Last week ended with my feeling “less than kind,” so I’m happy to revisit the postcards I received for prompt two of Love Notes 20 to increase and fortify my kindness quotient. The prompt was “Share kindness…” I know. I know. I’ve done a number of kindness posts recently–eight, to be exact–but there’s so much more to share on the topic.
My partner, Jenni P, sent another postcard from the Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site. I’m convinced someone had a talk with her about my postcard “likes.”
Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site
She loves Mother Teresa, so she wrote a MT quote as her message:
Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. –Mother Teresa
Christine must have been peeking over her shoulder because their messages “echo” each other!
“Share Kindness,” postcard crafted by Christine B.
Connie F sent photo inspiration, featuring another favorite–trees.
“Roots in All Direction,” photo by Connie F.
A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions and the roots spring up and make trees. –Amelia Earhart
I love how Connie completed the prompt:
Sharing kindness has a ripple effect. We never know how far a kind word or gesture will go.
Lastly, my Austrian postcard pal, Andrea F, crafted a tag postcard featuring a photo of a quirky mailbox. I’m slightly amazed that she sent it “naked” (with no envelope) and it made it to me in almost pristine condition.
“Kindness and Confetti,” postcard made by Andrea F.
She reminded me to “throw kindness like confetti” and to toss a little in the direction of myself–which is the sentiment written on the back of the postcards I sent.
As for my part, I “crafted” a “minimalist” postcard. That’s what I’m calling it, at least. I cut leftover white cardstock down to 4×6, printed a kindness scripture onto the cards, used the Cricut to transform miscellaneous scrapbook paper into hearts, and glued the heart to the cardstock.
“Be Compassionate,” handmade postcard by Me!
Interestingly, within the context–just a few verses before Ephesians 4:32–the instruction is given to:
Let no harmful language come from your mouth, only words that are helpful in meeting the need, words that benefit those who hear them. –Ephesians 4:29
The compatibility of our messages is uncanny, almost as if we’re sharing one mind on the matter of kindness.
So much unkindness is (typically) rooted in our speech that we must be reminded to be kind with our words and to speak only what “benefits those who hear them.” It takes nothing from us to speak a tender word or encourage someone along the way, but often we behave as if giving to someone takes something from us. Actually, the effect is just the opposite–treating each other with compassion makes room in our hearts to give more and make our world a better place.
It took very little work and very little effort to make my postcard. Likewise, kindness takes little, if any, work and effort.
I’ve made a conscious decision to share kindness with my words and “be generous” with my love to increase my kindness quotient this week. Want to join me?
