You turn on the news, and you see it.
War, poverty, nastiness between political candidates, the latest school shooting, the cold/flu update, another natural disaster, and an economic report that makes you wonder how you’re going to make it through.
I know life can feel depressing and discouraging at times, but what you hear “out there” the most isn’t the biggest story going on.
That’s right.
There are more people well, safe, stable, and kind to their neighbor out there than not. The weather is mild in more places than not.
There is peace in more places than not.
If you have even $1 in a bank account with your name on it, you are wealthier than one billion people in the world.
The problem is, we do not hear the powerful stories of kindness nearly as often or as loudly as all the other kinds of stories out there. You know, the ones that bring us to our knees and questioning everything.
So today I’ll briefly share a couple of super heartwarming true stories and then challenge you to find a way to promote goodness and kindness like you never have before.
When a little girl in their neighborhood was taken away, Steve & Patti Erickson searched through the piles of the family’s belongings that were curbside and managed to save some of her schoolwork, photos, toys, and other childhood treasures. Then, they stored them in their garage in hopes that one day she would return for them.
Twenty years went by, and in that time, little Hannah had been dragged to Canada, was poverty-stricken, ended up in foster care in Detroit, and eventually made her way back to Texas. Eventually, Steve & Patti were able to track her down and give her back her things. She was overwhelmed with their kindness and generosity.
And then there’s Christophe Waggoner who turned his love for sewing into an opportunity to help kids out at Halloween who couldn’t afford costumes. He bought materials at thrift stores, then turned them into colorful, creative masterpieces so children could come and pick out something of their own for the holiday.
Although he started off small, now he has given away over 7,000 costumes and turned the whole operation into a nonprofit organization with volunteers helping out as well.
World Kindness Day is coming up on November 13, 2026.
What can you do to make a small (or BIG) difference in someone’s life?
How can you at work, home, your neighborhood, or in your community, use your particular gifts & talents to make kindness the bigger, louder story this month?
I challenge you to ask yourself those questions, understanding that you will feel so good when you give in some way.
You never know what may come of the kindness you extend, the ripple effect it creates, and whose life may be changed that very day.
Let me know what you are doing ~ I’d love to hear your stories!
(Email me here: cindy@cindysmarsh.com )