Kindness.
It costs nothing, but has immense value. It’s something we love to receive, but often forget to give.
When I was 13 I was going through a phase where I was confused and angry. I’m sure everyone has had a phase like this, but at the time I felt like I was the only one who had ever felt that way. I wasn’t a little kid anymore, but I wasn’t old enough to get my drivers license or vote. I had lost people who had always been in my life and I felt mad at the world for taking them from me. I just didn’t have it in me to exude kindness every day I got out of bed.
My family has always been so loving and kind; I cannot imagine my life without them. They showed me love and kindness, understanding, and empathy in the times I needed it most. In the darkest times I was shown kindness. Now that I’m out of that dark time, I reflect on it and see how my family’s kindness and warmth helped me find the light at the end of the tunnel. Now I hope to be that light and kindness for others.
Everyday we’re supposed to choose to be kind.
Is this easy?
No.
Some mornings I don’t want to be kind, I want to be resentful and bitter. Some mornings I compare my life to other people’s. Some mornings I wonder why people who continue to intentionally hurt others get the “easy way” in life.
But, I know that as a human being I never will have all the answers. Think about Jesus; He was persecuted and sent to the world to die, but that didn’t change how kind He was. He still loved His enemies as if they were His friends. Use that as an example for yourself the next time you’re having a hard time being kind to someone. Maybe that someone is even yourself!
The world can be a harsh and cruel place. A drop of kindness can go such a long way and make you and the person you showed it to feel 200% better. I’m a firm believer in give good, get good. Be kind, get kind.
Lastly, I want to point out that it is never too late. You can always be kind! Even if you don’t have a good history with somebody, that’s okay! There might be a bad history, but you can help make a good future. Showing someone you genuinely care is truly priceless.
That’s all on the topic of kindness for today. I hope you guys enjoyed this post. I know it was kind of long and didn’t have a lot of pretty pictures, but I’m learning that that’s okay. This post is meant to send a message. A message for others and for myself too.
Talk to you guys later ❤
Question time:
What does kindness mean to you?
Share your thoughts on this topic – I’d love to chat with you in the comments 🙂
You are such a light! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your journey. God is so good. Amazing message Edye!
http://www.kathrineeldridge.com
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Thank you so much, Kathrine! Yes, God is good all the time ❤
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Edye, you are one wonderful person. Beautiful post and you are so right kindness costs nothing. Kindness is huge in my book, it is so important. I too, was brought up by loving parents who always showed acts of kindness wherever they were. It has filtered through to me. Just even a simple gesture goes a long way, helping the aged in a grocery store battling to see a price, helping them in anyway when they are battling, just generally being kind to anyone is so special. Have a lovely weekend.:-)
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You’re so sweet! Thank you so much, Lynne! Helping others and being kind is such a beautiful thing to give and to receive. I hope you have a lovely weekend as well.
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This is a beautiful post. Being kind is so important and it’s definitely one of the most important qualities I’m trying to install in my kids. (Hopefully by example, although I don’t always succeed.) One of the things I try to do most when I’m feeling less… charitable, is to try to put myself in someone else’s shoes.
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This is such a wonderful post Edye, I love the message you’re sharing in it & I couldn’t agree more 🙂 If we could just all be kind to each other & accept others for who they are the world would me such a better place I think. I’m trying to always be a kind person and even though, like yo said, it might not be easy all the time especially when you’re having a bad day yourself, spreading kindness is so important x
Sara’sChapters
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Thank you so much, Sara! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. Spreading kindness is so important and can help make the world a better and brighter place xx
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Lovely post! Kindness to me, means being self less and helping without expecting anything in return. Just making someone’s day that extra bit brighter! x
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Thank you, Katie! That’s a great initiation for kindness. I totally think that kindness and selflessness go hand in hand x
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Kindness is so important, I think however someone treats you, you should always be kind to them because you don’t know what kind of day they’re having or what they’re going through and not being kind to them won’t help anyone! Lovely post.
Amy xx
http://www.callmeamy.co.uk
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Thanks, Amy! I couldn’t agree more! We never know what others are going through; we just presume we do. Great point xx
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Kindness is such an important trait to have, and you know what, it takes no talent or effort at all!
xo
Siffat
http://icingandglitter.com
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YES! This is such a spot on definition!! ❤
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What a blessing to have a kind family that showed you a happier way. A great message!
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They are a true blessing! I’m so glad you stopped by, Marielle. Thanks for reading ❤
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This is a lovely post, well written. It is great to grow up with a loving and kind family, I have experienced this myself and it was so great to see my parents love each other and be kind no matter what. I try to do it too, but as you say, it is not easy. But the feeling when you are kind to someone or do something nice is amazing! 🙂
Yiota
PinkDaisyLoves
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Thank you so much, Yiota! It does make you feel so happy to make another feel good ❤
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I loved this post so much! I agree with everything you’ve said and couldn’t have put it better myself xx
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Thank you so much, Marti! I wrote this post straight from my heart and am so glad it’s being well received. ❤
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Such a beautiful post! I totally agree: Kindness is a language! Kindness heals the world and should be spread!!
Happy Monday, love!
xoxo, Vanessa
http://www.WhatWouldVWear.com
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Thank you, Vanessa! Kindness is a language and an emotion that needs to be exuded by everyone ❤
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I always, always try to be as kind as possible! I don’t understand people that are rude to others at all. Kindness is simple and easy and free and doesn’t take any more effort than it does to be mean.
~Sara
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You’re so right, Sara! Being kind doesn’t take any more effort than being unkind ❤
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Great post–when im feeling judgmental or unkind toward someone I tell myself that i dont know exactly what things people are going through.
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Thanks, Heather! I do the exact same thing. We always need to consider what others are going through before being so judgmental.
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Such a good message, lady- and one we can all refresh ourselves on every now and again. 🙂 Thanks for this!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
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Thanks, Ashley! Yes, this is a message we all should read from time to time 🙂
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Kindness is one of the most important, if not THE most important thing we can share with each other. I try on a daily basis to show my daughter what it is to be kind. To say nice things and to be nice to other people. (:
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Absolutely, Christina! It’s so admirable that you’re trying to instill kindness in your daughter ❤
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this post is beautiful ❤
"a single act of kindness can cause ripples of healing"
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Thank you so much, Kelly! What a very true, beautiful quote ❤
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And kindness is free. Sometimes I struggle. I let the resentment surface, for a time, because it doesn’t take long to realize that holding back kindness hurts no one but me. Sharing it helps everyone. Thank you for such an inspiring post.
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Yes, kindness is free, Joylene! Thank you so much for reading and for your kind comment. I’m so glad you enjoyed the post ❤ Have a lovely week!
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Edye, what a lovely, thought-provoking post. Thank you so much for sharing it at the Over the Moon Link Party! You are my choice as Featured Blogger this week. Come back from Sunday evening through Thursday evening to grab your Featured Blogger’s badge.
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Thank you so very much, Sandy! You’ve officially made my day!! You’re so sweet ❤
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I remember that 12-13 era, when I was pretty b*tchy to my parents. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, even if they come off to me as mean or thoughtless, as they may have not realized what they were doing, and may have bigger things on their mind than just how they appeared to me/ what they said to me. This has worked out really well too for me in not taking things so personally!
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So true, Lauren! Sometimes (especially when we’re young) we don’t see how we’re acting, so we continue to do it. Now I try and be more aware of my actions and that I’m kind to people. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! ❤
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A beautiful message for everyone!
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Thank you so very much, Leslie! Hope your week is going well thus far.
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What a great post! I try to teach my daughters kindness and it warms my heart to see that they’re really listening! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Share The Wealth Sunday!
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Thanks so much, Lisa! That’s amazing that you’re teaching your children about kindness; it’s a wonderful quality to have.
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