Graduation Tears; Simple Kindnesses; A Kindness Roundup
“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.” ~Kahlil Gibran
Small kindnesses, big ripples
This past Saturday my granddaughter graduated from the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. I live in Prescott, Arizona, nearly 1,200 miles away, and I was unable to go. 😔
Friday evening I had a small melt down and individual pity party. Ok, maybe it was a medium melt down. It involved tears and tissues, so you can decide.
Saturday afternoon my sweet hubby and the University came to my rescue. Think ‘livestream’ and HDMI cables.
At 2pm as the graduates pranced into the Kibbie Dome, I was able to see every step. The University had set up a livestream and my husband, Bill had connected his computer to our oversize tv.
I watched my granddaughter walk onto the stage to be acknowledged by the College of Education. Her tassel swayed from her graduation cap 👩🎓 and her gold stole glistened against the black gown. More tears, but this time tears of joy.
After the ceremony my daughter texted me pictures taken outside the arena. It was a beautiful spring Idaho day. The sun shone down on the happy graduates, highlighting the new paths each one would take.
Simple kindnesses and thoughtfulness. My husband. My daughter. The University.
This week, I thought we’d do a little traveling to a few places around the world 🌍 for more simple kindnesses.
From Connecticut
Charlie Capalbo had faced cancer three times before it came back again. He was twenty-three, a student at Fairfield University. Even in the hospital his kindness inspired others. His friend, Jill Bodach, found a way to turn his kindness into a living legacy…Read the full story.
From Lincoln, Nebraska
Does this picture need much explanation?
You may have heard of Kindness Rocks and the Kindness Rocks Project, but have you ever heard of the Random Act of Crochet Kindness USA Project? Check out these acts of kindness to brighten someone’s day.
From Rhode Island, USA to Barcelona, Spain
You’re on your honeymoon in Barcelona. You don’t speak Spanish. You hear screams and see smoke pouring from a doorway. What do you do?
From Vancouver, Canada to Wrexham, Wales
The Canadian Academy of Cinema and Television awarded Vancouver born, Hollywood heart throb, Ryan Reynolds the 2023 Humanitarian Award.
According to a news release, Reynolds' donations to a Canadian water charity supporting Indigenous young adults, efforts to support displaced families from Ukraine, contributions to a Vancouver food bank, and his annual "aesthetically challenged" sweater holiday campaign, featuring Seth Rogen this year, made the actor a worthy recipient of the award.
As if that isn’t enough, Ryan and fellow actor/comedian, Rob McElhenney, bought the Dragons, a football team in Wrexham, Wales. That might not sound like an act of kindness, but their purchase was just the beginning. They provided the resources to purchase an adaptive bath for a disabled fan. They donated to a local charity to support stillborn and neonatal deaths. They gave money to a local foodbank and also to a teenage cancer fund. Their involvement, kindness, and generosity sparked ripples of kindness throughout Wrexham. Read more.
I’m not saying that you can chalk up the Dragon’s season to all that kindness, but something inspired them and, for the first time, they won.
Kindness is everywhere
From the simple act of setting up a graduation viewing, to sharing a legacy of kindness, to saving children from a burning fire, to helping a town get back on its feet. Kindness is everywhere in our world.
I invite you to look for opportunities to see, experience, and give kindness wherever you are this week. And I’d love to read your stories of kindness in the comments.
Thanks for joining me this week.
May your week be filled with kindness. 💜
PS - Visit the Kindness Magnet Library for a collection of all the articles.
PPS - Do you know someone who might enjoy Kindness Magnet? I hope you will share it with them.
I remember when I graduated from college years ago. A fellow graduate was my sighted guide (person who walks with an individual who is blind to help them get from point A to point B).
In the kindness item about Lincoln, NE, Heather asks: "Does this picture need much explanation?" Yes, it does from my perspective. I have no vision to see the picture. When I press enter on the link, the function of my browser of choice which sometimes provides automated picture descriptions finds nothing. I request that someone kindly explain the picture to me using words.
So glad you got to see your granddaughter graduate! What a special moment!