Where do you find inspiration?
Children’s literature is a great source of inspiration and this Edutopia post has 15 additional quotes that you can visit/revisit.
This quote was the impetus for me to dig even deeper into “kindness”.
Do you volunteer?
Do you live a kind life?
How would we know?
What would be our “look fors”?
Kindness is a virtue that bears revisiting in the cold days of winter. Too much “indoor time” on dreary, cloudy days may result in frayed tempers and unintended consequences from unkind words spoken in haste.
Random acts of kindness?
Pay it forward?
Actions? Words?
“No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted.”
Nothing flashy or expensive required. Simple actions. Kind words. A supportive message.
Inspire My Kids is a great source of “Kindness” Quotes for Kids and in fact includes Aesop’s quote above (without the graphics).
The first book that comes to mind is Jackie Woodson’s Each Kindness – specifically, regrets over missed opportunities to be kind.
In the anti-bullying world, Disney has “Choose Kindness” and Random House Kids also has “Choose Kindness” supporting Wonder.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted.”
How can you “choose kind” today and every day?
How can you support “kindness” for every person every day?
Tuesday is the day to share a “Slice of Life” with Two Writing Teachers. Thank you, Anna, Betsy, Beth, Dana, Deb, Kathleen, Stacey, and Tara. Check out the writers, readers and teachers here. Get ready to share your writerly life with the March Slice of Life Challenge!
Resource - Full 
Choosing Kind is such an inspirational thought, Fran. For Lent I decided that I want to do that instead of giving up chocolate (although I am trying to cut out the sweets). Random acts of kindness via random acts of poetry is another way to spread the inspiration.
Carol,
It was so good to “see” you last night on the #NYedchat. I love “Random acts of kindness via random acts of poetry is another way to spread the inspiration.” So true!
Great to see you too, Fran.
It is important to realize that kindness just like unkindness is something that we choose. May we all choose the kindness path even at those times when we least feel like it. That is when it means the most.
Wow! What wisdom . . . “May we all choose the kindness path even at those times when we least feel like it. That is when it means the most.” ❤
My 3 classroom rules are: Be Kind. Be Brave. Be Curious.
Your post reminds me that as we celebrate Valentine’s Day tomorrow (delayed due to Presidents Day and a snow day today) I should revisit our rules, especially around the idea of kindness. Thanks for the boost!
Sally,
We had a long period where our only rule was Respect. I like your “Be Kind. Be Brave. Be Curious.” a lot!
Thanks so much for commenting!
Thank you for the reminder. Random Acts of Kindness are never wasted time. 🙂
I enjoyed all that you shared, Fran. At the entrance to our school, a rock has this quote embedded in it: ““A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.” A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh” Everyone tried hard to remember.
Oh, Linda! Pooh was pretty darn smart! Love that: “A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.” A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh
It sounds simple but so important. I like when we put choose in of kind — reminds us we always have the power to choose. In life the only thing we have the power to control is how act, respond and speak. Thanks for the resources.
Clare
Thanks, Clare!
There are many resources available. I tend to go to books first, but it’s also nice to have other choices!
Fran
There’s a quote that talks about you never know what kind of battle someone else is fighting. I try to keep that top of mind when I deal with people — especially people I don’t know well. It keeps me grounded when I feel impatient or frustrated.
Stacey,
I like that idea.
“Impatience” is something I have to continually work on. From the student side, there is no time to waste! However, rushing in is also NOT the solution! ❤
Thanks for commenting!
Fran, our principal talked about empathy today in our weekly pep talk over the intercom, and then we watched this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU3QfyqvHk8. It was such an amazing connection for students and sparked a great discussion…and that was after I had read your blog post with my cup of coffee in hand. Great reminders, thanks!
Thanks, Jenna!
Great video . . . I think hearing it in the students’ own voices really impacted the “power”!
Photos of Random Acts of Kindness found here: http://indulgd.com/heartfelt-photographs-of-random-acts-of-kindness/