Richelle E. Goodrich

Learning to breathe fire isn__ nearly as extraordinary as learning to breathe a word of kindness.

As a child, I once suffered a bad fall that resulted in scratched palms and scraped knees. I remember how badly it stung, the cold air hitting my bleeding wounds; I felt that I couldn__ stand up for the pain. Through a veil of tears, I recall a kind hand reaching for me and helping me to my feet. My knees and palms were washed clean, and I remember thinking that for the rest of my life, I wanted to help people stand back up.

You would think those who have endured unkindness would be kinder as a result, intent on sparing others the awful suffering they abhorred firsthand.

Lift up your eyes and see the good in the world, for we are people with an amazing capacity to do great good. And if only the minority choose to exercise this capacity to the smallest degree, oh how wondrous and sweet the deeds performed at but a few hands!

Life isn__ always kind. It isn__ gentle and loving or sympathetic to the pains and sorrows of humanity. I, however, as an individual in control of my own actions, can be kind and loving, gentle and sympathetic to those around me, and in the process improve what life is for everyone.

The Christmas spirit is simply an honest spirit of love for all humanity. It is the force that moves us to give what we can, to help as we are able, and to always be of kind comfort.

So what if you__e right? So what if you__e wrong? In the end you might be surprised to find that God doesn__ care so much about whether you were right or wrong but whether, despite it all, you were kind or cruel.

Imagine the greatness this world would know if kindness were as contagious and enduring as the common cold.

The spirit of Christmas is a sweet, internal peace that testifies of the power of kindness and charity.

Be nice. And if you can't do that, just don't be mean.

Out of all the magic words in existence, kind words produce the most powerful transformation spells.

Every sunrise is an invitation for us to arise and brighten someone's day.

If only this great concern we have for our own sensitive feelings expanded to encompass the feelings of our fellow men.

Kindness solves more problems than diplomacy, wealth, intelligence, clout, force, law, and dominion combined.

I could really use someone else's smile today.

Why must you know the details of my troubles to have compassion? Is it not enough to show compassion simply because you know that everyone has troubles?

Kindness is still the best antidote.

Often we withhold our affections, waiting first for love to be extended to us. The irony is that we are loved for loving.