Go forth and spread some kindness....it won't hurt.

Kindness.  It's been on my mind a lot lately.

And apparently, it's been on a few other bloggers minds too as I keep seeing references to it.  In fact Mama Kat just posted a video (one of a few - all of them are great but the one I'm referencing here is the third one) on her blog not too long ago.  And then, WildernessChic posted a beautiful post about "paying it forward" pretty soon after that.  And then, Mama Kat posted another video and beautiful words about not judging people.

Add to all that - the random acts of kindness I've seen all over the blog-o-sphere lately.  I'm lucky, I guess.  I don't see too many trolls out there on the blogs I visit.  If someone is facing an issue - whether it be sickness, depression, divorce or worse - I've seen a multitude of people reach out and try to lift that person up with good wishes, prayers or just words of comfort.

Do you know how much hope this instills in me?  LOTS.  There may be hope for humanity after all.

And then just today, I witnessed kindness in my own backyard.  Literally.

If you've been a reader here for any length of time, you may know that we aren't exactly in a "neighborhood." We are surrounded by neighbors - but technically we aren't in a neighborhood; we just reside on the fringes of two neighborhoods.  The neighbors we do have aren't exactly "neighborly."   Especially, the one.  Actually, that one could be described more as ...... well.....to be blunt, he's an ass.  In fact, before we even had the house built I pretty much knew what he was all about and figured we'd never be close....unless I was scratching his eyes out.  Which still may happen.  We'll just have to wait and see.  I will, of course, blog about it....most likely from jail.

The others, well.....they seemed nice enough - but weren't the type that you would actually get to know and have over for dinner.  They are more the "wave-at-you-when-they-see-you" kind of neighbors.  This was actually kind of a let down after our last neighborhood.  But what can you do?  Unfortunately, you generally can't pick your neighbors.

For the past two weeks or so, our lawnmower has been out of commission.  You see, Hubby tried to change the oil (or something) on it in an attempt at "yearly maintenance."  The problem with this, you see, is that Hubby only has the ability to "fix" things that are entirely made out of steel or some other unbreakable, non-delicate material.  Throw in little plastic bits and then you can forget it.  He will totally break the little plastic bits when he over-tightens or exerts any type of pressure onto the plastic bit.

Yes, think "bull in the china shop" and you will totally get the picture.

As a result of Hubby "fixing" the lawnmower we ended up with this.....

Why yes.  That IS our lawnmower - covered in a tarp - sitting in my backyard......for TWO weeks.

And have been waiting, ever since, for the replacement (plastic) part to come in.

(The tarp, in case you were wondering, is to protect this precious piece of machinery from the elements.  Let's hope it worked.)

In the meantime, my grass has been growing ever higher.  The two days of rain this past weekend has helped it along immensely, I'm sure.  It had reached epic proportions.  Which basically meant that I was convinced I would get bit by a snake or some other vermin, when I went traipsing through it to retrieve yard tools from the shed last Friday.

Yard tools, that I might add, would be better suited to being kept in the adjacent garage......I'm just sayin'.  Why yes, Hubby and I DID have a conversation about that, how did you know?!

Today, Hubby could not stand it anymore and got out the push mower with the intention of at least starting on the grass.  He gets major points for this because we do not have a small yard.  Here is just a portion of our backyard....

Add this to what you see in the other picture and that will give you an idea of the backyard.  And no, I didn't leave the porch to give you a better shot.  Because I was already in my pj's.  Don't judge!

Just as Hubby was starting to try and mow our lawn-mowing-loving neighbor (not that one; the other one.  The one that lives on his lawnmower all summer long - seriously.  I am not kidding.  We've joked that it is his way to hide from his wife) came riding over to the rescue.  And proceeded to mow our entire lawn (front, back AND sides) for us - just because he wanted to help, actually saying he'd love to do it (yeah, we know!) for us.

And that, my friends, is kindness.  And when you show someone just a smidge of kindness it goes a long, long way.

Whether it's a word of encouragement, a hug, or even just a smile.  That little bit of kindness will then go forth and multiply.  And that's what we need more of in this world - kindness.

You know what else?  Our lawn-mowing-loving neighbor, Mike (gee, it's only been what? 4 years before we finally got his name?) - he will soon receive some kindness himself.  Because guess who will be the recipient of some home-made goodness in the next few days?  Yes, that will be Mike, the lawn-mowing-loving guy, and his family.

Go forth and spread some kindness and see what kind of magic you can spark.