Living Intentionally - Spend It All Today (Part Trois)

Living Intentionally - Spend It All Today (Part Trois)

The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good. —Samuel Johnson

HOW MUCH TIME did you spend yesterday thinking about how someone hurt your feelings?

How much time did you spend yesterday thinking about how unjustified that situation was?

How much time did you spend yesterday thinking about what you should have said when she said . . . yeah, you get the point. Okay. Next set of questions:

How much time did you spend collectively last week thinking about how you could improve the morale at your office?

How much time did you spend collectively last week thinking about how you could encourage your husband?

How much time did you spend collectively last week thinking about how you could show love to your next-door neighbor (the one with the yapping dog)?

I think if we all spent just half as much time thinking about creative ways to show kindness as we do dwelling on how to get even, the world would be a nicer place and we’d all have less nausea. Kindness seems to be out of sight and out of mind.

I believe most of us underestimate the impact we have on others (from family members to total strangers). Either positive or negative—nothing is neutral—you made a mark on someone’s life today. Did you inspire or motivate? Did you leave that person more confident than when you found him or her? Did you extend generosity or kindness or mercy? Did you make someone laugh? Did you leave someone with hope? One thing I’m sure of: as you checked out at the grocer, ate at the diner, instructed your child, passed your husband at the door, or sat in a boardroom—you left something in your wake. What did you leave?

“And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” The second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” No other commandment is greater than these. (Mark 12:30-31)

Spend your kindness.