Category: Winter of Kindness Essays

During the 90 days of our Winter of Kindness we explored nearly 200 concepts of kindness and cruelty. We asked ourselves daring and even scary

90 Days. 90 Entries. Nearly 200 ideas of kindness and cruelty shared. Over 50,000 words. These are the most commonly used concepts during winter of

Our winter of kindness has ended, and today is the first day of spring. Look outside, what do you see? For most of the world

So, how has kindness inspired us this week? This week we explored “what if” questions of how we ought to live. We asked, what if

We all have fears. We fear creatures that can harm us. We fear forces that can crush us. We fear people who can abuse us.

Time is the ultimate limited resource. We can always grow more food. We can always build more things. We can always earn more money. As

There is an inherit mindfulness in wisdom…the quality of having good judgment…to reflect on our experiences and anticipate the impact of our actions. If we

Where is a safe place you can go? Think about a place where you are not alone, but alone with friends or family. These are

Why are we here? Where did all things…that make up us…that make up the universe…come from? Can something come from nothing? These are big questions

Each week we started our kindness rituals with the question: how has kindness inspired us this week? But this week we didn’t explore kindness…we explored

Cruelty is the result of blind behavior or malicious manners that erodes good will and fosters suffering. This week we explored how we are sometimes

When we avoid risk we believe pain is not necessary. We try to prevent what is inevitable by grasping at as many happy moments as

It is courageous to live our best life now. Our minds must be disciplined because we become what we think. Our aspirations must be focused

We have been taught opposites create a balance, and therefore cancel each other when they collide. We have been taught if we bring hate into

All of us, even the most conscious, are sometimes unkind. At our best we count our needs and desires as important as others. But ultimately

Without light there is darkness. A bright light casts away the veil, the hazy, the cloak and the gloom. Even faint light gives us clear

So, how has kindness inspired us this week? This week we shared a few perspectives from my friends, family and colleagues. They are people who

Trenton Cycholl, my mentor and friend, is an innovative technology leader for a multi-billion dollar business. His personal style is values driven, fostering respect, humility,

Today, my brother, Thomas Barnes, an honorably discharged marine, a telecommunications consultant and a second-year law student at the University of Baltimore shares the power

Today, my sister, Ariel Barnes, shares insights on kindness. She is a freelance writer, and has success as an online satirical advice columnist. She is

Today, a long time friend, Chris Douglas, shares a fable of kindness. As an international traveller and trader, he has had the unique perspective to

Today, my friend and colleague, Amy Haworth, shares what kindness means to her. As a mother and mentor, professional and philosopher, she braves the unknown

This week, to offer new voices and a different perspective, guest writers will contribute to Winter of Kindness. I have reached out to my friends

So, how has kindness inspired us this week? This week we explored archetypes. They are “themes…or patterns in our lives…that represent behaviors that influence us

Are you a lover or a fighter? If you believe this is asking if we choose forgiveness and acceptance, temperance and grace when facing adversity,

I believe men and women can be anything they want. We discussed this when we explored the chivalric code weeks ago. I wrote… Gender roles

Is work just…work? It can be, if you let it. Consider how much time we spend earning our living. Wouldn’t it be an awful waste

As a child my favorite book series was “Redwall “ by Brian Jacques. It was a tale about woodland animals living in harmony in a

This Winter of Kindness has given us a few themes…empowerment, acting with intent and mindfulness. We also discussed identity. Our identity is defined by what

Weeks ago we talked about how we can be the heroes of our stories. Just like the stories we see in movies, or read in

So, how has kindness inspired us this week? This was “Random Acts of Kindness” week and we explored the organizations and things people do to

Yesterday we explored how kindness is taught to others. Sometimes the most impactful lessons are the ones we teach ourselves, and that is why it

This week I’ve had an opportunity to learn about some of the people who rally with the organizations that aspire kindness. Their causes were all

I hope yesterday was aspirational. Any day can offer opportunities to rekindle our “faith in humanity,” and I hope yesterday of all days gave you

Today is “random acts of kindness” day. I am, as I hope we all are, an advocate of what this day means…and what it is

This week is a special week, and tomorrow is a special day. This is “random acts of kindness” week, and tomorrow is “random acts of

Happy President’s day…on our eighth ritual of kindness we reflect on our week of togetherness and love. So, how has kindness inspired us this week?

Today, we do something different. We postpone our eighth ritual of kindness to have a ritual of love, in celebration of Valentines Day. As with

How do you love yourself? How do you find fulfillment? How do you find a life of peace and happiness? Are these the secrets to

Yesterday we discussed “the list” …our guardian angel seeking qualities in an equal-opposite-other. Just as we are looking for a partner to compliment us, we

There are seven billion people on this planet and growing. If you believe in soul mates, how is it possible to find him or her,

Yesterday we discussed how relationships empower, grow and strengthen us. We also discussed toxic relationships that offer false validation that put us at risk of

Yesterday we discussed relationship values to offer perspective in what binds a meaningful, intimate relationship. When nurtured, such a relationship can be very fulfilling. It

Weeks ago we discussed character values, and how they guide our behavior. And before that, we discussed group values within communities and cultures that guide

So, how has kindness inspired us this week? This week we reflected on significant cultural elements and its influence on kindness. We began with the

Let’s explore the journey of a teacher who lived near eastern India during the 5th century BC…Siddhartha Gautama. Historians have argued exactly where and when

“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.” This can only be a glimpse of the Dalia Lama’s spiritual influence, and can only begin

Do you remember the stories you were told when you where a child? Do you remember the kingdoms and brave heroes? Do you remember the

The Hippocratic Oath is a series of vows physicians take before they can come into practice. It originated from Greek medical texts, and by the

The legend of the Groundhog on this day predicts if winter will last another six weeks. It seems we will have a few more weeks