Spread kindness on St. Patrick’s Day…and beyond
This reflection is from Thom Andrews, director of Kalamazoo’s Season of Forgiveness.
How do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
In Dublin (California, that is) they held a parade (not unusual). However this parade also was a “kindness walk” in which people were encouraged to help spread kindness “by walking in the parade, handing out candies, smiling, waving, hugging, and encouraging others to be kind.”
What a great idea! The spark for this comes from SpreadKindness.org whose purpose is “to inspire others to be kind, compassionate and loving to one another - at home, at work, and in every interaction throughout the day.” They further point out that “No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another.”
Practicing kindness is a fundamental of forgiveness, and I encourage every one of you to make St. Patrick’s Day a day to spread kindness. If you’re wondering how to do this, here’s one suggestion: smile at everyone you see - look them in the eye and simply smile (I bet they smile back). Click here for other suggestions.
Kindness shows respect and care for the other person and expresses our equality one with another. Because, as is often said, “We’re all in this together.” So, as we all become Irish for a day, let’s celebrate not only “the luck of the Irish” but also the kindness of our hearts.
Collect as many smiles as you can this St. Patrick’s Day and let it brighten the day.
Quote for reflection throughout the week
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love . Lao-Tzu
From the Web
Here are two Web sites that are dedicated to encouraging the practice of kindness–explore and see what motivates you: ActsOfKindness.org and SpreadKindness.org
Submitted by: Roselle Kovitz