Look up! God is kind.

The changing seasons can help give us a heightened sense of awareness. The chilly air, the colorful leaves, and the smell and taste of spiced apple cider help to awaken our senses. Autumn gives me reason to pause and take in the many gifts God presents to us throughout the day.

I have been getting up most mornings to run in the quiet neighborhood behind my apartment complex. When I first step out into the chilly air, it is still pretty dark, with the subtle signs that a new day is on its way. The sky slowly changes from black to a deep navy blue. I turn a corner on my run that faces me east, and that is usually when I see the pink and purple brush strokes on the horizon. Eventually the sun will emerge in all her glory and I won’t feel so chilled as I finish my run.

Once the sun is up, you can really take in Indiana’s display of fall foliage. I spend the better part of my time walking around campus looking up as I pass under canopies of gold, orange, red, and green. I revel in the crunch of leaves under my feet. I feel a little extra thankful for my coat, my scarf, and a hot apple cider to keep me warm.

Sometimes I feel like the Universe says so much to us without saying a word, but we have to be open, we have to be mindful. So look up today! Appreciate the kindness God is showing you. Take a moment to count your blessings and may the changing seasons also bring you a change of heart.

-Emily

Ideastorm

Let's Ideastorm!  

What are some of your favorite ways to show your friends and family that you care?  Share some of your favorite ideas for making your loved ones feel special, whether or not it's for a special occasion or just celebrating ordinary days!

A Little Bit of Kindness

We've all had bad days.  You know the type.  The days when you have a bad dream, wake up late and realize you've set your alarm for PM, not AM, can never find the clothing you want to wear, forgot something important, hit every red light possible on your way to the place you're already late to...it happens.  Hopefully you've also experienced moments that brighten your day, though.  Maybe you're trying to merge over into the faster lane in heavy traffic and someone actually stops to let you in.  The cashier at the grocery store looks you in the eye and smiles.  You get a card from a friend you haven't heard from in awhile.  A small child waves at you spontaneously on the street.  And all of a sudden, your day doesn't seem quite so bad anymore.  A little ray of light, a bit of kindness - simple things that don't take more than a second or two of your time and a positive thought or two.  These are the things that can make the difference between a bad day and an okay day, or an okay day and a good day, or even a bad day and a good day. 


It makes you wonder.  What if everyone out there realized that everyone else out there was just as in need of kindness as they were?  What if everyone put in that little bit of effort to make the world a nicer place for everyone else in it?


That's the point of this blog.  Read about how there really are nice people left in the world and get ideas about how you can help make the world a nicer place.  Share some love and some light with us all.


So...what is something kind someone did for you today?  Leave a comment and share some light!


- Claire