Superheroes of Kindness

[Kathleen Ruhl]

Superhero: A hero (can be fictional) having extraordinary or superhuman powers;  an exceptionally skillful or successful person

Kindness: A kind deed; the quality or state of being kind

I just read a blog about the Superheroes of Kindness...a group of 3 & 4 year olds in a Montana preschool and their teacher, Kristal Burns. What a great story! Their superpower is kindness, and they are using this superpower to access compassion in others. Their super activities are anything from visiting senior centers, painting fences, planting flowers and taking part in other acts of goodwill in their community.

One of the most touching parts that I read was expressed by their teacher..."One of my most memorable visits was to a senior citizen center. I would ask the kids, "Why are we here?" They would say, "To make them smile!" "How are we going to do that?" "We're going to look at them. We're going to say 'Hi.' " At one point, one little girl started crying. When I asked her what was wrong, she looked at me and said, "My heart feels so good right now." She was so overwhelmed with the power she had. And that's what she took home with her that day."

WOW! that made ME cry...and feel very small in my adult body. What an inspiration.

I have these thoughts that always stick with me pretty much everyday. Those thoughts are to view every day as a new day and to make the best of it. To always remember that things we do for others may or may not be apparent to us, but to remember that we leave an impression. As simple as a smile, leaving a car cut in front of you instead of taking it as road rage, remembering that life is not all about YOU. There is a balance, a cyclical transformation that takes place.

Why am I bringing this all up in a raw food blog? Because while learning about feeding ourselves with superfoods so we can be super healthy....we need to remember what our nourished body does for our community of internal organs. Translate that to what we do with our body, our brain, our hands and our hearts...to and for others in random acts of kindness...and then recycles right back around...just like our blood does.

So next time I make myself a green protein breakfast smoothie, I'm going to call it my "kindness" smoothie to remind myself that I have more work to do the rest of the day...everyday.

Now to go and find my green superhero cape!

[Kathleen Ruhl]

Mae Jardine...it would be so nice to see these children grow up being compassionate and empathetic adults and doing good things. In the blog, that was a big point for parents to have their children involved in the program. And the parents volunteer too. We are also examples by our own actions. Thanks for offering to sew me a cape...should I not find mine : )

Angela...I am sorry to hear about your daughters pain everyday. I can not imagine how that must feel and for you to witness and care for her too. My heart and love goes out to you both. I've found that often, the people who are going through pain are the ones who are so loving, giving, compassionate and empathetic to others. I realize that I am not always of that mindset and I know I must do better.

Smiling is so amazing! I'll never forget the woman who smiled at me while taking a bus in Detroit. I was still raw from a divorce and I couldn't stop crying as I took my ride home. This complete stranger simply smiled and me and before she got off the bus, she said "I'll keep you in my prayers.". It really helped me get through that moment and to realize that this too shall pass.

I love all of you!

[Mae Jardine]

I love these kinds of storied, Kathleen. I’ll be sharing this one with others for a long time. God bless teachers like this one. Wouldn’t it be something to follow these children through their lives and witness how these children keep their super power of kindness activated?
Thanks for sharing this soul building story, Kathleen. If you can’t find your cape, just let me know; I’ll sew you up a new one : )

[channa brennon]

its all good angela! you should wait till all the goofs I make! i only been on this group a little while. yet.he,he

many people who know pain on a intimate level seem to have the ability to empathize on a deeper level as well.  guess your daughter is one of those blessed people.

[angela usher]

I seem to have posted the wrong thing : (   but now I've written that I will say that my daughter spends every day of her life in great pain but always thinks of others and is always giving presents.......she just loves presents :)

Don't know what on earth I did below...? ? ?

[angela usher]

Thanks Kathleen great post : )

My daughter always says that she loves presents....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great post Kathleen : )  What an amazing teacher and her group of young children : ) If only it could spread to the whole world.....with the aid of green smoothies of course : )

 

 

[channa brennon]

people have no idea what a sincere smile can do to a person...i have had days where i thought i couldnt go on..so much darkness around me,and I have had a  stranger on one of those days give me a smile that made me feel like i still mattered in the world.. and there was still goodness.that meant more then i could ever say.

dont ever doubt what a single smile can do:)

[Brandi!]

This is lovely, brought tears to my eyes when I read about the little girl. Thank you!

[Sally R]

Powerful!

[Kimberly RT(T)]

Love this post!  Thank you!

[Susan : )]

Clinking my glass to yours!!