Dear Friend in Peace,

I am grateful to be here with you thinking about kindness and the peace that it adds to our lives, our communities, our nation, and our world. Compassion leads us to feel deeply for ourselves and others whereas kindness spurs us on to positive action which can change everyone and everything around us by offering peace a home in our hearts and the hearts of others. At a time when Americans are being encouraged to be unkind to one another, as people of peace we do not engage in such silliness. Instead, we stand up for liberty and justice for all. We treat all with kindness because peace is kind and because being kind brings us peace.

Acts of kindness come in many forms. The venerable Monks Walking for Peace are inspiring millions to be more gentle, kind, and peaceful. People are offering kindness to the monks and to their neighbors in the form of kind words, kind actions, and kind thoughts. Kindness flows as you and I check in on our neighbors, friends, and those we see while out walking, at the grocery, etc. Kindness flows as we help another get a box off the top or bottom shelf at the grocery, find missing keys, read fine print, etc. Our kindness might take the form of placing a flower or peace rock by a neighbor's or stranger's door. My daily kindness practice is simple, yet powerful: I smile and wave at everyone. Sometimes a conversation follows, sometimes it does not. However it flows, we part knowing and feeling a connection, knowing and feeling the presence of peace.

My dear neighbor, Joanie, is the epitome of kindness. She is constantly checking in on everyone, giving little and big treats to others, and making sure everyone is okay. May we too offer kindness to ourselves and others throughout each day. I offer kindness to myself by taking time for extra meditations throughout each day. One of my gifts to others is listening. Listening is a potent form of kindness which honors others. Listening silently says: "You are not alone. I care about you. You matter."

Kindness is like snow —
it beautifies everything it covers
- Kahlil Gibran

Spreading kindness is indeed a gift of peace to all so let's do it! I look forward to hearing of your gifts of kindness and of the peace they manifest.

Thank you for choosing peace in your thoughts, words, and actions.
Yours in peace and love always,
Donna

P.S.  Please pass on the peace by sharing this post with friends and family. They can join this mailing list, by writing to me at donnadday@gmail.com