Thursday, March 26, 2009

Well, lookee there!

A few months ago I stumbled upon a new blog, and was hooked instantly. As someone who is easily overwhelmed by the animosity and me-first mentality that often seem to prevail in the world, I am always on the lookout for stories of kindness- both small and extraordinary. I drive around town with a 'Practice Random Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty' bumper sticker plastered to the back of my car, and keep a 'Happy File' where I stick kind notes and encouraging emails from friends, to help lift my spirits when they start to sag.

So, when I found out about Melissa, and her project Operation Nice, I added her to my Bloglines feed reader, and started devouring the accounts of kindness that she chronicles for the masses, while simultaneously taking her challenge to complete 'Nice Assignments.' What a great way to remind us of how powerful our words and actions are in the world, and to inspire us to wield them carefully and lovingly. Did I mention that Melissa is also local, lovely, talented *and* married to a Robert, just like me??? It makes me just a little bit giddy knowing that there are other people in my little corner of the world endeavoring to add to the beauty in their everyday interactions.

And whaddya know? Today, I made it onto Melissa's site!!

So, wander on over to Operation Nice, and say hi to Melissa for me! Submit your own story of kindness, and yours may be the next smiling mug featured on her blog ;) Add her to your blogroll, subscribe to her RSS feed, and start planting the seeds of kindness in your community!



(Oh, and if you came to my blog today by way of Melissa, thanks for stopping in! I hope you'll comment so I know you were here, and stop by often to dialogue with me about life, art, parenthood, community, and of course, kindness!)

8 comments:

deb@virginia blue said...

Hey! I did, in fact, stop here by way of Operation Nice. Your story was beautiful, as was your writing.
I'm guessing that your outer beauty that's been complimented on by other smart women is merely a manifestation of the inner beauty you possess...

Your blog? I love. You're eloquent and real...two qualities I greatly admire. =)

Lauren said...

welcome, debilyn! so glad you stopped by! thank you for your kind and encouraging words to me this afternoon....hope to see more of you around these parts ;)

blessings!

Unknown said...

Hi! I came from Melissa's site. I just wanted you to know that was such a nice story! I will check in from time to time. I too have a spit-fire of a daughter who is beautiful and inspires me to be beautiful no matter how I'm truly feeling at that moment. Make sense? Have a great night!

Emma said...

Hi, Lauren! I just discovered Operation NICE and now your blog. What a happy Saturday morning!

I live in the general area, too - West Chester.

Thank you for spreading kindness through this often mean part of the world! :)

Lauren said...

thanks for stopping in, kimberly & emma! it's nice to know that my story resonated with others...i love to see women banding together with kindness, rather than being catty and competitive! come back soon! (ps- emma...you're right up the road from me! i come to west chester for live music and haircuts ;) )

Christopher said...

I'm glad to virtually meet you too via Operation Nice. Thanks for sparking such a great conversation - something I've been pondering for awhile...

emily love said...

The things that you wrote on the Operation Nice blog caught my attention, immediately, because I am an insecure, young, teenage girl. I know it's normal to be insecure at my age, but I often feel that I am a tad more insecure than a lot of other girls.

Anyways, you are quite an inspiration to me already! Thanks for being such a great person; those are sometimes hard to find.

:]

Rena Reese said...

Found you through Operation Nice, which I found through That Unreliable Girl, which I found because she was following my blog... Phew... Anyway, I am so glad to find your blog too... This reminds me that there are far more nice people in the world than mean folks...
Have a great day!

:+)Rena