Kindness Challenge (wk2) & CTST: Find kindness

I’m a little late because the dreaded flu bug got a hold of me late last week.

The kindness I noticed around me was encouraging, although I didn’t feel well. My husband and I even remarked that living in a smaller town, people are nicer to each other, whether you talk with them at the local grocery store, restaurant or gardening center. There’s a sense of community even if you don’t personally know everyone. It also seems more important to frequent local, family-run businesses versus large company chains, because you are usually supporting generations of families.

It’s sometimes the smallest acts of kindness that stick with me. A co-worker bringing me a print out from the copy machine that’s in another room from where my office resides. Not a big deal for most people but for me, with a new knee replacement that gets stiff after sitting for a period of time, it’s very kind. My husband planting new rose bushes each year because several die over the winter, even though the chances are slim that all will survive. We have a lot of clay in our soil and it’s a huge ordeal to move the red lava rock, dig a good-size hole, add new rich soil along with the rose bush in the spot, and ensure that it takes hold.

There are also the kindnesses of our Creator, through nature, like perennial plants that spring up each year, without having to be told to do so. The wildlife in our backyard that bring such joy to my husband and me or the rain that paints a beautiful, bright green color on the grass and trees. The peace that I get when I hear a favorite song on the radio or say a prayer, asking God to calm my troubled heart. The excitement that my dog shows me when I come home from work at night – the way he acts like I’m a rock star and he’s the pup-a-razzi!

I did notice that there seemed to be more instances of kindness, when I was looking for them. This probably means that kindness is around me more often than not, if I am open and receptive to it. And, it probably means there are more opportunities for me to show kindness to others, if I am open to the possibility.

What observations did you have during your “find kindness” week?

P.S. If you want more details on the seven-week Kindness Challenge, here they are!

I’m also participating in Celebrate the Small Things blogroll, so here are a few more blogs to visit, to help support them in their journey. Thanks!