Since we are currently running our #TheNicestThingTour Kickstarter campaign, we thought it would be fun to share some of our Ambassador's thoughts on why kindness matters here on our blog. First up, the lovely Michelle Stratton of @alifeinterior:
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William John Bennett said “A kind and compassionate act is often its own reward.” and I would have to agree--acts of kindness change us as much as they change those we are kind to. Kindness is special like that.
I believe people are all connected, and kindness forges a direct route from heart to heart that creates a very tangible change in me, and hopefully, whoever I'm trying to bless or encourage. Our humanity begs us to recognize that we are all the same underneath our skin, and each of us needs and desires to be known, to be seen, to be heard. Kindness makes this possible, and we can't help but be changed when we live our lives with this intention: to be the good, to do the good, to help, to serve, to empower, or even simply to find a way to relate to one another. Kindness isn't just "a nice thing," no no, spreading kindness is vital to our well-being. It is important to our hearts, our souls, our spirits...even our health. And the more we show it, the greater the joy that wells up in us. And when others receive it, joy wells up in them. Soon, everyone is spilling joy all over the place!
These days most especially, we all feel "busy" and imagine everyone else must feel that way, too. I think that sharing kindness is an intentional way to say "I care about you (even if I don't know you!), and I slowed down enough to find a way to say so." I think this kind of intentionality has a very palpable significance. The kindness inside us will find all kinds of avenues of escape. For me, I love to find unexpected ways to bless someone, whether through art I create, mail I send, or any way I can imagine to lend a hand or lift a burden. Unexpected kindness is next-level powerful, but there's nothing that intoxicates the heart like being on either end of any thoughtfulness, act of service, encouragement, graciousness, blessing, or unselfishness. Kindness is so deeply rooted and entwined with love and sacrifice, and love and sacrifice are what makes the world go 'round. And that's what I love most about sharing kindness. It is often free--a smile, a kind word--but many times it's a sacrifice. And that gives kindness a weight and a significance that changes us.
We are blessed. We bless. And on it goes. And that's why kindness changes the world.
I believe people are all connected, and kindness forges a direct route from heart to heart that creates a very tangible change in me, and hopefully, whoever I'm trying to bless or encourage. Our humanity begs us to recognize that we are all the same underneath our skin, and each of us needs and desires to be known, to be seen, to be heard. Kindness makes this possible, and we can't help but be changed when we live our lives with this intention: to be the good, to do the good, to help, to serve, to empower, or even simply to find a way to relate to one another. Kindness isn't just "a nice thing," no no, spreading kindness is vital to our well-being. It is important to our hearts, our souls, our spirits...even our health. And the more we show it, the greater the joy that wells up in us. And when others receive it, joy wells up in them. Soon, everyone is spilling joy all over the place!
These days most especially, we all feel "busy" and imagine everyone else must feel that way, too. I think that sharing kindness is an intentional way to say "I care about you (even if I don't know you!), and I slowed down enough to find a way to say so." I think this kind of intentionality has a very palpable significance. The kindness inside us will find all kinds of avenues of escape. For me, I love to find unexpected ways to bless someone, whether through art I create, mail I send, or any way I can imagine to lend a hand or lift a burden. Unexpected kindness is next-level powerful, but there's nothing that intoxicates the heart like being on either end of any thoughtfulness, act of service, encouragement, graciousness, blessing, or unselfishness. Kindness is so deeply rooted and entwined with love and sacrifice, and love and sacrifice are what makes the world go 'round. And that's what I love most about sharing kindness. It is often free--a smile, a kind word--but many times it's a sacrifice. And that gives kindness a weight and a significance that changes us.
We are blessed. We bless. And on it goes. And that's why kindness changes the world.
