Yesterday was National Random Acts of Kindness Day.
A lot of stories I’ve read are about the problems between characters who aren’t being kind to each other. That’s where the tension comes in. But this month, after hosting a two-week Countdown to Valentine’s event, my mind has been on things that show kindness.
I suppose Valentines brings that out of us sometimes, right?
When I’d come up with the countdown idea, I wanted to do more than just award prizes, or try to get people to read our books. I’d asked the authors participating to come up with some bit of wisdom about love, giving, relationships, stuff like that. And boy, was I amazed at what they all came up with. Gift ideas. Cooking for two recipes. Loving yourself and others. (There’s still time to look over the author’s post, though most gifts/prizes have been awarded by now)
And at the end, I was left with a sense of satisfaction that we’d pulled off something that encouraged kindness and good feelings, especially in a world that’s leaning toward being overly negative and pessimistic.
Did we sell a lot of books? I don’t know. But I believe that sowing good seeds will reap a good harvest. So time will tell, right?
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. Mark Twain
While trying to find something to write about this month, I found out that Random Acts of Kindness has a special day in February. Go figure. This is the month of love, isn’t it?
And although I know what makes for interesting stories is characters who aren’t always very kind or good to start out with, Don’t we hope that they will find their goodness within, by the end?
However, I do enjoy dropping in that one character, or two, that lives and breaths kindness. I’ve seen them in classics, like Melanie in Gone with the Wind. Who couldn’t love sweet, understanding and patient Melanie? Or what about Beth in Little Women? She tries so hard to help people less fortunate than her, even while her own family struggles to make ends meet in a difficult time in history. (I know both of them died but wasn’t it their death that was the crux of the main character coming to terms with what they needed to change?)
Kindness leaves a lasting fragrance behind, I believe.
There are so many more characters that fit this description, isn’t here? Help me out, if you know of a few. Name them in the comments and tell me how they might have influenced you when you read about them.
TODAY’S GIVEAWAY:
One person will be picked from today’s comments to win one ebook of your choice from my published library. (I have over 20 titles now – WOW!) Ha! You can see all my books on my Amazon Author page. If I pick you, let me know which one you’d like to read and it’s yours. (ebook versions only) I’ll return tomorrow morning (2/19) to pick a winner.
Blessings to you all. Be Kind to One Another
Jackie C.
Jackie Castle is the author of The White Road Chronicles a fantasy series, The Sentinel Archives for school-age readers, and newly released Madison Creek Bed & Breakfast romance series. She has also published articles and short stories in numerous magazines. She’s enjoyed many crazy adventures from working as a hairstylist, to her bravest quest: teaching children in daycare and elementary schools. Eventually, she settled down to a somewhat safer pursuit of being a Story-weaver. Now she lives in her comfortable Texas home where she spins marvelous tales and enjoys relaxing in the evenings with her husband Bob, their children and grandchild. She looks for the extraordinary in every ordinary day that she experiences.
Jackie, what a great count down you organized! Thank you so much! I’ve enjoyed every single post <3 Blessings!!!
Hi Jackie, isn’t Beth just a lovely character? It has been a very long time since I read Little Women, I should go back and read it again!
I cannot think of any others off the top of my head- I’m sure as soon as I hit post on this my mind will be flooded:)
Blessings:)
I love random acts of kindness…I try everyday to do one, without the recipient knowing what s even more fun!
One of the sweetest little boys in my daycare years ago had cystic fibrosis. He had to deal with a lot but was always kind and helpful. He was the only one our dwarf rabbit would ever cuddle with. Most little kids love to help and give hugs. Daycare was fun!
Hi Jackie! Enjoyed the Countdown to Valentine’s Day! I enjoyed all the positive blogs. In our house we had a German plaque that said “Be nice to oneanther.” My mom insisted we kids were, even though she didn’t always practiced it herself. I vowed not to name call my kids. Bit my tongue & counted to ten. Alexa Verde in most of her books has the kind person. Especially liked Melinda in Season of Romance! Happy Presidents’ Day. Best wishes!
I had no idea there was something called the National Random Acts of Kindness Day. That sounds very American. It reminds me of Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s work in some ways.
I don’t read ebooks so don’t include me in the drawing. I loved reading this. We definitely need more kindness today. Have a blessed day.
This is a great post. I really agree with you. We are called to be kind to everyone, even ourselves. I would love to read ” Merciful Love”
I think of Anne in Persuasion. She’s left to go to all the villagers for a leave-taking. She is left to sit beside her nephew’s sick bed because “she doesn’t have the heart of a mother”. She visits Mrs Smith, an invalid, against her father’s wishes. Her acts of kindness come at a high cost.
The first character that comes to mind is Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter. She hasn’t always been treated the best, but she’s always willing to help any way she can.
If we could just remind ourselves to be kind every day what a difference that would make. I seem to feel better when I finish reading a book where there’s love and kindness than a book of mystery, murder etc.
Hi Jackie! I so enjoyed the Count down to Valentines Day. I enjoyed getting to know authors that were new tome. Beth from Little Women is one of my favorite characters. She had such a good heart!
Can’t think of a specific character off the top of my head. But a new FB friend commented on a recent post I did about a random act of kindness i did and said she didn’t think she could be kind in -35 degree weather. Lol I said if it hadn’t been an elderly neighbor I wouldn’t either. See we had dangerously cold windchills and had to move our cars for them to plow the parking lot and I will cleaned my neighbors car for her. I try to help her out when I can if I beat her out there.
Thank you for pointing out Acts of Kindness Day. I love that. I just finished reading Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan–what an incredible fictional account of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis. C.S. Lewis was a very kind man. Had a huge heart for everyone.
So glad you enjoyed it. =)
Isn’t that the way it goes? Haha.
That’s wonderful to hear. I bet that makes God smile.
I worked in a daycare for over 5 years while my kids were in pre-school. You are totally right about how helpful children can be.
Best wishes to you, too. I know I’ve bitten my tongue so many times the tip is numb. Ha! But all we can do is keep trying, right?
I do think it’s a National holiday in the US. We have a bunch of odd ones, to be truthful. lol. It’s fun to pull up the calendar and see what’s coming in the week ahead. Might be National pie day or National eat salad day. haha.
Thank you, Lucy. Glad you enjoyed the post. Blessings.
Thank you. Merciful Love is all about loving someone despite their choices. It’s one of my “close to my heart” books. =)
I’m not sure if I”ve read Persuasion, but I’m going to have to add it to my TBR list. Thanks!
I absolutely adore Luna! What a great character she was. Thanks for bringing her to mind. =)
Me too. I really don’t like to read about mean people. You know? And even if I do write a mean character, I always want to have them redeem themselves in some way. lol. It makes it hard to write bad guys. haha
Yay, thank you. I love Beth, too.
Oh my, it would be hard in those temperatures. Maybe we should toss around round-about kindness ideas for when the weather is yuck? hahaha. ;)
I’ve heard that and I can feel it when I read his books. You are so welcome.
Acts of kindness are indeed fragrant. Need to remember that daily.
I love reading books that have characters that inspire me with their kindness. One book that has a kind heroine that comes to mind is Karen Witemeyer’s More Than Meets the Eye. Eva, the heroine, made me want to try to be a better person.
I love RAK’s. I did some fun things for some older ladies I know and they enjoyed them. I hope people are sweet to me when I get older too. I didn’t know about your contest, but it sounds like a great one.
=) Thank you.
I’m going to have to check that one out. Thanks for sharing it. =)
Aw, that’s wonderful. If you are sowing good seeds like you are, you can expect a good return, I believe that with all my heart. ;)
I don’t get “mean” people! It doesn’t cost anything to just be nice!
Me neither. You’re right. It also feels so much better to be nice. =)