Category: Be Kind

Does social isolation ever make you feel lonely? Me too.

We hear “we’re all in this together,” but when we’re walking out the day to day, it can feel like we are in this on our own.

I have been delighted by the stories I’ve gotten recently reminding me that people really are looking out for each other and that small acts ... Read More


Sometimes, when I’m feeling down, I sit very still and make a mental list of all the amazing acts of kindness that are happening not despite COVID-19, but because of it.

People are going out of their way to add color to the world. Just look at all the hearts in the windows!

Read More


I saw a post recently from a teacher, reassuring parents that educators will indeed be able to catch kids up on curriculum once September comes.

It went on to say that what teachers need parents and guardians to do right now is help with social emotional learning. We need to talk with our children about their big feelings and continually remind ... Read More


There is a beautiful unfolding of compassion and creativity happening in our world! I’ve been asking readers to share their coronavirus stories of kindness so we can all see the amazing outbreaks of goodness. Andy Smallman from Seattle wrote about having “Beer with Granddad.”

“The most important thing for my parents, ages 85 & 86, is family. Living in a retirement ... Read More


Do you know what’s annoyingly contagious? Coronavirus. Do you know what’s delightfully contagious? Kindness.

I’m going to shift this column for a while so that instead of sharing general kindness stories, we can all celebrate the kindness that is happening specifically during this time of crisis.

I’ll need your help. I know you are seeing and doing acts of kindness in your ... Read More


Have you ever gone viral?

Me neither — unless you count winning a car on “The Price is Right,” but that’s not really fame as much as it is a quick brush with fortune (until we had to pay taxes on the car I won).

My friend Don Carter has gone viral. Back in 2017, he met a woman working at a ... Read More


There is a woman who lives in my former town of Athens, Ohio. She makes the most delicious smelling soap and is pretty famous, although she would never admit to it.

Her name is Space and her company is playfully called Space Cadet Soaps. Space recently shared her musings on kindness after receiving an unexpected thank you ... Read More


There are people who would give you the shirt off their backs. I know. I had it happen to me once.

I complimented a man at a conference on his kindness T-shirt and the next day, he handed it to me. I think of him every time I wear it.

Laura Bliss, from Pequot Lakes, Minn., remembers a special woman each time ... Read More


Sometimes, people don’t realize how big of an impact they’re making. They do something because “it’s the right thing to do” or they brush off their kind act because it seems too simple to even count as kindness.

Perhaps they believe they aren’t making a difference in the long run, but Amanda Klyn, from Corson, S.D., would beg to differ. Here’s ... Read More


Isn’t it funny how life interrupts us and pulls our eyes off of ourselves?

Gail Perry Johnston is a graphic designer in California. She likes to jog in the middle of the day, but a few months ago, she decided to buy a vacuum at Walmart instead. That was when life interrupted her.

“All I wanted to do was buy a DustBuster, ... Read More