Just Be Kind

I could never have imagined…

When I started my experiment of actively looking for kindness - noticing it, talking about it, writing about it – I could never have imagined what would happen. 

How this simple experiment could reach so many people, touch so many lives, and change my own life.

“Just Be Kind”.  That’s what the green neon sign that hangs on our front porch shines to passersby.  Just be kind.  It can be taken two ways really.  “Just be kind” – as in “come on – just please be KIND” – an imperative I guess.  Or it can mean “just be kind” – as in, “it’s simple – just be kind”.

But however you interpret it, this simple mission of spreading kindness, then being open and honest and discussing it, has changed my world.  It has given me a new outlook on life.  It’s introduced me to people that have become close friends.  It has given me a platform.  It has made me stronger.  It’s taught me to delegate, to share the load.  It has afforded me so many opportunities to talk to strangers.  It has taken over our home at times.  It has made me realize how interconnected humans are.  And it has given me so, so much joy.

You know, it's hard to narrow down all of your beliefs into a sentence or two – into a mission statement - but we are getting there.  And in the meantime, the activism continues.  There are more strangers to surprise with kindness.  More children to invite into the mission and more neighbors to get involved. 

We escaped to New York City for a couple of days to see a friend perform.  While we were there, a piece in the Washington Post that included Kindness Activist ran.  It was even in the Sunday print edition.  We got home at about 1:45 am Sunday night and I brought the paper in from our porch.  I took out the metro section and peeked at the article.  I was astonished to see my photo in the newspaper, yet again, this time surrounded by Amazon boxes full of donations that readers of the Post sent to fill the Little Yellow Free Pantry.  The article tells what happened after stories about several different organizations and situations ran, how readers responded and supported the causes.  Kindness Activist was just one of several stories mentioned, yet it was our photo that was chosen to be in print. 

Made me tear up.  Such an honor.  I wish my parents could see it.  Wish I could mail them a copy (or 2 or 5…).  I know they would be proud.

Thank YOU for being a part of it all.  For following Kindness Activist’s journey and supporting us.  None of the work that we do would be possible without COMMUNITY – people near and far – cheering us on and being advocates.  Thank you.  You are appreciated.