"Not-so-random-acts-of-kindness"

Today is "Random Acts of Kindness Day" (RAK). We love all kinds of kindnesses being shared; but in terms of our ethos, KindWorks is more about the "not-so-random-acts-of kindness"; the kind that takes a little more time, a little more effort, and a little more conscious and deliberate action. In a book I'm reading, Houston Kraft distinguishes between 'confetti kindness' (as in the playful saying 'throw kindness around like confetti') and 'deep kindness' (a commitment to consistent, thoughtful actions, despite circumstance or convenience.) We're about deep kindness. Kat Kim, who loves to bake and sell her stuffed cookies, decided that her Valentine's cookie sales would be used to buy food and essentials for families we help support through the UpCountry consolidation hub. Here's her cart full of groceries bought from her cookie sales -- not forgetting the cake mix and frosting, because confetti kindness, literally, is important too. Deb just shared with me that one of her neighbors in River Falls put a call out for donations and groceries for her cleaning lady, who had just lost her husband and both in-laws, had to move into more affordable accommodation, and had no idea how she would make her deposit. Neighbors collected nearly $2000, along with pounds of rice, beans, fruits, vegetables. Let's absolutely sprinkle kindness like confetti every chance we get; but let's also continue to roll up our sleeves and get busy in the deep, nurturing, sustaining, fulfilling work of kindness that changes lives, communities, and the world.