Picture Kindness

Kindness, as I've said so many times before, is very important to me.  I try to do at least one kind thing a day, no matter how big or small.  One of the easiest and quickest kind things I do is leave little cards with quotes or sayings on them in different places.  I keep a bunch in my camera bag to make it even that much easier. 

It wasn't until today that I got to experience the joy of getting one of those great little cards myself.  Unbeknownst to me, my son had taken the above card and placed it on my screen door.  We were in such a rush this morning that I didn't even notice it until I got back from taking him to school.  Later, when I picked him up from school, I asked him why he did that.

"Why not?  You need kindness, too", he said matter-of-factly. 

Why not, indeed.  And better yet? I took the picture above, printed it, framed it and it now sits on my desk for me to see everyday. 

I love leaving the cards for others to find and I'm not alone in doing that.  Sandy is leaving one thousand paper cranes with a different postitive word written on each one and leaving them in different places for others to find.  She makes each paper crane herself and photographs them as well.  Pretty awesome, don't you think?

Have you pictured kindness? Please share with us.  If you don't have any pictures to share, that's okay.  Tell us about it.  Feeling inspired? Stop by Kind Over Matter and check out their free, downloadable cards for yourself and give it a try.  You'll be so glad you did, I promise.

(cross-posted at Everyday Heartbeats)

Comments

[Audra Van Vliet]

I think it was very kind of this family to give me a shot as their family photographer. It was my first paying job. We did the whole shoot on their family's apple orchard. Probably one of the most beautiful places I have ever taken pictures.

http://lastpictureshowphotography.blogspot.com/2010/10/will-work-4-apples.html

[Marcie]

Such an inspiring post...and I just love the Dr. Seuss quote. Your son is very thoughtful and sweet.
I have nothing to illustrate kindness per se...but thought I'd share anyway:
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1334

[bekkah]

I LOVE Kind Over Matter's drop cards! I've left them in books at the bookstore, at parks and in my hotel room in Vegas before leaving. So much fun and such a wonderful idea. I'd love to find one myself :)

[Jess]

When I intend to go walking along with my camera, I am almost always accompanied by a friend who is full of nothing but love and kindness.

http://the-old-nichols-farm.blogspot.com/2010/08/wandering-in-evening.html

[lifeineden]

I love this Chris! You're posts on kindness always inspire me (I'd love to do the tree at my son's school next year).

Yesterday I was bit kind to myself. http://lifeineden.wordpress.com/2010/10/21/because-love-is-all-you-need/

[DawnS]

Thanks to my the Mondo Beyondo class that I took, I love leaving little notes around town :)

My daughter came home from school the other day (she's in high school) and said that someone had left a sticky note on the stall door in the girls bathroom that said "You are Beautiful" and there was also a smiley face on it. With all the news lately about kids bullying & being mean, this just made me very happy to hear.

I really do believe that kindness matters!

[camerashymomma]

you have completely inspired me today chris. i love what your son said. so so true. thank you!

[the wanna be country girl]

Isn't it amazing when you give kindness you receive it back ten fold in your heart. Several days ago I was exiting a parking lot when an older man's truck stalled in front of me. It was a very old truck he had restored and it had some kinks that needed to be worked out. Anyway I whipped my car in a parking space and walked over to his truck. I think he though I was coming to fuss at him for blocking traffic. I helped him push it back down the street into a parking space and he was very happy not to be blocking the lanes anymore. As I walked back to my car a man rolled down his window and said "that was very kind of you, I want you to know the next time I see someone in need I'm going to help them." Isn't that wonderful he was moved to help in the future?

[Lacey Bean]

Kind of more cute than kind, but I still love it - http://www.flickr.com/photos/laceybean/4882820430/

[michel]

This is inspiring. I love it. I'm going to start doing this too!

[brandi]

my favorite topic!!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dandelionseeds/5084466693/

[Trude]

I Picture Kindness by taking photos of dogs up for adoption at a local shelter. But I love this idea too! :) http://www.flickr.com/photos/trudem/sets/72157624746261643/with/5087319957/

[brandi]

Trude...what wonderful photos...what sweet faces! All our dogs are rescues and the work you do is so important.

[Beth]

Wonderful post - thank you for the inspiration!

Kindness is... surprise flowers from a friend.

And not just any flowers, but your favorite flowers. Which are purple anemones. Really, who remembers that except a dear, kind friend?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14632491@N07/3388226257/

[Laura O'Hanesian]

This post really touches my heart. When my daughter was school age I used to put little cards into her lunch. The other evening we were talking about school lunches and she mentioned the cards and her boyfriend said "my mom never gave me cards" I felt special. Thanks for the reminder to be kind, I try every day! Thank you so much for sharing the Kind Over Matter link and cards. They are wonderful. Here is my daughter and her boyfriend:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lauraophoto/4648480844/in/set-72157621720819205/

[Doris]

You always have such wonderful topics. This blog is a joy to visit everyday.

The photo below is one of my favorites that depicts kindness. It's of my mom, who's in early stages of Alzheimer's disease. The kitten she's holding was discovered at our house when she was visiting for dinner. Somehow, the kitten had climbed into the engine of our car. We have no idea where she came from, but my mom took her home. This little creature has been the best medicine possible and brings my mom such joy.

http://dorisrudddesigns.wordpress.com/2010/06/21/june-20-2010/

[Momma Goose]

What a breath of fresh air, and what an inspiration!!

PS: When I read the part about your son leaving you a card, my eyes welled up. So sweet!!

PPS: For some reason, the comment section keeps telling me the URL I entered is invalid. Doesn't make a big difference to me, but figured I'd mention it in case anybody else is experiencing that challenge. Have a great weekend! :)

[Becky R.]

That's really a good idea. I've been thinking of drying flowers during the winter (flowers I could get at the store or something) and leave them on the graves of people I pass during my family tree hunts.

[marcy]

if you are looking for a little kindness please look at this website...bensbells.org
they do amazing work in the name of kindness

[spread your wings]

this is how i picture kindness - because of her love for animals my daughter is volunteering at a local dog shelter and fostered this dog, and now my brother is going to adopt him and give him a fine home and lots of love.
http://spreadingwings08.blogspot.com/2010/10/sweet-happy.html

[Kathleen @ Sugar and Spice]

This is a wonderful idea. Thank you for the inspiration. I can't wait to print out my thoughts and share them in my kids lunch boxes, hubbies wallet, and anywhere else that needs a warm fuzzy.

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."-Maya Angelou

~K

[Lynne]

Thank you for this timely reminder. Those cards are a lovely idea.

[Lesley]

My son and I like to take sidewalk chalk with us on our bike rides. We stop at random houses and write lovely messages in front of mailboxes.