Maybe you have noticed lately the global anxiety that is mounting? The whole ISIS terrorism thing, threats to our country, people irritable and angry, it's even beginning to scare me a little. Everywhere you go someone is angry with someone. Grudges are held, and not easily let go. Hurricanes trapping Chicago area firemen in Mexico, where they were subject to riots and looting last week.
Where has kindness gone?
Kindness is inside of everyone. It's up to us to show it and spread it.
A random act of kindness goes a long way.
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Kindness in a Stress-filled society
If you live in a large metropolitan area like I do, you likely have experienced some stress. In fact, I recently heard that a whopping 77% of Americans experience some form of stress everyday.
We live in a time of much anxiety, both local and global. We are anxious about our jobs, homes, and whether we will still have them in a few months. Also heard that lots of stress comes from angry people who we are in forced proximaty with, such as co-workers who always gripe, or a boss who always seems to be watching you.
I found out that getting away from these "toxic" people is a great stress-reducer.
Show them some kindness.
Last weekend I spent in the town of Waupun, WI (not far from Fond du Lac) and really enjoyed the laid-back lifestyle. A far cry from the hectic pace of life in the Chicago suburbs.
We live in a time of much anxiety, both local and global. We are anxious about our jobs, homes, and whether we will still have them in a few months. Also heard that lots of stress comes from angry people who we are in forced proximaty with, such as co-workers who always gripe, or a boss who always seems to be watching you.
I found out that getting away from these "toxic" people is a great stress-reducer.
Show them some kindness.
Last weekend I spent in the town of Waupun, WI (not far from Fond du Lac) and really enjoyed the laid-back lifestyle. A far cry from the hectic pace of life in the Chicago suburbs.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Random Kindness
I began attending services at Christ Church of Oak Brook back in late November, and have got plugged in there faster than anywhere I've attended so far since back at Willow Creek in the early-mid 1990's. Went out for lunch after the service today, with folks I've met since November. It's still very cold today, as this harsh winter that will not end is doing just that.
Random acts of kindness can make or break a person. Some people are lonely and waiting for someone to reach out. Others are angry, and waiting to be calmed. You can't plan a random act of kindness.
Acts of kindness are not thought highly of in our me-centered and self-indulging culture. In our blind pursuit of elegance and comfort, we have all but forgotten about random kindness. We are in such a rush to get from here to there, we don't have any time for anything other than ourselves. Our technology has only further increased our breakneck speed of life, and we now get angry and impatient with any wait more than a minute, including a download or internet connection. We are an anxious, exhausted, burned out society, more now than anytime in history. We have no time other than our relentless pursuit of more, but more of what? Enough is just not enough, but what are we looking for anyway?
In other countries I have traveled to, time is all they have. Life in Haiti and Africa is devoid of modern technology and convieniences, but people seem to be much more happy and fulfilled than us Americans are. Yes, their life is hard too, but they seem to know how/when to slow down.
This week, take some time to slow down, catch your breath, and choose kindness.
Random acts of kindness can make or break a person. Some people are lonely and waiting for someone to reach out. Others are angry, and waiting to be calmed. You can't plan a random act of kindness.
Acts of kindness are not thought highly of in our me-centered and self-indulging culture. In our blind pursuit of elegance and comfort, we have all but forgotten about random kindness. We are in such a rush to get from here to there, we don't have any time for anything other than ourselves. Our technology has only further increased our breakneck speed of life, and we now get angry and impatient with any wait more than a minute, including a download or internet connection. We are an anxious, exhausted, burned out society, more now than anytime in history. We have no time other than our relentless pursuit of more, but more of what? Enough is just not enough, but what are we looking for anyway?
In other countries I have traveled to, time is all they have. Life in Haiti and Africa is devoid of modern technology and convieniences, but people seem to be much more happy and fulfilled than us Americans are. Yes, their life is hard too, but they seem to know how/when to slow down.
This week, take some time to slow down, catch your breath, and choose kindness.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
What's Next - Kindling the Kindness
Normally on Thursday evenings I participate in a Bible study small group down in Naperville, but just heard the traffic reports, and both highways I use from Schaumburg to Naperville are totally gridlocked with traffic, snarled by this evening's rain and fog. At least it's not snow, we'll get more of that here next week. It's the 4th time I have had to miss out on attending these meetings due to bad traffic. So now I once again find myself with an open Thursday evening
So - I'll use this time to think, ponder, and pray about where I should travel to next. I did travel to Haiti about 3 weeks ago to hang out with orphaned children, and also visited a slum, which was very eye-opening. Kindness will hopefully be re-kindled soon.
So - I'll use this time to think, ponder, and pray about where I should travel to next. I did travel to Haiti about 3 weeks ago to hang out with orphaned children, and also visited a slum, which was very eye-opening. Kindness will hopefully be re-kindled soon.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
What is Kindness?
Kindness is compassion to the fullest extent. It's not thought very highly of in our self-indulging culture, but is greatly respected by everyone.
Let's bring back the kindness!
Let's bring back the kindness!
Monday, January 6, 2014
Shiver Me Timbers
If you live in the Chicago area like I do, I bet you are shivering right about now. The city is in the icy grip of a record cold wave that sent last nights temps bottoming out at -22. The stiff wind makes it feel like around -41 at this time.
Imagine that you are homeless, wandering the streets of downtown Chicago, just looking for somewhere to warm up. You already have gotten frostbite, and now in danger of hypothermia. You enter an establishment, but are quickly kicked out. You finally find another establishment and enter. This time no one seems to notice you, except for a man sitting a couple of tables away from you. He approaches you, a McDonald's gift card in hand, and hands it to you. He wishes you a great day, to keep warm, and exits.
You are taken aback by this random act of kindness. Normally the patrons will avoid you or ignore you. You walk up and order some food with the gift card, and finally nourish your hunger pangs and the warmth of the place. When you feel you are ready to brave the cold again, you head out into the biting winds, albeit this time with a full stomach.
The above scenario is hopefully played out every day in Chicago, as well as other large cities and metropolitan areas. A random act of kindness can go a long way. In fact, it will be remembered for days by the recipient.
How about a random act of kindness?
Imagine that you are homeless, wandering the streets of downtown Chicago, just looking for somewhere to warm up. You already have gotten frostbite, and now in danger of hypothermia. You enter an establishment, but are quickly kicked out. You finally find another establishment and enter. This time no one seems to notice you, except for a man sitting a couple of tables away from you. He approaches you, a McDonald's gift card in hand, and hands it to you. He wishes you a great day, to keep warm, and exits.
You are taken aback by this random act of kindness. Normally the patrons will avoid you or ignore you. You walk up and order some food with the gift card, and finally nourish your hunger pangs and the warmth of the place. When you feel you are ready to brave the cold again, you head out into the biting winds, albeit this time with a full stomach.
The above scenario is hopefully played out every day in Chicago, as well as other large cities and metropolitan areas. A random act of kindness can go a long way. In fact, it will be remembered for days by the recipient.
How about a random act of kindness?
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Feeling the Cabin Fever
Have you ever felt cooped up? A little blah? Antsy? If so , I can identify with that about now.
Chicago is now in the midst of one of it's worst weather sequence of events in nearly 20 years. Began with an 18-inch snowfall on New Years Eve into New Years Day, and also Jan 2. We were hit again on Saturday evening/night Jan 4 with almost 6 more inches, and still snowing as I write this about 10:55AM CDT Sun Jan 5. Adding to the misery will be a record cold snap this evening through Tuesday (Jan 6-7) when it will drop below 0 and not get above it until Wednesday. Looks like will be home bound for a couple more days here.
But looking ahead, the kindness-spreading will ramp up once again. Will travel back to Haiti later this month, and spend time loving on orphaned children. These kids don't know what they don't have. If you were to give them a video game or an iPhone, they would not know what to do with it, and likely will get rid of it somehow. It's their lifestyle of simplicity.
Spread some kindness this week
Chicago is now in the midst of one of it's worst weather sequence of events in nearly 20 years. Began with an 18-inch snowfall on New Years Eve into New Years Day, and also Jan 2. We were hit again on Saturday evening/night Jan 4 with almost 6 more inches, and still snowing as I write this about 10:55AM CDT Sun Jan 5. Adding to the misery will be a record cold snap this evening through Tuesday (Jan 6-7) when it will drop below 0 and not get above it until Wednesday. Looks like will be home bound for a couple more days here.
But looking ahead, the kindness-spreading will ramp up once again. Will travel back to Haiti later this month, and spend time loving on orphaned children. These kids don't know what they don't have. If you were to give them a video game or an iPhone, they would not know what to do with it, and likely will get rid of it somehow. It's their lifestyle of simplicity.
Spread some kindness this week
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