The Daily Kindness Digest #186

Kindness Quote

“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

A. A. Milne

Act of Kindness

Don’t be afraid to be HONEST! Use constructive criticism to help people make improvements for the long run, but be mindful of the words you choose.

Positive Affirmation

I believe in my own self worth. It matters little what my critics say. What matters most is how I choose to react and what I believe.

Kindness Media

by LifeVestInside

The Kindness Flash #09

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This month's theme: HUMILITY - recognizing that we can't do everything alone. We need faith, gratitude and each other to survive and thrive. ~Jade Ryan

everyday kindness

Everyday Kindness: The Sweet Side of Kindness

When Karina heard Orly speak about her own life struggles, and Life Vest Inside, it resonated with her heart. She signed up and committed to buying someone a meal but what resulted was sweeter than she ever expected.

Edited By Jewel Fries • Read More >>

Everyday Kindness: Empowering New Beginnings Through Kindness

Jeff may work with men who suffer from various forms of addiction, but his ability to see beyond the addiction, to see the person is what paved the way for a little love, a little kindness, a little laughter, and a whole lotta dancing to take form.

Edited By Jewel Fries • Read More >>

Kind Connection: Erin Buchalter

When Erin was upset with all the pain she saw in the world, she went on to YouTube and typed in “Kindness”. What she found was her start to being a part of fixing everything that was wrong in the world. Read on to learn more about Erin’s journey and wish!

Read the full interview on the blog >>

Good News

As I was preparing myself to sit down and write this month’s Good News Story focused around the theme of humility, I wanted to entrench myself in the proper mindset. I decided to reach out to Kindness Ambassadors and friends to ask them how they defined humility and what it meant to them. Before I knew it loads of responses and posts began coming through and it turns out that the real story was within their words and their reflection. And so instead of simply sharing my view on a Good News Story from around the world, I found it more fitting instead to use this month’s Good News Story as a platform. A platform for people to share, to reflect, to question, to wonder, to discover and to connect about the quality of humility that as one Ambassador, Gerry West, put it is less of an achievement and more of a pursuit.

Below are some thoughts from people sharing their first impression when they hear the word humility.

The understanding that actions speak louder than words.

Humility is a quiet competence without arrogance. ~Jade Ryan

Dr James Dobson describes humility as, a pursuable characteristic that once you realize you've achieved it, that's when you lose it. ~Gerry West

Humility is when EVERYTHING life serves me is gratefully and gracefully received as a priceless gift. ~Naraya Naserian

Humility comes from true love and passion for others....wanting the very best for others and showing your compassion by your actions....it’s giving of yourself without any expectations from others....~Chere Staton Mask

Humble people are usually tactful to their audiences when their qualities are outwardly shown. They don't give off a superior vibe; rather they adhere to the mentality that a combination of effort and luck (or blessing, depending on their beliefs) led them to where they are, and thus, they are not above others. They encourage others who look up to them and highlight their capabilities. ~Ali Rishty

Humility is the capacity of being an Lightbearer with a strong Light to guide the way while also having the capacity for restraint so as not to blind others. ~Paul Girardin

Confidence + empathy ~Spencer L Dennis

Humility is to understand that we are no better than other. ~Willian Machado

Humility is knowing that you're special, that you are awesome yet know you are not all that is. Everyone is as awesome as you are. ~Jeremy Oliver

Humility is being self-aware of the strengths, gifts and talents you have been blessed with - and then putting them to good use in the service of others. ~Ari Sytner

For me, humility is understanding that other people are just as much "people" as you are. That the fact that you are better than them at something only makes you better than them at something, not a better person. ~Rodrigo Barbosa

Humility is understanding that we are one small part of an amazingly intricate and interconnected whole. Our actions are necessary for the good of everyone, yet we can't forget the billions of others that make up whole. ~Tracy Oliver

Humility to me is knowing that we are all the same in most ways each with our own struggles. Simply helping wherever however whenever I can knowing that helping others is really helping myself. We all grow and bloom. ~Jewel Luscombe Fries

So, what does HUMILITY mean to you?

I encourage all of you to share your thoughts and comments on the original thread HERE!

For me, humility begins with reflection; deep reflection into who we are and why we do the things we do. A true test of character is not being humble but remaining humble in spite of success and applause for a job well done; understanding that it takes a team to get you to where you are.

I look forward to learning from each of you.

Kindness Quote

"The tree that bears much fruit does not seek to stand taller but bends towards the ground."
~ Timothy Healey

Act of Kindness

A true test of character is not being humble but remaining humble in spite of success and applause for a job well done; understanding that it takes a team to get you to where you are. This month take the time to acknowledge the people and things in your life that contribute to your success. Remember, we are all a piece of the puzzle; different shapes, different colors but each of us the same size; each of us as important as the next.

Kindness Media

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PHOTO

of the Month

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Why do you think this picture represents humility? Click HERE and share your thoughts!

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https://youtu.be/pOv4XL3yMZs

There’s always an opportunity to make a difference; an opportunity to truly SEE people regardless of how busy or famous we may become. “I don’t wanna run, I don’t wanna hide, When someone needs somebody, I don’t wanna say, I don’t got the time, When someone needs somebody, With a little faith and a little soul, We can’t go wrong.”

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http://www.oprah.com/world/nelson-mandela-shares-the-importance-of-humility-video

Nelson Mandela is a household name around the world because of the impact he had on democracy and equality in South Africa, yet through it all, the struggles the hardships, the failures and victories one thing remained his guiding light.

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https://youtu.be/fb_eEPG0u2Q

Daniel Epstein discusses the paradoxical mix of confidence and humility; having enough confidence to persist through failure yet enough humility to ignore sceptics. Is the right mix of humility and confidence one of the keys to making the world a better place?

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Book of the Month

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Daybook: The Journal of an Artist by Anne Truitt

Renowned American artist Anne Truitt kept this illuminating and inspiring journal over a period of seven years, determined to come to terms with the forces that shaped her art and life. She examines the art of humility and the perils of self-righteousness as a gateway to true human connection, the elixir that makes an honorable human relationship.

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by LifeVestInside

Everyday Kindness: Empowering New Beginnings Through Kindness

Jeff Kuske

Florida, USA

Empathetic

Empowering New Beginnings Through Kindness

I work at a residential substance abuse treatment facility. I do NOT work with addicts, druggies, or drunks. I work with men who suffer from the disease of addiction. I tell them this as often as I can. I feel that referring to them as a person above all else can empower them to recover from their addictions.

This year I participated in Dance for Kindness for the first time. I was really excited to be a part of this amazing event for the first time. When I showed the men I work with a video of last year’s DFK, many of them asked if they could participate too. After getting approval the work began.

While a little intimidated by the length of the dance, after two days of hard work and practice we were ready to take on the challenge. They were not only excited about being able to participate, but were grateful for the opportunity.

Unfortunately there is a stigma that goes with substance abuse. Many of my guys have been discouraged for years. Many times friends, family, and others will tell them that they are “just an addict,” “Just a druggie,” or worse yet “You’re going to go back to using, it’s just a matter of time.”

DFK2016 allowed these men to participate in an event that was bigger than themselves. It gave them the opportunity to do something for others, all of them strangers. One of my guys told me after the dance,

quote-open A couple of months ago I never would have cared about something like this. Thank you for showing me that I can make a positive difference in the world.

We had a couple of technical difficulties, but they were never discouraged. Once we got everything figured out, we danced! We danced with dignity. We danced with pride. We danced with respect. We danced for Kindness! This event has made a huge impact on everyone who participated. I would bet that it just may have made the biggest impact on these six men. Thank you for Dance for Kindness Orly. Thank you from myself, and especially from the guys at New Beginning!

- Edited by Jewel Fries

<< Back to Everyday Kindness

by LifeVestInside

Everyday Kindness: The Sweet Side of Kindness

Karina Wright

Texas, USA

Empathetic + Honest

The Sweet Side of Kindness

Karina learned about Life Vest Inside while listening to inspirational podcasts to help boost her morale as she faced the challenge of building her business, healing from surgery and caring for her elderly father during his own recovery.

Hearing Orly speak about her own life struggles, and Life Vest Inside resonated with her heart. Karina signed up and committed to buying someone a meal as her kindness pledge. Later when Karina found a crisp twenty dollar bill she says it was, “As if the universe was telling me, ‘Here don't worry I will provide so you can be kind!’”

Karina was confident she had found the right person when she met a homeless man and his dog. Not wanting to cry and embarrass him, with a slight nod she handed him the folded bill. As he walked away, he realized what it was and the look on his face was the perfect reward. Pained by the necessity that made him grateful Karina said a prayer that this small act would renew his faith that life can be kind.

quote-open Karina believes that if you keep putting kindness out into the world, it will start to come back to you.

After all, she shared with us that shortly after her experience, she won a pie from her favorite bake shop. A lesson that sharing kindness can result in receiving your favorite desserts.

- Edited by Jewel Fries

by LifeVestInside