Pause for a quiet moment and contemplate 'Joy'. What does joy feel like to you? How much joy can you squeeze out of your favorite teddy bear? Can you increase joy by indulging in more of your favorite foods? Without question, you can revel in fleeting moments of extravagant, gustatory pleasure. But, is that sublime experience one of deep joy, or merely pure delight? How do you personally experience joy?

 
Ask yourself a few poignant questions: "What brings me joy?" "How does joy give my life meaning?" When you're feeling discouraged and overwhelmed by the busyness of life, does joy seem to vanish, or does it simply retreat into a self-protective hiding mode? When your joie de vivre is waning or absent, where do you look for your missing joy? How often does a vague sense of sadness overshadow your innate joy?

Maybe you'll find yourself hooked on sowing seeds of abundant joy wherever you go, igniting the pleasure centers in your brain. Like a butterfly gently drifting through the air, planting magic in all our hearts. Isn't another person's joy the most precious gift? A single moment of pure joy can ease sadness. Perhaps you'll unearth a new passion as a 'gardener of the heart'. Joy is contagious.

 
Want to discover an amazing secret? Your dynamic avocation is available and free to everyone. Grass-roots Kindness starts from a solitary seed rooted deep within each of us, from the instant of conception. As you matured, your seedling of 'kindness' flourished, establishing sturdy roots to sustain a flourishing plant with countless branches.

But what happened next? All too frequently, we find ourselves overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of life. Kindness is pushed to the bottom of our priority list, quietly slipping from our minds. Like a cactus in the desert, even a tiny drop of water can awaken the cactus's heart and trigger a bloom, much to the amazement and awe of all who witness it. Imagine how the smallest act of kindness can awaken the human heart.

 
Grass-roots Kindness serves as a 'call to action' for each and every one of us. Our lives are crazy-busy, with nary a moment to pause and collect our thoughts. What if we offered an act of kindness, consideration, sensitivity, or compassion by merely acknowledging one another and offering a moment of solace?

As you go forth each day, make it a point to 'set an intention' to practice kindness, reminiscent of the lessons learned in kindergarten. Look for opportunities to serve as an 'Ambassador of Kindness' expressing love, support, and encouragement freely to those around you.

You may ask "How can I unlock the keys to my heart?" By humbly planting seeds of joy and positivity in the hearts of others, you'll witness your own heart blossoming with unimaginable blessings. Smile.

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Big Oaks from Little Acorns Grow
 

Remember your joyful little seedling that grew massive branches from hardy roots? We all have the capacity to 'give from abundance', regardless of our resources. Your current limitations simply encourage you to seek more creative solutions. Practicing kindness can manifest in simple gestures that gently flutter through another's life, quickly disappearing in a soft breeze. Or, your acts of kindness can blossom into tangible actions, serving as visible expressions of gratitude for someone's service.

This community-based aspect of our mission aims to encourage everyone to slow down and appreciate the world around them. Seek opportunities to spread kindness throughout your neighborhood. Start with small, manageable acts to prevent burnout, and only expand your efforts when you feel prepared to do so. Invite your friends to join you in this mission of gratitude, and welcome all wild and creative ideas.

To start, it's essential to establish clear criteria for selecting recipients. Need a simple starting point? Identify a nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 status, in good standing, that relies on unpaid volunteers. (Note: Many "volunteers" within nonprofit organizations are employees who receive full compensation and benefits, just like they would in a for-profit corporation.) Grass-roots Kindness is designed to focus on individuals who selflessly work 'in the trenches' without any form of compensation or benefits—those compassionate souls who bring hope and joy to others.

Here's a tangible action plan that can be easily duplicated and implemented wherever you live. We have launched a home-based 'thank-you' project aimed at acknowledging, appreciating and honoring our dedicated, unpaid Food Pantry volunteers. These individuals devote themselves tirelessly, working five days a week for four hours each day distributing food to those who are hungry and financially unable to purchase food at the grocery store.

 

Many volunteers at our Food Pantry endure harsh weather conditions, braving the cold, wind, rain, and snow with only tarp walls offering minimal protection. As a community, we owe these volunteers an immense debt of gratitude. How can we adequately express our thanks? That question inspired the creation of the inaugural Grass-roots Kindness 'Spoke' - the 'Spring into Summer Stampede'.  For guidance on implementing this project in your own community, please refer to 'Aim to Inspire - Join the Fun' and 'Spokes - Touch Another's HEART'. Keep smiling.