Motivation Monday
Life Vest Inside has had the very good fortune of finding writers willing to share their Kindness Stories/Articles with us. One of our special recurring writers is David Jablinowitz, Op-Ed Editor at Jerusalem Post, who is famous for his “bus stories.”
Butterflies of Hope
I was four months pregnant with our first child when the unimaginable happened. Our baby’s heart stopped beating, leaving me in a state of heart-wrenching devastation. The grief I felt was indescribable, and as the days passed, I found myself nervous about returning to work. I was a middle school teacher, and the thought of facing a classroom full of kids felt like an insurmountable challenge. The pain was still fresh, and I couldn’t fathom how to gather the strength to stand before my students.
After four weeks of trying to recover and heal from the emotional and physical scars, the day came when I had to face the world again. I mustered the courage to walk into my empty classroom, not knowing what to expect. I turned on the lights, and the room slowly came to life.
Then, something remarkable caught my eye. My gaze was drawn to a wall adorned with a hundred colored paper butterflies, each one bearing a handwritten message from current and past students. These butterflies were like a burst of color and light in the midst of my darkness. Each note carried a message of encouragement and love.
“Keep moving forward,” one butterfly read. Another urged me, “Don’t give up on God,” while another simply stated, “Know that we love you.”
Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized the profound impact of this unexpected act of kindness. My students, both current and former, had come together to offer their support and love during a time when I needed it the most. It was as though these butterflies had lifted my spirits and carried me with their messages of hope.
Their simple yet heartfelt gestures had touched my heart in a way that words could not express. It reminded me of the incredible connections we build with our students and the kindness that can be found in the most unexpected places.
In that moment, I knew I was not alone in my journey to healing. The butterflies of hope became a symbol of resilience, strength, and the unwavering support of a community that cared deeply. With the love and encouragement of my students, I found the courage to face each day and keep moving forward, knowing that I was surrounded by a network of love and kindness.
~Kelly Hale
Finding yourself inspired to share your kindness story/article? Please submit it HERE – you can share via text, audio or video. Our editor will look it over! You may see your writing in a future issue of The Daily Kind!
Kindness Quote
“People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile.”
Lee Mildon
Act of Kindness
Take a jacket you never wear and give it to someone on the street (go ahead and do this with anything you haven’t worn in the past six months).
Positive Affirmation
Today, I radiate peace and contribute to a world at peace.
