This year, I have set myself a challenge. #365daysofkindness – making the effort to carry out one small act of kindness every single day for a year. A little change that will hopefully help to make my little world a better place. I don’t intend to blog much about what I do as part of that during the year but I would like to share some stories of kindness, quotes that have inspired me or some suggestions of small acts of kindness to try. #withkindnessandlove will be a regular series this year, sharing those stories along with some things that have made me smile during the week.
Little moments of kindness
Since we first found out about Jessica’s heart condition, I have been blown away by the kindness of those around us. Those little acts of kindness that we have been on the receiving end of have made such a difference at times and truly mean so much to me. These are a few of the things I want to say thank you for:
- The friends who offer us their spare room whenever we are at the hospital.
- Everyone who visited us with food parcels (one friend even brought specially-made meals for Jessica when she had chylothorax and was on a fat-free diet).
- The friends who gave us the keys to their house for Christmas Day when they were away over the holidays so that we could have Christmas dinner there instead of the ward kitchen or hospital canteen and experience a little normality during our first Christmas after Jessica was born.
- The encouraging Bible verse written in a card that I read over and over again, drawing strength from it during those days on intensive care.
- The friends who sent Jessica some button-up pyjamas after I posted a photo of Jessica in the one and only pair of button-up pyjamas I had been able to find before our last hospital admission.
- Every single person who encouraged us, hugged us, listened to us and prayed for us – your support means so very much to us.
Thank you all.
Sharing some blog love
A blog post I have loved this week
I’m hoping to get a little fitter this year and try and shed some of the excess pounds. Trying to juggle an exercise routine with being a stay-at-home mum isn’t always easy. Finding family-friendly ways of getting fit is always useful – and I love the list of suggestions that Plutonium Sox shared in her recent blog post. Definitely one that I’ll be referring back to over the coming weeks and months!
A photo that made me smile
I love this shot taken by Mummy in a Tutu. The way her daughter is sitting on the tree stump and looking out on the world is just adorable. She looks so snug and warm in her fluffy jacket and woolly hat too.
I’d also like to say a big thank you to the lovely Katie from Mummy in a Tutu for coming up with the name for my series. Last year Katie shared a blog post about looking for her tribe. The tribe created as a result of that post is a lovely supportive group of bloggers. You can find them on Facebook or join in with #tribalchat on Twitter on Tuesday nights from 8-9pm.
If you have any stories about being on the receiving end of an act of kindness that you’d like me to include in a future blog post, please feel free to email them to me at louise @ littleheartsbiglove.co.uk
#withkindnessandlove is so you Louise in the best possible way! Your ethos to life, your girls and other bloggers is just this. Happy New Year #BloggerClubUK
Aww thank you so much Fiona, what a lovely thing to say. Happy New Year to you too 🙂
I just love your kindness challenge Louise and I’m really looking forward to reading about on your blog this year. Such an amazing thing to do. Thank you so much for including my post too and I do hope it’s helpful for you.
Nat.x
Thank you Nat – I’m enjoying it so far! 🙂
Yeah for kindness posts and sharing love around the bloggy town! It’s so wonderful to read that people have shown you and the family during the holidays that kind of love to show their support. My sister recently had life changing incident happen with her daughter this year with her heart as well and it’s humbling to see the people in our life step up and do what they could to help. Wishing you and yours all the best. We are doing an Instagram Grateful Party on Thursdays. You should check it out =) We are trying to keep gratitude in our attitudes 52 weeks this year. #BloggerClubUk
I love the sound of your Instagram Grateful Party – will definitely be checking it out. I’m glad that your sister had so much support and I hope that your niece is doing well x
This post is very moving and you know you’ve always got my vote. There’s certainly some lovely people out there for sure and it’s definitely worth remembering when you feel like that grey sky is looming. I am certainly thankful for all the support I received at the JR they are awesome. #BloggerClubUK
Thank you so much Helena. I’m so glad you had such good support at the JR – our experiences with them have always been very positive too 🙂
I absolutely love the title of your new series! A thunk kindness is underrated and a little bit goes a long way. When I was in hospital the meals, childcare, hospital visits and prayers and verses really touched me and the echoes of that have stayed with me. Thank you for linking up to #sharethejoy Lizzie xo
Thank you so much Lizzie – those little moments of kindness make such a difference when you’re in hospital don’t they? Lovely to link up to #sharethejoy – thank you for hosting 🙂
Hi Louise, I was inspired and heart warmed by your photos of gratitude last year and this year you have taken that one step further, and set yourself a challenge that I have a feeling won’t be that challenging to you. You are a lady who appreciates everything and sees good in all things, a true gift.
Those moments of kindness you receive when you need them happen for a reason. I look forward to reading your stories.
xx
Aww thank you so much Debbie – what a lovely comment. I try to look for the good but I have to admit there are many times when I don’t see it! I’m enjoying this year’s kindness challenge so far though x
This is so wonderful, what a great series! I can’t wait to read it over the year. And yet another reason to smile when I visit your wonderful blog. I feel like happiness and smiles are really needed this time of year!
Thank you so much Jenni. Definitely need more happiness and smiles in the world – hopefully this year I can do my little bit to help with that 🙂
I adore your new series! What a great & positive way to kick off 2017!! Feel free to promote it on my quote linky this evening – it open sat 7pm. It’s a lovely little community of quote sharing & I’d say they’d really enjoy this too. Thanks so much for joining us at #BloggerClubUK
Thank you so much Becky – and for reminding me about #CandidCuddles – lovely to join in there too! 🙂
Thank you for joining us at #candidcuddles it was so nice to have you take part! I hope you can make it over again xx
Firstly I’m so sorry to hear about your daughters heart condition … but such a lovely blog post. I too decided to be kinder ( I am kind but let’s say more thoughtful) this year and your post has spurred me on. Thankyou for sharing & I’m sending lots of positivity your way – Tracey x #candidcuddleslinkup
Thank you Tracey – so glad that it has helped spur you on to be more thoughtful this year too 🙂
I love this, kindness is everything isn’t it? If there is one thing I teach my children it is to be kind, if all else fails that is definitely the main thing. #CandidCuddles
Teaching our children to be kind is so important. If they grow up to be thoughtful, kind and considerate of others then I know I’ll have done a good job as a parent! 🙂
This is beautiful. Acts of kindness, however small, have the power to change the world. A lovely idea to record them xxx #sharethejoy
Thank you Leigh – it’s lovely to hear all the different stories out there 🙂