kindness

What’s the worst wedding day disaster you’ve ever heard? For Meredith Diedrich, a wedding venue that burns to the ground and a hospitalized hair and makeup artist promised to ruin one of her most memorable days—and it all happened in an instant. On the morning of the wedding day, Three Notch’d Brewery, Distillery & Craft Kitchen in Nellysford, Virginia, burnt down, with nothing but fragments of the timber frame left standing. Meredith’s mother got the call from the venue organizer at 7 a.m. explaining what happened. Initially, she thought her mom was joking, but when she arrived to survey the damage, she had “no clue even how to react.” Simultaneously, Meredith’s hair and makeup artist was admitted to the hospital for pregnancy related health complications. My bridesmaids had stayed overnight with me, so I called them into the room and told them what had happened. We all were in shock for a few minutes, then started to laugh,” Meredith told People Magazine. “I had thought, ‘what else is there to do but laugh?’” Taking it all in stride, and boosted by a team of dedicated bridesmaids, Meredith got to work calling all the guests and explaining what happened while the venue organizer at Three Notch’d began to contact other potential venues in the area to see if a space was available. The moment we got the confirmation for the new venue we all got to work,” Meredith told People Magazine. “Me, the bridesmaids, some family friends, my parents, and the staff at both venues all worked to put everything together as quickly as possible at our new location, seven minutes down the street at Blue Toad Hard Cider.” The effort to move all the catering, favors, table sets, and more “took a village” but produced a beautiful, intimate wedding that rose like a phoenix from the ashes of a near disaster. It wasn’t what we originally planned, but it turned into a day filled with deep love, meaningful moments, and memories we’ll treasure forever. It was a testament to love and resilience.”

Dr. Ibadin, a lecturer in the accounting department at Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, generously provided transportation allowances to students who attended his lecture. Aware of the current challenging economic conditions, he empathized with his students and chose to “Try A Little Kindness” (T.A.L.K). Each of us has the capacity to bring joy to others. It is essential that we embrace and share our inherent kindness, making it a priority to spread it freely. Through kindness, love, and empathy, we can contribute to healing the world and creating a safe haven for all. In that very portfolio, in that very neighborhood, with those resources you can still be of help to someone. Go out there with a mindset to make others believe in the existence of kindness and humans that are humane.

Oprah Winfrey is widely recognized as America’s most celebrated broadcaster. Upon announcing her retirement, a festival was organized in her honor at a football stadium. The event had people dropping their jaws in awe when it was revealed that for 25 years, she had quietly sponsored 65,000 individuals in need without anyone knowing. Many of those beneficiaries attended the event, and 450 of them lit candles in tribute. Among them were five Harvard University professors who delivered a brief sermon encapsulating the impact of Oprah’s generosity: “Without Oprah, our lives would be vastly different.” Can one individual truly transform the lives of 65,000 people in such secrecy? Humanity is not merely a belief system; it represents a level of achievement that some individuals attain, akin to the wisdom of Socrates. To everyone listening, especially you: focus on nurturing human potential rather than engaging in futile and harmful rivalries. When you rise in life, strive to uplift others rather than subjugating those who are yet to reach your level of success. Be a true embodiment of humanity.

When Esther Sanderlin, a local pilot from rural Skwentna and West Susitna Valley, Alaska, learned that some of her neighbors were planning to share a single squirrel for Thanksgiving dinner, she decided to take action. Contrary to the common belief that turkeys can’t fly, Sanderlin demonstrated otherwise. With small single-engine planes being a typical means of transportation in her area, she felt inspired to help. “I was visiting our newest neighbor, and they mentioned splitting a squirrel three ways for dinner, which didn’t seem like enough,” Sanderlin recounted to Alaska’s NBC affiliate KTUU just before Thanksgiving. “In that moment, I thought, ‘I’m going to airdrop them a turkey for Thanksgiving,’ especially since I recently rebuilt my first airplane with my dad and can do that quite easily.” Sanderlin fondly recalled her childhood experiences of receiving air-dropped turkeys when the roads became impassable in late autumn. Motivated by these memories and the squirrel dinner news, she decided to give back to her community. This year, she plans to drop off 30 to 40 turkeys, ensuring her neighbors have plenty of food to celebrate the holiday with friends and family. Fortunately, she doesn’t need parachutes for the turkeys; the soft snow below and the frozen state of the birds make for a safe landing. Looking ahead, Sanderlin expressed her desire to transform her turkey drops into a nonprofit organization so she can reach even more communities across Alaska in the future.

A recent survey of 2,000 Americans reveals that 40% are increasing their charitable actions as 2024 draws to a close. Conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by Avocado Green Mattress, the poll indicates that 43% of respondents are seizing the year’s end to enhance their generosity through increased volunteering and donations. Younger generations, specifically 59% of Gen Z and millennials, reported a greater commitment to doing good compared to 37% of Gen X and baby boomers. Among the latter group, 47% felt they had contributed sufficiently to their communities this year. Notably, 19% of younger respondents awarded themselves an “A” for their charitable efforts in 2024, while only 10% of older participants did the same. The survey also identified barriers to giving, with 45% citing financial limitations, 34% health issues, and 25% time constraints. Participants shared that even small gestures, such as checking in on a colleague or helping someone solve a problem, can significantly impact others’ lives. Julie Murphy, a director at Avocado Green Mattress, emphasized that “even a small deed can have such an incredible ripple effect,” highlighting the importance of reminding people of their capacity to contribute. Looking ahead to the end of the year, respondents plan to dedicate an average of eight hours per week to charitable activities, with 44% intending to participate in Giving Tuesday. Motivations for giving back include the satisfaction derived from helping others (47%), a sense of purpose (43%), and the desire to improve the world (40%). Additionally, 38% believe that the holiday season makes it easier to engage in charitable acts. WHAT MOTIVATES RESPONDENTS TO GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY? ● Satisfaction of giving — 47%● A sense of purpose — 43%● Wanting to make the world a better place — 40%● Emotional well-being — 33%● Community connection — 23%● Showing my children how to support their community — 19%● A concern for responsible, ethical practices in my community — 18%● Physical health benefits — 12%● Skill development — 8%● Networking opportunities — 7% Hoping the holidays inspire you to be more generous and kind… While there abounds a plethora of reasons to always extend kindness, it is safe to say Kindness should be allowed to freely flow without strings of hidden agenda or motives. Embrace the challenge of kindness; strive to be the parent, partner, sibling, friend, and acquaintance that you wish to see in others.

A coffee shop in Middleborough, Massachusetts, has taken a unique approach to attract customers, and it’s capturing hearts and views online. Coffee Milano Cafe recently displayed a sign at its entrance that read, “Walk in and give us your BEST dance moves for 5 seconds,” inviting patrons to showcase their dance skills in exchange for free coffee. Inspired by a similar promotion from a pizza shop, the café’s initiative was initially intended as a fun way to enhance the customer experience and highlight their cozy atmosphere. However, they never anticipated the overwhelming response it would receive. The online video showcasing customers dancing has amassed an astonishing 7.6 million views, turning the café into a viral sensation. Olivia Svenson, a barista and social media director at Coffee Milano Cafe, shared her surprise with ABC News: “We just thought it was going to be a small thing for the people that come in every day.” She emphasized the joy of seeing people express themselves through dance, stating, “Everybody likes to see people happy.” The café’s owner, Josh Rashid, also reflected on the positive impact of the event. He noted that sometimes life can be challenging, but moments like these—where laughter and joy are shared—can make all the difference. “Life isn’t always easy… sometimes, you encounter something that brings the biggest smile to your face,” he said. Given the success of this event, Coffee Milano Cafe is already planning another dance-themed promotion for Black Friday. Ideas are being brainstormed, including a potential “dance with your dog” event. The café’s social media accounts have hinted at more fun gatherings in the future, encouraging everyone to keep dancing because “life’s short.” This delightful initiative brought smiles to many faces and also fostered a sense of community and connection among customers. So if you’re in the area, don’t forget to bring your best moves and enjoy some free coffee!

In India, two police officers have successfully reunited 104 missing children with their families within a span of just nine months, according to the Times of India. Head constables Seema Devi and Suman Hooda, part of the Delhi Police’s Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), have received significant recognition for their efforts in this initiative known as Operation Milap. Hooda shared with the Times, “We don’t have fixed duty hours. Whenever we receive information about missing kids, we just leave our homes,” adding with a smile, “There are days when I don’t see my kids.” Their extensive work has taken them across northern states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, where they faced numerous challenges including poor-quality photographs, uncooperative locals, unfamiliar territories, and language barriers. Operation Milap commenced in March when Hooda joined the AHTU and continued through November. The officers often dealt with cases where children had been missing for years, relying on outdated images as their primary leads. This necessitated door-to-door searches with assistance from local residents, including some who were homeless. In other instances, they utilized cyber resources to track mobile phone locations and traversed long distances in rural areas where transportation was scarce. Hooda noted that while many locals were eager to help, some feared that aiding the police could lead to legal complications. Throughout their operation, the majority of cases involved children who had gone missing due to elopement, drug addiction, or inadequate parental supervision. Delhi Police Director General Nidhin Valsan praised the remarkable achievements of Seema and Suman in Operation Milap, emphasizing their commitment to combating child trafficking and protecting communities.

A 12-year-old schoolgirl, Lily-Rae, who is gradually losing her sight, was overwhelmed when actress Kate Winslet stepped in to help her achieve her “visual bucket list.” The star of Titanic contributed $5,000 for Lily-Rae to experience the Northern Lights and also invited her and her mother for a theater night in London. Lily-Rae, from Nottingham, England, was diagnosed with Stargardt disease last December, a genetic condition that leads to central vision blurriness. Her mother, Emma, initiated a GoFundMe campaign to fund various visual experiences for her daughter before her condition worsened. Moved by Lily-Rae’s courageous journey, Winslet reached out personally to offer her support. The two traveled to London, where they met Winslet before attending a performance of My Neighbour Totoro at the Barbican Theatre. Emma described the encounter as feeling like they had known each other forever, praising Winslet’s warmth and humility. Additionally, Winslet arranged for Lily-Rae to fulfill another item on her list: feeding tigers at Knowsley Safari Park in Prescot. Emma expressed immense gratitude for Winslet’s contributions and efforts to raise awareness about Lily’s condition. To express her thanks, Lily-Rae created a Braille card for Winslet and her family. The GoFundMe campaign successfully raised over £10,000 for various activities on Lily-Rae’s visual bucket list, which includes dreams of visiting iconic sites such as the Eiffel Tower and Pompeii. Lily-Rae’s eyesight issues began at age five, leading to difficulties in reading at school. Stargardt disease affects approximately one in 10,000 individuals and primarily causes central vision blurriness; however, there is hope that she may retain some peripheral vision. Currently, she can see only up to six feet away and requires a font size of 64 on her laptop. Despite these challenges, Lily-Rae maintains an optimistic outlook.

The ripple effect of kindness is truly profound and often difficult to fully articulate. In just one-week, numerous reports have emerged highlighting remarkable acts of kindness in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria. One notable instance involves a young woman who faced discrimination due to her appearance and was unjustly denied a job despite meeting all the qualifications. Msendoo Ageva took to social media to share her experience of rejection and the challenges she faced during her interview. Her story resonated with many, garnering widespread sympathy. In a heartwarming turn of events, Haakyav Tombu Peter, a distinguished son of Benue, was moved by her plight and offered her immediate employment at his company, Harrypee Logistics. Indeed, times are tough and life can seem unfair, but we all have the capacity to make a difference. Let us prioritize our shared humanity over personal ambitions. Let’s continue to practice kindness and express gratitude for every act of generosity we receive, as kindness begets kindness.