Wednesday, July 28, 2010

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!!!!

49 comments:

  1. This is great Linds, thank you for letting me be apart of this amazing post! Love you!
    xoxo~Meg

    Happy Anniversary to you and Joseph...may you have many, many, many more!!!

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  2. Happy Anniversary!!

    here is my story of kindness........Back in April of 2002 I was on bed rest( pregnancy) and my husband had lost his job after 9-11-2001. My co-workers from Sam's Club decided to donate the safety money to our family instead of having a drawing for the money. I had no clue they had decided this until a received a phone call. My general manager came to the house to give us a check for 500.00. I will never forget what they had done for our family. My co-workers could have thought of winning the money for their selves but thanks to them we could get a hot water tank. If that is not kindness I do not know what is?

    love ya--gina

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  3. happy anniversary! & i love the emmerson kindness quote. i am all about honesty & respect. but i do believe that you've added kindness to my list. it's just something that is needed to obtain working relationships & to keep them strong. <3

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  4. This is great. Kindness always pays. Happy Anniversary.

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  5. I worked with seniors at the library teaching them basic computer skills this past year, and everyone was so kind to me, so much kinder than in normal busy everyday life. And they were so grateful for every small skill they learned. It made me feel good. Their kindnesses to me, their kind words, meant so much. I think sometimes we take for granted how much a kind word can mean to someone. This is so very inspiring. Thank-you.

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  6. I love this Lindsay, your the best.

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  7. this is great I am glad I could be part of it! Happy Anniversary ours is on Saturday :)

    hugs
    Carrie

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  8. I'm honored to be a part of this... It is just beautiful, and perfect!

    HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

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  9. oh great post!!!
    happy anniversary!

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  11. yes, i totally agree. kindness is a MUST! if only everyone viewed kindness as a necessity..what a great place this world could be.

    love your log btw! :)

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  12. lindsay i hope things R lookin up. that was my fav post of urs evr! happy luv day & u know that u r part of the kindness circle 2 dontch u? :)

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  13. yeah I can really spell that by the way...

    anniversary :P

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  14. Amazing post. Thanks for sharing :)
    Happy anniversary

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  15. Great post!
    Kindness to me is being nice even when someone makes you angry, whether it be your parents, friend, some random person in line behind you with less items, anything. :P

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  16. Happy Anniversary! Thanks for making me a part of your post.

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  17. Kindness to me is a blessing to give and receive. To give and not even want acknowledgement of your kind act. It makes me feel good when I can do something for another person when they least expect it or maybe not even know who did it for them.

    It is great to meet soo many people thru Lindsay's blog (yes I am her momma)that are genunely sincere about their kindness to each other.

    It seems in today's world most people are so caught up in them selves and rushed lives they tend to be on the rude side always expecting something from someone and having the mind thought they are "owed" whatever they seek. I miss the old days when everyone really cared about each other, tipped their hat when they passed someone on the street, put their headlights and pulled over and stopped when a funeral was passing by. Standing up and giving an elderly person, pregnant woman or sick person their seat or even letting them in front of you at the store or post office. When you ask someone "how are you today" you really want to know and show concern when they start to say something other than "ok, how are you?".

    To me every day no matter how your own state of mind or mood is you should be kind to someone, they may need it more than you.

    Luv your post, could be a great journal page too!

    And thank you for bringing Joseph into our lives, I luv my son.!!!

    with hugs and kisses~

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  18. Happy Anniversary bff :)
    I love you so much!!
    This post is wonderful Lindsay!! Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of it.
    xo

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  19. Happy Anniversary darling. This was an amazing post. Maybe it will help people open their eyes and hearts. A little kindness can go a long way. I love you

    Joseph

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  20. Kindness is very important! I try to be kind to everyone one. Well, if they are kind to me that is. hee hee

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  21. yesterday was a perfect example of kindness to me. My Dad is a Korea War Vet and he took his lawnmower to a local O'Riley's parts store to get it repaired. There were a couple of Iraq Vets working there and they decided they were going to fix up his mower and suprise him. They totally rebuilt the motor got a new seat, painted it and all the guys signed the "new" mower. he had no clue they were doing this and they presented it to him last night. FREE! What an awesome world this can be when we give of ourselves just for the sheer JOY of giving. I love our veterans!!!

    Sabrina

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  22. happy anniversary lindsay and joseph!!!!
    and i love this post- i couldnt have ever said it any better.
    -kel

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  23. this post is beeeeeeeeautiful. i love you.

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  24. Just last week my Dad, my brother, and I went to lunch and as we're talking my Dad overhears a man making phone calls to find a ride back to work, because he had locked his keys in his car. My Dad stands up from the table and asks," I'm sorry to eavesdrop but I overheard you need a ride, if you want to when you're ready I'll take you," The man thanks him. We ride just down the road talking to him getting to know a little about him, and he gets out endlessly thanking my Dad. What is so big about this I think is the example he's laid out even now and our whole lives of what kindness is and does. That in itself is another act of kindness. :)

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  25. For me, I work at a daycare with children from the ages of 1 1/2 to 2 1/2...during their play time, they sometimes re-enact things they've heard or seen the other teacher and I do earlier...today, I had a little girl come up to me and say

    "'Kerny' (my name is Courtney), you are so silly, you make me very happy." Then she proceeded to give me the biggest hug a toddler has ever given me. I don't know how she knew it, but she knew I needed a little something to keep me going today.

    And it meant the entire world to me.

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  26. Happy Anniversary!

    This is an awesome post. I look forward to exploring your blog more!

    I'm a new follower.
    www.aspiringmillionaire.com

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  27. This is a wonderful post. I loved reading that AND I loved reflecting on kindness and being kind.

    To me kindness, is making the effort to make eye contact with someone in a busy place and simply smiling at them. Have you ever noticed that no one looks at anyone in a grocery store anymore?

    Smiles are contagious and so easy to share.

    PS also wanted to let you know that I featured your uber cute badges at my Christmas in July. Come by and grab your "I was featured" button.

    Just Another Day in Paradise

    also happy belated anniversary!

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  28. This is beautiful. With so many people thinking about kindness, surely there can be more of it in the world? Here's hoping.

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  29. Happy anniversary!

    I'm a new follower! I'd love to have you visit me at http://becauseitsfuntowin.blogspot.com/

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  30. Happy Anniversary! I love that koala picture - I haven't seen anything that sweet in a long time!

    Following you from Follow Me Chickadee!

    Amy
    The Thrifty Thumb
    www.thethriftythumb.blogspot.com

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  31. What a great post! Thank you for sharing! Here from New Friend Friday!

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  32. Just found you through NFF! Lovely post and lovely blog!

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  33. what a great post :) visiting from chickadee friday! Love your blog!

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  34. Kindness goes a long way :) thanks for the post! Happy anniversary!

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  35. Happy Anniversary. Terrific blog! Happy to have found you via Hop Along Friday. I'm pleased to be following you. Come by and see me, too! :)

    Maureen

    http://maureenmakesit.com

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  36. Happy 2nd Anniversary! What a beautiful post. I haven't thought much about kindness lately because I've been so wrapped up in other things but to me kindness is helping someone without any thought of yourself. Being kind is so easy to do! We really do need more kindness in this world. Thanks for reminding me of that! Happy Friday!

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  37. have a happy saturday! enjoy your day! Im your newest follower - www.justcherishtoday.com - come follow me back and let's stay in touch!

    kindness means a lot to me- kindness is just helping anyone out in any way that you possibly can! :)

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  38. wonderful and inspiring post, thank you for sharing such warm and loving thoughts!

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  39. Following from The Kind Hearted Blogger Pledge : ) I love this post too!! I linked both to my post! Thanks for the kindness : )
    ~Melissa
    http://www.mnmrheinlander.blogspot.com
    http://www.twitter.com/MSRheinlander
    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Keeping-Up-With-The-Rheinlanders/14249825580287

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  40. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful post. Kindness is contageous, don't you think? I know that when I start looking for it, I see it everywhere and I know that it makes the giver so very, very happy.
    I hope you are well and happy.
    Hugs
    Carol x

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  41. It doesn't take much to be kind in life, with regards to how you speak to people and how you approach life in general. I have always admired people who raise their kids to say that it doesn't matter how intelligent they are, it's about behaviour, being polite and kind.

    I have read a couple of inspiring books. Paul Smith's Twitchhiker. He travelled the world via twitter, got put up for the night in places, travel... Found that the world wasn't full of murderers etc and that there is a lot of kindness out there.

    Danny Wallace's Random Acts of Kindness and Join Me are very inspiring. All to do with him starting a collective, where on a Friday, people do a random act of kindness, often towards a stranger.

    I know we hear a lot on the news about the bad stuff, plus a lot of programmes to do with court and prison. But I like to believe that the majority of us are decent, honest people, who by nature want to be kind to people.

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  42. LOVELY POST.

    Kindness to me is: having good intentions, a good heart, doing things not expecting anything in return, treating others like you would like to be treated (or even better!). Kindness is genuine, color blind, and limitless. Plus I believe kind people are happier :)

    ~Pau
    www.lilbitsofchic.blogspot.com

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  43. What a GREAT post!

    Kindness to me is... well PaulinaMo said it so well just above! "having good intentions, a good heart, doing things not expecting anything in return, treating others like you would like to be treated (or even better!). Kindness is genuine, color blind, and limitless."

    I believe in the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

    I try to smile, even when I'm sad.
    I try to hold the door for someone else, even when my back hurts.
    I say excuse me, please, and thank you

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