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SPECIAL FEATURE                                                 SPECIAL FEATURE
                                                The Power                                                                              different elementary         Kindness is simple yet impactful. Imagine a world where

                                                                                                                                        I had to attend two
                                                                                                                                                                    everyone you met was friendly, generous, and considerate.
                                                                                                                                       schools within three
                                                                                                                                                                    I believe such a world exists, one person at a time display-
                               he                                                       f                                           grade year. I still remember    ing genuine kindness to their fellow human. Also, I think
                                                                                                                                      months during my 3rd
                                               of Kindness                                                                          standing in the doorway of      ture to animals.
                                                                                                                                                                    kindness is contagious, spreading from humanity to na-
                                                                                                                                    shedding a few tears while
                                                                                                                                     the classroom.  I was very
                                                                    Kindne

                                                rt                                                                                  quickly approached by two       Perhaps genuine kindness flows from an inner belief that
                                                                                                                                     classmates asking me if I
                                                                                                                                                                    we are all on this giant rock, doing the best we can with
                                                                                                                                    would like to sit with them
                                             When this edition was becoming ‘too much’ for one person, I reached out                  in the cafeteria during       what we have. Perhaps, kindness emanates best from
                                              to my networks for some help and offered a small stipend in return for                lunch. Their kindness made      those who have little. There is a profound humility in hav-
                                                                           their time.                                                 me feel welcome and
                                                               RM Pierce replied with this:                                           comfortable in my new         ing experienced emptiness and rejection, then someone,
                                               “Please take the money that you would pay me and apply it to taking                          classroom.              selflessly, takes the time to lift you out of your suffering.
                                              care of your family or investing in ZGP. I truly want your magazine and                       Melissa J.
                                             literary endeavors to flourish and thrive. Giving writers from all walks of
                                             life an opportunity to see their work in print is a gift that I hope continues
                                             to encourage an increasing number of novice writers (or writers that may              When kindness happens to you, are you are more likely to extend it to another? This
                                             never consider submission of their work) a chance to see their writing in             is a concept, exceptionally displayed in the 2000 dramatic movie “Pay it Forward.” It
                                                                publication and share their craft.”
                                                                                                                                   is easier to respond with a friendly disposition when you receive the same, but it can

                                                                                                                                   be a challenge when faced with a calloused human. Perhaps their calloused emotions
                                                                                                                                   reflect the hard emotional lines we can’t see or the heavy load we can’t imagine hav-

                                                                                                                                   ing to bear.

                                                                                                                                   However, within each of us is the power to deliver kindness. There may be a storm

                                                                                                                                   raging, but we can be as constant as the sun in the lives of others. Can kindness be
                                                                                                                                   so simple and create such a ripple effect? The articles in this edition set to prove,

                                                                                                                                   without question, that yes, kindness can be such a simple and impactful way of life.
                                                                                                                                   Whether born in a magnificent mansion or a modest manger, anyone anywhere can
                                                                                                                                   extend kindness.


                                                                                                                                   We all have a story, and when we take a moment to listen, we find that we are not

                                                                                                                                   that much different yet unique in our approach to life. We can learn a lot from one
                                                                                                                                   another.

                                                                                                                                                                   Be Kind









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