WRITING PROMPT #8

In a World Filled With Hate, Let’s Talk About Kindness

Love Outshines Hate

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Also, feel free to use any of the Writing Prompts to spark inspiration and share your stories that are refreshing to the soul and inspiration for others.

In the next two weeks let’s write about kindness.

Years ago I moved to California for a job. Something about the sunshine and my brother bugging me to move made me finally do it. A year and a half later, I was let go. I hadn’t done anything wrong, but sales had taken a major downturn for the company I was working for, so they were laying off people left and right.

While I was looking for a job, my severance and savings were running out, so my brother introduced me to a friend of his, Teresa Garces. The three of us met for lunch and by the time we were finished eating, Teresa turned to me and said, “You know, my daughter is in Spain. Why don’t you come to stay in her bedroom until she returns?”

I swear I heard the angels singing.

For the next few months, while I stayed at their house, I looked for work and kept her mother company during the day. They are Cuban and mama doesn’t speak much English and I speak Spanglish. Mama would cook something every day and offer me food.

This major act of kindness touched me deeply. To this day, she remains a close confidante. If you think about it, Teresa didn’t know me other than the fact that I was a sister to her friend, so she didn’t have any reason to make this offer. It was such a brave act of kindness.

I’m scrappy and a survivor, but I will admit that I learned to receive. Being independent most of my life, I haven’t been in situations where I needed anything, much less a roof over my head! It also taught me a lesson about humility and community.

Together we are stronger.

WRITING PROMPT

What story do you have to share about kindness?

Did you witness a random act of kindness? If so, how did it affect you? What did it teach you?

Did you extend an act of kindness to someone? Tell the story. Try not to leave details out. What was the situation? What did you learn from it? What did you learn about yourself?

Have you been a recipient of kindness? Same thing. Tell the story with as much detail as you feel comfortable sharing. How did that act of kindness affect you? What did you learn about yourself?

May you always be open to kindness.

May your soul be refreshed.