Kindness Begins at Home

Kindness Begins at Home. I’ve been wanting to share another kindness post and this topic came to me from so many directions that I just had to share. I wanted to give a fun image to go with this message of “kindness begins at home” and I came up with this fun whimsical coloring page. I think it would look pretty fabulous colored and framed and even given as a gift! In my church we visit a couple of women each month and share an uplifting message. This also went right along with the visiting teaching message for August 2016. 🙂

This message really hit home for me last week when I was shopping in a store. I heard a man speaking extremely loud and angry in another isle asking for a store employee. I continued to hear him speaking loud and angry but not paying much attention to what he was saying. It was an uncomfortable situation and I couldn’t even see him. A few minutes later I saw him leaving the store while continuing to yell but then I noticed he had a young boy about 7 or 8 years old with him and the boy began to YELL back very aggressively yet sadly to this man, “Why do you always BLAME me for everything. It’s NOT my fault!” At that moment my heart broke for this young child. I was witnessing a person with anger management issues taking his frustrations out on a young child who should never be spoken to in that manner to begin with. What was even worse, was that this child had now picked up on these traits and may take them into adulthood himself. I wanted to bring this child home and show him some kindness. A week has passed and I have had a hard time shaking off the horrible feeling this gave me.

I also thought of times I may not have been as kind as I should. This made me want to be better. But the bottom line here is Kindness really does begin at home! We have so many opportunities to show kindness in the home making it easier to pass on that trait in the world around us. There are several things we can do but I am going to share four that I find important to remember daily.

1. Consider others feelings. Act accordingly rather than reacting to situations.Treat them how you would want to be treated.
2. Speak kindly. This has much to do with the expression and tones we are using. There is never a reason to YELL. Think about how you say something. For instance, I try to be really pleasant when my husband comes home from work. Showing interest in his day and speaking in a friendly tone always helps.
3. Give service. Look for opportunities to do something kind and even anonymously. It doesn’t even have to be big. It’s the little things that can matter most! Do their chore, save $$ to buy them something they’d like or need, Bring them something or ask to help them when they need it. There are always opportunities to do these things.
4. Express Love. This can be both actions and words. I know when doing this, it expands our desire to show kindness and everybody want’s to feel loved. My husband got some great advice when he married me. That was to never leave me in a day without a kiss and telling me he loves me. After 31 years of marriage he hasn’t missed a day. It’s kind go hard to be mad or mean when that is happening daily. Right?

Ok, I know this post is getting long but  hope this helps in some way to spread more awareness about our actions and how important kindness is. Let’s not find ourself in a home where yelling, angry fits, and blaming happen. Lets help create an environment where children will learn through example to be kind!

Ok guys, here is the printable coloring page.

KINDNESS BEGINS AT HOME

Happi Coloring!