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Inspiring Stories of Everyday Kindness

by Dawson McAllister

Making Kindness the Norm

I imagine you have heard the term Random Acts of Kindness (RAK), but did you know that every February there is a week dedicated to RAK? I think this is awesome because anything that promotes showing kindness to others is a win in my book. In my blog, The Kindness Experiment, I talk about how I believe showing kindness truly could change the world. Today I share stories of kindness shown in normal everyday life.

In an effort to help us all make kindness the norm and not the exception, I hope to inspire you today with 25 real-life stories of random acts of kindness. I hope this list encourages you to notice those around you and become aware of how you can bring sunshine to someone’s life.

Interesting side-note before we begin:

I asked my staff to share with me their personal stories of kindness and also asked this question, “What is the nicest thing someone ever did for you?” on social media. The list below is a compilation of the TRUE LIFE stories I received. As people thought of stories to share, they mentioned that they were surprised how these times when kindness was both shown to them and by them stuck out in their memories. I imagine this is true for two reasons. First – Kindness carries that much impact. Second – It is not the norm.

25 real-life stories of random acts of #kindness from TheHopeLine staff and you! #RAK Click To Tweet

Now here we go!

Random Acts of Kindness – Inspirational Stories

We can show kindness anywhere and anytime. Don’t miss the chance to seize the opportunity wherever you are!

Ideas for Showing Kindness at a Store:

I was walking through Target and my two-year old was throwing a tantrum and another woman walked past me, smiled and said “Don’t worry. You’re a great mom.” Just the encouragement I needed.
An elderly gentleman was attempting to carry six Styrofoam coolers to his car on a windy day. As I watched, they all started to blow across the parking lot. Together we began chasing coolers, laughing at ourselves and somehow managed to get them all into his car.
I overheard a woman that was crying and upset as I was shopping for purses in a TJ Maxx. She was talking on the phone about getting fired from a restaurant due to a misunderstanding about missing money. She had walked to the TJ Maxx and didn’t have gas in her car to get home or any money for the week. I felt the Lord tugging on my heart. He told me not to judge her, not worry about why she was fired or what she would do with the money. He said help her. After her phone conversation was over I walked up to her, hugged her and gave her the $40 cash that was in my purse. I told her I would pray for her and that God loved her. She lit up and couldn’t believe it! She was so thankful that someone cared.
It was my daughter’s 1st birthday and I went to purchase a birthday cookie and cupcakes. I was so embarrassed when my debit card was declined, that I just left the store. As I was getting into my car, a gentleman who was behind me in line came out and gave me the cookie and cupcakes and said it was on him. I cried and hugged him. How do you thank someone enough?
I was checking out at Wal-Mart and the cashier had the most beautiful color of vibrant pink dyed hair that I had ever seen. So I told her I loved her hair color. She went from a blank look as she scanned my groceries to an engaging smile as we proceeded to talk about how she was able to achieve that color.
We were going in to Kroger Marketplace one day and saw gentlemen riding in one of the electric chairs the store provides. It was raining and he had a basket full of groceries. I felt this need to help him. So I went over and asked if he wanted help putting his groceries in his car. He happily agreed. I noticed he had a Korean War Veteran hat on so when he asked if I would take $5 for my help, I told him no, his service was thanks enough. He was surprised. I told him to have a good day and took the electric chair back inside.
On a day that I was really low on cash and ran into two of my friends at the store. I didn’t tell them I was having financial problems, but had only $100 for the whole month. I filled my cart and prayed the entire time I was shopping. As I was checking out, I ran into them again and they paid for my whole cart of food. They said they both heard God tell them to pay for it for me!
I am a cashier at Walmart. I had a gentleman come in, and he told me that he had to pay a large sum of money for some sort of unexpected life event. He looked like he was lacking a few days of sleep, and was stressed. With the little money he had left over he planned to buy a DVD player. When he went to pay for it, it was 58 dollars. He only had $38. He looked disappointed. I went around the counter to where he was, and paid off what else he owed on the DVD player. He had tears to his eyes and thanked me for my act of kindness. That was the best moment of my career at Walmart.

You can show #kindness anywhere and anytime. Don't miss the chance to seize the opportunity! #RAK Click To Tweet

How to show Kindness at a Restaurant:

During my college years, I worked as a waitress and one night I spilled an entire pitcher of ice water on a lady in my booth. I was mortified and did my best to help her dry off. I couldn’t stop apologizing. She was very gracious and kept telling me, “It’s O.K. sweetie.” At the end of the night, I went to clear off her table. She had left me a note on the back of her ticket that said, “You did a great job. Remember God Loves You.” Along with my biggest tip of the night!
I was finishing my internship at Walt Disney World so my mom flew down to spend a few days with me before we had to pack my things and fly back. We had a reservation at one of the park restaurants, and as we were seated, we began talking to this family at the table next to us. They were extremely nice and asked all kinds of questions about my internship. They were finishing up so our conversation was a brief five minutes. Mom and I had a nice dinner, and when we requested the bill, our server informed us that the family next to us payed for our entire bill. My mom, bless her heart, broke down with tears of happiness, and I shed a few myself. I will never ever forget that moment. (Facebook)
My granddaughter (10 years old) and I were Christmas shopping and stopped at the Mall’s food court for a quick lunch. We wanted different things so she when to get Pizza. She struck up a conversation with the woman in front of her. When she got to the front of the line the woman had paid for her food. My granddaughter was amazed and tried to insist that she pay for her own. The woman simply told her to study hard and pass it on when she got the opportunity.
A friend of mine and I went to lunch together and we could see our waitress was struggling. So we asked how she was doing. She said she was fine at first, but after some persuasion, she told us she was a single mom and didn’t have the money to cover her electric bill due that day. We asked how much she owed. We relayed our sympathies to her and went back to eating lunch. However, we both felt God tugging at our hearts to help her. I left the restaurant to go get cash and my friend spoke to the manager. The manager said she was a hard-working, honest person and he would allow her to take a break so she could go and pay her electric bill. When we gave her the money, her face was priceless. She told us how grateful she was as tears welled up in her eyes.

How to be kind at an airport:

A friend was walking through the airport with her 2-year-old and 3 month old, carrying a car seat and diaper bag and she was struggling to make her way to the baggage claim without losing her 2-year-old. No one paid her any attention. Finally – as she was nearing the baggage claim another lady offered to carry her car seat so she could hold her two-year old’s hand and it made all the difference.
Read Houston’s story – Would you stop to comfort a lady sobbing in the airport? Houston’s Story
One time on a very long flight from the states to Russia, I was assigned a seat next to a Russian young woman and her small child. It was a long flight and the child sat quietly for a while but then got bored and started trying to get out of his seat. His mom was calm, but you could see she was getting worn out trying to keep him entertained. Even though we couldn’t speak the same language, I started playing games with him. We drew pictures in my notebook. We had a lot of fun and before I knew it, we arrived. His mom gave me the biggest hug and I could see the gratefulness in her eyes

Examples of Kindness to students

During my senior year of high school, I had a part-time job but didn’t have much money for extras. I really wanted a yearbook but they were $50 and I just couldn’t afford it. The day came when yearbooks were being passed out. I had my little notebook of blank paper so I still get everyone’s signatures. When I heard my name called to go and pick up a yearbook, I just knew it had to be a mistake but I went ahead to check it out. The lady handing them out said with a smile, “Here’s your yearbook, someone anonymously paid for you.” I was blown away. Still to this day, I don’t know who paid for it.
As a sophomore, Sabrina Ma started an Acts of Random Kindness Club at her school as a way to deal with her own internal strife and help others – Acts of Random Kindness Club
When my parents were going through a divorce in middle school, my 7th grade teacher didn’t make a fuss when I misplaced a HUGE homework packet. She whispered to me later that she believed I did it and gave me an A. I wanted to fall apart every day during middle school, but she was a huge light in those dark times.
At the end of a year in college, I had just enough money for gas to get me back home for the summer. The air conditioner in my car wasn’t working and since it was the end of May and I had a long trip home, I asked a mechanic to check it out. He couldn’t fix the air conditioner in time, but when he brought the car back to me, he had filled the car with gas and left $7 stuck on the steering column. Not only was it a random act of kindness to me, but another assurance that God loving provides for His children.
Read Rachel’s story of the incredible impact just saying “hi” can have. Just Say “Hi”

I believe showing #kindness truly could change the world. #RAK @DawsonRadio Click To Tweet

Showing Kindness in Your Community & Neighborhood

There is town in frigid South Dakota where residents put stocking caps on all the statues in town with the known purpose that the homeless can help themselves to a hat.
My neighbor was fighting breast cancer and I saw this super-soft, long-sleeved t-shirt on-line that said “It is Well With My Soul.” I knew that quote meant a lot to her, so I ordered it and dropped it off one day with a book of prayer.
The nicest thing anyone has done for me was when a new neighbor, to whom I had been ministering, told me that she could see Jesus in me, because no one had ever shown her love the way I had shown it!
One evening as my daughter and I were leaving our church a family pulled into the parking lot in their station wagon. They were hoping to get a hot shower at the church before heading on to Indiana. As we talked, the lady shared that her husband had been laid off for some time. I could see that she was weary and losing hope. They were trying to make it to Indiana as her husband had a job waiting for him, but the trip had cost them more money than they expected. She asked if we could help her with gas. I rarely carry cash, but I had stopped at the ATM on my way. This encounter was not random. I believe our heavenly Father allowed an opportunity to bless us both with an act of kindness.
At a Christian women’s conference that I was attending with my mom and sister, I saw a lady walk in by herself. She looked lost as she scanned the crowd for a place to sit. I felt God prompting me to go and invite her to sit by us. She immediately gave me a hug and said I was an answer to prayer. Her neighbor was supposed to attend the conference with her, but had backed out at the last minute. She almost didn’t come because going alone felt lonely. However, she found the courage to attend the event by herself. Her husband had passed away and she knew she would find encouragement and comfort if she went.
I was driving home from college in a heavy rain one dark spring night in the pre-cellphone era. Suddenly, I had a flat tire about three miles from the small town where my parents lived. Sadly, I hadn’t paid attention during the tire-changing demonstration in drivers education class, so I was essentially helpless. However, just as I parked on the shoulder of the county road, I saw headlights behind me. It was a young man, accompanied by his wife. He got out and asked if I needed help, which was an understatement. He got plenty muddy and soaking wet over the next fifteen minutes as he put on my spare, while I stood there twiddling my thumbs. Then the young husband quietly returned to their car and waited until I drove off.
I was losing my hearing and was struggling to do my job as a teacher/trainer. I began to withdraw due to my loss of hearing. So I made an appointment with company that would allow me to borrow a pair of hearing aids. They made such a difference and I wanted to purchase them, but they were very expensive. Unbelievably, two friends told me they would cover the total cost. My life has been radically changed due to this gift of hearing via hearing aids.

Are you inspired yet? I hope so! Please inspire others by commenting below – let us know how someone has shared kindness with you when you weren’t expecting it or how you showed kindness to someone else.

The Kindness Experiment

The world is FULL of hurting people

Could showing kindness make an impact?

Every day on TheHopeLine, people respond to us, telling us about their burdens, sharing their depression, and expressing feelings of brokenness and deep loneliness. What can we do to impact their lives? I believe that a little kindness could go a long way because showing kindness gives others value.

The world is FULL of hurting people...Could showing kindness make an impact? @dawsonradio #kindness Click To Tweet

Here’s a glimpse at some of the comments we receive:

“I am bullied by my friends. They start teasing me spread fake things about me. My other classmates have good friends except me.” Amaya

“I remember from young on I was always obsessed with love. It was what I wanted more than anything in the world. I even subjected myself to a lot of bad treatment just to feel love. I’ve been used, abused, and mistreated by a lot of guys just to get it. Now I realize I brought it upon myself in some way.” Lindsey

“I hated myself for a while…I felt that I wasn’t worth anything and wondered why anyone would want to waste their time on me.” Betsy

“At least you have people that care and love you. I don’t have that and never did. I actually do care bout others but I have not one person asking me if I’m ok. Never did.” – JK

“Living is hard, dying is simple and easy. And to die by my choice seems to be the only way. Nobody not one friend nor family to talk to.. I’v wasted years thinking somebody could help me. The more i realise i’m just alone the more evident it becomes i’m not meant to live this life. Everything seems so pointless being alive.” – Sane

Where Does It End?

I can’t take it all in without asking myself, why so much sadness? How and where does it end?

Mother Theresa, one of the modern day saints, said it well, “The world is lost for want of sweetness and kindness. Do not forget we need each other.” She spent her life on the streets of Calcutta, India, amongst the poor and orphans and she recognized that “The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.”

So I wonder…what if we were just kinder to one another? Here’s my challenge:

We Need More Kindness

For just one day take your eyes off of your own problems and considered that you are surrounded by people with problems of their own. They may look like they have it together…but, likely, you look pretty good from the outside as well. It doesn’t mean they aren’t hurting. So what if, for this one day, you simply choose to be kind?

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.” Mother Teresa

After years of talking to teens and young adults on the radio, I know this to be true…we are all desperate to be loved and accepted. I also know that when someone is treated with kindness and respect, they feel worthy and can hold their head a little higher. Whether you live in the slums of Calcutta, a ranch in Montana, small town Ireland, or the streets of Hong Kong, ALL of humanity wants to be seen and feel like they matter.

Sound too simple?

A Day of Choosing Kindness

I get that kindness won’t solve every problem, but let’s see what it could do.

There are a million ways to show kindness.

Today I encourage you to try this:

Sit down with the girl who always eats alone and invite your friends to join you, rather than walk past her again.
Tell your sister the shirt she stole from your closet looks nice on her rather than getting back at her for taking it without permission.
Take 5 minutes of your time to call your friend who is going through a tough time. Don’t keep putting it off.
Make a point to encourage teammate who lost the game for you, rather than blaming them.
Stop and say hi to the little kid on your block who sits outside by himself most days, rather than ignoring him.

Or how about this scenario:

Every morning when you wake up you have some choices to make. For example:

You could yell at your mom, flip off the driver who turned in front of you, ignore the person who sold you coffee, and give the cold shoulder to your friend who didn’t text you back.

You could hug your mom, wave at the person who turned in front of you, make eye-contact with the person who sold you coffee and wish them a good day, and forgive your friend for the oversight and ask how their night was.

A lot of it has to do with the impact our little choices have on others.

https://www.thehopeline.com/stepupthelove

https://www.thehopeline.com/5-amazing-reasons-why-you-matter

https://www.thehopeline.com/be-25-percent-happier

Here are some more simple ideas to consider:

Tell someone you like their sweater.

Compliment your boss or teacher.

Visit with your grandma.

Ask the gas station attendant how their day is going.

Help the person who dropped their groceries.

O.K. I’ll stop now. You get what I’m talking about.

Are you wondering what’s in it for you?

Every morning when you wake up you have some choices to make. #choosekindness #stopbullying Click To Tweet

Showing Kindness Makes You Happier

We are not on this planet alone….and when we care for each other our life takes on more meaning….more purpose…and quite honestly, more joy.

It is probably obvious to point out that after a day of purposefully showing kindness, the people around you feel better.

But here is the beauty of it all. How do you think you are feeling at the end of this day? Do you feel still feel angry, frustrated, hateful, etc.? Or do you actually feel encouraged, energized, inspired and hopeful yourself?

You get it, right? Kindness has rewards on both ends! Holding on to all the angst you feel and taking it out on others will NEVER make you happier. But making someone else’s day…that will always feel good.

In fact, this is proven by research. In a study published in the Journal of Social Psychology, people were asked to take a survey measuring how satisfied they were with life. Then they were divided into groups. One group was told to perform a daily act of kindness for 10 days, the other group was told nothing. After 10 days they filled out the satisfaction survey again. The group that practiced kindness had a significant boost in happiness. And this little experiment only lasted for 10 days!

Is it really that hard to choose kindness? Are you ready to give it a try?

Kindness is Not a New Idea

Obviously the idea of being kind is not new, but I feel like it gets forgotten along the way. We get too busy, and become too self-centered. We focus on our own stuff and neglect to take the time to pay attention to others.

Did you know that the Bible often talks about being kind? “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) and “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, “ (Colossians 3:12)

God is kind and He desires for His children to be an example of Him. God hates to see us hurting and wants to use His people on earth to spread love and joy by caring for others. He wants us to love others the way He loves us.

God is kind and He desires for His children to be an example of Him. @dawsonradio #choosekindness Click To Tweet

I’ll leave you with this final quote from Mother Teresa.

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”

Top Money Myths You Need to Stop Believing

Top Money Myths – Know the Truth About Money and Make Better Decisions for Your Future

Guest blog written by: Natalie Bacon, a blogger, financial planner, recovering attorney, and personal development junkie. Check out her blog: The Modern Girl’s Survival Guide.

Sometimes, it’s hard to know what’s the truth about money.

Whether it’s our friends, our family, or the media everyone seems to say something different.

That’s why I’m going through 9 of the top money myths you need to stop believing.

Here’s a look at them…

Myth #1: Money won’t make you happy.

Money will make you happy if you have a money problem. The distinction here is that money won’t solve non-money problems. So, when someone says money won’t make you happy, ignore them and decide for yourself.

How do you know if your problem is a money problem or something else? Analyze what the problem is really about.

For example, if you have trouble coming up with rent money every month, then you have a money problem. However, if you are fighting with your significant other about things (one of those things being money), it may be something else and money is just part of a bigger issue.

Your budget will tell you if you have a money problem.

If money is your problem, then more money may solve that problem and relieve you of the stress and unhappiness money is causing you.

I’m a perfect example. I have a money problem. I have $108k in student loan debt left. I have to make more money to repay this debt. In fact, if I don’t blog I would be -$1k in my budget every month. I pay over $1,500 / month toward my loans, and I’m not bringing in enough money to make that number seem small. I don’t have a health problem. I don’t have a career or a relationship problem. I have a money problem. More money will increase my happiness because of this (which is why I blog and teach people how to blog).

Money is just like anything else (like your health, job, relationship, etc.). More money will make you happier if you have a money problem. Just make sure it’s a real money problem and not something else.

More money will make you happier if you have a money problem. @NatalieRBacon Click To Tweet

Myth #2: Your current circumstances dictate your financial future.

Your current circumstances do not dictate your financial future. It may feel this way and you may think you’re stuck, but you’re not.

You have the power to change your financial future, regardless of where you are now. Don’t believe me? Read As A Man Thinketh by James Allen and you’ll learn more than I can ever explain in this post about how you have the power – right now – to change your financial future.

If you think you’re stuck, then you are stuck. If you think you can change your financial life, then you can. Like Allen says in the book, “All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts.”

I know soooo many people with $100k-$300k in student loan debt. Most of these people who I know are not trying to get out of their debt, but instead are putting off repaying it, or just ignoring it all together. This is a choice they’re making, despite them telling me they’re stuck and have no options. You have options. Take a budgeting course and learn how to manage your money and change your circumstances.

I’m proof of that. If I adopted that mentality, I would probably still have close to $200k in student loan debt because of the income-driven repayment options. Instead, I’ve decided to look at my student loans as an opportunity to learn how to make money myself and pay them off as fast as I can. This has led to me starting a blog, which turned into a profitable business and has helped me repay my debt. This is a mindset I’ve adopted. I believe that graduating with $206k in student loan debt isn’t going to stop me from being wealthy, and I truly believe it.

Your current circumstances don’t dictate your future. Your current thinking does. @NatalieRBacon Click To Tweet

Myth #3: Because your financial advisor is someone you know, he will act in your best interest.

Just because you know your financial advisor, or because he was a recommendation, does not mean he is going to act in your best interest.

A financial advisor acts in your best interest when he is a fiduciary. A fiduciary means that the advisor must act in your best interest above his own (e.g.: he can’t recommend financial products that pay out a commission if they aren’t in your best interest).

If you’re not sure whether your advisor is a fiduciary, ask him.

I see people use “someone they know” to manage their money, only to find out that the advisor is not a fiduciary and they’re not getting good financial advice at all.

Myth #4: As long as you can afford the monthly payment, you can afford to buy it.

It’s not true that if you can afford the monthly payment, then you can afford to buy the item. You shouldn’t look at monthly payments when you buy something. You should look at the total cost of the item – whether it’s a car, a house, or something smaller, like a TV.

Purchasing based on the monthly payment is what I like to call a “renter’s mentality”. Instead, think of yourself as having an “owner’s mentality” and focus on buying things out-right, when possible. This will limit your payments and help you build wealth because you’ll have more available money to increase your investments and overall net worth.

Myth #5: Keeping a credit card balance increases your credit score.

This is SO not true. If you have a credit card, you can (and should) pay it off in full every month to build credit. You do not need to keep a balance to build your credit. At all.

Myth #6: As long as your partner manages your money, you don’t need to be involved.

Things happen. Life happens.

Unfortunately, people die, become disabled, get dementia, get divorced, lie, steal, and on and on. It’s not always happy and that’s just how it goes. :/

For these reasons, if your partner manages your money (or the family money) you need to be involved. Whether that means joining him at financial planning meetings, or sitting down with him once a month to review your budget, you need to do something to be a part of your finances.

It’s perfectly fine if you don’t want to be the one who sets the budget or is in charge of paying the bills. But you need to know what is going on. You need be aware and be included in the process.

Myth #7: A credit card is a good emergency fund.

A credit card is not a good emergency fund. A credit card turns into debt when you don’t pay it off. You do not – and should not – plan to go into debt for future emergencies that you know are going to happen.

You know emergencies happen. This isn’t news. An emergency fund doesn’t mean that emergencies won’t happen – it means that when they do, you don’t have to worry about the financial aspects of the problem. You don’t have to be scared about how you’ll pay for the emergency. It will still suck – but it’ll be affordable.

Use cash in your savings account (not in the stock market) as your emergency fund. This fund isn’t meant to be spent frivolously, nor is it meant to be invested in the market. It’s meant to be an insurance policy for you when something goes wrong and you need to pay for it.

Myth #8: A home is a good investment.

This one is probably the most controversial. But I’m going to say it – a house is not a good investment.

A house is great to buy as a home. It is somewhere for you to live that you will eventually own outright once you repay the mortgage. But until then, you are financing this purchase. And not only that, but the house is going to have problems. You will need to replace and fix things. You will need to furnish your home. In the early years of owning a home, it costs you a lot of money.

I’m not saying don’t purchase a house. If you have the money, then yes, absolutely, buy a house. I am in favor of home ownership for a number of reasons that I won’t get into here. If I didn’t have student loan debt, and I was married, a house would be a top priority for me. But, it would be that way so I could have a home to live in and raise a family in – not to increase my investments.

Your house doesn’t produce income. And in the early years of ownership, it can cost you a lot of money. Down the road, it may be a part of your net worth in a positive way, but it still won’t produce income for you – it’s illiquid. So, as far as owning a residential house to live in goes, think of it as a home for you and your family – not as an investment property.

Myth #9: Take out as much student loan debt as you can in order to pay for school.

Despite college and post-graduate school being more important and popular than ever, it’s not a good idea to go to school regardless of the price. Student loan debt is a huge problem for so many people, including me. Instead of going full force into the best school you can get into no matter the cost, think about what you want to do for work and whether the cost is worth it.

For example, if you want to be a surgeon, it may be worth it to take out $250k in student loans because your income will be $250k/year starting out, and you’ll be able repay your debt over a short period. However, if you want to be a banker and think you’ll make $50k/year, you may not want to take out $250k in student loan debt.

Think about your income potential based on the career you want to go into. Make smart decisions about the amount of debt you take out based on the career you choose.

Think about your income potential, then make smart decisions about student loans. @NatalieRBacon Click To Tweet

Don’t max out your student loans like I did. You’ll regret it if you can’t pay it back!

Did you find any of these money myths helpful? Anything about managing your money that you know you need to change? Let us know in the comments below! And you can also contact Natalie Bacon for any financial questions you might have!

One Word for the New Year

by Dawson McAllister

Finding Focus with One Word

Here we sit at the start of another New Year. 365 blank days staring us in the face waiting to be written. What story will those 365 days tell at the end of this year?

That is kind of a daunting question to ask yourself. And yet most people do ask it. It is why we write resolutions and set goals. We desire the year before us to tell a GOOD story.

I have written blogs on how to motivate yourself to keep your resolutions and tips for keeping your resolutions. I believe there is real value in setting goals for the year.

But today I want to talk about a different idea to consider as you start a new year. I’ve heard it referred to as One Word for the New Year or One-Word Resolutions. Essentially – you pick one word that encompasses how you want to approach the New Year.

It's one word that encompasses how you want to approach the New Year. #oneword Click To Tweet

For example, maybe your word for the year is Discipline. This is your focus for the year. You are saying that you want to approach your work, your relationships, your spiritual life, etc. with discipline. You are committing to giving a full-effort to areas of your life this year and not just giving a laid back, half effort to the important things in your life. You want to be disciplined and stay on task.

On the flip side, maybe your word for the year is Relax. Perhaps you have had a number of stressful years in a row and this is not the year for you to be disciplined, but a year for you to give yourself a break. Your focus is one of finding balance and learning to relax.

What ever your word – it is something personal that you select based on this point in your life. It gives you a focus on how you approach all aspects of your life for this one year. It helps you determine the kind of person you want to become. Rachel Olsen, co-author of “My One Word: Change Your Life With Just One Word” says,

A word can’t be broken. It serves as a reminder; a filter. It’s who you want to be instead of what you regret.

For me, I like the word Grace. It is a good reminder on how to approach everyone in my life…from my family and co-workers to the teens and young adults that call my radio show to strangers that I meet. I want to show everyone grace. We all have “stuff” in our lives and the more grace I can extend each person letting them know that I understand life isn’t easy and I’ll love them anyway…the less uptight I will be from holding everyone to such a high standard and hopefully those around me will be blessed as well.

Grace is my word. Grace is a good reminder on how to approach everyone in my life. #grace Click To Tweet

So how do you go about selecting your word for the year?

Begin by taking some time to decide what kind of person you want to be. Then identify the characteristics of that person, and write them down. You might have a lot of words on your list now. Now pick JUST ONE WORD. Resist the temptation to pick more than one. With just one word, you can view all situations that come up over the next year through your WORD.

Don’t pick your word quickly or randomly. Think it over for a while. Pray about it and ask God to give you clear direction on your word for the year and then ask Him to help you stay focused.

To help inspire you here are some words to get you thinking:

Joy ~ Serve ~ Contentment ~ Connect ~ Detach ~ Purpose ~ Listen ~ Pray ~ Integrity ~ Still ~ Breath ~ Persevere ~ Advance ~ Care ~ Aware ~ Release ~ Forgive ~ Dare ~ Bold ~ Focus ~ Gratitude ~ Forgiveness ~ Hope ~ Intentional ~ Authentic

I hope you will give this a try. It’s not necessarily easy to stay focused on your word for an entire year, but hopefully you will see small successes in becoming the person you want to be and that God wants you to be.

Picking a word and doing something, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction and that one step could lead to the next step.

Don’t get discouraged if you lose focus from time to time. Any change you make with your One Word in mind is significant.

What do you think? Do you thinking picking a word for the year might help motivate you? Do you have a word that you want to strive for this year? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. Maybe you will inspire someone else.

If you are facing challenges in your life, check out TheHopeLine’s eBook library, with eBooks on Dating, Self-Worth, Depression, and much more!

11 Ways to Make the Most of Your College Experience

Lessons From A College Graduate: Tips on How To Make The Most of Your College Experience

By: Cynthia Giles

I’d rather do what’s hard and find joy and purpose, then do what’s easy and become miserable and discontent. I made a decision to study English and Writing, and a career in writing puts you in a tough market. It took me about a year to do something that relates to my degree.

Now, I’m an editor for blogs, articles, podcasts, and much more! I am thankful for my occupation. I work while experiencing chronic pain in my bones and muscles. I tend to push through the pain to finish each day. I went through this same pain while I was in college. While enrolled in college, I dealt with chronic pain, depression, sleeplessness, and other issues. I remember a time when I walked into the dean’s office with doctor notes and papers in my hand. I begged for in-completes to finish school. Sometimes, I did not finish classes until the semester after final grades were posted (due to leniency from my academic college). I worked on assignments from previous semesters while others were enjoying the break. I went through many dark seasons. I remember when I saw a school counselor, a Christian counselor, and met with a professor once a week for support.

Although school has always been difficult for me, the rewarding experiences made every struggle worth it. I made friendships with people that I am still in contact with. I became a resident assistant and I planned creative programs for students on campus. I joined different clubs and activities. I became the president of a spoken word organization. I had many hilarious and thought-provoking conversations in the cafeteria. I wouldn’t trade my college experience for anything.

The good, the bad, and the ugly taught me about a life beyond grades or a textbook. I learned that life is the ultimate test and you study it through trial and error, ups and downs, and refusing to crumble. When I was in high school, I wanted to drop out. When I was in college, I had moments where I wanted to quit but I didn’t quit. I kept going.

After having my fair share of triumphs and trials, I have a few words of advice to encourage anyone who has a desire to go to college or is tempted to quit in the process.

Here are my 11 tips on how to make the most of your college experience:

Don’t worry too much over what degree you pick. The most important thing is that you have a degree. Give it some thought, discover who you are, and create a plan. You don’t have to be a perfectionist. If you’re meant to do something in life, God will point you in the direction to achieve it. Nothing can stop the will of God (not even the degree you choose). I’ve had interviews for jobs that don’t relate to my degree at all. As long as you are living with purpose, provision will seek you. Finishing is most important because most employers want to know that you can start something and finish it.
Don’t be afraid to reach out for support. There are so many people who want to help you in college. If you humble yourself, professors will be more willing to cut you some slack. If it wasn’t for grace from some professors (and God), I wouldn’t have graduated. You can live with uncommon favor.
If you want to find a friend, you have to be a friend. I was a transfer student so I found it difficult to meet new people. Once I became a resident assistant and joined an organization, everything fell into place. You can’t be afraid to go out and try new things!
You’re going to make a lot of mistakes. Accept it. You’re going to fall down and things will sometimes look like they aren’t going to get any better. The truth is, things will get better. The most important thing is to not let your mistakes define you. Mistakes are meant to refine you if you learn from them. You’re only human. Be gentle with yourself.
Network! Find an internship. Try to look for a job BEFORE you graduate. It will save you the headache.
Pay attention to advisement. Go to you advisor. Trust me. If you don’t like your advisor, try to get a new one. If you don’t go, you might end up like me, pulling your hair out because you had to take 5 writing classes in your last semester! That was way too many at one time and I was scared I wouldn’t graduate!
Be Healthy. If you’re unhealthy (spiritually/emotionally/ physically), everything else will fall apart. Your health is a gift. Take advantage of all of your resources on campus! The gym, a counselor, or a trainer can help you. It’s much harder to get into shape after college because those amenities will cost you a lot more and you will have less time to invest in those sort of commitments. Be grateful for it now.
Be present as much as you can. Try not to let the future overwhelm you. Everything will be alright. It may not work out how you thought it would. However, it will work out. Continue to do your best.
Avoid debt at all costs. Try to save in college or before you even enter college if you can.
You may not get your ideal job and live your dream as soon as you graduate. College is a process and life after graduation is a process. Don’t feel like there is something wrong with you and don’t be discouraged if it takes you a long time to find the right job. There’s nothing wrong with you. It took me a year to find a job that related to my degree. The best things in life take time to develop. Remember, the right job is on its way. It may not come when you want it too, but if you have faith and stay the course, it will come. Be patient!
Lastly, you are an overcomer. If you are battling some type of sickness or emotional pain in school, it will make you stronger. You are capable of graduating because God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you dare to ask or imagine according to His power that is working on the inside of you.

I graduated from Kennesaw State University. I studied Literature and Professional Writing and received a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies. Me, being someone who struggled in school since the time I was a kid, graduated on the Dean’s list! I remember experiencing abuse in the classroom. I remember times in grade school when my teacher wanted to hold me back because my reading level was too low. I remember times in college when I was in so much pain that I couldn’t even lift my body off the floor! Yet, I finished because I am an overcomer and you are too!

I’ve accomplished many things in life because of God’s grace and favor. God’s grace brought me through this far and it is God’s love that has made me an overcomer.

The bottom line is this: “Fall seven times and stand up eight.” It’s not about how many times you fall down in life. Get back up. Your future is bright if you refuse to give up. Don’t stress out too much about the destination (your graduation date) – the most important treasure you have is the special experiences you create along the way. You’ll laugh at your best memories and your worst memories will make a fighter out of you. Every moment will serve its purpose and you’ll be grateful for each lesson you learn.

So, let go, smile, and enjoy the ride because the journey you’re on is worth it!

Here is some encouragement for you from Cynthia:

https://youtu.be/NAOjW0_85Qg

Cynthia Giles is a spoken word artist, published writer, and speaker with a heart to make a difference in her lifetime. She is passionate about inspiring people all over the world through the arts! She believes It only takes 1 voice to change a life. If you change a life, you change a community. If you change a community, you change the world. Cynthia has been on a radio program broadcasting in several countries (93.3 FM and 91.5 FM). She has spoken to nearly 1,000 high school students, opened up for an Emmy Award winning journalist, and spoken at a Writer’s Conference with an Author’s Guild and so much more. To learn more about Cynthia or see more of her spoken word, visit her at: https://cynthiainspires.com/.

Age Doesn’t Matter…You Can Make A Difference

Today we are happy to feature Katie Davis as a millennial who is sharing hope. We continue to share stories like Katie’s to hopefully inspire you that your age doesn’t matter. You can make a difference in the world. Here is a bit of Katie’s story:

In December of 2006, 18-year-old Katie Davis from Brentwood, Tennessee, traveled to Uganda for the first time. She was immediately captivated with the people and the culture.

In the summer of 2007, right after graduating from high school, Katie returned to Uganda to teach Kindergarten at an orphanage. She made an agreement with her parents that it would only be for one year and then she would return to the states to attend college. However, God had a different plan for Katie. As she lived in Uganda and saw the deep needs of the people and began responding to those needs…one person at a time, the idea of going back to live in the United States became unrealistic.

During her first year there, she was shocked to see the sheer number of school-aged children walking along the road, playing with their friends, washing their families’ dishes, or digging in the fields. She learned that most schools in Uganda require school fees for attendance, making impoverished families unable to afford an education for their children. God laid it on Katie’s heart to start an Education Sponsorship Outreach which would match orphaned and vulnerable children who are unable to afford schooling with sponsors anywhere in the world. She originally intended to have only a handful of children in the sponsorship program, but in the first year Katie had 150 children sign up. Today the program sponsors over 700 children.

Later that year, in 2008, Katie established a non-profit organization called Amazima Ministries International. The word “Amazima” means “truth” in the native Luganda language. The organization seeks to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the people of Uganda who need it most.

Shortly thereafter, Katie was introduced to the Karimojong people of Masese. Living in poverty, and losing their children to malnutrition and starvation at an astounding rate, she noticed their desperate need for nutritious food. She started what is now the Masese Feeding Outreach which provides meals to 1,200 children Monday through Friday. This program allows the children to attend school and therefore not be forced to the street to beg. Amazima also provides medical care, Bible study, and general health training to the Masese community.

As her friendships developed in Masese, Katie wanted to help the women in the village provide for their families, for the Gospel to take root, and for them to be the change we wish to see within the community. She initiated a self-sustaining vocational program to empower these women to generate needed income by making unique Ugandan magazine bead necklaces. The necklaces made by the women are purchased weekly by Amazima and then sold in the United States. The money the women receive for their beads allows them to support their family and send their children to school.

All of this happened because one young girl followed the call God placed on her life…and it was never about her comfort or for her honor and glory. It was all about caring for the “least of these” for God’s glory.

Her work in Uganda can be hard and heartbreaking and at times frustrating. She wrote in her journal in her first few months living in Uganda that “Sometimes working in a Third World country makes me feel like I am emptying the ocean with an eyedropper.” What Katie has learned over time, however, is to be okay with knowing that while she may not be able to change the world, she can change the world for one person at a time and that is enough. She began to understand that God had one purpose for her, in Uganda and in life, and that was to LOVE the least of these…one at a time.

Beth Clark, who assisted Katie in writing the bestselling book “Kisses from Katie”, said it well when she wrote, “I’ve noticed something about people who make a difference in the world: They hold the unshakable conviction that individuals are extremely important, that every life matters. They get excited over one smile. They are willing to feed one stomach, educate one mind, and treat one wound. They aren’t determined to revolutionize the world all at once; they’re satisfied with small changes. Over time, though, the small changes add up. Sometimes they even transform cities and nations, and yes, the world.”

This calling to respond to the needs of one person at a time, led her to the amazing decision to adopt 13 daughters by the time she was 22 years old. The first three little sisters she adopted were living on their own in a mud house when it collapsed on the oldest sister, Agnes, who was 9 years old at the time. Their father had died of AIDS and the mother had disappeared. They had a grandma who provided a little food when she could, but typically their days consisted of digging in the field for a little something to eat and walking miles to and from the nearest well with a large plastic jug to collect the day’s water. After the house collapsed, neighbors brought Agnes to the hospital. When Katie heard of this tragedy, she decided to go to the hospital to pray for this little girl. What she discovered was that she was lying there, untreated, because no one would pay for her care. Katie agreed to pay the $20 to cover her treatment and took the younger two sisters home with her until Agnes was better, but one thing led to another and Katie knew she needed to be the forever home for these girls and 10 more who would enter her life at different times.

Katie wrote in her book, “I believe there is only one truly courageous thing we can do with our lives: to love unconditionally. Absolutely, with all of ourselves, so much that it hurts and then more.”

To learn more about Katie and the Amazima ministry visit www.amazima.org.

Or get the book – Kisses for Katie http://www.amazimastore.org/products/kisses-from-katie