Sculpting Project Five Day of Kindness Week 1

We haul water for our garden and animals. 25 Cents for 64 gallons. Today I found a nickel sitting on the ledge under the coin slot. This had never happened before. My thinker got going and kind action #1 happened. I took the nickel (which jams the machine) and replaced it with a quarter and a note saying “Extra quarter. Use me.” I drove off with stealth wondering who would find the quarter. What would they do? Use the quarter and then do something kind for someone else? Maybe.

Sculpting Project # 5 Day of Kindness

Part 1. Select one day this week and next as your Day of Kindness, then:
A. Pray; “Holy Spirit, fill me with Yourself and Your fruit of kindness.”
B. Do 1 bigger or 3 smaller acts of kindness. Make acts “new and special”,
beyond your usual kind acts. Look for surprising and playful acts.
C. Do something kind for yourself.
Part 2. Communicate by writing or telling how your project went.

Background Notes:
This project is based on an experiment done by psychologist Dr. Lyubomirsky and associates. In this experiment they demonstrated that kind acts packed into one day boost happiness. Psychology experiments had already shown the “feel good, do good” principle. When we feel good we are more apt to do good. Now Lyubomirsky has shown the “do good, feel good” principle.
This is, of course, the way God designed us.

Why do acts of kindness? Because:
1.We are followers of Jesus and He instructs us to be kind.
2.Kind acts may have ripple effects setting in motion a series of kind acts done by others. Even those who witness a kind act have an increased likelihood of doing a kind act.
3.Kind acts increase our own level of happiness. And when we are happier the world around us is happier.

Why be kind to ourselves? Because:
1.We are God’s beloved and He desires us to live abundantly. (John 10:10)
2.“To love your neighbor as yourself” seems to encourage a little self-kindness.

Ideas? For others: Give your place in line, buy coffee, listen with undivided attention, buy a violin on eBay, scratch the dog extra long, express your gratitude, smile, forgive, provide a favorite treat.
For yourself: Rest when you are tired, play your favorite music, forgive yourself, take a long walk.

You may want to do your acts secretly, “Don’t let your right hand know what your left hand is doing.”
Or
You may “let your light shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify God.”

We do not sculpt our lives all on our own. We have a powerful Sculpting Partner.
It is the Holy Spirit who fills us and brings the fruits of kindness out of us.
If we are filled with the Spirit we will have the Spirit’s fruits.
“Walk in the Spirit” … and you will bear … “the fruit of the Spirit. . . kindness.” Galatians 5:16a, 22a.