Day 640
Today, Ranger Boy and I headed over to one of the local elementary schools to read to first graders. The book's theme was about kindness and the students were avid listeners. When the book was over, we shared experiences where the children had been kind to another. They were adorable! It warmed my heart.
You have to wonder when some of these kind acts disappear from the lives we live. Those first graders' faces were alight with the thought of being kind. Why does that leave the hearts of some adults?
The book addressed things like:
*Sharing a smile
*Doing something unexpected as an act of kindness
*Opening a door for someone
*Sharing a toy
*Writing a thank you
*Including others
*Giving up your seat when someone needs to sit down
*Allowing others to be first in line
*Offering a kind act without being asked
The book went on to talk about how good it feels when you do a kind act. Those kids were on board! One little guy opened the classroom door as we left and said, "After you!" That was certainly one of my smiles for the day.
As an educator, I know that kindness is a focal point in the education of our children. They wouldn't always be successful at school, but that simply opened up teachable moments to illuminate the need for kindness in that situation. Children have a beautiful heart for kindness.
If we could ALL continue on that "Kindness Path" through the rest of life, what a wonderful world we would have. I realize that 'Life Happens' and 'Kindness' sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of everyday struggles. Having said that, we all have difficult days...but not every day is a challenge. If all of us, who are having a good day, could support those who are having a bad day, there would be a chance of shifting this world towards kindness.
As I shared with the little listeners today, "Just be on the lookout for a chance to do a kind act! You can make this world a kinder place for everyone!" Those bright eyes looked right into my own and, as they nodded with excitement, I felt the world begin to shift already.
