Kindness: The Todmorden Town Motto

Kindness is…according to the dictionary definition…the qualities of friendliness, generosity and consideration.

In the supermarket carpark in Todmorden, the town we live in, the word suddenly looms from the hillside. KINDNESS.

It’s unexpected, a happy surprise for strangers. For the people who live here, it’s part of the scenery. This loud proclamation on a sunny hillside.

Kindness, in capital letters. Kindness, yelling its presence, the word echoing across the valley, lest we forget. And we all forget sometimes.

It’s like our motto, our inspiration, a celebration of our community and all that’s good about us.

We need all the kindness we can get, in this seemingly anonymous, cruel world that seems so anti-human at times.

We need communities seeped in kindness. Kindness in our homes, schools, at work. In places we least expect it. And people do say our community is kind. People at least, smile at each other on the street. And that is rare.

Kindness, in big, blazing, bold, capital letters.

Daily acts of kindness, for just ten days, can, so scientific studies say, will increase life satisfaction. It’s common sense, We don’t need science to prove that to us.

What have we to lose by giving it a go?

The Buddhist virtue of loving kindness, equals benevolence, good will. An active interest in others. Loving Kindness is also for the self. Not just loving yourself, but realising that you are love itself.

A lot of people aren’t okay, deep down, not really, not these days, could do to be shown some concern by strangers, or at the very least, understanding. They are so worried and fearful of things out of their control.

I passed a shop window. I saw Kindness on a sign. Mosaic on slate. It caught my eye, in the craft shop window display, glittering so prettily. Fragments gathered, beautifully put together, lovingly arranged. I knew I had to have it. The way it sparkled. It had an aura of pure joy, raised my vibration. An early birthday present to myself. A bit of kindness.

The shopkeeper lovingly wrapped it, I told her my intention to put it on my mantlepiece, to remind the kids, myself, and everyone else, to be kind.

She laughed, knowing how families can be. A love so deep it’s taken for granted. We sometimes forget.

Now kindness announces its heart-warming presence in capital letters over the hearth. The precious rainbow dance of fragments it’s composed of, are like those small, seemingly inconsequential acts that are more in service to others than self, which when gathered together, all add up to kindness.

I’m so grateful to live in a place where kindness is a thing.

One word, shouted from the hill, spread by word of mouth, deed by deed, across our valley, our homes, our town. Scattered seeds sown far and wide, by random acts of kindness. To live in a place where kindness is a thing is as good a wish as any to have. To wish for it to spread. To see our whole world lovingly wrapped in Kindness. Day by day. Bit by bit. Act by act.

But it always starts at home.

How can I get in touch?

To book a session with me, email me at healwithmarie [at] gmail [dot] com or find out more on my services page.

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