Shiloh Rose Archive

There is something so special about feeling seen, heard, appreciated and loved! Think about the last time someone remembered something about you or gave you the words of encouragement that you needed. How did that moment make you feel? Have you ever had a crappy day and someone came along and made it so much better? They gave you just what you needed to change your perspective on life or that current situation. As a child of God, we all are called to make the world better with our light.

The light can be seen when we be the sunshine in someone’s day! I thought to would give some examples of ways to practice being a better human being.

• Surprise a friend with coffee. Most of us love a good cup of coffee, no matter how you take yours it’s always a nice surprise when someone thinks of you! My kids often buy me coffee’s or make me a cup in the morning and it is a wonderful way to start the day. I feel so loved by such a small gesture.
• Leave kind notes in public. I love this one the most! I love a good note! It’s so important to keep written words alive! This is a great one for a spouse too! The note can say something like: “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” Words of affirmation people, this is a great way to encourage them!
• Volunteer. This one I think can be often underrated but so important! Every time I have ever offered my time to help another, I always feel so good! I was able to help with a tornado clean up crew, and that experience truly humbled me. It made me appreciated what I had so much more! Then I saw human compassion on display.
• Give genuine compliments. This is the ONE! When we give someone a compliment, it should reflect that person as an individual. Get creative, pay attention to the small things about a person. Ex: “I love how thoughtful you are, the way you are always thinking of others first.”
• Share inspiring stories. Everyone has a story to share and we should help others on their journeys by offering our wisdom. When King Solomon, in the Bible asked God for wisdom, he did not hoard it for himself, he used it to help the people. The stories you share helps people feel less alone.
• Send surprise texts to loved ones. That family member whom you haven’t talked to in a while, shoot them a text. Maybe remind them of a funny moment you shared, send a pic and create a conversation.
• Offer to make a meal or buy a meal for friends. In all the busyness of life, someone offering to take the load of cooking off your plate can come as a huge relief! Some people do those meal trains for people who are sick, having babies, etc. The meal train is a term that means you sign up for a particular day or time to make the meal for that family in need. These are usually offered at churches or work.
• Create a neighborhood event. A yard sale, bake sale, lemonade stand, pop-up shop, snack stand, etc. These are fun and a great way to converse with your neighbors. In my last neighborhood, they would have pop-up food truck days and pretty much the whole neighborhood would go. This gave everyone a chance to talk, mingle, and get to know each other better. Food will always be a way to bring people together! Now more than ever we need each other! We need to share in life with people.
• Simply SMILE at strangers. This is a big one, I admit that when I am upset it shows on my face but we should be careful at how we come off to strangers. We don’t want to take our issues out on anyone, so just smile and look friendly. We can even try and make it a habit, smiling at people we come across. That homeless person at your window, maybe just needs a smile and eye contact.

This post challenged me to remember to be better at spreading joy. It’s a way to create a better place to live for my children, friends and family. Let us be moved to compassion at the suffering in our world, not cold hearted and blind. We may not speak the same language, look the same, pray the same, worship the same, but they are a human too. They may have done horrible things, but at some point you have too. We have to keep love alive. Let your hearts remain tender.

I hope that today you will share your kindness with the world. We all could use it! Happy Reading!

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