There’s a primary song that I learned as a child growing up in church.  It consists of 2 lines and very simple to learn but has stuck with me forever…“I want to be kind to everyone, for that is right you see!  So I say to myself, remember this….Kindness begins with me!”

I knew at a young age that I loved people; I was a “people-person”.  I liked to feel good about myself but I really liked the way it felt to help others feel that way about themselves and to see the beauty in them that I saw in them.  To this day, I can’t walk past a stranger in a restaurant, grocery store, my childrens’ school, or anywhere it may be and not tell them “That color is gorgeous on you” or “You have a beautiful smile” or “Your kids are so darling and well-behaved” or “You are the nicest cashier and just make my day happy!  I wish all cashiers could have the talent you do for making others feel good!”  My husband will tell you I LOVE to serve.  It is true.  It’s partly selfish because, although, I know it makes someone else feel good and loved….I feel elated and happy to serve THEM.  It fills MY soul with joy.

How often do we think about saying or doing something kind and we don’t.  We don’t want to make the effort OR we worry about other people’s reactions or feeling silly.  But have you thought about how your little bit of kindness can make such a HUGE impact on others?  I’ve been surprised at the reaction of those who have benefitted from a kind comment or small act of service from me.  And even more…..I’ve been surprised and overwhelmed at the impact I feel when others take just a moment to write me a sweet card to share their love for me or pay me a nice compliment or reach out to serve me.  It is HUGE!  Not only do I feel loved by them, I feel love from my Heavenly Father and know that He is watching over me and blessing me through the kindness of others around me.

On that note….a friend sent this short but beautiful documentary on a family whose kindness and love for others also helped them heal and helped them through a difficult time.  I am so touched by this I just had to share,  PLEASE grab a tissue and take 15 minutes to watch this!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLoBWpiOczQ#action=share

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Every Monday evening our family has Family Home Evening or #fhe. We block out that time of our week to spend together and either have some kind of lesson or activity or important discussion and take turn planning it or having an assignment in it, as the kids get older. After seeing the new #cinderellamovie last night, I think this is the perfect topic for our lesson tomorrow night. Each person in our family has had to do what is “unpopular” at some time this last year and stand up for what is right…even if it means standing alone! Some of us have lost friends over it… Some have been ostracized… Some have had work relationships strained… We’ve had to make new friends. But I’ve quickly been reminded that a true disciple of Christ does not stray from His teachings to accommodate others’ feelings. We just must #havecourage and #bekind. Thanks, Cinderella

My daughter is a brand-new 9 year-old girl.  She is sweet, she is kind, she has a strong sense to nurture others and make sure they are happy and feeling loved.  Recently, a group of girls she was spending time with at recess was laughing at one of the groundskeepers at the school who was on her knees and planting flowers.  The woman was not wearing a shirt long enough to cover her mid-section as she was bending over, showing her unforgiving areas that we, as women, might have after childbirth and aging and indulging in sweets.  The girls were calling her “fat” and acting grossed-out and saying “ew” and giggling.  My daughter told me how shocked she was and how upset it made her.  She told them that what they were saying was mean, in her small and quiet voice.  That was not a very “popular” thing to do…and they let her know.  She came home and cried about it.  Brooklyn said she cried partly because it hurt that her friends with the same standards were being so unkind to her for sticking up for what was right and also partly because she felt bad for that woman.  The woman who didn’t even hear the girls….she felt pain for her.

Thank you, sweet daughter, for your pure heart and for being courageous.  Especially for one who is still shy and sometimes very quiet and unsure of herself.  But she knows right from wrong and she knows she does not want others to hurt.  I love you, Brooklyn.  Thank you for teaching many a valuable lesson!

Here we are with a few of my Brooklyn’s friends (she is front row left) celebrating her Birthday Week.  Grab your tiaras, your wands and some tissues and go see this FABULOUS movie!!

And remember…..

“Where there is KINDNESS there is GOODNESS and where there is GOODNESS there is MAGIC!”  ~Fairy Godmother

Image courtesy of Risa Rodil

xoxo, a proud mother

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