by Nancy Casey
There are oh-so-many ways to be kind. Big ones and little ones. For your writing today, recall some moments when someone showed you kindness. Think about that as you set up your page.
Draw a line at the top to save room to write your title when you have finished. You might want to divide the remaining space into several sections so you can write a little bit about a few different acts of kindness you have experienced. Or maybe you want to leave the space wide open while you think about what you will write.
While you are thinking, doodle or draw a little bit to get your pen moving and bring your focus to the page.
Some acts of kindness are unmistakable and enormous. Someone steps up and solves a problem for you that changes everything. Without expecting payback.
Tiny acts of kindness are no less important than the big sweeping ones. Someone makes eye contact across a crowded, confusing room and lets you know you are not alone. A stranger rushes ahead to open a door for you when you are too burdened to do it easily yourself. A message or voicemail reminds you that someone cares about what will happen to you. Communication from someone lets you know they remember an important anniversary in your life.
Maybe you remember a time when someone forgave you for a mistake you made, making it clear that they understand how it happened. Or a time when you asked for help and someone said, “Of course,” and stepped up for you as if it was no big deal. Or maybe you didn’t even have to ask, they just noticed and took action.
Some acts of kindness leave a person reeling with gratitude for a burden lifted. Others are so fleeting that it takes some mindfulness to recognize what happened. Sometimes you notice the kindness by the feeling it brings on–relief, gratitude, surprise, joy…
Consider the acts of kindness that you perform for yourself. Deliberate self-care, a vacation, comfort food, or taking the time to fill a single page with your thoughts.
Open your mind and memory to times you have been the recipient of kindness. Write about one of them, and if there is still room on the page, write about another.
When the page is full, look it over carefully and make small changes if you like. Add color or decoration—it will make you like the page more when you look at it later. When a title idea floats to the surface of your mind, write it at the top of the page.
Write the date on the page too, along with a signature or your initials.
Here is an example of what someone could write.
You can share your work by posting it as a comment below. You can type it in, or take a photo of it and upload the image.
Nancy Casey has lived in Latah County for many years. You can find more of her work here. If you would like some help with your writing, contact Nancy or the Latah Recovery Center.
Latah Recovery Community Center, Inc. 