Scatter Flowers: Light Up the Dark

"Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing."
- Mother Teresa

"Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up."
- Proverbs 12:25

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."
- Mark Twain

"Therefore, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
- Matthew 5:16

Life is absolutely full of ups and downs and twists and turns. Life can be enjoyable, and, at other times, life can stink. In those stinky phases, (no, I am not talking about B.O.) don't be afraid to put a little optimism in your cheerios and let a light of kindness shine in you! On some days, the bag of optimism can be a little hard to lift, but have a positive mindset for yourself, and a willingness to spread a few smiles! This will not only positively influence your "stinky phase," but it will also spread some optimism into the lives of others as well.

A great example of kindness shining through the dark are some of the children I met in Nairobi, Kenya, June 2013.

These kids are dirt covered and live in filth, they are never guaranteed enough food to eat (many kids that are fortunate enough to go to school only have a meal during the school day, which is in session 3 days a week...), they drink dirty water, and have raw sewage running through their streets, along with the chickens and pigs and mounds of trash.

However, these children wear the brightest smiles! They may be in poverty, but that does not dictate their willingness to work, learn, or play. They have a smile and an optimism that can cheer up a burdened heart.