Fri., Jan. 3, 2019

Zechariah 7:9: The Lord of heavenly forces proclaims: Make just and faithful decisions; show kindness and compassion to each other!

My mission during the month of January is very simple: SHOW KINDNESS.

Sorry if it feels like I’m yelling at you. But please. Can we all just be a bit more kind to each other?

I’m tired. I’m tired of people nit-picking and thinking only of themselves. I’m tired of the world looking only through the lenses of ME, ME and some more ME!

Can we stop wanting to make sure that WE get something first and please, just please, think of someone else BEFORE we think of ourselves?

The hurtful things often said make my heart sad. The way we react before thinking how our words and/or actions will affect someone else disappoints me. Why is it when we are hurting, we want to make sure someone else gets hurt as well?

Can this all please just stop?

Full disclosure. I know that I have hurt people. I have said things that should not have been said. My actions have not always been kind.

This is why the word I’m focusing on every day in January is very simple.

KINDNESS.

Can we please be kind first? Then, we don’t have to make apologies for what we say and do.

Can we please be kind first? And see how much good we can spread around!

Can we please be kind first? And be AMAZED at how easy it is?

What would happen if we poured love into the people around us, as well as the communities in which we live … even when we don’t feel like it?

What would happen if we INTENTIONALLY chose to be agents of kindness every single day?

What would happen if we chose kindness before criticism? Grace before judgement? Love before hate?

I don’t think we ever outgrow the need for kindness. We don’t ever stop needing kindness ourselves. Therefore, wouldn’t everyone else love a little kindness as well!

Will you partner with me? Find one teeny, tiny way to express kindness to someone everyone day throughout the month of January?

Hold the door open for someone.

Smile at someone who seems grumpy and upset. Try to make them smile!

Listen before you speak.

Take in the neighbor’s mail. Shovel their sidewalk. Sit and chat with them for 30 minutes.

Pick up the phone and call that person you have been meaning to call … and haven’t.

Pay for the treat the person in front of you is purchasing … just because.

Turn off your phone and be present.

Just be kind.

Just love them.

Kindness breeds kindness. Happiness breeds happiness. When you extend some smallest little form of kindness, this person is more likely to be kind as well. Instead of fretting about someone’s imperfections, be kind to them. You aren’t perfect either. Grant them grace. Behavior is often mimicked, whether we see it or not.

Avoid letting someone else steal your kindness. No matter what, stay kind. Yes, you may name how someone is trying to hijack your kindness. Then, gently move on. Let’s be kindness givers … not takers.

Be aware of how you treat other people. Kids, grandkids and others hear how we talk to each other. How do you respond to the people you love the most when we first see them? Are you excited and happy? Or do you ignore them? Being kind is simply an extension of how much we value someone.

When there is a disagreement or anxiety or a rift, what words do we use? We can still be kind even as we express our opinion.

Kindness is not just a special event treat. It should be part of our daily arsenal that gets used over and over and over. How we choose to use kindness in our every day life speaks loudly about how we view kindness.

Train yourself to be kind. Find ways to be kind in your speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.

I would love to hear your examples and stories of kindness: ways you discovered how to express kindness. Or examples of how kindness was extended to you.

If we want there to be an alternative to the rhetoric we so often hear, see and witness, it is up to US to set a new standard. Create a new barometer. Become the kindness police.

For the opportunity to be kind every single day, I am grateful.

Blessings –

Dianne

Dear God – It’s really very clear in Your word: show kindness. Rather than expecting someone else to model kindness to us, may WE choose to exemplify kindness in every possible situation that we can through this next month. Amen.

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