Kindness is caring about others. It is showing concern for anything or anyone who you meet in your life. It is understanding that everyone has a story, everyone is important, and everyone deserves our care and compassion. There are lots of ways to be kind – big and small. You can be kind by holding the door for someone, or smiling at a friend. Kindness might mean cheering someone up when they are having a bad day, or it might mean sitting quietly with them when they feel sad. When you are kind, you think of how another person is feeling, what they might need, and you try your best to help them.
As I sat down to write this blog post, I asked myself, what is the kindest thing someone has ever done for me? It’s hard to narrow it down; I’ve been fortunate to have had many kind friends and family. I’ve also had many kind interactions with strangers over the years.
I think the kindest act that comes to mind is when my mom died and I was with my family in Canada, my friend Sarah used her spare key to my house to come in, do my laundry, put fresh sheets on all of our beds, and she coordinated with several friends to fill my freezer with meals. When I got home from two cross-continental funerals, I had food and a cozy bed to crawl into. I didn’t have to ask, I didn’t expect it, and I was truly exhausted with grief returning home. It meant so much to me and I will never forget it.
What about you? What is the kindest thing someone has ever done for you?
Every day I try to remind my kids to be kind to one another, to be kind with their words, and their actions. For the most part, they are very kind kids. It fills my heart with joy when they help each other just because, and when they clean up without being asked.
Kindness is a much easier virtue to find in the plot lines of children’s books. Here are some of our favourites, but there are many more.
I try to keep my book standards high – bringing only quality living books into my home and into my blog posts. These are books you won’t tired of reading. They don’t talk down to children and they are filled with big ideas for children and adults to ponder. They are well-written and beautifully-illustrated. I hope you enjoy them as much as we have!
Fish is Fish by Leo Lionni
A fish and a frog begin life together in the pond, but as they grow, they develop differently and have different skills. Despite their differences, they are kind and helpful to one another.
An Evening at Alfie’s by Shirley Hughes
In this story, Alfie considers his younger sister’s feelings and comforts her. It is one of our favourite books featuring positive sibling dynamics and kindness between a brother and a sister!
Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox
In this story a little boy, who lives next door to a memory care nursing home helps the elderly remember their past through small acts of kindness.
The Surprise in Frog and Toad the Complete Collection by Arnold Lobel
Both Frog and Toad want to help each other, so they each rake each other’s leaves.
The Lost Button in Frog and Toad the Complete Collection by Arnold Lobel
In this story, Frog patiently helps an increasingly frustrated Toad find his lost button.
I hope you’ve been on the receiving end of some moments of kindness this week and I hope you find opportunities to gift kindness to others tomorrow!
Warmly,
-Heather
Ps: This post contains Amazon-affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. They are one small way to support my blog. Thank you for your support!
Enjoying my blog? Consider checking out some of my other recent posts!
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