Have you felt it? That overwhelming need to dispose of all clutter now that the holidays are over?
I’ve cleaned out one closet and have about seven more to go. I’m clearly not the only one feeling it, because I got a letter from a woman in Wisconsin whose need to downsize meant an upswing in kindness.
“I was in purge mode ... Read More
I know kindness is contagious because I’ve witnessed it in action time and time again. Hundreds of stories from readers like you have solidified my belief that kindness goes around and comes around much more frequently than we could imagine.
Sometimes, we do an act of kindness that prompts someone else to “pay it forward.” We never know where the kindness ... Read More
Want to really enjoy this holiday season? Try giving to others out of delight, not duty.
Sure, there are gifts we feel obligated to give. But the magic of Christmas comes when we re-create the spirit of the season for another person just because we feel like it. It’s not hard.
Ask Katie Kringstad, the director of children’s ministry at First Lutheran ... 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
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
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
I went to a conference earlier this month that was basically a two-day party for people who love kindness. Every night, a few folks would stand up and share a five-minute story about their favorite acts of kindness.
I wish I would have had the foresight to record their messages. I would have had enough material to fill this column for ... Read More
I think two might be my favorite age. Not for my own kids, but for other people’s kids.
When my children were two, I was caught up in diapers and crushed Goldfish crackers and constant laundry duty. Now, as a mom of school-age kids, I can sit back and see how adorable other people’s toddlers are, because I don’t have to ... Read More
My brother saved a little boy’s life once. The boy was swimming and got out too deep. No one saw him go under except my brother.
It happened more than 30 years ago and I’m certain my brother never even stops to think about what would have happened if he hadn’t been in that lake that day. Maybe time has also ... Read More
A letter came to my house the other day, but it wasn’t addressed to me. It was for a 12-year-old boy named Marcus.
No return address and stamped at a post office two states away. Hmmm.
“Hey, Marcus, you got some mail!” I yelled from my office.
“Me? Who’s it from?” he asked as he ambled into the room.
“No idea. Open it.”
As he ... Read More
