On an international flight from Dallas to London I developed a rather nasty case of food poisoning. Let’s just say, I was definitely not the ideal seat mate for the last two hours of that flight, but the woman sitting next to me was beyond kind. Helping me, comforting me, basically loving me at a moment when that is what I most needed. I will never forget her and her kindness.
At the beginning of 2023 I wanted to challenge those around me to work for a kinder world. I submitted a letter to the editor of our local newspaper that was published on Jan 1st. Here's what I said:
"Now that 2022 is behind us, let's move beyond bickering and nonproductive discourse by embracing mantras that hopefully take us to a better place. Here are a couple suggestions:
*Less whine, more wonder *Seek truth before justice
*Seek to be awed *Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly
*Seek progress, not perfection *May you live all the days of your life
*Carve you name on hearts, not marble *Be intentional with your thoughtful mind & generous heart
These impactful mantras keep me grounded and open to meaningful dialogue with my fellow humanoids. Feel free to adopt any or all of these. Better yet create your own list. We can make this a kinder world in 2023!"
Thank you, Carrie. I guess if my string measures from me to my computer monitor and then from your monitor to you that we're within 3 feet of each other?!? Your smiling photo above really seemed to offer needed affirmation and kindness today... as did the dog photo and your lovely writing! Thanks again for all the Light you put into the world!
Thank you Carrie once again for your Sunday morning posts. I love waking up to them. As I look back random acts of kindness always came naturally to me, for example helping someone who is physically disabled get something off the shelf in a store etc to me is just the right thing to do.
One act of kindness I’ve given and received is from a senior member of my church. She recently stopped driving and was concerned she might not get out to church anymore. She doesn’t live to far from me so I offered to drive her to and from church. She was over the moon delighted at my kindness that in return she wanted to pay me for doing so. I told her that I’m going there anyways it’s ok but she insisted. So now I put away the money she gives me so I can give it to the church or a local charity. One act of kindness deserves another. Thanks for your kindness you share with the world Carrie!!! The world is such a wonderful place with Carrie Newcomer in it!!
Thanks for sharing the story. So many small (but big) acts of kindness occur each day in our respective worlds. Calling attention to those acts changes the narrative in so many ways.
Thanks again, Carrie. Soft encouragement is always appreciated when facing an apparently daunting task: a big world with many peoples, challenges, tasks, and healing to do. Fortunately, those smaller efforts are noticeable to to those in the front row. Sometimes its just a gentle hand that can provide support while someone regains their footing and direction. Knowing that there are people around that care to help, restores my faith in humanity, and actively extending those hands restores my pride.
I try to be kind to everyone I interact with online and off though it can often be a depressing experience online. I’ve been ghosted and blocked just for wanting to extend kindness and friendship to people.
The weirdest example (so far): One Thursday, I was invited to stop by and chat about books with someone at a local bookstore (she worked there and recommended some new authors to me via Instagram). She said she didn’t work Friday or Saturday so I planned on swinging by on Monday since Sundays are busy for me. I tried to message her Monday to make sure stopping by was still ok, but noticed she had blocked me and even had the bookstore block me too! No reason for why was ever given and the last interaction was her hearting the last message I sent.
Acts of Kindness a inspired way for this LENTON journey. I also liked the ideas everyone shared today. I will absolutely do the Birthday gift idea. I will be 89 in May. My presents to my family has been one dollar + one for each year. I will suggest this same idea to them.
I am trying to smile and thank each person who serve others such as the grocery clerk. I try to read and say their name. Carrie it is a life changing practice. I also like to practice GRATITUDE!
Yes! Reading Carrie's post and all the wonderful comments here, I vow to do 76 acts of kindness, material or otherwise, on my 76th birthday on Tuesday.
Carrie - I have been following year for a few years now - got to meet you three times in your trips to Cedar Rapids, IA. Your poetry and music have spoken deeply to my heart and very really to my life. I am 78 years old and have been looking for a way to bless our Cooperative Living community with something simple. I want it to be an invitation into a safe space, learning to listen and share as well and also pass on something that they can use as a practice to “transform” their lives at the end seasons of our lives. I listened to “kindness” and will be using some thoughts and ideas from you if I have your permission. I am assuming since this is a free offering that I would be OK to share it with others. I think it will be a great month here in our community - using the practice of kindness framed with the lessons that you have brought to us. We meet for the first time tomorrow - introduction meeting - a presentation is planned around the topic of “fear”. I am going to introduce you I then through your song “When the Wolf is at the Door” - sending them forth with an invitation to practice a mantra in times of “fear” that holds the possibility of healing and transformation. Thank you Carrie. I would appreciate any thoughts that you may have. I will continue to uphold you in your call sending hugs, love and prayerful thoughts! You are a gift for such a time as this!!💕🌈❤️
I love your photos you shared with the tiny turtle 🐢 in your hands and you. Also I’m a dog lover so I love the photo of the dog in hat too❤️😃⚡️🍀
I wanted to thank you for your emails. I tried to reply but it did not send. So I’m thanking you now.
I love ❤️ getting your emails.
As you may know I have no local friends or family and sometimes it gets so hard. So Substack is the only social thing I have to reach out to.
May I say you are lovely and I see you as a friend.
Life is very challenging for me.
Can I ask you a serious question about Aliens 👽 on this planet interacting with military and governments.
What is your personal view of them?
I’m asking you this because I observed the military 2 planes ✈️ one one either side of these Stars interact with what appeared to be a star turn in to 2 “stars” and the centre was of electric blue and glowing the white light from then was pulsating.
I watched it through my first pair of binoculars I had bought for 🌟 gazing on Summer Solstice night/ day. 2.30am from my back garden seat.
I was just star gazing and now my life has changed as never before like this.
I haven’t told anyone about it except you. And my brother who is on a working holiday in India.
He doesn’t like emails so we write ✍️ to each other . Long story.
So basically he won’t get my letter until approximately April.
Thanks for your kindness and sympathetic listening/reading my blog.
If you are doing well enough financially give a dollar for every year of your life to an organization lthat helps people or directly to minimum wage worker, or someone you see struggle, in the form of a direct tip or handout. If u for instance are celebrating a 70 th birthday, give away 70 dollars that day- maybe $50 one place, $10 somewhere else ...
Hi Mike, I LOVE this idea! I’m totally going to do this on my birthday this year. Such a lovely human sized and personal way to celebrate another turn around the sun.
i also like the idea getting a seed packet of herbs or flowers -plant the same number of seeds. Or on the morning of your birthday, say the the same number thank you’s to the great Luminousness that continues to be present within and around you. I bet others can come up with ideas of their own here.
About 4 days ago I came down with a "flu" and was unable to take part in a potluck dinner which had been planned for weeks. I live in a Seniors condo complex. One of the others here phoned and offered to bring both my husband and I a plate of dinner. What a kind gesture. Meant the world to me, but more to my husband as he's not the best "chef" going. So he ate well and I ate what I could...so grateful. Thank you for the reminder to be kind and show kindness when and where we can.
I have been the giver and receiver of gifts of kindness…of soup and bread and ginger tea. When we are not feeling well it is a vulnerable time, and those simple guestures of kindness and care mean so much. Thanks Joyce. I hope you are feeling better now.
To us w this post, especially today, the anniversary of my brother’s murder. As I think back on the experience, I remember the awe I felt at the kindness of so many, breaking open the love, easily overwhelming the darkness. From the friends who didn’t say a word, only sat w/compassion, as I would suddenly burst into tears as we had lunch in public places— to the ones who still hold that silent loving gaze on days like today, even 25 yrs later. This is who we are as a species. I believe many ‘random’ acts of kindness are not random at all, not rare but in our DNA— ‘just’ to smile, ‘just’ to offer a kind word, ‘just’ a nod. How wonderful to be lifted out of our limited self in those gestures.
I’m so sorry to hear of this deep and abiding loss. The grief of such a loss is carried with you on a cellular level. But you also carry the kindness and grace offered to you in a time outside of time. Sometimes it is time to speak to tell the story of what is happening, but esspecially in times of deep grief, there are no words, and friends who can hold the space with you, be present without trying to “fix” what can only heal with time are gifts to us indeed. Yes….kindness is not rare, it is in our DNA…you are so right. The word “just” implies small importance. But these small gestures are deeply and truly important - world changing with every nod, smile and act of care.
Carrie, You likely know the verse from Galatians that identifies the Fruit of the Spirit. One of them is kindness. I keep trying to practice them all and this offering helps me focus on Kindness! Thank you.
It also reminded me of an event that epitomized kindness and one I will never forget. Simply, I was with the CEO of a large public housing authority. We walked out the door to get in our car to travel to a meeting. She looked down the block and two senior tenants were crossing the street, headed to the entrance half-way down the block. I opened the car door and she waited until they reached the entrance. She greeted them with a good morning, opened the door and held it for them. This was likely 15 -20+ years ago. I can see it plain as day.
Oh Carl, I love this story - the small kindness - the fact that you remember it so many years later. We never know when something we do in simple decency and kindness will be remembered and cherished in another persons heart. I do not doubt this…we all carry these kindness and they are little lights we look to, rely upon as the deeper story of what it means to be human. Thank you Carl. I loved reading your post.
Joyfully grateful for your response Carrie. I thought I would pose a crazy and challenging idea? Would you or you and Parker Palmer or someone else consider focusing on each of the "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal 5:22-23) in some fashion? I pray for the Spirit's help to practice them daily and have personally added generosity and forgiveness. If you ever consider it, I would enjoy / appreciate being engaged in any small way. Thanks for reading. Every blessing.
On an international flight from Dallas to London I developed a rather nasty case of food poisoning. Let’s just say, I was definitely not the ideal seat mate for the last two hours of that flight, but the woman sitting next to me was beyond kind. Helping me, comforting me, basically loving me at a moment when that is what I most needed. I will never forget her and her kindness.
At the beginning of 2023 I wanted to challenge those around me to work for a kinder world. I submitted a letter to the editor of our local newspaper that was published on Jan 1st. Here's what I said:
"Now that 2022 is behind us, let's move beyond bickering and nonproductive discourse by embracing mantras that hopefully take us to a better place. Here are a couple suggestions:
*Less whine, more wonder *Seek truth before justice
*Seek to be awed *Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly
*Seek progress, not perfection *May you live all the days of your life
*Carve you name on hearts, not marble *Be intentional with your thoughtful mind & generous heart
These impactful mantras keep me grounded and open to meaningful dialogue with my fellow humanoids. Feel free to adopt any or all of these. Better yet create your own list. We can make this a kinder world in 2023!"
Good to know you better, thanks!
Thank you Carrie. So timely!
Thank you, Carrie. I guess if my string measures from me to my computer monitor and then from your monitor to you that we're within 3 feet of each other?!? Your smiling photo above really seemed to offer needed affirmation and kindness today... as did the dog photo and your lovely writing! Thanks again for all the Light you put into the world!
Thank you Carrie once again for your Sunday morning posts. I love waking up to them. As I look back random acts of kindness always came naturally to me, for example helping someone who is physically disabled get something off the shelf in a store etc to me is just the right thing to do.
One act of kindness I’ve given and received is from a senior member of my church. She recently stopped driving and was concerned she might not get out to church anymore. She doesn’t live to far from me so I offered to drive her to and from church. She was over the moon delighted at my kindness that in return she wanted to pay me for doing so. I told her that I’m going there anyways it’s ok but she insisted. So now I put away the money she gives me so I can give it to the church or a local charity. One act of kindness deserves another. Thanks for your kindness you share with the world Carrie!!! The world is such a wonderful place with Carrie Newcomer in it!!
Thanks for sharing the story. So many small (but big) acts of kindness occur each day in our respective worlds. Calling attention to those acts changes the narrative in so many ways.
Thanks again, Carrie. Soft encouragement is always appreciated when facing an apparently daunting task: a big world with many peoples, challenges, tasks, and healing to do. Fortunately, those smaller efforts are noticeable to to those in the front row. Sometimes its just a gentle hand that can provide support while someone regains their footing and direction. Knowing that there are people around that care to help, restores my faith in humanity, and actively extending those hands restores my pride.
I try to be kind to everyone I interact with online and off though it can often be a depressing experience online. I’ve been ghosted and blocked just for wanting to extend kindness and friendship to people.
The weirdest example (so far): One Thursday, I was invited to stop by and chat about books with someone at a local bookstore (she worked there and recommended some new authors to me via Instagram). She said she didn’t work Friday or Saturday so I planned on swinging by on Monday since Sundays are busy for me. I tried to message her Monday to make sure stopping by was still ok, but noticed she had blocked me and even had the bookstore block me too! No reason for why was ever given and the last interaction was her hearting the last message I sent.
Acts of Kindness a inspired way for this LENTON journey. I also liked the ideas everyone shared today. I will absolutely do the Birthday gift idea. I will be 89 in May. My presents to my family has been one dollar + one for each year. I will suggest this same idea to them.
I am trying to smile and thank each person who serve others such as the grocery clerk. I try to read and say their name. Carrie it is a life changing practice. I also like to practice GRATITUDE!
Yes! Reading Carrie's post and all the wonderful comments here, I vow to do 76 acts of kindness, material or otherwise, on my 76th birthday on Tuesday.
Have a wonderful birthday! Some of your acts of kindness should include being kind to yourself! Maybe a day at a spa 🤗🤗
Carrie - I have been following year for a few years now - got to meet you three times in your trips to Cedar Rapids, IA. Your poetry and music have spoken deeply to my heart and very really to my life. I am 78 years old and have been looking for a way to bless our Cooperative Living community with something simple. I want it to be an invitation into a safe space, learning to listen and share as well and also pass on something that they can use as a practice to “transform” their lives at the end seasons of our lives. I listened to “kindness” and will be using some thoughts and ideas from you if I have your permission. I am assuming since this is a free offering that I would be OK to share it with others. I think it will be a great month here in our community - using the practice of kindness framed with the lessons that you have brought to us. We meet for the first time tomorrow - introduction meeting - a presentation is planned around the topic of “fear”. I am going to introduce you I then through your song “When the Wolf is at the Door” - sending them forth with an invitation to practice a mantra in times of “fear” that holds the possibility of healing and transformation. Thank you Carrie. I would appreciate any thoughts that you may have. I will continue to uphold you in your call sending hugs, love and prayerful thoughts! You are a gift for such a time as this!!💕🌈❤️
Hi Carrie, Ann Siddique here.
I love your photos you shared with the tiny turtle 🐢 in your hands and you. Also I’m a dog lover so I love the photo of the dog in hat too❤️😃⚡️🍀
I wanted to thank you for your emails. I tried to reply but it did not send. So I’m thanking you now.
I love ❤️ getting your emails.
As you may know I have no local friends or family and sometimes it gets so hard. So Substack is the only social thing I have to reach out to.
May I say you are lovely and I see you as a friend.
Life is very challenging for me.
Can I ask you a serious question about Aliens 👽 on this planet interacting with military and governments.
What is your personal view of them?
I’m asking you this because I observed the military 2 planes ✈️ one one either side of these Stars interact with what appeared to be a star turn in to 2 “stars” and the centre was of electric blue and glowing the white light from then was pulsating.
I watched it through my first pair of binoculars I had bought for 🌟 gazing on Summer Solstice night/ day. 2.30am from my back garden seat.
I was just star gazing and now my life has changed as never before like this.
I haven’t told anyone about it except you. And my brother who is on a working holiday in India.
He doesn’t like emails so we write ✍️ to each other . Long story.
So basically he won’t get my letter until approximately April.
Thanks for your kindness and sympathetic listening/reading my blog.
Thank you so much 😊
May you too be given loving kindness multiplied.
Here's an idea:
Make your birthday a day of giving!
If you are doing well enough financially give a dollar for every year of your life to an organization lthat helps people or directly to minimum wage worker, or someone you see struggle, in the form of a direct tip or handout. If u for instance are celebrating a 70 th birthday, give away 70 dollars that day- maybe $50 one place, $10 somewhere else ...
Hi Mike, I LOVE this idea! I’m totally going to do this on my birthday this year. Such a lovely human sized and personal way to celebrate another turn around the sun.
i also like the idea getting a seed packet of herbs or flowers -plant the same number of seeds. Or on the morning of your birthday, say the the same number thank you’s to the great Luminousness that continues to be present within and around you. I bet others can come up with ideas of their own here.
Perfect timing for my 76th birthday on March 7!
Happy Early Birthday Cindy R!!
Morning Carrie
About 4 days ago I came down with a "flu" and was unable to take part in a potluck dinner which had been planned for weeks. I live in a Seniors condo complex. One of the others here phoned and offered to bring both my husband and I a plate of dinner. What a kind gesture. Meant the world to me, but more to my husband as he's not the best "chef" going. So he ate well and I ate what I could...so grateful. Thank you for the reminder to be kind and show kindness when and where we can.
I have been the giver and receiver of gifts of kindness…of soup and bread and ginger tea. When we are not feeling well it is a vulnerable time, and those simple guestures of kindness and care mean so much. Thanks Joyce. I hope you are feeling better now.
Timely to receive and read YOUR act of kindness
To us w this post, especially today, the anniversary of my brother’s murder. As I think back on the experience, I remember the awe I felt at the kindness of so many, breaking open the love, easily overwhelming the darkness. From the friends who didn’t say a word, only sat w/compassion, as I would suddenly burst into tears as we had lunch in public places— to the ones who still hold that silent loving gaze on days like today, even 25 yrs later. This is who we are as a species. I believe many ‘random’ acts of kindness are not random at all, not rare but in our DNA— ‘just’ to smile, ‘just’ to offer a kind word, ‘just’ a nod. How wonderful to be lifted out of our limited self in those gestures.
I’m so sorry to hear of this deep and abiding loss. The grief of such a loss is carried with you on a cellular level. But you also carry the kindness and grace offered to you in a time outside of time. Sometimes it is time to speak to tell the story of what is happening, but esspecially in times of deep grief, there are no words, and friends who can hold the space with you, be present without trying to “fix” what can only heal with time are gifts to us indeed. Yes….kindness is not rare, it is in our DNA…you are so right. The word “just” implies small importance. But these small gestures are deeply and truly important - world changing with every nod, smile and act of care.
Carrie, You likely know the verse from Galatians that identifies the Fruit of the Spirit. One of them is kindness. I keep trying to practice them all and this offering helps me focus on Kindness! Thank you.
It also reminded me of an event that epitomized kindness and one I will never forget. Simply, I was with the CEO of a large public housing authority. We walked out the door to get in our car to travel to a meeting. She looked down the block and two senior tenants were crossing the street, headed to the entrance half-way down the block. I opened the car door and she waited until they reached the entrance. She greeted them with a good morning, opened the door and held it for them. This was likely 15 -20+ years ago. I can see it plain as day.
Oh Carl, I love this story - the small kindness - the fact that you remember it so many years later. We never know when something we do in simple decency and kindness will be remembered and cherished in another persons heart. I do not doubt this…we all carry these kindness and they are little lights we look to, rely upon as the deeper story of what it means to be human. Thank you Carl. I loved reading your post.
Joyfully grateful for your response Carrie. I thought I would pose a crazy and challenging idea? Would you or you and Parker Palmer or someone else consider focusing on each of the "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal 5:22-23) in some fashion? I pray for the Spirit's help to practice them daily and have personally added generosity and forgiveness. If you ever consider it, I would enjoy / appreciate being engaged in any small way. Thanks for reading. Every blessing.