Every month, I host a link-up on a different topic, and this month we’re talking about Kindness! If you’re interested in getting notifications to prepare for future link-ups, just send me an e-mail, and I’ll put you on the list! Even if you didn’t know about the link-up, please feel free to link any applicable post at the bottom of this page. If you are leaving your link, please be sure to leave a comment on this post, and click around to see what other people have to say on this topic!
Kindness is a really important topic. I’ve found that the more you practice kindness, the easier it becomes. Am I always kind? Absolutely not. It’s almost impossible to be. As people, we get angry and upset, and sometimes we take that out on other people. It’s usually inadvertent, and sometimes we’re not even blatantly mean, but being wrapped up in your own negative thoughts and feelings can make it difficult to have positive and genuine interactions with others.
We’re not obligated to be nice to anyone. We don’t have to show kindness to our significant others, pets, family, or strangers, so why should we? We should be kind to promote altruism and future positive experiences. I’m sure you’re familiar with the Pay It Forward philosophy, where one person does a good deed and that person does a good deed, and it continues to spread. The truth is, when we’re on the receiving end of kindness, our moods improve and we have a better feeling about the world. Feeling good about humanity and our own lives increases the likelihood of us being kind to others. It’s a beautiful circle of self-fulfillment.
As optimistic as I am about the future and everyone being kind to everyone else, the truth is that isn’t the case as of right now. I recognize that some people aren’t practicing kindness, which is one of the reasons that I try to do multiple kindness missions. I figure that if I can do a little more than my part, that I’m making up for people who haven’t figured out the benefits of random acts of kindness yet. This week, I did a few kindness missions in honor of this link-up, that I’d like to share with you.
+I used some extra large sticky notes to write quotes on, and place them in public areas. There were twelve quotes total, and I added QR codes to my blog to some of them. (I’d love to know if you found me by using the bar code!)
+ I left quarters in toy vending machines for kids (or fun adults) to find later
+ I struck up a conversation with my hair stylist (which is something I’m usually really bad at)
+ I held doors open for people, even though it’s been freezing
+ I let people go in front of me in line
If you’re interested in past kindness missions, feel free to scroll through the archives. Three cheers for random acts of kindness!
Contributers:
You are my inspiration, my dear!
Since I’ve been housebound for a while, I’ve become creative with kindness to Hubby.
I can neither confirm or deny that I have done any of the following things:
Ripping off my clothes and running around the house yelling “Anarchy!” (a reference to Taladega Nights) and jumping into Hubby’s arms, who is giggling uncontrollably.
Hula Hooping in my birthday suit. Lots more giggling.
Leaving quarters in toy vending machines is brilliant! Kids will think it’s Christmas all over again! I need to steel your idea. 🙂
Ha, I just re-read my comment and it made me laugh. When I wrote “steel”, of course I meant “steal”. 😛
I’m a little late, but I did my post! I love the quarters idea and you’ve really turned me on to RAK. Keep spreading the love, Mary!
I was a little bit late this time.. oops.. (bit behind on things) but hope you don’t mind, added my 1000 paper crane story 🙂 Can’t wait to read the other linked posts.
Lovely idea that of leaving quarters in vending machines! 🙂 You’ll have made someone really happy!
Whew! I’m a little late to the kindness party, but I posted about how you can send Valentine’s Day cards to people who might otherwise not get any lovely cards. And, not bearing on anything at all, I used to love quarter machines of all kinds. We won’t speak of how many high-bounce rubber balls I previously owned.