“You can never know the ripple effect you create with one tiny gesture of kindness.” ~Elle Sommer
Week 16 has been my favorite so far, the kindness week. In the beginning, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it. However, by the second day, it was amazing.
Every year my wife and I pick one word to focus on and use it as a guide throughout the whole year. This year my word is “Intentional” and without any conversation or influence from either me, my wife’s word was also “Intentional”.
Fitting in along those lines it was interesting how this week’s kindness exercise encouraged me to be more intentional. I always do my best to be kind. I try to be kind to everyone I meet and I try to frequently do random acts of kindness. But, what I tend not to do is be kind to myself.
But, what this week has made me do is be more intentional and attentive to what I’m doing. Reflecting on and writing about the kindnesses that I did throughout the day not only brought to light what I had actually done that day but also made me happier. I hadn’t realized how even the smallest, ordinary thing could be considered an act of kindness. That reflection also opened my eyes to how by being kind to others I was also being kind to myself.
Although I couldn’t see the immediate ripples of my kindness I know those affected by me paid it forward and continued the ripples out to others. Where do the ripples end? Do they ever end?
Be kind to others without expectation. Be kind to yourself, you are your biggest critic and you are better than you think you are.
“I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it very well.” ~ Psalm 139:14
I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious, and happy.
I promise so long as there is breath in me, I will be kind to everyone I meet as well as to myself, and I always keep my promises, Scott S.
“I hadn’t realized how even the smallest, ordinary thing could be considered an act of kindness. That reflection also opened my eyes to how by being kind to others I was also being kind to myself.” What a great observation and eye opener Scott! Thank you for sharing!
It’s great that both of you are on the same page this year! That’s an inspiring pledge and goal, Scott!
Waves of light are light years beyond us and maybe the energy from kindness is as well. Thank you.
I love that you and your wife are on the same wavelength. Intentional is a great word to start the year with.
I love that Scripture, too, Scott. What a wonderful reflection on intention and kindness you’ve written. I especially love this: “…opened my eyes to how by being kind to others I was also being kind to myself.” Thank you for rippling these thoughts out among us…