You go through a difficult time and someone offers to bring you a meal or pick up your kids. What do you say?
I think our natural instinct is to say no, right? We tell people verbally or through our actions that we’re okay, we’ve got this covered, we can do it ourselves.
But what if their offer of kindness isn’t ... Read More
It’s humbling to realize that while I was sitting on the living room floor watching my kids tear into the colorful assortment of presents under the Christmas tree, other lives were unfolding simultaneously in ways much different than mine.
Jayne Holtgrewe of Moorhead spent her day nursing her husband back to health after he experienced a terrible fall.
But instead of grieving ... Read More
We go about our days sometimes on auto-pilot, don’t we? Or maybe it’s just me.
I can go from meeting to meeting, taking the kids here, stopping at the store there, returning this phone call or that email… and all of a sudden, it’s 9pm.
If you were to ask me if I am a kind person, I’d say, “Sure! Yes! Absolutely!” ... Read More
Last week, I shared part one of the story of a single mom struggling to make ends meet with her teenage son.
It’s the backdrop of pain in our lives that gives our joy such brilliance. And often, it’s receiving an act of kindness at just the right time that spurs us to do the same for ... Read More
Jessica Reed is the sort of woman who inspires me to become a better person. She’s a dietician, a mom of five kids, a community advocate and a marathon runner.
She’s also the sort of woman who will stand in my kitchen and teach me how to evenly brown ground beef without giggling at my ineptitude.
Jessica took on a major challenge ... Read More
I can’t believe we’re here. Last year at this time, I felt called to begin the New Year by renewing my mind.
I wanted to do that by memorizing short scriptures that would be my go-to mantras in times of trouble.
One year later, we’re at the end, Week 52.
I’ve learned some things about myself this year, like I’m terrible at memorizing.
On ... Read More
It’s our stories that build the color into our lives. Yes, there is often pain as they are being written, but without that pain we wouldn’t know real joy.
I want to spend this week and next sharing the story of a mom and her teenage son, and the beauty that unfolded when one act of kindness led to the next.
“My ... Read More
I’m like a Star Wars fan for kindness. If kindness were a movie, I would stand outside and sleep in a tent next to the theater just so I could suck in all the excitement.
Kindness is just the best.
It’s really fun when we find someone who shares our geeky passions, isn’t it?
I found my someone. Her name is Donna Cameron ... Read More
Are you done? Have you finished all the hustle and bustle that comes with creating the magic of the season? If so, good for you! (Now can you come to my house and help me?)
If not, take heart. Ironically, it’s in the midst of our craziest schedules that we are most blessed with the chance to show other people they ... Read More
Several years ago, when I was first beginning to write on the topic of kindness, I got a speaking request.
A group wanted me to come and talk about the health benefits of kindness. It seems this should have been right smack dab in my realm of knowledge, but it wasn’t. I knew what kindness had done for me, but I ... Read More
