Sunny Day Therapy's Blog- Helping Children & Caregivers Shine, Do, and Thrive

As I began the Kindness Initiative, I thought about ways to be kind to others. As a therapist, I thought about ways to integrate “kindness lessons” into my therapy… about ways to teach empathy to my clients with Autism, etc. and about projects that we could do to understand each others’ perspectives, do service, and be kind/generous to vulnerable populations.

What I’ve been learning is the joy of opening one’s own heart to kindness from others and the peace of being kind to myself. Everyone needs kindness and compassion. In my busy life and our busy culture, it is sometimes hard for me to take time for self compassion. I tend to excitedly bustle from one project to another… filling up my calendar and forgetting to take enough time for solitude with the Lord and to dwell on good things. I’m really enjoying reading the quotes and stories from this initiative. I’m feeling more grateful and mindful of the kindness and goodness around me. I want to be a part of it – on both the giving and receiving side. I have learned that doing things to fill up my own cup prepares me to pour into others. Others not only deserve the best version of me, but I deserve the best version of myself.

This has been a season of blessing and beginnings for me; being 35 weeks pregnant, God is working on a “baby initiative”. People have been pouring love into my life through the blessings of kindness, help, and gifts for Baby Raymond and our family. I’ve been blessed to notice small things like people opening doors for me and strangers wishing me luck and goodness for my baby. It has also been a time when I’ve needed to slow down and ask for help from others. Asking for help is a beautiful thing; through asking for help, I’ve been able to experience the talents and spiritual gifts of those around me in a way unlike ever before. I’ve felt support when I’ve been tired and love and peace when I’m overwhelmed. It has not been fun asking people to tie my shoes for me or my clients to pick up things from the floor/help me lift equipment when I’m in back pain, but there is something beautiful about knowing that people are there for me. My husband has been kind to me in selfless ways – doing everything in his power to make my time at home relaxing… spoiling me with massages and indulging my strange “nesting” and “hunger” desires by organizing and re-organizing the house and making me delicious foods. He goes as far as to be “pregnant with me” even when I don’t ask him to be; he declines wine and sweets as I do without me even asking him to making a healthy lifestyle so much easier. He walks with me and reads to us even when he is tired at night. My mother and mother in law drop off food and surprise us with regular treats. My friends, co-workers, and even clients have made this an exciting time for me with encouraging words and fun surprises. Monday I came into the office and found a sweet surprise from one of my coworkers Adrianne – a home-made Harry Potter diaper train! Even Baby Ray blesses me with his kicks, rolls, and wiggles. He seems to be a calming presence in my life- reminding me to slow down and be mindful of the beauty of life.

I have been thinking a lot about priorities as we prepare for for baby Raymond’s birth. Being pregnant has encouraged me to focus on the big picture rather than worrying or obsessing about small things. I am learning not to overbook myself and I am thinking about what really matters… now and in the future. I’ve been thinking about what kind of world I want baby Raymond to experience and what kind of legacy that we want to leave him.

I want him to experience the kindness of community. I’ve started writing my son letters which I hope will challenge his perspective and encourage him to seek out spiritually fulfilling experiences. I hope that he experiences kindness all around him – locally, nationally, and internationally. I hope that he learns to see past labels and politics and to open his heart to kindness in unexpected places. I hope he tries his best, but doesn’t let competitiveness or power corrupt him. I hope that he doesn’t act civil because he feels obligated to but really feels a sense of love when he interacts with others. I want him to know that… We are not alone. I want him to know that it’s ok to ask for help and that hard times and failures can be beautiful avenues for preparing one’s heart to experience kindness. I am grateful to all of the people in my life who have already been teaching Raymond about the meaning of love and kindness.

An initiative is merely a start; it’s the tip of the iceberg of what can come when we see the world as it could be and we begin to create the kind community we desire for our children, our world, and ourselves.

• Information about the Kindness Initiative of First Christian Church can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fcckindness/.