Kindness Starts With Me

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. 
Leo F. Buscaglia

​Wouldn’t you love it if someone paid you a truly genuine, heartfelt compliment today? Not a surface compliment, like that you have cute new shoes or they like your fingernail polish, but a sincere compliment about YOU: your laugh, your generous spirit, your ability to see the best in others, or your intelligence. It feels good when someone mentions an admirable trait they see in us. As Mark Twain is quoted to have said, 

“I can live for two months on a good compliment.” 

​This is so true! If someone says something nice to you, do you find yourself reflecting on that comment from time to time and having it bringing a renewed smile to your face? I know I do. 

​We tried a fun activity at New Beginnings to practice the art of bringing smiles to the faces of others with acts of kindness. Each staff member and resident were randomly assigned three names of others in the home and three “random acts of kindness.” We could then match up each name we received with one of our acts of kindness and had two weeks to perform these deeds. Sometimes, it takes a forced activity like this to push us out of our comfort zones and teach us how to do simple acts of kindness to others. After the two weeks were up, we enjoyed talking about the homemade gifts, notes, compliments, and treats we received from each other. We learned that not only was it awesome to receive them, but it was almost better to be the one giving them! 

​Acts of kindness can be so small, but mean so much. A compliment or warm smile is absolutely free to give, although for some of us, the ability to hand one out may take some refining. It may seem silly at first, but be intentional about the kindness you show others. If this is not something that comes naturally to you, start each week or day by detailing out what you will do for someone else- and then make sure you follow through. Once you get in the habit of doing small things for others, you’ll find the opportunity arise more and more often, and it will start to come naturally to you. In the end, you may even find these small kindnesses making their way back to you. 

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

We are always looking for new ways to spread kindness! What are some ways that you have surprised others with a random act of kindness? Find some great ideas for families by clicking on the button below. ​

50 Random Acts of Kindness

Beth Shiels is an Assistant Home Manager at New Beginnings. She graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College with a degree in Psychology in 2008, where she also met her husband, Zach. Along with working at New Beginnings, Beth enjoys staying home part-time with her four children and assisting in Zach's chiropractic clinic. She loves this crazy busy life God has blessed her with and is thankful to have the opportunity to share His love with the moms and babies at New Beginnings!

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