Neighbor to Neighbor Woman Presents:


In this issue...
#5 Finding Values That Make Life Sweet
August Breakfast Invitation

Simply and Beautifully

Woman  

Twenty Tomato Plantstwenty schriveled tomato plants 

  

 
#5
August, 2011,
Kindness Part II

Greetings!   

 

Do you remember the picture of my very healthy tomato plants?  Well, I inserted them above to refresh your memory.  They were so lush and promising.  Below the plants, is the image (taken today,) of the same tomato plants which shriveled because of something very unfriendly in the soil.    

  

An unkind word can have a similar affect in relationships.  Sometimes the devastation left from an unkind word lasts just for a moment, but often the unkindness or cruelty is taken into a person's heart. They let it dwell there, mull it over and over again, and it becomes, unconsciously,  a basis for being "on guard" in the future.  The reaction to an unkindness the next time will be stronger and will reinforce a lie about themselves that is hard to get rid of.  The person becomes shriveled up like the diseased tomato plants.  

 

BUT, as they say, love covers a multitude of sins.  A kind word given can also dwell in someone's soul in a similar way.   She/he can mull it over and over again in their mind, and the unkind spoken words become, unconsciously, the basis for confidence, hope and a knowledge that they are loved in some small but important way.   


Try it out in your home this week and among your friends and relatives.   PRACTICE.  PLAN.  Yes.   Pray, think, act.  You can change the world!   
 

 

 

 

 

O Happy Virtue, Kindness! 

Sharon


 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 A few "snippets"  taken from notes & conversations I had with our readers. Thank you for taking the time to write  about your interaction with kindness  this week that made your life sweeter.   

    

Nora"One thing that helps me is having an affirmation time when I swim for my exercise."  What is that?  Nora tells me that she uses her lap swimming time to think on all of the good things in her life...from waking up in the morning, to the goodness of God!   That sure seems like a good way to getting our hearts "ready" for kindness.  What do they say? "What comes out of our mouths is what is already in our hearts."  So true, so true.    

  

Julianne:  "As I went outside with my cart and groceries, Dwight, the cart guy I call him, smiled a huge smile at me, said hello, asked how I was and waited for a response.  He asked if he could help me with my groceries and then take my cart back for me.  He didn't have to do any of those things, but this is just how Dwight is.  I have encountered his kindness before. As we were finishing, I told him how much his joy and kindness changed the tone of  my afternoon and that he was a gift to me that day!  He was so shocked, and could only say,  "God bless you!" 

   

Anonymous" I want to discover the kindness that seems so natural in others.  Just yesterday I was saying to my loving husband that perhaps I needed some of the same medication so I could become a nicer and kinder woman."    

 

Dear Anonymous:  I think that we all feel as though we could use a kindness pill!  Thanks for being so honest.  This is a virtue that we can work towards in our own life and be an inspiration for others as we find ways to turn away from our self-absorbed thoughts, and dwell on all that is pure and holy and worthy of praise.  Let's keep the conversation going.  None of us is where we would like to be in this virtue, but all of us are capable of drawing closer to God and allowing Him to capture us by his love and renew our minds.  

 

"Create in us a clean heart o God and put a new and right spirit within me".   

 

I will pray this prayer for all of you this week.  Please remember me in yours.    

  

 

 

 

 

 

Ann's yello butterfly

 

What You Can Do

 

A Reason for looking at the Virtue of Kindness

 

Bob said something to me this week that "hurt my feelings".  I responded in a typical pout, letting the hurt  dwell in my heart for a bit, mulling it around, feeling sorry for myself, and then realizing what I was doing.  I noticed how it was affecting my attitude toward Bob in my tone of voice and my actions.  I wanted to "get back" at him...oh so silently, but so very loud!   

 

I prayed on the spot when I saw what was happening, and decided to go for kindness!

I didn't feel kind, but decided to act kind as though I really loved this guy (which I do), and before I knew it, we were kissing goodnight.  Now, I still had to deal with the situation, at least in prayer, but "tomorrow" was a different day and a goodnight sleep gave me a different perspective.  I did come up with some wisdom the next morning for the situation and I didn't devastate our relationship.  It's amazing how quickly we judge another person's comments, often translating them into a meaning that they didn't even intend.    

 

So, maybe you can do something like this in your circumstances this week.   It's worth it!    

Yes.  Love is worth it!  It sweetens our life. It makes the morning bright and the night free of fear and turnoil. We can't make someone do this for us (be kind),  but we can do it for someone.  It's always in our power. God made love that way. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please join us at a Women's Breakfast August 27th at 9:30 A.M. sponsored by Neighbor to Neighbor Woman and St. Bernard/St. Mary's Parish.

Topics: "Women's Health: Taking Care of Yourself" (speaker Dr. Cheryl Johnson), and "Adding Creativity to Your Life" (Brenda Mitchell). It will be held in the social hall at St Bernard/St Mary'sParish.

 

Free parking in the parking deck across from the hall entrance. Door prizes, and health information handouts!  Bring a friend and enjoy an informative breakfast together with the women of Akron.  

 

Call Sharon Morris with any questions or with your RSVP.  (330-715-9613) Doors open at 9 A. M.  Please come on Saturday even if you aren't able to RSVP.  

 

ALSO, if you would like to bring muffins or fruit, just let us know with your RSVP.  THANKS.  Sharon