Ponderings: On Kindness

In 2014, Jo_Goldsmith11 took it upon herself to initiate the Light2Love Project Good Words.

Jo pledged to use good words and publish articles used to empower, encourage, support and defend those who need to be shown love.

Jo offered us a good word for each week to focus our thoughts, behaviors and actions on...In the 13th week, Jo wrote her perspective on the word kindness.

However, as 2014 came to an end, Jo filed away her Good Word articles - as she begins the process of publishing it in e-book'. Shyron E. Shenko continues to write a beautiful poem to accompany each Good Word to inspire and lead us.

Please join me with some of my musical thoughts and reflections on the word kindness...

Kindness is a word I hold near and dear...we all thrive and blossom with the slightest words, gestures of kindness from others.

From a smile to a show of concern, kindness does not have to cost a thing.

Each day is a new opportunity for us to impact someone else's life.

We have the power to smile, to listen and to support those who are hurting in a variety of ways.

We have the ability at any time to choose kindness.

I wanted to share one of my favorite stories on kindness:

"A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.

"I've been thinking," he said, "I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone."

"The Wise Woman's Stone"
Author Unknown

We all have the capability of teaching, sharing or supporting someone in need. It's up to us to decide where we want to make a difference.

There is no magic involved. Do something that is meaningful, as often as you possibly can.

Kindness is the very least we can do.

When I wrote on the subject of Faith, I passed the baton to Theresa Davis, known better by her HubVille name of Faith Reaper.

In Faith Without Borders, Theresa wrote from the heart on a subject that she lives and practices daily through her deeds of kindness- to friends, family and anyone else who crosses her path.

If you don't yet know Theresa, you really need to take the time to check out her work. I have included some of her writing in the links below to give an idea of the kindness that is a natural part of her faith-based life.

"Nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing is so gentle as true strength." (Ralph Sockman)

Faith is one of the strongest and most gentle women I know. Thank you, dear friend, for your example and inspiration.

Thoughts and prayers continue to my friends in Canada as they heal from the recent terrorist attacks in Ottawa.

Until next week, take good care of yourself and be kind to each other. Hugs, mar

© Maria Jordan (October, 2014)