The Kindness Box

[Geoff-Allen]

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Bones will heal, but a broken spirit is hard to resurrect. After constantly being told that you are a failure and will not amount to anything, unless a person is strong, words start to seep into the psyche. Those words become shackles, heavy and hard to break. Not everyone has the fortitude of a Michael Jordan to turn negativity, being told you are not a good enough basketball player, into becoming the greatest legend in the history of the game. We are so careless with our words in person and particularly online. We have no problem saying mean and spiteful things via social media that we would not dare say in person. A friend refers to online "trolls" as keyboard gangsters who have a sense of safety from retribution hiding behind their computer screen.

How do we combat the negativity? It is an old fashioned notion, but common courtesy is the key. We have become so desensitized to the needs, wants, and struggles of others. When will we learn that what happens around the corner, down the block, in another city, or country has ripple effects on our lives? The internet has made our world smaller, but we have not become more communal as a result. We fail to acknowledge each other for fear of having to engage. Why are we so short on kindness, but quick to judge and criticize?

The Power of a Kind Word

The internet has made our world smaller, but we have not become more communal as a result. We fail to acknowledge each other for fear of having to engage. Why are we so short on kindness, but quick to judge and criticize?

www.huffpost.com

Also try - huffpost.com kindness - looks to be several from first impressions!

All the best!

 

[Geoff-Allen]

Kindness prayers - for example -

Dear God, I come before you today with a humble heart and a desire to be more like you. Fill me with your Spirit of kindness and compassion so that I may be a light to those around me. Help me to remember Philippians 2:3 as I go about my day. Remind me to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but to value others above myself.

Lord, I know that kindness is not always easy, especially when I encounter difficult people or situations. I pray that you would give me the strength and wisdom to respond with grace and love. May I be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

A Morning Prayer for Kindness

Everyone you meet today is an image bearer of God! Pray this morning prayer for kindness to set your heart off right.

abide.com

Cheers!

 

[Geoff-Allen]

Or maybe this -

God, You are perfectly kind. Thank You for Your lovingkindness that has been continuously shown to us. Thank You for Your help and Your encouragement to us when we have been undeserving. Would You please meet us in the areas of unkindness in our lives? Would You please help us to say no to our flesh and yes to the Spirit? We pray that the fruit of the Spirit's kindness would flourish. We ask that You would reveal ways we can grow.

Forgive us for not being kind to the people around us, for not being kind to ourselves even, and for neglecting this powerful way of living that honours You and blesses others. Remind us how to love well by being kind.

A Prayer for Kindness - Your Daily Prayer - November 12

Kindness seems to be a lost art in our culture today. Although it is promoted a lot, true kindness can only come from the Holy Spirit. Sure, a person can do an act of kindness, but a person can truly only be kind because of the Holy Spirit in...

www.crosswalk.com

Another huge site from first impressions!

Enjoy!

 

[Geoff-Allen]

This week, I was sitting at a coffee shop researching ideas about kindness when a spontaneous act of kindness occurred. A man was ordering a fancy latte and a breakfast burrito and a woman walked into the shop, yelling obscenities and in a clear state of distress and suffering. Most people sadly paid no mind to this woman, as we were downtown and most of us have become accustomed to this kind of occurrence. However, this man made a point to connect with her and gave her the burrito he just ordered. After listening to this whole interaction, I was left with a warm feeling inside and smiled to myself. It made me want to give a burrito to the next homeless person I saw and I first handedly experienced the ripple effect of this man being kind to someone else, despite the state she was in and her appearance.

The Power of Kindness - Behavioral Essentials

Can you remember the last time someone went out of their way to be kind to you? Learn about the many benefits of kindness for your well-being and it's power to change the world, one small act at a time.

www.behavioralessentials.com

Cheers!

 

[Geoff-Allen]

One of my teachers told me an easy way to bring peace within your soul as well as increase the level of peace, joy, and happiness within the people you get in contact with. And all it takes is about 5 seconds.

All he did, wherever he went and with whomever, he got in contact with, was to bless that person in his mind.

How often do you use the words "May you be blessed" or the short version "Bless you" every day? And how often is it just an automatic response if someone sneezes? But like with all words, if you don't connect any feeling with those words, they lose their power and turn into empty phrases robbed of their potential power.

The Power of Blessings or 5 Seconds for Peace, Love and Happiness

One of my teachers told me an easy way to bring peace within your soul as well as increase the level of peace, joy, and happiness within the people you get in contact with.

www.unwrapyourmind.com

All the best!

 

[Geoff-Allen]

I believe in the healing power of kindness. I have witnessed acts of kindness that were healing salve for both physical and emotional wounds. Moving often as a child and feeling like the new kid, I recognized early in my life how instrumental a kind word could be, and the difference a simple invitation to sit with others could make. As a result, I learned to value kindness and it has been a guiding principle in my life.

At the beginning of the pandemic with all the isolation and sadness, my husband and I created love note signs that said nurture kindness and placed them around our neighborhood. We wrote love notes to friends and family and sent them in mail and reached out to healthcare workers and other first responders to communicate our gratitude and deep appreciation. We watched uplifting shows about kindness, like the Kindness Diaries, and intentionally filled up on stories of kindness being shared around the world. I love hearing stories of random acts of kindness and the difference these acts made in people’s lives. Kindness gives me hope when there is so much sadness, grief, and violence in the world.

The Healing Power of Kindness - Cultivating Peace & Joy

cultivatingpeaceandjoy.com

Cheers!

 

[Geoff-Allen]

Kindness Activities for Kids - for example -

Math. Writing. Kindness. What do these three things have in common?

They're all skills to be taught, practiced, and reinforced. Of course, we also mess up and learn from our mistakes with all three. And they're all things we can get better at, no matter our age.

Today, we're rounding up one month's worth of kindness activities for kids.

Make sure you stay on track by downloading and printing our complete calendar of kindness activities listed below.

31 Kindness Activities for Kids

Enjoy a month of smiles with these kindness activities for kids. Explore 31 ideas to teach your kids how to be thoughtful and compassionate.

biglifejournal.com

All the best!

 

[Balthazzar]

When the world knows more kindness, more are kind.
When the world knows more bitterness, more are bitter.
When the world knows more violence, more are violent.
When the world knows more charity, more are charitable.
It's when our virtues are betrayed by those whom they are extended to,
that bitter roots form inside of those who practice them.
Therefore, conduct becomes the seed and the harvest the world reaps.

 

[Geoff-Allen]

Yet another good news site!

Try - dailygood.org kindness

For example -

There is a kindness that dwells deep down in things; it presides everywhere, often in the places we least expect. The world can be harsh and negative, but if we remain generous and patient, kindness inevitably reveals itself. Something deep in the human soul seems to depend on the presence of kindness; something instinctive in us expects it, and once we sense it we are able to trust and open ourselves. Here in Conamara, the mountains are terse and dark; left to themselves they would make for a brooding atmosphere. However, everywhere around and in between there are lakes. The surface of these lakes takes on the variations of the surrounding light to create subtle diffusions of color. Thus their presence qualifies the whole landscape with a sense of warmth and imagination. If we did not feel that some ultimate kindness holds sway, we would feel like outsiders confronted on every side by a world toward which we could make no real bridges.

From John O'Donohue

Kindness: The First Gift, By John O'Donohue | DailyGood

There is a kindness that dwells deep down in things; it presides everywhere, often in the places we least expect. The world can be...

www.dailygood.org

 

[Geoff-Allen]

My word!

Did I say that was a good site?

Many dozens of stories about kindness -

The school environment can be very stressful; in addition to any issues they bring from home, many students struggle to make friends and perform well in class. Being excluded, ignored, or teased is very painful for a young child, and we thought it could be impactful to teach empathy and compassion.

When other kids are suffering—like that boy who split his chin—can we understand how they might be feeling? Kindness bridges those gaps and helps build a sense of connection among the students, the teachers, and even the parents. Learning to strengthen their attention and regulate their emotions are foundational skills that could benefit kids in school and throughout their whole lives.

On top of that, having classrooms full of mindful, kind kids completely changes the school environment. Imagine entire schools—entire districts—where kindness is emphasized. That would be truly powerful. Teaching kindness is a way to bubble up widespread transformation that doesn’t require big policy changes or extensive administrative involvement.

What If Schools Taught Kindness, By Laura Pinger, Lisa Flook | DailyGood

Walking to class one day, one of us (Laura) saw a young student crying and waiting for his mother to arrive—he had split his...

www.dailygood.org

Came from this list of stories -

DailyGood: News That Inspires

DailyGood is a portal dedicated to sharing inspiring and positive news from around the world. We feature one story every single day.

www.dailygood.org

Enjoy your browsing!

 

[Geoff-Allen]

Every year Kind Spring shares a selection of the most powerful stories they've received over the last twelve months. In the spirit of anonymity these real-life stories are often posted by people who choose to use a "kindness alias". Some of the stories are about children and teenagers who have stumbled on creative ways to flex their kindness muscles, others are about adults of different ages, nationalities and backgrounds who regularly go out of their way to make our world a kinder, brighter place. Whether the stories describe a small act that made someone's day, or a gesture that forever altered the trajectory of a life, they all share one thing in common: a very big heart.

Read more here -

Top 10 Kindness Stories Of 2016 | DailyGood

Every year KindSpring shares a selection of the most powerful stories they've received over the last twelve months. In the spirit ...

www.dailygood.org

Cheers!

 

[Geoff-Allen]

There's one lesson that, no matter where you went to school or what type of degree you got, everyone has been taught: the importance of kindness. While conversations surrounding being kind were par for the course in preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school as a whole, verbiage surrounding the topic seems to dwindle as age goes on. But make no mistake: there's arguably nothing more impactful than being kind. But in case you've forgotten, we rounded up dozens of kindness quotes to inspire you to move forward in the world as kindly as possible.

60 Kindness Quotes That Will Inspire You to Spread More Love

Let these short quotes about kindness guide your actions today.

www.womansday.com

Cheers!

 

[Geoff-Allen]

Depression is a serious but treatable disorder that affects millions of people, from young to old and from all walks of life. It gets in the way of everyday life, causing tremendous pain, hurting not just those suffering from it but also impacting everyone around them.

If someone you love is depressed, you may be experiencing any number of difficult emotions, including helplessness, frustration, anger, fear, guilt, and sadness. These feelings are all normal. It’s not easy dealing with a friend or family member’s depression. And if you neglect your own health, it can become overwhelming.

That said, your companionship and support can be crucial to your loved one’s recovery. You can help them to cope with depression symptoms, overcome negative thoughts, and regain their energy, optimism, and enjoyment of life. Start by learning all you can about depression and how to best talk about it with your friend or family member. But as you reach out, don’t forget to look after your own emotional health—you’ll need it to provide the full support your loved one needs.

Helping Someone with Depression - HelpGuide.org

Learn how to support someone who is depressed while keeping your own life on track.

www.helpguide.org

All the best!

 

[Geoff-Allen]

 

[Geoff-Allen]

Stories of Kindness from Around the World

This one being the first to arouse my curiosity!

Neighbourly kindness

I met a lovely lady yesterday. I was cutting the hedge and she walked by with her beautiful dog. She was going for a walk but we started talking and ended up spending an hour chatting! She told me where she lives and I praised her because I know the house around the corner. I often admire her front garden with her gorgeous flowers. I could tell it was someone who cares. This morning on my walk I went by her house and left her a few kind treats and an invitation to come over for tea on Saturday. Love making new neighbourly friends

Read MANY more stories at this site -

Acts of Kindness | KindSpring.org

A place to practice small acts of kindness. For over a decade the KindSpring community has focused on inner transformation, while collectively changing the world with generosity, gratitude, and trust.

www.kindspring.org

Enjoy your browsing!

 

[Geoff-Allen]

Here's a book I picked up a while ago at the Sunday market for a few bucks - over 400-pages and hard-cover!

It has one entire chapter about kindness and the other chapters are worthy of reflection as well.

To read all about what other people have thought of the book - try this page -

Tiny Buddha's 365 Tiny Love Challenges

Tiny Buddha's 365 Tiny Love Challenges offers a year of simple daily activities to help you give and receive more love.

tinybuddha.com

Wishing al of my readers a pleasant evening!

 

[Geoff-Allen]

A few sites that aim to bring kindness into the lives of sick kiddies -

www.sendkidstheworld.com

www.cardsforhospitalizedkids.com

www.hugsandhope.org - Google Search

Hope that last one works - Hugs & hope - several sites!

All the best!

 

[Geoff-Allen]

At the risk of really labouring the point?

Try this search - kindness kids hospital

Here is one Aussie site -

Hush Foundation | Australia | Transforming the culture of health care

The Hush Foundation creates calming music for children's hospitals and other stressful environments, and plays that provoke conversations about health care.

www.hush.org.au

Cheers!

 

[Geoff-Allen]

Many Australians are deeply concerned about the rising number of people experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, being without a home. Equally, many people feel at a loss about what they can do to help. In this article, CHP presents seven practical and achievable actions you can take to help people doing it tough.

Seven actions to end homelessness - Council to Homeless Persons website

chp.org.au

All the best!

 

[Geoff-Allen]

Continuing the general theme -

Kindness And Dignity Help Homeless People More Than Infantilizing Them - Invisible People

My son and I spent a lot of time walking about the city rather than stay at the shelter. We were exhausted for the 10 months we were there.

invisiblepeople.tv

Cheers.