Kindness Matters

I love reading about random acts of kindness, no matter how big or how small. It's fun to see stories about people paying for someone behind them at the drive thru. Just yesterday I saw a video posted online showing a man who had noticed a homeless woman sleeping in the dirt in front of his house at night. Instead of getting rid of her, he built her a small shelter to live in, with her own door, keys and even a "Home Sweet Home" sign to hang on it. We hear stories of violence daily, so it's always nice to read about good things in the world too.

I've wanted to do some kind of acts of kindness for awhile now, and I've read many blogs of people doing them for their birthdays. A lot of people do them all in a day, like, "30 acts for 30 years of age". I knew that would be nearly impossible, so I chose to pick one thing to do every day this week, Monday-Friday.

I just have to say, it was an amazing experience. We don't have a lot of money to spend on bigthings, but I found small ways to pay it forward anyway.



On Monday, I wrote 5 notes to friends or family with some encouragement written inside. It was rewarding to do. I always mean to write notes. I buy cute little note cards and then they just sit there because we live in this world of technology and it's easier to write a quick comment on Facebook than sit down and write a letter, address an envelope and mail it. Let's face it though. Who doesn't love getting snail mail sometimes? Especially when it's personal and not another bill to pay!
I wasn't totally sure who I was going to write to. In the end I said a quick prayer and asked God to show me who needed the most encouragement or just a kind word. Those 5 people received the notes from me, and over the week I've heard from a few who were excited or just feeling blessed to get their card.  I'm going to try to continue this through the year. Maybe only one a week, but maybe one day YOU'LL get a card too!





I felt like although I was doing this in honor of my birthday, I wanted to involve Daniel as well. It's important to me to teach our boys to be kind to others. So, on Tuesday (my birthday!) we baked goodies for our neighbor. Daniel helped me make them and I printed some cute tags from Pinterest.
The funny thing is, this act didn't go quite as I had planned. I originally planned to give these to the man who lives right next door. He keeps to himself a lot, but we wave and talk a little now and then. The boys and I went to deliver them, but couldn't get him to answer the door. We ended up getting chased away by bees...and Daniel fell down his steps WITH the treats in hand because he got scared!

Anyway... I was really wanting Daniel to be a part of this, and I kept having this feeling like we should take them to someone else. But, who? I really don't know our neighbors. I know that's sad, isn't it? We all seem to keep to ourselves. I asked Daniel where we should take them and he pointed to the house across the street. So, we headed over. I knew an older woman lived there, but that was all. She has a no solicitors sign on the door, so I was hoping she wouldn't mind us...even though we weren't selling anything! You know what though? She opened the door and I explained what we were doing and it absolutely made her day. You could see her eyes light up. Then she insisted on giving me something, which I turned down. So, then she asked if she could give Daniel a couple of dollars so he could buy something. I tried to decline, but she was too sweet and gave it to him. That turned into a new lesson about how sometimes when we do something kind for others, they will do kind things in return.  She loved the boys and made me promise to bring them over to visit sometimes. We sure will be! Plus we'll make more treats to give to the man next door sometime!



Last weekend I got a text from my best friend who had been in an accident. She ended up with a broken ankle, but thankfully she and her daughter are okay! I put together a basket of goodies for her...including her favorite, Flamin' Hot Cheetos. (Yuck! haha!). Then the boys and I headed to her house for the first time ever. Yup. Besties for 3.5 years and the first time I ventured to her little podunk neck of the woods. :)  We had a great time visiting though (minus Daniel's epic allergic reaction to a dog toy. Eek!). It was nice to cheer her up though!



On Thursday, I got Daniel involved again. We LOVE our mail man, Mike. He's one of those people who really loves what he does and you can tell by his attitude. He's always stopped to talk to Daniel even when he was just a baby. Now Daniel talks his ear off! That man deserves some appreciation! Daniel colored him a picture, and then we filled a jar with M&M's and printed a "post card" that said, "Thanks for driving Miles &Miles to bring us our mail." Daniel nearly fell down our porch steps when Mike parked outside of our house. He went bounding down to him and was very excited to give him his gift. Mike was very happy about getting M&Ms. While we were talking, Norma (the lady across the street) walked over to tell me those were the best treats she's had in a very long time. (Thank you Aldi box mix!). I think she just wanted to see the boys again. :)

 

For my last day I put together a May basket and made a post it holder for my chiropractor and his wife. They run the business together and are the best! I felt like they deserved a special treat. I gave it to Julie when I got there and it just brought the biggest smile to her face. The little card inside has a verse to go along with it. "Be kind and compassionate to one another." Ephesians 4:32
This sparked a conversation and I found out Julie's favorite author is also Karen Kingsbury! Lots of fun to talk about our favorite books.

What a fun week it has been. I already have ideas of other acts of kindness, and I plan to keep going. Not every day, but whenever I can. Hopefully this will inspire others to go out and do something kind for another person. Keep paying it forward!