Kindness: A Must Read

Kindness, don't you just love that word? I have been thinking about it a lot lately. From receiving it, to giving it, kindness validates that this world DOES have good people in it. I asked a few friends and loved ones what they felt Kindness meant to them, as well as if they had any stories to share about Kindness touching their lives or the lives of others. Here are some of their answers.

"Kindness can be as intricate as volunteering your life to a homeless coalition project or as simple as an inspiring blog comment. It should be initiated, followed, and passed on." -Amy Lapi

"Kindness to me means when you show love without wanting anything in return. A simple phone call or a visit to check up on the person is made from kindness." -Gina Stutz

"To me, kindness means helping others with no expectations in return, giving from your heart. It can be a stranger, a close friend, a spouse, a child, a family member. I think when we all extend kindness, the blessing that we get in return is so much greater than anything we could give, no matter how great or small. Brightening others' days is a huge deal to me. I know that I love the feeling that I get from doing it. Tho it doesn't hurt to be the recipient either! =)

I'm amazed every day by the kindness within this blog world. People will do anything to help somebody that they've never even met in person before! It's truly an amazing thing and I feel honored to be a part of this community. When I first got sick (before being diagnosed with MS) nearly 2 years ago, the people who were there for me the most were the people I've met through my blog. I received cards to cheer me up, money to help out with expenses, little gifts to brighten my day and emails just to check on me to see how I was doing. It was incredible! People I didn't even know were reaching out to me to spread a little kindness. I'm a huge believer in "paying it forward" and I only hope to be a blessing to others like I've received. Kindness Rocks!" -Jamie Habermaas

"To me, kindness is an understanding of one another that at any given time, any given day we could be in someone else's shoes. we can all lose things or people, feel hurt or sad, or be on the short end of the stick. kindness is human connection at it's deepest level.

I wanted to share that as a hospice social worker all of the patients and families I work with are facing terminal illness and death. I see kindness happen everyday. to me this is very hopeful.

There was one man I worked with who was dying of cancer--his last wish was to see his favorite beach for one last time. he was bed-bound and needed a patient transport company and stretcher to do this--which was really expensive. the family could not afford it. I decided to put it out there and see what happens. I left an office voicemail asking for small donations. left an envelope in the lunchroom and by the end of the day had made $300 toward his last ride to the beach!!! that is kindness!!! talk about human connection." -Joanne Nishimitsu

Here is my favorite quote on kindness by one of my most favorite people:

"Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." -Martin Luther King Jr.
-Janel Maclean

"Right now Kindness to me means...sweet words in the time of sadness, opening a door for a stranger and not expecting a thank you, talking to a someone even if they don't know that you are there, letting go of someone you love for the sake of their happiness and so they don't feel anymore pain!" -Meg Cantrell

"Kindness is doing something for a friend without expecting anything in return except maybe a thank you. Kindness is sincerely wanting your friend to succeed so much that you go out of your way to help them. Kindness is being gentle and warm towards someone who doesn't reciprocate the same feelings. Kill em with kindness... Kindness is finding a toy that you love from your childhood, knowing your best friend collects these toys, she goes out of her way to surprise me with that specific toy. Kindness is making people smile just because." -Kristie Wendland

"Kindness to me is doing something for someone when no one is looking." -Carrie Mewborn

"Kindness to me is going back to the "Golden Rule" we all learned in kindergarten, treat others the way you want to be treated. It's also people going out of their way to help others. One story that shines kindness to me, is one I read about Denzel Washington. One time he took a trip to an Army base is Texas. The base serves as a hospital for soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, mostly burn victims. The hospital is full and so are the houses the Army has built to house the spouses of the soldiers. There is a long waiting list to get in one of these houses. On his visit to the hospital Mr. Washington asked the commander how much it cost to build one of these houses. When the commander told him he pulled out his checkbook and wrote him a check for enough money to build 4 houses. Its stories like these that remind me that this world IS full of kind people willing to do good deeds regardless of reward or recognition." -Joseph Ellington

So I wanna know..

What is kindness to YOU?

I would love if you had any stories to share of kindness in your life or in others :)

xoxo,
Lindsay

P.S. Today is me and the hubby's 2 year anniversary :) Happy Anniversary Joseph!! You and me baby, we can do anything. I love you!!!!