Joy Note #2: Kindness Breeds Joy

Joy Notes 2: Kindness Breeds Joy

Happy Sunday, ladies! Welcome to Joy Notes #2: Kindness Breeds Joy.

Joy Notes were born last Sunday as a way to help you turn your Joy light on during sometimes difficult times and spread hope going into a new year.

A reader had asked for more encouragement to fill her joy tank…which is different and a deeper level than the emotion “happiness.”

Happiness is a reaction and joy a destination.

Joy Note #1 was about the importance of how we start our days.

Joy Notes 2 Kindness Breeds Joy

Today, I want to discuss how Kindness Breeds Joy.

It is just a proven fact that when we take our eyes off of ourselves and our current situations and place them on helping others, then our Joy bubbles up inside and spills over.

There is no better example of this than my friend, Leigh Ann.

She is one of the kindness women I have ever known.  Constantly thinking of helping others, and, therefore, she is full of joy!

She would paint a room for you…run errands for you…just about anything to help someone out. 

EXAMPLES OF KINDNESS

Joy Notes 2 Kindness

Leigh Ann loves to bake for those in the military.  She participates through BAKE FOR DEPLOYED TROOPS – SOLDIERS’ ANGEL BAKERS TEAM.

Not only is she filling up their cookie jars, but also filling up her own JOY jar!

Joy Notes 2 Kindness Breeds Joy

 

Joy Notes #2 Kindness

We were out and about recently and Leigh Ann showed me how she loves to purchase these little tokens, and place them in a small bag with a note of encouragement.

Does she keep these in her purse for family and friends?  Nope…she is handing them out to random people she believes need support and a smile.  Wow!

Joy Notes 2 Kindness

The other day I opened my door to find her on my front porch with this Joy Kitchen Towel from Target.  She said…”I knew you would love this!”

So kind…and she was right ….I do love it!

She also paid attention when I remarked that I could not find something at the grocery…and, yes, she showed up with it at my house!

We were also driving into our neighborhood the other day and the sanitation trucks had done one of the poorest jobs of picking up the cans we had ever seen.

While I was thinking…I need to get home to work…Leigh Ann was thinking…I need to change clothes and get out here on our streets and pick up the trash.

So often she convicts me in many good ways. 

Leigh Ann is one of the best examples of someone who practices true kindness…and how it comes back to her to fill her joy cup to the brim.

Joy Notes 2 Kindness

What are some ways the rest of us can join in on the fun and practice more kindness?

If you made a goal to be kinder the remainder of this year, what types of things would you do to help others?

Please share and let’s all work on turning that Joy Light on today by practicing kindness to others!

KEEP SMILING!!

NOTE:  Tomorrow Leigh Ann and I will take you on another road trip in the wonderful hill country of Texas…come join in the fun! I will show you what we wore and what we did!

By Pamela Lutrell

Season of Joy on Over 50 Feeling 40

14 Comments

  1. Thank you for shining the light on Leigh Ann’s kind and generous spirit. What a joy to have such a special person as a friend. I’m very much looking forward to reading about your trip together in the hill country. Best wishes to you both

  2. Some truly inspirational ideas here. I do agree, taking the focus off of ourselves and our troubles does make a big difference. Right at the beginning, that shirt Leigh Ann is holding brought back great memories of youth group, where we sang that song with enthusiasm and had such a fabulous time! I went with a group of friends to Dallas for Explo 72, and we’d sing that and many others in the busses taking us to and from the Cotton Bowl. Thank you for that memory!! (I remember we stayed at the Hotel Adolphus in Dallas, in the summer, in the days before they renovated and they had no air conditioning in the rooms!! Good thing we were young!) I’m interested in the Soldiers’ Angels Bakers Team and will sign up as soon as I set up my new kitchen this month. I have never heard of that, but I’d absolutely love to participate! There are so many opportunities to bless others, but the key is keeping our eyes open and our minds shifted from ourselves. I know that we certainly have to deal with our personal things, but it can be freeing to look outside ourselves and pay attention to things around us. Personally, my volunteer job at the cancer center ended with covid, so I’m going to begin volunteering at a shelter for homeless and abused women and children, something I’ve wanted to do since retiring. I think that’s going to be where I truly “get” the meaning of joy over the emotion of happiness! Happiness is a reaction and joy is a destination. How true!!

  3. I know so many people, Karen, that were there with you in Dallas that year! What a wonderful memory. I can’t wait to hear all that you do once you are settled in your new home.

  4. Leigh Ann is indeed a very special woman. So blessed you are to have her friendship and I’m sure she is just as blessed to have you as a dear friend. Cherish your time together and I look forward to the trip to the hill country of Texas.

  5. Thank you Pam for another heartfelt message. I believe there are seasons in our lives when we are able to be generous with our time and talents, our financial resources and thoughtfulness to bless others, and times when we concentrate our efforts close to home with loved ones. What I love about getting older is that this is a season of plenty, and it is easy to spread that loving kindness far and wide. Unconstrained by a work schedule or children at home, finding the time and energy to Give is unencumbered. And you’re absolutely right that this brings a deep sense of joy and contentment.

  6. When I was teaching a Grade 3 class, we wore kindness bracelets. At the end of the day, we’d share our kindness deeds. It was a great success!

  7. You are right, Connie! One of the joys during this time of life is more time to bless others!

  8. Being kind is a great way to spread joy to others & feel joy yourself. My church has event called In Gathering each year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. We partner with another church & a local food pantry to provide clothing & toys for kids & nonperishable food items. It’s such a joy to see the sanctuary filled with bags & boxes of items. I’ve been filling my own bags for the past few weeks to share next Sunday. On a different note, where did you find the joy candle in the top picture? I love it.

  9. Hi Becky… what a great event your church does! Love it. I found it at a store called Big Lots! They do have a website… it might be there.

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