Being Kind- Part 2

Dear Friend,

Have you really thought about what it means to "be kind"? It sounds like a simple idea, but sometimes it can be tricky to understand. What counts as an act of kindness? Going back to the weather metaphor from post 1, how can we lend umbrellas to others during rainstorms?

You can show kindness in the smallest actions. Whether it's holding the door open for someone or a simple smile, random acts of kindness can be found anytime and anywhere. Such small actions may seem insignificant to you, but they could brighten someone's day. We know that when we are having bad days, or are in unhappy moods, certain people can simply wave and our day will go from a 0 to a 10. Even if you do not have the time or resources to do HUGE acts of kindness, a smile is free and can almost never hurt.

Planned acts of kindness are another way to show kindness. Catherine and I have put post-it notes with positive quotes around our campus, and every first Thursday of the month we bring coffee to people who brighten our day. Heartfelt notes are another thing that the two of us do all the time. Thank-you notes are usually expected for gifts, but we write them after conversations or simple things. You never know when your simple note will lift someone's spirits. And even if it doesn't, it's the thought and effort that counts.

Kindness is contagious.

Yours truly,
Kylie and Catherine