The Kindness We Create

It may seem like kindness is harder to come by these days. You might feel like division is everywhere. As The Atlantic article How America Got Mean by David Brooks points out, there’s a perception that our culture has shifted toward radical individualism. Instead of being raised with a foundation rooted in community, many people today think that we are looking out for ourselves much more than one another.

But I believe kindness is still all around us. Almost every day, I’m reminded of just how much goodness still exists in the world. That’s why Fan Mail Fridays are one of my favorite traditions at Anna Griffin, Inc. Each week, we receive the most heartfelt handmade cards from our community all over the country. Just last week, I opened a card made using our Simply Friendship Card Kit, where Shelly from Kansas had written a note about how crafting has helped her reconnect with friends with whom she lost touch. The week before, I received a beautiful card made with our Simply Encouragement Card Kit from Linda in North Carolina. She had made it for her neighbor, who was going through a difficult time, just to remind her that she wasn’t alone.

What I see not just through Fan Mail Fridays but in every interaction with our community is this: one of the most powerful ways to bring kindness back into focus is through creating. There’s something so special about putting your heart (and your time) into a handmade project. That’s why everything we create at Anna Griffin, Inc. is designed to help people share more love, more often. Handmade cards, in particular, are the perfect reminder that your loved one took time out of their day to think of you.

So, if you’re looking for a simple way to bring more kindness into the world, here are a few tips:

1. Send A Card Just Because: We usually wait for birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays to send a card. But imagine the joy someone could feel when they open their mailbox to find an unexpected card with a handwritten note, just because. Maybe there’s someone in your life who’s been the highlight of your week, and they don’t even realize it. Or, maybe you’ve been thinking about a distant relative but haven’t found the right reason to reach out. Why not take the opportunity to remind them how much you appreciate them?

2. Create Something Handmade for Someone: There’s something so personal about receiving a handmade gift. Unlike something store-bought, it carries a personal touch that truly makes it one of a kind. Maybe it’s a knitted scarf for a friend who’s always cold, a scrapbook page of your favorite memory with your mom for Mother’s Day, or a batch of homemade cookies for a neighbor who could use a little extra care. These types of small gestures remind us that kindness doesn’t have to be complicated.

3. Pass It Forward: The world always needs more acts of kindness. I recently heard from a fellow crafter who makes extra cards every time she creates, just so she can give them to strangers who look like they need a little boost. She keeps a few in her purse and hands

them out whenever the moment feels right. It’s such a simple habit, but imagine the ripple effect. A little kindness, passed from one person to the next. How can you pass your act of kindness forward, especially to someone who might not even see it coming?

No matter how things might seem, kindness isn’t lost. But, we have to be intentional about creating it. Each and every day, we have the power to make the world feel a little warmer. The more we show up for one another in those small, meaningful ways, the more we remind ourselves of the joy in our own lives.

How can you change someone’s day (and even your own) for the better with a small act of love?