A song that never grows old . . .

Try a Little Kindness

A Song of Kindness © Kathryn LeRoy

Hello friend,

I have a mantra.

Be kind. Be brave. Be you.

These few short words remind me every day that I have the power to be kind. Kindness also requires courage and empathy, and acts of kindness don’t end with others—they include kindness to ourselves.

It’s easy to ignore the t-shirts, social media photos, and quotations espousing kindness and relegate the sentiments as trite and shallow. After all, five minutes of the news vividly depicts the opposite occurring every minute of the day.

One person can’t change the world, but Margaret Mead may have been on to something when she wrote:

A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

One person can grow to two, three . . . a community. All that matters is that we begin, one random act of kindness at a time. No bumper stickers (unless you really want one), required.

I try not to dwell on the size of the task, rather, I take one small step every day to add a little kindness within my circle of influence. That circle may not reach to the far corners of the earth, but I trust in the nature of ripples.

Kindness Ripples © Kathryn LeRoy

I will never know the reach of one act of kindness.

So, what if…I

Listen to a neighbor or friend,
loan a favorite book, or
share a funny story.
Maybe I could even
compliment a stranger,
or bake my son’s favorite dessert.
There is always a chance to
leave an extra product coupon
for someone else to find and use.
On any given day
a smile just might be the difference
for that one stranger.
Random acts of kindness
multiplied time and again
might not change the world,
but it could change me.

Be Brave © Kathryn LeRoy

Kindness is more than a habit or a cliche. Kindness is a lifestyle.

Audrey Ledbetter shares a philosophy of kindness. You can learn more about how to make kindness the norm and not the exception.

Join others in celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17 with a song that never grows old: “Try a Little Kindness.”

“They might not need me; but they might. I’ll let my head be just in sight; a smile as small as mine might be precisely their necessity.”
—Emily Dickinson

Nothing More to Say © Kathryn LeRoy

If you would like to read more from me, visit my website. I’ll be waiting for you there.

With gratitude,

Kathryn

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