Winged Messengers

Few things in the world are more powerful than a positive push. A smile. A word of optimism and hop. A "you can do it" when things are tough. - Richard M. DeVos

On Friday, Scott, the dairy guy at my local Dominick's, was sharing how often he is yelled at for things outside his control.  It distresses him.  It distressed me when he shared I was one of the few people who are always kind to him. On Saturday, I stopped on the way home to pick up a Sunday paper. At the check out, a guy was screaming at the clerk who was trying her best not to cry. His accusation was the scale was wrong. He marched off with his cherries, making us all wait. He returned with a smaller bag and seemed satisfied that the scale had been fixed. The pain remained on the clerk's face even after the rest of us did our best to make her feel better. It's so hard to remember that so often it's just not about us.

For years, I have traveled with chalk in my pocket. I leave positive comments on sidewalks. I especially like leaving messages at the neighborhood school bus stop. I decided this just isn't enough. There needs to be more kindness in the world.  I remember years ago reading about Susanna Gordon's "winged messengers." She does letters so I decided to do hearts. I want them to be quickly made and put out into the world so I am trying to let go and not stress too much about how they look. I started using cardstock as Susanna suggested but have decided to move to watercolor paper. I think they will hold up better especially since I will be leaving them outside sometimes. I'm having fun. I love watching people react to them.  How are you putting kindness into the world?