There are things in life that are too heavy for words. We don’t know what to say, so we say nothing at all.
I know I’ve been guilty of turning away from someone in their time of need because I couldn’t imagine anything I could say or do to lift their burden. Have you ever felt that way?
Maybe the point isn’t ... Read More
There is a wedding dress out there that’s missing its bride. Could it be you or someone you know?
I got a letter from Gail Richardson, who is keeping the gown until the perfect bride steps forward.
“I manage our church thrift shop, and a while ago, a brand-new wedding gown came in. The tags on it say David’s Bridal and it ... Read More
People often ask me about maintaining their safety while pursuing a brave and kind life. How do we know if we’re supposed to give a homeless person money, or stop to help the car on the side of the road?
My answer might sound flippant, but I mean it sincerely: follow your heart. If your heart says “stop,” then stop. If ... Read More
Have you ever heard anyone say, “Oh yay! I get to go to the hospital!”
Other than the occasional pregnant lady, I doubt it.
I imagine, like me, you’re glad you have access to quality medical care, but hope you don’t have to use it very often.
However, many times we find the greatest kindness when we are physically or emotionally wounded and ... Read More
Some people say I have a new book out. I say you have a new book out.
Two years ago, I took 100 of my favorite kindness stories, the ones you have been sending in since 2011, and I put them in a book. We called that book “Kindness is Contagious: 100 Stories to Remind You God is Good and So ... Read More
Are you on the treadmill? Do you wake up each day knowing there are more things to be done than could actually be accomplished? Does it feel like everyone needs a piece of you?
When I begin to feel that way, I know it’s time to close my eyes.
With my eyes closed and my body focused on deep breaths, I ... Read More
Have you ever had kindness show up just when you needed it?
If your answer if yes, when you’ve finished your morning coffee, please send me your story. That’s what this column is all about. We share stories of the kindness you’ve given and how it made you feel, or the times a kind act happened when you needed it the ... Read More
Can you remember what you got for your seventh birthday? How about your eighth? Ninth?
Maybe there’s one special present that stands out, but for me, it’s all pretty fuzzy.
It’s not the big celebrations or occasions that I remember from my childhood. My brain chooses to hold onto things that are much more random.
For instance, I remember when I was about ... Read More
Did you have a good summer? People ask each other that question all the time, but this time, I hope you’ll take a moment to think about it.
What moments of your summer mattered? My guess is they were the ones that were filled with kindness.
When we show up in people’s lives and notice them and love on them, we take ... Read More
Life is often made in the margins.
Those are the little segments of time on our calendars we don’t have planned. They are the 15 minutes before we need to be out the door to our kid’s soccer practice, the 30 minutes before our next meeting or, in the case of the woman who sent in the following story, the hour ... Read More
