It’s Time To Get Your Kind Creative Juices Flowing
Writing prompts with Spread the Ripple
Kindness is within all of us.
Kindness is a choice. It may come naturally to some, but it is still a choice. The more frequently we act with kindness, the more automatic this behaviour becomes.
A few months ago, a lass I had only just met asked for my opinion on a running backpack for ultra marathons. She was interested in the backpack I used myself and was keen to hear my honest review.
It just so happened that I had a surplus backpack gathering dust in my cupboard. It was too big for me but was perfect for her. So I popped it in the post for her.
She offered me money, and instead of accepting this, I suggested she make a donation to a charity of her choice.
There was a slight whisper in my mind, “but what if you need it!”
I had not used this backpack in several years. We can’t hold on to everything “just in case….” And ultimately, this backpack is better strapped to her back, bringing her joy and enabling her mountain adventures, than deserted in my wardrobe.
While my kind gesture was not motivated by an expectation of reciprocity, I did receive something in return.
What I received is one of the greatest gifts imaginable.
We have built a beautiful friendship. One of those gorgeous connections with chemistry, respect, and curiosity. We’ve only met a few times, yet we dance through this new friendship as if we were lifelong companions.
It’s not just about showing kindness that connects our synapses. It’s about accepting kindness and passing it on.
Daily Kindness Opportunities
We are surrounded by opportunities for kindness on a daily basis.
Even a simple “hello” as you pass another person can give them a boost. It acknowledges another’s existence and shares a passing moment in time as energies merge momentarily. An interconnected beauty of being human.
We all have stories of kindness.
- Kindness we have received from others.
- Kindness we have given to others.
- Kindness we have observed.
- Kindness we have experienced from Mother Nature.
- Kindness we have experienced from animals.
- Kindness we have given ourselves.
Kindness knows no bounds.
Kindness Writing Prompts
Let’s get the creative juices flowing.
Spread the Ripple is introducing monthly writing prompts throughout 2023. It’s time to get your thinking caps on and dig deep into your memory bank.
The monthly prompts are outlined below. I will also send a monthly reminder at the start of each month.
Writing prompt best practice
I would love to read more work on kindness.
Please accept this as a formal invitation to participate in any of our kindness writing prompts.
If you feel drawn to a prompt, please share your stories. Heck, if you have any other kindness-oriented stories, this is the place for them.
If you want to submit to Spread the Ripple but aren’t yet a writer, this may help.
Ok, let’s get started
Spread the Ripple Monthly Writing Prompts
I’m not a total stickler for the rules. If you vibe with a prompt, feel free to write to it now, you don’t need to wait until the correct month.
Crazy! I know. I like to live life on the wild side 🤣
Remember, the prompts are there to pull at the thread of memory. You can write from the position of observer, giver, or receiver. Or recount a story you read in the news.
February
“Gifts”
Just like the story I opened with, gifts can bring connection and joy. Have you received a gift or given a gift to a stranger?
March
“Uniform”
Underneath every uniform rests a beating heart. How has someone in uniform restored your faith in humanity?
April
“Children”
It is a joy to observe young children act in the realms of kindness toward their peers, parents, animals or strangers.
May
“Transport”
Planes, trains, and automobiles. Jetskis, horses, and boats too. Transport is often a collective of strangers and fertile ground for kindness.
June
“Nature”
Is the universe listening to you? Has nature responded to your needs in a way that can only be described as compassionate and intuitive?
July
“Help”
It takes courage to ask for help. But you know what else? It takes strength to accept help.
August
“Music”
Music can invoke emotion. Whether a live gig or experienced through speakers, music breathes life into 3-dimensional form.
September
“Money”
Money — we all need it. Some have more than others. Some people are rich but don’t have a dime to their name.
October
“Spirituality”
We all have spiritual needs. Spirituality takes a different form for everyone.
November
“Words”
It’s not true what they say about sticks and stones breaking bones, but words never hurting us! Words can stab like a knife or leave us levitating.
December
“Silence”
Is there anything more powerful and profound than silence?
Ready, Steady, GO
Please help me send a kindness ripple around the writing world. You can still jazz kindness stories up with drama and trauma!
- Kicked a narcissistic, cheating boyfriend out of the house? That was kindness to yourself!
- Chased after an assailant after they tried to rob an old lady? That was kindness to a stranger.
- What made you finally ditch the alcohol and engage in therapy? Again, a kindness to self-story.
Here are the most popular stories from our last set of writing prompts.
Yana Bostongirl writes about compliments from an unexpected source.
Ellen Eastwood gives us excellent tips on how we can appreciate someone.
And one of my all-time favorite stories on Spread the Ripple by Shameem Anwar
So buckle up and get writing.
Don’t forget to:
- Include a link to this original prompt in your story.
- Tag me — Ali Hall so I see it.
- Tag 3 other writers to encourage them to get involved.
- Use hashtags wisely, “kindness” and “Spread the Ripple” tags are recommended.
Tagging Spread the Ripple writers: Dave Karpowicz Elle Sommer James Beaufait Rodney Brown Aza Y. Alam Alia B Andrea María Portal Ruiz Annie Trevaskis Aunty Jean Barb Dalton Brenda Mahler Bobbi Lynn Gibson-Educator (Retired) B.R. Shenoy Carmen Micsa, MA in English, podcaster Carrie Dave Logan Charisse Tyson Christina Irene Fassler David Asch Dazzling Shene Elizabeth Eve Ellen Eastwood Ellie Jacobson Emilia Smith George J. Ziogas Gareth Willey Paul Gardner Erika Botha Klara Jane Holloway Hubert Liang📊🚀🐶 Indra Raj Pathak Jack Road Juana Flor Joyce Nielsen JM Heatherly Jake Hilden Pene Hodge Lu Skerdoo Mulan Mukundarajan V N Marilyn Flower May Y. Yang Mustapha El Hajj Maria Garcia Nan Hutton, ThD Øivind H. Solheim Orla K. Roger Skibowski Susie Pinon Sally Prag Agnes Simigh Sandra Pawula Rosalind Pagan Trisha Faye Kalypso Skitz Dr. Preeti Singh Shameem Anwar The Maverick Files Yana Bostongirl Rachella Angel Page Bald Smooth and Chinese Steven Acree Jr. Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles Zeenat Merchant Syal, M.A, M.Sc
Come and write with us at Spread the Ripple.
This story was brought to you by Spread the Ripple. We are a publication dedicated to kindness. Kindness is our superpower. Read more stories and come and write with us here:
