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Category: Winter of Kindness Essays

Kindness and Cruelty
March 22, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Kindness and Cruelty

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

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Words of Kindness
March 21, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Words of Kindness

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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First Day of Spring
March 20, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

First Day of Spring

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Our Last Ritual of Kindness
March 19, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Our Last Ritual of Kindness

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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What If We Were Fearless
March 18, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

What If We Were Fearless

Winter of Kindness Essays

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.

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What If We Lived Forever
March 17, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

What If We Lived Forever

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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What If We Were Wise
March 16, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

What If We Were Wise

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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What If We Were Good
March 15, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

What If We Were Good

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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What If Something Came From Nothing
March 14, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

What If Something Came From Nothing

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Our Twelfth Ritual of Kindness
March 13, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Our Twelfth Ritual of Kindness

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Evil Intent
March 12, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Evil Intent

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Faux Immortal
March 11, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Faux Immortal

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Risk Avoidance
March 10, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Risk Avoidance

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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When we are Indifferent
March 9, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

When we are Indifferent

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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When We Are Unkind
March 8, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

When We Are Unkind

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Cruelty
March 7, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Cruelty

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Our Eleventh Ritual of Kindness
March 6, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Our Eleventh Ritual of Kindness

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Leadership from the Dirt
March 5, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Leadership from the Dirt

Winter of Kindness Essays

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,

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The First Lesson
March 4, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

The First Lesson

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Killing Yourself with Kindness
March 3, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Killing Yourself with Kindness

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Eating Crow
March 2, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Eating Crow

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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What Kindness Means to Me
March 1, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

What Kindness Means to Me

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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How You Are Remembered
February 29, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

How You Are Remembered

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Our Tenth Ritual of Kindness
February 28, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Our Tenth Ritual of Kindness

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Lovers and Fighters
February 27, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Lovers and Fighters

Winter of Kindness Essays

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,

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The Gentleman and the Scoundrel
February 26, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

The Gentleman and the Scoundrel

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Working Kindly
February 25, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Working Kindly

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Lessons from Animals
February 24, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Lessons from Animals

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Angels and Demons
February 23, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Angels and Demons

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Wind, Water, Fire and Earth
February 22, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Wind, Water, Fire and Earth

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Our Ninth Ritual of Kindness
February 21, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Our Ninth Ritual of Kindness

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Self-Kindness
February 20, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Self-Kindness

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Teaching Kindness
February 19, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Teaching Kindness

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Stories of Kindness
February 18, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Stories of Kindness

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Do Good Today
February 17, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Do Good Today

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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People Who Do Good
February 16, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

People Who Do Good

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Our Eighth Ritual of Kindness
February 15, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Our Eighth Ritual of Kindness

Winter of Kindness Essays

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?

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A Ritual of Love
February 14, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

A Ritual of Love

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Love Yourself and Others
February 13, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Love Yourself and Others

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Forgiveness
February 12, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Forgiveness

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Must be Kind
February 11, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Must be Kind

Winter of Kindness Essays

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,

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Coping
February 10, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Coping

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Comfort
February 9, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Comfort

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Relationship Values
February 8, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Relationship Values

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Our Seventh Ritual of Kindness
February 7, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Our Seventh Ritual of Kindness

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Enlightenment
February 6, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Enlightenment

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Religion of Kindness
February 5, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Religion of Kindness

Winter of Kindness Essays

“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

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Stories We Were Told
February 4, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Stories We Were Told

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Oath Makers
February 3, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Oath Makers

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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Gods and Man
February 2, 2016March 16, 2019 Storyteller

Gods and Man

Winter of Kindness Essays

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

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About the Author

Sebastian Barnes is a Strategist by day, writer by night. He believes the written word can transform the world. And the most influential stories are those about community, kindness, and the magic that unites all of us. Please explore his selection of essays and excerpts - and support by buying a book! Enjoy!

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