This week the Kindness Challenge was to observe evidence of kindness all around you. It is amazing what this challenge did to add joy to my life.
The week started with reading the story of a teacher who wants to teach in the U.K. and puts out a call for help and within weeks has all the information she needs is provided by fellow bloggers.
It continued with me wanting to buy flowers for one of our employees who was retiring. When I purchased the flowers there was not a box to transport the flowers. The cashier searched and found box and placed the flowers in the box. Kindness #1. But when I saw the flowers in the box I was dismayed. I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to get them out without injuring the arrangement. Kindness #2. Instead of being frustrated with me the cashier proceeded to find an exacto knife and fix the box so that I could easily retrieve the flowers without damage.
Later in the week I was treated to a story about a lovely set of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. The grandparents speak limited in English and the story was about how everyone in the neighborhood aids them with this task. It goes on to touchingly tell the lovely things the grandparents do for the neighbors to thank them for their kindness.
I finished the week last night by attending a splendid retirement dinner for my friend, Peggy. My family has been the recipient of endless gifts of kindness from Peggy for the last fourteen years that she has cared for our son. I always knew in my heart that Peggy was not only kind to Andrew but kind to all people who she has come to know.
Last night confirmed that fact as one person after the other took the microphone to tell their story about kindness received by them that were performed by Peggy.
There is a Chinese Proverb that says, “The fragrance always remains on the hand that gives the rose”. This week I smelled roses wherever I went.
Wishing you a week filled with kindness,
What a beautiful week you had! Awww that must have been such a celebration for your friend! That speaks a lot about the person that she is! How wonderful to have such a kind person in your life. I love that you witnessing kindness did so much to enrich your day! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
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This is beautiful Bernadette! And I do love the Chinese Proverb! Wishing you a glorious Sunday and week to come!!! 🌹
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Another milestone in my life! I flew in to New Jersey from Michigan to attend my 50th High School reunion! Kidding, right? I was 17 just the other day. I don’t understand. Well, before the event, my husband and I met a few friends of mine still in the Jersey area. On our travels, we stopped at a Panera, having a wonderfully animated and loud chat with coffee. Suddenly a woman approaches our table and asks by my name if that was me. I was concerned and thinking what the hell, what did I do now? That woman handed me a small purse, my purse and said she found it in the parking lot. I kept quite a bit of money, my driver’s license and a credit card in that small purse! I felt such gratitude! I thanked her profusely and kept repeating to myself and others about this stranger’s kindness!
I often do kinds gestures because I think it’s the right thing. Kindness lives on! Karma.
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Karma returned… Thanks for the comment and another example of kindness.
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That’s a beautiful quote and Peggy sounds like a lovely soul 🙂
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Beautiful, Bernadette. The Chinese proverb is wonderful and so true. This post is a good reminder about how kindness has an incredible way of enhancing and strengthening community. Have a wonderful week. 🙂
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So beautiful, Bernadette! Many people take kindness for granted, and don’t even notice it. I would say, you have had a happy week 🙂
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I really do believe there are more kind people in the world than unkind ones. Thank you for sharing!!!
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What a wonderful week. It is very touching to see random acts of kindness. It’s especially endearing when I see young children do something kind.
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What a lovely post Bernadette – a perfect example of kindness all around. And what a wonderful proverb!
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What a lovely post Bernadette! It helped us all smell the fragrance of kindness. Jo
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I liked the story about the grandparents raising their grandchildren. Such a hard thing to do—but so rewarding! And the fragrance of the rose…so beautiful!
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How lovely. Have another great week.
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Wow when you are noticing there are so many lovely acts of kindness every where!
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What a beautiful saying and so very true. I really enjoyed your take on this week’s challenge.
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