2017 Kindness Challenge: Week 5

Published on by Wanda

2017 Kindness Challenge:  Choosing Kindness

I grew up in the north east part of the country.  Many people who live up there look at you as if you have two heads when you say hello to them on the street.  I really didn’t know that there were places where strangers spoke to each other and it was not only accepted, but expected.

My first trip to the south was a real eye opener.  Strangers would speak to me with smiles on their faces.  Now I am not saying that everyone in the south displays this kindness. There are no absolutes here, but the overall attitude is one of friendliness and kindness. Which I hate to say is not necessarily how it is where I come from.

I began to speak to strangers when I returned home and was surprised how good I felt doing so.  And after speaking to people I didn’t know that I would see often at the grocery store or other places I frequented, I wore them down and they began to smile and say hello to me too.

So this weeks challenge is something I have already been working on.  I do try to always put myself in someone else’s situation and be more accepting of their reactions.  I have always been a little intolerant with some of my responses to things beyond my control.  I am working very hard to not respond unkindly to the messengers.  I think I am making progress.

Colossians 3:12  Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience

Wanda

 

 

11 thoughts on “2017 Kindness Challenge: Week 5”

  1. I like your blog; I looked at some of your other posts, and I am so sorry for the huge loss of your husband. Sudden loss is just horrible. I have three grandchildren, and I savor the time I have with them. I do not quilt, but I got into making jewelry a long time ago and now I have tons of UFO’s. I assume that means Unfinished projects? Or Unidentified projects?

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  2. I absolutely can feel your post. I have moved around quite a bit in my life and have been in areas of “no hello’s” and also in ones with plenty of “hello’s”. At one point I decided that I don’t have to let the rules be set by others and I made it a game to see how many people I can get to look up and respond. Just watch out, you will inevitably also attract the people at the store that are eager to sell you a subscription or anything else 😉

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  5. I’ve always found this interesting. I grew up in a military family so having moved all over the world, I’ve also lived in places that are very friendly to strangers and ones where strangers aren’t given a second glance. I’m so glad this is something you’ve been working on already. You never know how that smile or greeting can impact someone. Like I tell my daughter, it might be the only smile they get all day.

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  6. I’ve lived in Upstate NY for a number of years and then moved to the Metropolitan area. My experience was the same as yours …. no eye contact, no smiles, no friendly greeting of kindness. I decided then and there I didn’t want to retire there (plus it’s way to expensive to live). Now I’m in the South and as happy as can be. Everyone was immediately so helpful and kind in helping me get settled. Loved your post! 🙂
    http://www.meinthemiddlewrites.com

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  7. I grew up in the Northeast and now live in the South and know just what you are saying. Took awhile for me to get in the habit of smiling and saying “hey” to strangers. I am still a Yankee at heart but a softer one now.

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