Page 26 - July ONLINE VERSION

Christmas Kindness, Everyday
By Mallory Boykin
When I think of "The Power of Kindness," I think of
Christmas. Christmas is my favorite season because
it is a season for giving, reflecting, and growth.
Christmas is a time when families get together,
eat, and laugh. While some are gathered during
Thanksgiving, there is a different experience about a
Christmas gathering. I don't know if it is the snow,
but there is something so peaceful and serene about
the kindness that comes from humanity at this
particular time of year. The essence of Christmas is
"the air of Christmas joy"; it's that feeling of sinceri- captured, not for virtue but for going viral; perhaps
ty, generosity, and kindness.
Photo Credit: Solana Beach, CA Website
https://www.ci.solana-beach.ca.us/index.asp?SEC=C9CB28A1-FCCA-4B3E-B46A-0D2AF8A1F41B
Christmas is the time of year when the world is
genuinely concerned for a neighbor and is more
willing to help others when the world is slower
paced. Even with the madness that surrounds Black
Friday, things are calm and serene by the Christmas
season. Perhaps the slower pace of the season allows
humanity to reflect on where we are and where we
are going.
For many, it is the beginning of believing in them-
selves, taking a courageous step into the future.
Sometimes believing in yourself is the hardest step,
but if you are brave enough to step out in faith, you
will find life's sweetest rewards. You will find, collec- asking for the help you need. Fear focuses on the nega-
tively, that most people are gentle and kind.
26 www.zoegracepublishing.com
Kindness is simply being polite and smiling. Sometimes,
They say that character is your actions when no one is
watching. Similarly, kindness operates the same way.
Technology has allowed us to view acts of kindness. For
example, there is a video online of a Waffle House em-
ployee who took the time to cut up a struggling, older
gentleman's food; the employee was unaware someone
filmed her. Later, her act of kindness was posted to
social media.
Conversely, some people stage acts of kindness to be
kindness is kindness but, staged kindness does not need
to be self-promoted.
Kindness can also be as simple as a smile, a nod, waving
hello. Simple gestures of kindness can turn someone's
day around. If you see someone struggling, extend a
no-strings offer to help. Performing good deeds should
be because you are able and expect nothing in return.
Many people have found themselves in a position where
they need help and are afraid to ask. If we could keep
the Christmas spirit all year long, maybe we could see
those who struggle daily and offer support.
Eileen Kennedy Moore Pinterest
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/298293175302305493/
Fear prohibits people from following their dreams, from
traveling, succeeding, and asking for help. Asking for
help takes courage because fear walks you through a
series of ‘what if scenarios' and cements your voice from
tive, but courage says, "Go ask. You might be surprised
at the number of positive responses."
ZGP Magazine
we forget how powerful a smile is. Take time out to en-
joy the contagiousness of laughter.
The world that we live in is fast paced. Kindness and
compassion often take a back seat to selfies, self-interest,
and expendable human interest. Every person is waiting
to become visible to the world, but this is not the key to
true happiness. Yet when they attain the worldly success
of visibility, they often long for their former life, under-
estimating the trappings of notoriety.
Kindness is often born out of tragic events. Sadly, it
takes the passing of a family member to bring the family
together. Tragic events are usually discovered from a
social media posting rather than from ongoing commu-
nication with family and friends. When we get busy and
overwhelmed, we forget to take time for those closest to
us.
Kindness is making a genuine and conscious effort to The Aum Nation Pinterest
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/448108231655791996/
stay close to those we love. A constant striving to be-
come a better person, one who can see the suffering in
others and compassionately reach out to help. That is
the power of kindness, knowing when someone needs
help and being there for them because it is the right
thing to do.
Our lives are not our own. Six degrees of separation is
a social construct that suggests we are all no more than
six social connections away from each other. While it
seems crazy in theory, think about it. Your social media
pages are full of connections from high school, college,
coworkers, friends, and family. Technology quite pos-
sibly has closed the separation gap because of social
media connections; a 'friend of a friend' is closer than Mallory Boykin is a single mother that
you think. All of this proves we should do our due lives in Columbus, Ohio with her six-
diligence to take better care of each other socially and year-old son.
emotionally.
She works as an Instructional Assistant
We should work to help each other to become better and Daycare Administrator. She holds
versions of ourselves; it does not have to be Christmas a MA.T and MS in Early Childhood
to be kind. If we take the time to be kind to one another, Studies. She has been in education for
smile more, hold the door for a stranger, and really get 14 years. She enjoys watching movies,
to know your neighbors, then the world could become a anime, and enjoys the quirky conversa-
better version of itself. Go ahead, pay it forward! It is the tions with her students. Her spare time
small, random acts of kindness that will literally make a is spent doing research and working
world of difference. on SEL curriculum and co-hosting the
ECE Circle Time.
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