Lately the skies in Mapleton have been beautiful – misty mornings with thick blankets of fog or golden pinks in an early morning sunrise. It truly makes one stop and appreciate the day. Even though it can be hard waking up especially when you are cosy and warm under the covers, the sky calls you to begin in a positive way. Soft sweeping clouds, the glow of the sun emerging on the horizon and a simple beauty that most painters copy onto their canvases.

Here are a few sneak pictures of such natural beauty.

Ah! serenity at its best. It got me thinking about kindness and how warm hearted it makes you feel, like looking up at the sky. That spontaneous gesture of goodwill, kind act or behaviour that shows someone you care. I believe generosity and kindness go hand in hand.

Is kindness hard wired into your brain? How do you respond to someone showing you kindness? Is it something that you practise daily?

One of the last things my mother said to me before she died was to be kind. How true!

Your words and actions stick with people long after you’ve forgotten them, and it’s up to you to what kind of impact you want to have.

There are countless stories about random acts of kindness or inspiring messages that reflect the tender hearted nature of people – giving away your boots, helping to carry luggage, cleaning a car, buying a gift, driving someone to work, cooking a meal and so on.

Poet Sylvia Plath wrote these lines in the last few weeks of her life.

“Kindness glides about my house

Dame kindness, she is so nice!

The blue and red jewels of her rings smoke

in the windows, the mirrors

are filling with smiles…”       there’s more

Sadly this poem reflects the insecurity and isolation the poet felt, her utmost desire for love. Kindness is personified as a woman who is kind on the outside but not on the inside.

So, dear readers, my challenge to you is when you see a gorgeous sunset or wake to a soft sunrise, imagine your day being brighter and more sparkly when you show someone kindness.

I would love to hear your experiences with this.