of the “A Call For Kindness” campaign. Thousands of people from all 50 states were surveyed to determine which states would top the list.
Dr. Oliver Scott Curry, research director for Kindness.org, said in a statement:
“Overall, our research revealed a surprisingly high capacity for kindness across America, and the results across all the states were remarkably similar.”
The top three kindest acts ranked by Americans were:
- Donating an organ for a family member
- Pulling a stranger from a burning vehicle
- Adopting and raising a family member
The report also found that:
- 86% of people would donate a part of their liver to a family member
- 72% would lend money to a friend in a financial crisis
- 53% would donate their vacation time to
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Time To Scatter Kindness Again
Now that we are out and about again, the time has returned for anonymously scattering kindness. In case you’ve forgotten how, here are a few possibilities.
- Jot down a phrase like “You Are Appreciated” or “You Are Really Good At What You Do” on a notecard and leave it on the table when paying your tab
- Buy a box of popsicles and drop them off at a shelter – no receipt needed
- Leave boxes of colored chalk on paved trails with a note “Create A Kind Message”
- Surprise your spouse or friend with a bouquet of flowers or their favorite drink
- Keep some dollar bills in your pocket or purse to hand to a homeless person
- Drop a gift bag on your neighbors doorstep filled with treats and a note to “Enjoy”
- Buy that cup of coffee or ice cream treat for the car behind you at the drive-thru
- Show
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Remembering Dad
I wish I could more vividly remember our conversations on the afternoons when we ate ice cream together. Or the evenings drying dishes when I wore your slippers. A photo taken in the parking lot of an amusement park reminds me of the day I won a big plush dog, and I can feel the excitement in your eyes. You were the most important person in my life.
Because you’ve been gone for more than 35 years, it’s hard to recall the details of what I know were many days when you made me very happy. I didn’t know how I would go on without you in my life. But I did. And when I look up into the beautiful blue sky, I can often see your kind smile.
Happy Father’s Day, Dad!