Tag: kindness

Categories
Book Reviews motivation

Why we need to tap into the power of kindness

Cartoon of a boy handing a newspaper to an elderly woman. "She says, "Why thank you for bringing me my newspaper. You are just in time for some fresh-baked cookies."

This morning, I listened to an interview with Adrienne Bankert on The Ziglar Show. It was about kindness as a superpower. It is extremely timely with the events of the last several weeks. Who wouldn’t want to see some more kindness in the world?

When I first posted today’s cartoon, I noted that the more selfish we are, the more miserable we become. Unfortunately, selfish people make others around them miserable as well.

What is the solution? kindness. On the podcast, Adrienne mentioned the difference between being nice and being kind. It was an epiphany for me. Just being nice isn’t kindness. We can be courteous and smile at a stranger without really helping someone. In addition, kindness in the workplace is the key to being professional. There was a lot to think about in this podcast.

You can find more about Adrienne Bankert and her book at her Discover Your Hidden Superpower web site.

Cartoon of a boy handing a newspaper to an elderly woman. "She says, "Why thank you for bringing me my newspaper. You are just in time for some fresh-baked cookies."

Categories
motivation

How to Find New Ways to Add Value

Cartoon of a boy and a space alien

When I was a child, there were many stories about UFOs: Unidentified Flying Objects. As I watched TV shows like Star Trek, Lost in Space, and My Favorite Martian, I also heard stories about a flying saucer allegedly being kept at Area 51 in New Mexico, I often wondered how space aliens would find a decent place to park. If all the stories were real, I could have made a killing setting up a parking garage for weary extraterrestrial travelers.

Admittedly, I would have had some challenges getting funding for such a project. But it was a case for finding a perceived need and filling it. Too bad the need was for a group of “people” that are probably not real, or at the very least are quite elusive.

We add value to others when we find a need and fill it. I’ve been thinking a lot about this over the weekend. Our world has some heavy needs as COVID-19 continues to disrupt lives and economies. There will be lots of needs in the coming months. As we wait for this disease to peak and for immunity to grow, what can we do to add value to others? It may not be something we charge others. In fact, there will be times adding value is just doing the neighborly, altruistic thing.

How can we be kind to others and help others who need it right now? Never mind the space aliens. They’ll be fine even if they are having trouble finding a place to park.

Cartoon of a boy and a space alien. The extraterrestrial says, "How much do you charge to park in your back yard?"
Categories
Christianity motivation

Continual Acts of Kindness

Cartoon of a man and a puppet

This morning, I get to teach kids about kindness. We’ve been talking this month about the Fruit of the Spirit, which is found in Galatians 5:22-23.

It’s a topic that was drilled into me at a very young age. I am the oldest of four kids and unfortunately, firstborn kids are not known for being the supreme leader of kindness. At least this kid wasn’t the king of kindness when his little brother or sister just just ate the last cookie.

I was fortunate that not only my patient parents emphasized kindness, but my kindergarten teacher did too. She had us recite Ephesians 4:32 every morning before we began our class in the old King James Version .

“Be he kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 KJV

It didn’t always stop the playground drama. Nor did it eliminate the urge to hoard all the good, unbroken crayons. But it did make me pause and think. It was one of those kindergarten lessons that come back to me even today.

My prayer this morning is that the kids I teach will remember today’s lesson when they are tempted to be rude or react angrily to to a perceived injustice. Let’s keep learning how to be kind, tender hearted and forgiving in a world desperate for all three qualities.

Categories
Warner Press

Serve One Another

Activity Illustration exampleThis morning, I’m working on an illustration in Adobe Illustrator. The title of this activity is “Serve One Another.”

In this word puzzle, the student is asked what they would do if a friend forgot her lunch money. The student has enough money, but really wants an ice cream sandwich.

Categories
cartoon children cartoons Proverbs

Kindness Works

Caption reads: “Why thank you for bringing me my newspaper. You are just in time for some fresh-baked cookies.”

Does the boy have ulterior motives or is he just a kind soul who gets rewarded? Who knows. Motives aren’t always easy to figure out. All I know is I’ve been rewarded more for kindness than selfishness in my lifetime.

It’s one of those funny paradoxes. The more selfish we are, the more miserable we become. The more generous and kind we are, the more we get rewarded. Let’s go do a kind deed today-whether we are rewarded or not. Of course, I can be bribed with cookies too.

Speartoons are examples of my sketches and cartoons Please respect my copyright and ask first before you would use them.
All art copyright 2008 Kevin Spear. Use of graphics is prohibited without prior written consent.