Kindness Check-in

Well.  What have you done this week to try to spread kindness, or at least gain some zen?  Let's see...I did try a new church on Sunday (without Reed, who backed out on me).  I actually really liked it and plan to go back.  Perhaps one day I can get the kids to join me.  And dare I dream, my husband...probably not.  But that's ok.  It really helped me to get through the week.  The lesson was on being generous.  Not with money necessarily, but with our gifts.  Which got me thinking about what my gifts are and how I can share them.  Still not certain, but I have some ideas.  If you want to see the message yourself, the church broadcasts live on Facebook.  Check it out here.

I took a few minutes to write a kind email to Cole's teacher and both of Reed's teachers.  Just letting them know we appreciate their efforts and that they are largely the reasons my kids are happy to go to school each day.  Pretty huge, yet so often forgotten.  Passing on that good feeling I so appreciate myself.

Image courtesy of http://bitsofwisdom.org/2017/06/06/kindness-is-free-2/

When people held the door for me this week, I was sure to give a heartfelt "Thank you so much" with eye contact.  ( I can't stand when people don't say thank you, and I've been known to huff out a cranky, "You're welcome."  Passive aggressive, I know, but really, people?  Just say thanks.)

I apologized to someone else who I was probably somewhat rude to in an email.  I was feeling defensive over another similar situation that I had recently dealt with, which was handled quite rudely, and I passed it on.  So, I admitted my weakness and mistake and apologized.  It made me feel better, and hopefully did her as well!

For my own peace and wellbeing, (which I know is important, so I can spread love and peace as opposed to anxiety and impatience) I started a 30-day yoga challenge online.  It's on YouTube through Yoga with Adriene, and while I've only completed two days, I am really enjoying it.  It's a quiet time to focus on bettering myself.  Breathing.  Being quiet and peaceful.  Gaining strength and flexibility.

During my last massage, my massage therapist (she is as wise as she is amazing) said the way I was talking to myself wasn't nice, that I needed to be nicer to myself.  So, I'm trying to focus on my self-talk, being kinder to myself the way I try to be with others.  

Small steps.  Nothing outrageous or crazy.  How were you good to others and yourself this week?  (If you weren't, what baby steps could you take next week?  It's never too late.)

Image courtesy of https://usergeneratededucation.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/conspiracies-of-kindness.png?w=700