Kindess # 3

My girls and I just finished our 3rd Act of Kindness this month. I was keen on getting some fresh air and taking the girls outside. So we decided to spend 45 minutes of our walk and pick up garbage in our community. Both girls were squealing with excitement when they each got their own grocery bag to collect garbage. We bundled up and outside we went scouring the sidewalks, driveways and yards for litter. At two different points along the way, Breana spoke out to others who were walking saying "we are picking up garbage to keep our neighbourhood clean". One lady was walking with her dog and had an empty coffee cup in her hand and Breana asked her if that was garbage, and if she wanted to put it in her bag. Once we came home we sorted the recycled items from the garbage and washed our hands. Breana asked me if we could go out tomorrow and do it again "because it was so much fun".

It is important for me to get my children involved, i want them to grown into responsible and caring children, teens and adults who will look out for helping others and the community.

Kindness # 2

Although i have been a little behind the eight ball this past week, I did manage to complete my second "intentional" act of kindness. I struggled a little with trying to decide how i was going to show my gratitude to others this week. What i came up with put a smile on 3 of my neighbours faces.


This week i baked a Apple Crisp for 3 of my neighbours that i don't personally know that well (the ones that i have only spoke to on occassion). I made 3 different cards titled "just because" and delivered them all wrapped up and fresh out of the oven. I was a little nervous to go over to someone's house and drop off dessert, but i did it and was thanked profusely for my "kindness". When asked why i did this, my response was quite simple "I haven't gotten to know you over the past 4 years that we have lived here, and i think it is about time that i extend an olive branch and say hello".

Keeping following for updates this week.

Testing Patience

My patience has been tested this past week in various areas of my life. I have done my best to consciously be aware of my emotions and not revert to my initial instincts of getting upset. Instead i have chosen to welcome these times as life lessons undertanding that life isn't as we would always like it to be. Don't get me wrong, i have lost my temper for brief moments, but am "trying" to handle these situations that arise in a healthier form. Here are a few ways that i have worked through my stress this week and tried my best to remain calm:

The first was to take time for myself this past week (even a small amount of time 20 minutes) was what i needed to clear my head. I soaked in the tub listening to relaxing music.

Next i worked on breathing exercises (may be a form of meditation) and took some time to remain present in my breathing and awareness of my thoughts.

Payer is one that is done on a continual basis. I love the Lord, I trust in him and know that he provides me with the answers in need when i take the time to listen.

Positive thought process - now this is one that i am just learning about. I am trying to take negative thoughts and energy that surround me and decide how i will make the shift to finding persepctive in these thoughts. I have found this week that i am continually aware of my internal dialogue and how profound positive thinking can be.

I have been down and out with the flu for the past 3 days and have yet to get started on my second act of "intentional" kindness ~ but it will happen this week. Stay tuned!

Kindness # 1

Well today was the day that i did my first "intentional" act of kindness. I'm sure that most of us do acts of kindness on a daily basis and don't think twice about it; whether that be comfort an upset family member or friend, donate to a charity, smile or hold the door open to an unknown stranger. There is such a satisfaction in knowing that we can make others feel appreciated! I decided that today i was going to give the mail"lady" a Thank you card with a Starbucks gift card for $10.00, thanking her for delivering my mail each day. I caught her off guard when i approached her organizing and sorting the mail into the community box. I handed her the card and let her know that i appreicated her and the job she does. She seemed quite surprised, and a warm smile greeted her face.

It is my hope and wish that those reading this blog, find it in their heart to thank someone for the job they do, because it makes our life just a little easier.

Love Thy Neighbour

Feels so blessed for the lovely neighbours that surround me. Yesterday upon leaving my house i was pleasantly surprised to see that one of our neigbours had shovelled the front of our sidewalk and part way around the corner of our house. My first thought was that i wanted to know who did that kind act so i could go and thank them. I paused for a moment and realized that it didn't matter who did it, they didn't want or need recognition; instead i thanked the Lord for the blessings of my neighbours. 

Kindness comes in many forms, take a moment today to count your blessings and show kindess to another. 

“When God wants to speak and deal with us, he does not avail himself of an angel but of parents, or the pastor, or of our neighbor” ~ Martin Luther King

The Rippling Effect

"A little act of kindness goes a long way towards making this world a better place. Each kind thing we do connects us to the hearts, souls, and lives of those around us. Each kind word we say and kind thought we think brings us closer to love, closer to each other, and most importantly, closer to God. Kindness always ripples out as well and travels from person to person until it returns home to the heart that first shared it."(Joseph Mazella) 


This excerpt was in an article that i was reading, and i found it very poignant. This rippling effect of kindness from one person to another will eventually come back to the initiator in some form (maybe not monetary) significantly greater then when it started, and in a time needed most. 


I have an experience that i would like to share. On Dec 30th, i was in the drive through at Tim Horton's getting coffee for my hubby. The total came to $1.79. With the change in hand, i pulled up to the till and suddenly got this overwhelming feeling to pay for the people behind me. I told the lady at the till that i would like to pay for the order behind me, and responded with "that will be $11.73, are you sure?" Yes that is the decision i made and so i paid for the order and continued on with my day. When i pulled through the drive through at Tim Horton's yesterday "Rosa" the lady that had given me my order a few days prior said "you know that was really kind of you to pay for that order last time you were here. That chain continued on for 6 cars of orders getting paid for".  Well 6 cars might not seem like much in the scheme of the number of cars that go through Tim Horton's in a day, but it warmed my heart and a smile came across my face to know that 6 others were surprised when they pulled up to the till finding out their order was paid and continued on with that kindness. 

"Give, and it shall be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For whatever measure you deal out, it will be dealt to you in return" (Luke 6:38).

An Inspitational Woman

When i think about helping others and successful role models in our society, Mother Teresa is one lady that sticks out in my mind. She truly was a saint! Mother Teresa spent over 45 years of her life ministering to the sick, poor, the dying and orphaned. She was praised my many and viewed as a role model around the world.

Now if i could take 1/100th of her devotion to helping others and making our society a better place, then i would be satisfied.

Today i will make a conscious effort to keep this quote in the forefront of my mind with my family. "Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do... but how much love we put in that action" ~ Mother Teresa

May you all remember that loving yourself and others is a true blessing!