It's Sunday so it was a little trickier to do high-fives but man oh man once again Alison really got into it. After church she wandered around to find people roaming from the other ward. She got 8
People could use some unexpected cheer – so go out of your way with a high-five. Sure, some people don't reciprocate the high fives, but the ones that do leave with big smiles on their faces. And that's what High Five Day is all about (we think).
“Idle words are characterless and die upon utterance. Evil words rankle for a while, make contentions, and then die. But the hopeful, kind, cheering word sinks into a man’s heart and goes on bearing fruit forever. How many beautiful written words—words in book and song and story—are still inspiring men and making the world fragrant with their beauty! It is just so with the words you write, not on paper, but on the hearts of men. I wish there were room to mention here the testimonies of great men to the power of some hopeful, encouraging word they had spoken to them in youth and in the days of struggle. But every autobiography records this thing. Booker T. Washington tells how the encouragement of General Armstrong saved the future for him. I know a young man who is to-day filling a large and useful place in the world, who was kept to his high purpose in a time of discouragement by just an encouraging word from a man he greatly admired. That man’s word will live and grow in the increasing influence of the younger man. This world is full of men bearing in their minds deathless words of inspiration heard in youth from lips now still forever. Speak hopeful words every chance you get. Always send your young friends from you bearing a word that they will take into the years and fulfill for you.” — The Enlargement of Life (1903) By Frederick Henry Lynch
The movie below is called Validation. It's a short movie about 16min long. It's well worth your time!
There's something in a simple hug That always warms the heart; It welcomes us back home And makes it easier to part.
A hug's a way to share the joy And sad times we go through, Or just a way for friends to say They like you 'cause you're you.
Hugs are meant for anyone For whom we really care, From your grandma to your neighbour, Or a cuddly teddy bear.
A hug is an amazing thing - It's just the perfect way To show the love we're feeling But can't find the words to say.
It's funny how a little hug Makes everyone feel good; In every place and language, It's always understood.
And hugs don't need new equipment, Special batteries or parts - Just open up your arms And open up your hearts.
~ Jill Wolf
So when we gathered together to talk about our hugs Alison out did everyone by saying she hugged 106 people! Way to go Alison . Think of all the people's days you made!
Every year I try to do something that will help my children to know of the true meaning of Christmas. Well this year I had found some good ideas on 12 Days of Christmas Kindness and decided to run with it. Whats fun is that some of the kids friends are getting into it as well. So we draw what the kindness will be the night before since Kelsey and Jon leave for Seminary before Alison and Josh are even up. Then that evening we discuss what we did!
DAY 1 KINDNESS:
Forgive Someone
“Of You It Is Required to Forgive”
A spirit of forgiveness and an attitude of love and compassion toward those who may have wronged us is of the very essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each of us has need of this spirit. The whole world has need of it. The Lord taught it. He exemplified it as none other has exemplified it. (President Gordon B Hinckley)
The kids mostly shared stories about someone bumping into them or a teacher erasing something they had drawn on the board. Silly little things. However mine ended up being a little bigger and I had started off SO ANGRY! You know how you just feel it radiating and taking over?! I remembered I needed to "forgive someone" today. I did. Simple. Just let it go and the weight literally lifted. I could have carried it around with me all day. Let it fester. It would have continued into the evening and possibly much longer and my whole day and their whole day would have been ruined. I just let it go. It was amazing. So maybe the forgiving was for me. But it was great!!
