In this episode, I teach a lesson on how to do kind deeds (or kind actions) and I encourage you to have your family and children listen together. We can show kindness through our actions. They can range from very small acts like a smile, to great acts of sacrifice such as donating an organ to someone who needs it.
Kind actions are anything we do to make a person’s life easier or happier without expecting a reward. Kind actions show concern and caring. When we show kindness in our family, we’re helping one another feel loved. When people feel loved, they can more easily show kindness to others.
Our kind actions come from our thoughts--the desires we have to be good and loving. At the end of each day we should think, “How closely did my actions today match my good intentions to be kind?” Being aware of our actions will help us improve them day by day, until we become truly kind in thought, word, and deed.
Discussion for the Family about the Short Story:
1. Do you think each young person wanted to win?
2. When one boy stumbled, what did the runners do?
3. If you were a runner that day, do you think you would have stopped? Why or why not?
Assignment:
1. Answer these questions:
∙ If someone in my family is unkind to me, am I unkind to them to get even?
∙ Do my actions show that I love my family?
2. Do at least one kind thing for each family member during the coming week. Anonymous acts of kindness are even more special.
3. If you wish, read the Additional Solution for Success: Giving and Receiving Affection.
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This is Solutions for Families – where parents come with problems and leave with solutions. I’m Paula Fellingham – thank you for joining me!
Hello and welcome! Today’s episode is a lesson for families: how to do kind deeds.
Kind actions are anything we do to make a person’s life easier or happier without expecting a reward. Kind actions show concern and caring. When we show kindness in our family, we’re helping one another feel loved. When people feel loved, they can more easily show kindness to others.
Mother Teresa encouraged everyone to be kind when she said, “Spread love wherever you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor...let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.”
Kind actions can be very simple--a smile, a pat on the back, helping with a chore, listening with interest when someone needs you, or doing a job that needs to be done without being told. When family members ask themselves the question, “What can I do to make another person’s life easier?” or, “What can I do to help someone I love?” there are usually countless answers. Being in a family gives us many opportunities to show kindness every day.
Our kind actions come from our thoughts--the desires we have to be good and loving. At the end of each day we should think, “How closely did my actions today match my good intentions to be kind?” Being aware of our actions will help us improve them day by day, until we become truly kind in thought, word, and deed.
Story
Several years ago at the U.S.A. Special Olympics in Seattle, Washington, nine contestants assembled at the starting line for the 100 yard dash. Every runner was either physically or mentally disabled. At the sound of the gun they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but each with great excitement to run the race to the finish and win.
Suddenly, one boy stumbled on the asphalt and fell. He lay on the ground and cried. When the other contestants heard the boy crying, they slowed down and stopped. Then all eight of those special young people turned around and went back. One girl with Down’s syndrome bent down and kissed him saying, “This will make it better.” They picked up their fallen competitor, then all nine linked arms and, grinning broadly, they walked together to the finish line.
Everyone in the stadium that day was touched by the compassionate act of kindness they had witnessed. The entire audience unanimously gave the runners a long, enthusiastic standing ovation.
Discussion
1. Do you think each young person wanted to win?
2. When one boy stumbled, what did the runners do?
3. If you were a runner that day, do you think you would have stopped? Why or why not?
Activity
For our activity, let’s each think of a time when someone in our family was kind. The one who begins will explain what kindness was shown. We won’t tell yet who the kind person was. Let the family guess. The one who guesses right is the next one to tell about someone being kind. Each time the person who showed the kindness is to keep quiet. This is an example of how it will work: One person will say, “Someone made a great dinner for the family tonight. Who is it?” Or, “Someone helped me with my homework. Who is it?” If the children are small, Dad may say something like, “Someone ran to the corner to meet me when I got off the bus. Who is it?”
No one gets a second turn until everyone has had one turn. The game can continue as long as everyone wants to play. (If your family is small, acts of kindness by grandparents and friends can be shared.)
Assignment
1. Answer these questions:
∙ If someone in my family is unkind to me, am I unkind to them to get even?
∙ Do my actions show that I love my family?
2. Do at least one kind thing for each family member during the coming week. Anonymous acts of kindness are even more special.
3. If you wish, read the Additional Solution for Success: Giving and Receiving Affection.
Okay, my friends. Until the next episode, have a beautiful day and make sure you subscribe to my podcast, tell your friends about Solutions for Families, and come see me at paulafellingham.com. As always, I send you my love….
Here’s a quick question…Are you ready to have a more loving, peaceful family?With my 7 Step Parenting Course you can enjoy more love and peace in your home than perhaps you’ve ever dreamed of! If you’re ready for less contention and more kindness, this course is for you. AND, on paulafellingham.com you can sign up for my free parenting webinar where I share tips and solutions for families that really work! I’ll see you on the webinar!