Welcome to Day #11 in the A-Z series,
“Add Meaning and Purpose to Life”
Today’s letter is “K”
The word is
Kindness
Here is my prayer for today,
“Lord, teach me to love
with compassion.
Let me pass no one
without a KIND word,
thought, or deed.”
I have that poem inside my kitchen cabinet door.
Nothing sweetens life like a teaspoon of kindness.
Photo by Toa Heftiba Εinca on Pexels.com
Nothing settles ruffled feathers faster than an act of kindness.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Nothing is more powerful than returning anger with a kind response.
Photo by Vera Arsic on Pexels.com
These truths were drummed into me by my mom when I was a child growing up. On the inside of her kitchen cabinet door, she had a cardboard tacked up. It was covered with poems she had cut out of the local newspaper back in the late 30’s. That was back in the days when it was typical for newspapers to post poetry on a daily or at least weekly basis.
I have that cardboard inside another cabinet door in my kitchen now. The words are faded and hard to read, but they remind me of my mom – her love of poetry, her positive philosophy of life, and the lessons she taught me. With a magnifying glass I can read some of them still.
One of my favorites is this one titled
Friends of Mine
Good morning, Brother Sunshine!
Good morning, Sister Song!
I beg your humble pardon
If you’ve waited very long.
I thought I heard you rapping,
To shut you out were sin.
My heart is standing open –
Won’t you walk right in?
Good morning, Brother Gladness!
Good morning, Sister Smile!
They told me you were coming,
So I waited on a while.
I’m lonesome here without you.
A weary while it’s been.
My heart is standing open –
Won’t you walk right in?
Good morning, Brother Kindness!
Good morning, Sister Cheer!
I heard you were out calling,
So I waited for you here.
Some days I keep forgetting
I have toil or spin
When you are my companions.
Won’t you walk right in?
The poet’s name is obliterated – all I can see is a “Ja”
But,Β love the idea that
- sunshine,
- song,
- gladness and
- smiles,
- kindness and
- cheer
are right there waiting to be invited in.
Photo by Dmitry Zvolskiy on Pexels.com
What a better world we’d have,
what a better life we’d live,
if we invited them in each day…
Open your heart’s door to them –
And then spread that kindness
wherever you go today.
Comments on: "Add a Tsp. of Kindness" (12)
Jan oh how beautiful to open this up this morning bringing such Joy, such vivid imagery smiles . Lovely and inspiring every part to walk in kindness sprinkle it like dust, it goes side with love . A dynamic pair, lifting hearts and building bonds of trust.
Yonnie π
InHisCare π
Thank you for reading and responding, Ronnie. Your comment means the world to me. Starts my day with a smile, too!
Jan you are most welcome π
It was truly my pleasure π
I grateful you appreciate it and it makes you smile the feeling is mutual.
Yonnie πππ€
That is quite a legacy from your mother
Yes, precious!
Jan, thanks for sharing one of these special poems. It was wonderful to read. I’ll pass on your kindness to the next person.
I was prompted to reread this post today, Richard, and found your comment. That was a year ago… and I bet you still are passing along the kindness in your soul to every heart you encounter. God bless you! <3
I LOVED seeing the cardboard with all the faded poems! Happy memories! Love you, Mom ππππππ
I appreciate your visit – and taking time to read my blog. If nobody else did, but you did … it would make the time it takes to create the daily post totally worth the effort. Thank you, Sweetheart!
DeDe, I was prompted to reread this blog today… a year later…. because the tag of “kindness” also fit what I posted today. Then as I ead your comment and my response to you, I reaffirmed the remark, “If nobody else [read my blog] but you did… it would make it… worth the effort.” Thank you for checking in. I wrote with you in mind, and love keeping in touch via WordPress and WhatsApp. I love you! <3
This post takes me back to a wondeful Glen Campbell song, Try a Little Kindness…
Very well done Jan.
I need to check out that song and refresh my memory! <3