Kindness Matters

Kindness Matters


Thought I would take a little break in the Christmas decor showings and remind all of you that not only is this time of year a great time to share Random Acts of Kindness but show love and compassion too.




Let me start by sharing this quote from the Dalai Lama.


Compassionate kindness is the most precious thing there is.  It is something that only we human beings can develop.  And if we have a good heart, a warm heart, warm feelings, we will be happy and satisfied ourselves, and others will experience a friendly and peaceful atmosphere.



This is a beautiful quote. 
  I feel too that kindness is one of the most precious gifts we can share with one another.  It costs nothing and is readily available at anytime for us to share.


I try each day to share a little kindness in some way.  Whether is is as simple as letting the person behind you in the grocery store line go before you because they only have one or two items and you have half a cart full.


I also like to do random acts of kindness throughout the year.  

Most of the time they cost nothing and come from my heart.

Sending a card to someone that will least expect it. Wishing them a good day and telling them you were thinking about them is a small gesture for me but a big uplifting kindness to them .



Random Acts of Kindness give so much to someone else but it also comes back to give you so much more.

The other day I was in line at Starbucks .  When I placed my order I asked the person taking my order to please tell the man in the work truck in front of me that I was treating him to his beverage.  

It became contagious when I saw him hold up his cup to say thank you.   I could see the smile on his face from his side view mirror, it made me smile.   

At that moment as he drove away I felt good about myself, the day and even the future.



We all give of ourselves everyday in many ways. 

We naturally share comfort and care when things arise in our lives,  but sharing kindness daily is good for the soul.

Kindness shared is the best gift you can give to others and yourself.



I hope after reading this you will find a spot in your day to share a smile, give a hug or say some nice words to someone.  You will see the smile, the hug or the thank you given back will change their day and yours.

I am starting to put together random acts of kindness.  I plan on mailing some unexpected little gifts to people I know that could use the help and might need a little cheer.  

I also will be getting together care bags for the people living on the street.  I see more and more people on the corners of the intersection getting onto the highway.  Where there use to be one now are 4 or 5.

I put several things in the care bags.  Socks, soap, toothpaste, tooth brush, brush, masks etc.  Plus if you can also a $5 dollar bill.  Not enough to buy drugs but enough to buy some lunch or a coffee.

I can put them in my car and hand them out as I see people trying to get people to give them money.  Hopefully giving them a care bag will help them in more ways than just giving them a  dollar or two.

Hope you celebrate Random Acts of Kindness throughout the year but especially now during the holiday season.  Share with us in your comment some of the things you do if you practice Random Acts of Kindness

Have a great week.
We are on the downhill slide into Christmas.
xoxo
Kris

31 comments

  1. What a wonderful post Kris. I always try to do random acts of kindness. xo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello Friend,
    This post is so well written. In our upside down world today, kindness is needed so much.. just to take the edge off the high prices, health issues and so much more.
    Thank YOU for this post.

    Love, Carla

    ReplyDelete
  3. Such a perfect post. You are one of the most kind people I know, you always uplift everyone you meet and know. God Bless

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great Post Kris. I so agree, I try to get up everyday and think of something nice I could do for someone, maybe it's a call because I haven't seen them in church for awhile or a card just to say hello, and they are missed,or a get well card cause they are sick or someone who needs some encouragement and some kind words, or sending someone food or many of the things you have said. They don't seem like a lot to us, but many times they can mean so much to someone else just to know they were thought of.....
    and doing acts of kindness do make us feel better and make us less self centered, cause when we are thinking of others we aren't spending time thinking about ourselves, and our problems which is usually a very good thing. lol
    Thanks for this lovely post Kris, you are always a very thoughtful lady.
    Have a lovely day my dear,
    Blessings, Nellie

    ReplyDelete
  5. I agree, Kris! I am especially kind to cashiers in stores and servers in restaurants, as I know they get the brunt of people's crabbiness.

    I also like to send cards...thinking of you, get well, happy birthday, etc. Making homemade soup or a meal when a nearby friend or relative is sick or has a loss in their family.

    I have a small bunch of toys that I will drop off at Toys for Tots. And am collecting grocery items for the food pantry.

    I could go on and on, but these are just a few things that popped into my head after reading your post.

    ReplyDelete
  6. A perfect post to remember. xo

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh Kris, you are a beautiful soul race blessing to so many. Your post is a wonderful reminder of what Christmas - and life - is all about. Jane

    ReplyDelete
  8. You really are a sweet, genuine, and caring lady, Kris. Thank you for sharing this--I think all of us will make the same effort to spread kindness as you have done. ❤️

    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  9. Good morning my kind and caring friend....

    The world around us just seems to become more unkind lately, doesn't it? I love what you are saying because it's the PRACTICE of love, kindness and compassion that starts to develop into a more "natural" thing for us to do, especially when unexpected moments arise where acting out in anger or apathy are easier than reacting in kindness.

    Of all the ways we try to heal our mental and spiritual pains with material things, acting outside of ourselves is always the best "medicine." Thank you my friend for this post!

    ReplyDelete
  10. We have a Blessing Box we can donate to. Our daughter and I have started making “Period Packs” for females to hopefully make it thru a one month cycle. A gallon zip bag with 6 large pads, 6 light pads, 6 tampons and feminine wipes. This is a HUGE overlooked need in our area. Thank you for sharing your care package idea.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love when you post about this every year.

    So important to reach out. No one knows others true situations.

    Never assume. Be kind it's good for the soul .

    Have a great weekend my friend

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a great post, Kris and what great ideas...I witnessed one such act the other day at Dollar Tree...there was a young mother checking out and her little girl wanted a toy from the rack by the check out. Her mother said no because she did not have enough money. The woman in front of me, took the toy, gave it to the little girl and said it was her treat...The little girl was so thrilled and the young mother was thankful and appreciative...When this woman in front of me checked out, she had $35 worth of socks, hats, gloves, scarves and toiletries and told the clerk, who apparently knew her, that it was all for the Soup Kitchen. What a great jesture!! After she left the store, the clerk told me she does that all the time and that her brother had just passed away but there she was still thinking of others... I smiled all day because of what i witnessed and plan on buying some of the same things and taking them down to our local Soup Kitchen, We had donated 3 bags of clothes that i decided to pass on down there too...I think we all need a bit more kindness in this Country....Thanks for sharing!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my gosh Debbie I love this story you shared.  See just by you sharing this story made my heart feel so good and I am sure others that read this.  I love to do a post like this to see there is still so much kindness in this world.  Happy Friday.  xoxo Kris

      Delete
  13. Beautiful post, Kris. I work in retail, and am often approached by customers to help them find a particular item. Many times it's an interruption of something I'm doing that has a "deadline", and it's easy to feel irritated by their intrusion. I work at not feeling that way, and realizing that this is an opportunity for me to be helpful and show the love of God in a tangible way. God is never irritated or annoyed when I come to Him for help, and so that is how I need to respond to customers. Anyway, the point I wanted to make is that when I stop what I'm doing, smile, and walk them to the item they're looking for, they usually respond with so much gratitude. One elderly man who was hard of hearing just kept thanking me over and over, as if I had done him the greatest favor in the world. I felt so humbled by his response. This has carried over into my encounters with others outside my job. When I check out at the grocery store, I ask the clerk how she/he is and express my appreciation for their work. These kind words cost me nothing, and they uplift that person who has been standing there for hours checking out customers. They often respond with, "thank you for asking." I want to tell one more story (sorry this is so long). The day before Thanksgiving I ran into my nearby grocery store to grab one item. I headed for the checkout stand and arrived there at the same time as another woman with 6 or 7 items in her cart. She urged me to go first, since I only had one item. Waiting in line we struck up a conversation about what we were doing for Thanksgiving. She was delightful and we had such a pleasant chat while waiting, wishing each other a Happy Thanksgiving as I departed. I felt so blessed by her kindness, and I hope she felt the same. In this world we need more kindness, now more than ever. Thank you for this reminder, and for letting me share. Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my gosh Nancy what a great story of kindness you shared about the lady at the grocery store.  See it does not cost anything but a little of your time to share your sweet heart with someone.  You felt good and she felt great.  Love this kind of shared kindness.  Happy Friday sweet friend. xoxo Kris

      Delete
  14. This makes me smile - it is such a good reminder to be kind. I often let people go ahead of me in the grocery line, smile and compliment the cashier (one actually teared up as she had gotten chewed out by a previous customer), I've given out gift cards to those on the corner (small amounts but enough for food), pay for the next person's coffee...one time I actually had a man ask why I did that for him - he was shocked. Now isn't that sad? After my son got out of the hospital after he spent three weeks there from a ruptured appendix, we took a huge jar of chocolate to the nurses on the floor he was on (we had noticed they had some). It just takes a moment to Bless someone and it doesn't have to cost much. And let's not forget our furry friends - shelters can use old towels and food donations as well. Thanks Kris for reminding us to do little acts of kindness.
    Hugs, Cecilia

    ReplyDelete
  15. Such a beautiful heart you have...

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is a wonderful post, Kris. I, Kindness is definitely contagious, and I will heed your words. Someone recently told me they leave snacks and water for Amazon/UPS, etc. delivery people, and I thought that sounded like a great idea. Thank you for sharing this with us, and your heart with others!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hey, Kris. I think you should post this lovely article---every month for a whole year. It's been very peaceful up here, when I am out in your old stamping ground. But, then I go out on Tuesday and Wednesday, occasionally on a Saturday---wish we could make a huge bumper sticker of this for Saturdays. Hugs, and blessings, Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  18. You have such a beautiful heart my friend, xo

    ReplyDelete
  19. For many years I've sent letters/ cards to people especially now during COVID. I always thought how it would brighten a person's day. I give gifts and donations anonymously. My heart feels good and I don't need a pat on the back. I contribute to a fund at my vets which helps people who cannot afford care for their pets. The list you provided is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  20. This tends to happen me driving through the McDonald's line. Someone will start it and we just keep the kindness moving car to car.
    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love reading this blog post you do each year Kris. We need more kindness in the world and especially during the holiday season!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks for this post Kris - it is a reminder to us all of the importance of being kind to everyone that we meet along the way. we've had a lovely day today and whilst in the optician's this morning, I told one of the staff how lovely her new hairstyle was and how much it suited her. She was quite taken aback. When we were in the queue at the Post Office later, my husband suggested that a young man went before us, as he only had 1 simple thing to do. Whereas we had several parcels to post to Spain (from UK) - he was so very grateful. Then this evening we were given glasses of complimentary drinks during the Late Night Christmas Shopping evening in our town - together with 25% discount of our purchases. So, all in all, a very good day indeed, Gilly

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love this, Kris. You're always so kind and thinking of others. I do try to share some kindness each day, even if it's only to fill out the survey after I speak to a customer service rep on the phone or in a chat to share a good review. Most of them are very helpful and filling out the survey takes a few seconds and really does count. I hope you have a great week!! xxoo

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a precious post, Kris, especially for the most wonderful time of the year! I love your sharing with us how you like to share your tender, kind heart. You are probably the most thoughtful person I know! And I truly appreciate the fact that I have been a recipient of your care packages! Your last one brought tears to my daughter's eyes as well as mine!

    I like to participate in our church's monthly ministries. This month we're collecting men's socks for a shelter, and I love socks, so I'm happy to help! I also like to hold open doors for people, and ask how their day is going. People appreciate this small gesture this time of the year when their arms are full of holiday gifts.

    I've also participated in buying coffee for customers at Starbucks, especially first responders. We have also baked cookies for our local firehouse and delivered them to the staff on Christmas Day. We've also done the same for the nurses at Children's Hospital.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thank you Kris, you are an inspiration. Thanks too for your comment on my blog. Google lets me comment everywhere else but on my blog. Sheesh. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  26. Lovely ideas Kris, and so inspiring! Have a happy day! xoxox

    ReplyDelete
  27. This is so true, Kris. I try a little something every day. It not only cheers up the other person, but it cheers me up as well. Wonderful post. xo Laura

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love this post Kris and yes girl...a little kindness goes a long way. I was talking to a gentleman in a store today at lunch and he made the remark to me that he always enjoyed me stopping by as I was always so kind. GIRL....that just lifted my spirits on this Monday that has been somewhat hectic. And...YES....showing kindness really doesn't take much. Have a great week Kris. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  29. This is wonderful, I have had very little down time, its rare I can sit and read, frankly I'm exhausted and needed the rest today, such a good thing to bump into! Its rare that I go go fast food but I've been tipping them at the drive through window, its amazing how their faces light up when you hand them $10-20, face it they have been in the forefront of covid and take so much abuse at minimum wage. I told my husband what I was doing and now he sees first hand how so little can mean so much. Its something I would love to see become a trend.

    ReplyDelete

sponsor