Kindness Doesn’t Have to Be Random: Let's Make Kindness Deliberate by Terri Kendrick

Sadly, it’s much more commonplace these days to see people ignore someone in need than lend them a hand. But compassion is out there – you just have to be on the lookout for it. I always have my kindness radar on, and recently I’ve found three cases that have restored a bit of my faith in humanity:

• Catch more flies with honey: A beekeeper is giving out jars of what he calls “Kind Honey.” He doesn’t ask for any money for the fruits of his (and his bees’) labor, only that the recipient do something kind for someone in return. And most of those who are offered the honey are eager to pass the kindness forward.

• A real “candy” striper: The nursing and therapy staff at one hospital love it when a particular volunteer works because she always has their favorite candy on hand. And she also remembers who loves what – from Almond Joys to Peppermint Patties. And if they’re out that day, their candy is waiting on their desk for them.

• Wearing your kindness on your sleeve: Jordyn’s Summer Shirt Project has not only taught a teen with autism valuable job skills, but it’s also set off a firestorm of kindness across all 50 states. Each of the shirts, which is rolled, packaged and enclosed with a signed thank-you card from Jordyn, is emblazoned with the slogan, “Be Kind to Everyone.” One customer said that when he wore the shirt, he found himself wishing people a blessed day and smiling more often.

Let us know the acts of kindness you’ve observed lately.

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