The Kindness of Others

For the past few weeks I've had an inner dialogue going on in my head
that filled me with self doubt.

Not good.



I struggled to find purpose in my monotonous days.
I struggled to find order in my cluttered house.
I struggled to find a kind word to say to my husband.
I struggled to find a kind word between my children
I struggled to find the good in my parenting skills.
I struggled to find...heck, something to wear each day.

The more I wallowed in self doubt - the worse it became.

And then ....BOOM

Our WHOLE FAMILY was asked to speak
                in sacrament meeting this Sunday.

Cue the insecurities:

how can we...
there's no way we...
here's the thing, we...
what if we...


Time to re-evaluate ...EVERYTHING

And then like a divine Heavenly gesture....
I received a little note in the mail.

This sweet note sent by a kind neighbor brought tears to my eyes.

I read, then re-read and re-read and re-read the note.

One small, generous gesture made all the difference in the world to me.

A neighbor's thoughts about me and my family, although not all true,

made me want to be a better person.

(and made me pause - maybe I'm not as bad as I think I am)

And as I thought about it.

In just this past week...

I've had;

A phone call from a friend asking if I needed anything from the store.

A friend dropping by her old Martha Stewart magazines,

 Another neighbor brought this...

A jam and jelly gift basket.

For no reason at all...

My sister stopped by one day to set up my new TiVo that she gave us. 

(insisting that she doesn't even want to think about

how I've survived this long without TiVo)

Many offers to pick up my kids from dance and ball practice and 4-H.
A half dozen or more unsolicited compliments.
And a mystery knock on our door one night surprised us with a "Heart Attack" tree and brownies.

The brownies were gone even before I could take a picture.

All of this happened just last week.

There is not enough time in a day to list all the kindnesses shown to me and my family over the months and years. You know who you are.

I read a quote on my friend Amy's, blog offering the following sage advice;

"Never suppress a generous thought" - Camilla Kimball

I admire such a simple, perfect ideal.

You, dear reader already do this and do it well.

I need to follow your lead.

I usually say to myself;

"I try."

Here is another bit of sage advice;


Do, or do not. There is no 'try'. -Jedi Master Yoda

Yes, master Yoda.

The kindness of others will change the world,
   One self-loathing housewife at a time.