Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle, keynote speaker

For the convention itself, registration begins at 3 p.m. Friday. And, the convention's first day runs from 6 to 10 p.m., with our keynote speech delivered by Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, the current Episcopal moderator for Worldwide Marriage Encounter.

Doriano & Patricia Baisi   

You've probably heard the saying: "Money is the root of all evil." We'd like to suggest that Kindness is the root of all Goodness. Kindness is defined as the act of being kind, thereby implying that a choice is made and acted upon. Let's look a little deeper at what the word "kind" means. Using the online American Heritage Dictionary, kind is defined as:

kind1 (kīnd) adj., kind·er, kind·est.

1. Of a friendly, generous, or warm-hearted nature.
2. Showing sympathy or understanding; charitable
3. Humane; considerate
4. Forbearing; tolerant
5. Generous; liberal
6. Agreeable; beneficial

SYNONYMS kindly, kindhearted, benign, benevolent. These adjectives mean having or showing a tender, considerate, and helping nature. Kind and kindly are the least specific.. Kindhearted especially suggests an innately kind disposition. Benign implies gentleness and mildness. Benevolent suggests charitableness and a desire to promote the welfare or happiness of others.

The definition does not specify a size, quantity or frequency. "Kind" can be applied to one single act no matter how small it is. The simple act of opening a door for someone struggling with a package is being kind even if that act is never repeated again. Neither does the definition limit who can perform an act of kindness; anyone from a small child to an aging adult possesses the ability to act in kind manner.

The act of being kind sets off a ripple effect that we may not be aware of. For example, you hold open the door. The eggs don't break; therefore the cake can be made and a piece shared with the elderly neighbor who lives next door. Because she has a special treat, the neighbor invites over a friend she hasn't seen in a while who was feeling very isolated. How far could we take this ripple example? Each act of kindness reveals God's love to another person. When they feel God's love, they feel better about themselves. The nice thing about kindness? It reflects that Love back onto us and encourages the positive emotions that build our self-esteem and sense of self-worth.

One aspect of kindness that is not in the formal definition is: respect. The definition of being kind includes the word "understanding." When we truly act to understand and accept the circumstances and feelings of another, that action removes the self-serving motives of our kindness. We demonstrate our respect for the other person. We raise our actions from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Kindness and selfishness cannot co-exist in the same action and still be pleasing to God. Kindness is only valid when it is carried out to the benefit of the recipient.

Kindness is critical in building relationships. At work, if you are not "tolerant" and "considerate" of your colleagues, the morale of the workplace becomes toxic instead of productive. Attempting to understand a colleague's life/work situation instead of drawing uninformed assumptions is, in itself, an act of kindness. This understanding tempers your response to whatever localized problem is on the table. You have the option of actively choosing to be kind even in the face of difficulties. Being mindfully kind improves the work environment as you build up relationships with your colleagues.

What about kindness in the most important relationship of all: our marriage? When we are courting, we are attempting to put our best foot forward in the effort to convince someone that we are worthy of the risk love asks of us. We are so enthralled with that special someone that nothing seems like too much to do for them. That level of intense emotion cannot be sustained and we settle into a comfortable routine with each other. However, are we too comfortable with our spouse? When we stop making the conscious decision to be kind - to act in a kind manner - we start on the slippery slope of taking our spouse for granted.

Doriano: On my days off, I frequently make all the plans for what we will accomplish on those days. Since I enjoy her company and want her to participate with me, I assume that Patricia has the same goals and will want to join in on the chores, etc. that I have planned. If I was to consciously think about acting in a kind manner, I should take the time to sit with Patricia and ask her what she would like to plan instead of imposing my priorities on our time together.

Patricia: For me, if I want to choose to be kind, I should work on my patience with Doriano. He suffers from a hearing loss due to work. I often forget that he does not hear me or others clearly, even with his hearing aid. So...I assume he knows about things when he never heard them in the first place. I get impatient because he has double booked us or did not pick up the proper items from the store. Laughing with him over the mistake or just rearranging things without comment would demonstrate a considered kindness for Doriano and put him more at ease.

Kindness means thinking of others in a deliberate manner so as to choose to love them in way that demonstrates God's love for them. Opportunities for kindness abound around us: sending a card or caring email; bringing lunch to the homeless guy on the corner; baking for a friend or neighbor; bringing a flower to your spouse; putting an ice cube in the dog's water; paying for someone else's purchase; praying for someone's petition; making the bed; volunteering; taking the kids for ice cream on a hot day; praising someone for a good job or encouraging someone who is struggling; opening a door; visiting a friend; being patient. Big or small, short term or long term, casual or personal; we can daily choose to act kindly and display God's love for His family.

Think of the song: Try a Little Kindness                     

If you see your brother standing by the road
With a heavy load from the seeds he sowed
If you see your sister falling by the way
Just stop and say you're goin' the wrong way

You've got to try a little kindness

yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you'll try a little kindness then you'll overlook the blindness
Of the narrow minded people on the narrow minded streets

(For full lyrics: http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Try-A-Little-Kindness-lyrics-Kitty-Wells/2076A50A1BDCF06848256E7100309214 )

10/10 Questions

1. What kindness did I perform today and for whom? (Be specific.)How do I feel about my answer?
2. The most memorably kind act you've ever done for me was __________? How did I feel at the time? How do I feel about my answer?
3. I find in most difficult to act in a kind manner when _____________? How do I feel about my answer?
4. What do I think when I hear the statement: "Kindness means thinking of others in a deliberate manner so as to choose to love them in way that demonstrates God's love for them." How do I feel about my answer?
5. The kindest person I know is:____________________. Give examples of why you think this person is kind. (Be specific.) How do I feel about my answer?
6. Do I judge that I am kind enough, often enough, to my spouse? My family? My colleagues? Strangers? How do I feel about my answer?
7. I find it Easy/Hard (choose one) to act in a kind manner toward: Family/ Friends/Colleagues/ Strangers. How do I feel about my answer?
8. How am I kind on a daily basis? To whom am I kind on a daily basis? How do I feel about my answer?
9. I promise to try to demonstrate God's love for you by ____________? How do I feel about my answer?

 "For as you have done to the least of my brothers, so have you done unto me." Matt 25:40

Here are a few of the many recent articles in the news recently. Click on the link to take you to the article. 

Marriage Encounter 2011 flash mob 2

Erie, PA