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Gentillesse Gratuité – Free Kindness

September 24, 2011 by Patricia Sands 13 Comments

If It’s Friday, It Must Be France …

My friend author Naomi Bulger (don’t miss her Messages In A Bottle blog) is in France and Italy right now on a wonderful holiday with her family. I know they are having an awesome trip making memories that will last a lifetime.  Naomi has such a quirky, creative eye and the ability to discover beauty in the most unusual places, I can’t wait to hear about her adventures and see her photos.

I was delighted when she asked if I would contribute to her blog in her absence! Since it’s Friday and she’s in France and so am I (although we will miss each other by days) and  I always write about France on Friday, here it is!

Last week I wrote on my blog about random acts of kindness and it was awesome to hear from so many of you. Thanks for the e-mails! There’s a lot of good stuff going on out there in this big wide world of ours and your stories are inspiring. Keep spreading them! In France the term translates as Gentillesse Gratuité – Free Kindness. I like that, don’t you?

On November 13, they celebrate La Journée de la Gentillesse in France and the number of people participating each year is growing.

Apparently November 13, 2011, is now officially World Kindness Day,  a day that encourages individuals to overlook boundaries, race and religion. According to modern psychology, altruistic acts increase our own happiness in a profound way.

The mission of The World Kindness Movement, introduced in 1988,  is to inspire individuals towards greater kindness and connect nations to create a kinder world. The WKM encourages individuals of all nations to set up their own kindness movements and join the WKM. Currently, membership includes representation from France as well as Australia, Brazil, Canada, Dubai, England, India, Italy, Japan, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, South Korea, Thailand and the USA.

This post isn’t as much about France as other Fridays and I’ll make it up to you next week, I promise! But I did find this video which has that je ne sais quoi flavour to it.

Why can’t we make every day a kindness day? I mean, wouldn’t we all be a lot better off?  Let’s each start our own personal movement right now and see where it takes us! Let me know how it’s working for you and pass the message on.

If you go to www.giftofkindness.com you can order these cool cards.

Be the change you wish to see! La gentillesse a toujours du bon!

Request Free Cards Via Mail | Send Your Name and Mailing Address to Cards@GiftofKindness.com

Kindness Card (2 sided – back image of card below)

Request Free Cards Via Mail | Send Your Name and Mailing Address to Cards@GiftofKindness.com

Thank You Card (1 sided)

Request Free Cards Via Mail | Send Your Name and Mailing Address to Cards@GiftofKindness.com


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Filed Under: Blog, France, If it is France... Tagged With: 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist, ForeWord 2010 Book Of The Year Finalist, French Riviera, gift of kindness, journée de la gentillesse, Naomi Bulger, Patricia Sands, random acts of kindness, The Bridge Club, the power of friendship, World Kindness Day

About Patricia Sands

Family, writing and travel are my passions ... okay, and chocolate ... and I'm seldom without a camera. I write women's fiction and keep in touch with readers by a monthly newsletter that also has giveaways and contests. Come and join us by signing up on the right. See you there!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marcia says

    September 24, 2011 at 6:11 pm

    I love this theme! It is amazing how one small act, or even a smile can make a difference in someone’s day. Thanks for sharing this, Patricia, and I’ll definitely order some of those cute cards!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      September 27, 2011 at 4:03 pm

      Since I’ve been focusing on this, I’ve been more aware of what’s going on around me. I’m happy to say, I love what I’m seeing! The economy may be in the dumpster but maybe that’s causing people to be kinder to each other.

      Reply
  2. Angela Orlowski-Peart says

    September 26, 2011 at 12:29 am

    Oh, I hope Naomi will write a post about her trip!

    The kindness cards are wonderful. I’ve never heard of those – they would make a fantastic gift. Thank you for sharing 🙂

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      September 27, 2011 at 4:04 pm

      I think we will hear a lot about Naomi’s trip. She’s loving it! I like your suggestion of making those cards a gift idea. Good thinking!

      Reply
  3. Hartford says

    September 26, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    What an absolutely wonderful theme. Why can’t everyday be kindness day? I agree – why not? And the Kindness Cards are JUST perfect. I can’t wait to order and start spreading the luv! Thanks for the fabulous post! I’m off to check out Naomi’s blog home.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      September 27, 2011 at 4:05 pm

      If anyone can “spread the luv”, it’s you! Go for it!

      Reply
  4. Angela Wallace says

    September 26, 2011 at 11:25 pm

    It’s so easy to smile at people. I remember when I first went to college and lived in the dorms, guys would run to open the doors for the ladies. (I did go to a Christian college.) But even I was blown away by that. A smile costs nothing. A “thank you” costs one second. I’d say that’s a good deal. 🙂

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      September 27, 2011 at 4:05 pm

      A very good deal indeed, Angela!

      Reply
  5. jennifer tanner says

    September 27, 2011 at 10:45 pm

    Hello Patricia,

    I have a friend who asks his kids every night at the dinner table, “Did you do something nice for someone today?” His kids are pre-teen now and they think it’s hokey, but I’m hoping when they’re older, they’ll remember this important lesson their father taught them.

    Loved the video and all the smiles. Thank you.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      September 28, 2011 at 10:44 am

      Thanks for passing that idea on. Kids may think it’s hokey but it will definitely stay with them. I have no doubt of that. What a good dad!

      Reply
  6. Ink Paper Pen says

    October 3, 2011 at 12:53 pm

    Hello! Popping over after reading your post on Naomi’s blog. Thanks for sharing such a worthwhile idea/initiative. I truly believe that small acts of kindness can change the world, it’s about a collective conscousness. It’s catching

    x

    Reply
  7. Tameri Etherton says

    October 6, 2011 at 2:05 am

    What a lovely post, Patricia! I am in love with the kindness cards and am going to make some to send out or give to people.

    And Jennifer’s friend who asks her kids if they did anything nice, I’m totally going to add that to our dinner conversation.

    It took me forever to get to this post, but it was well worth the wait. I will visit it often for inspiration and a gentle reminder. Thank you.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      October 6, 2011 at 8:29 pm

      Thanks Tameri! I know how you feel, I’m really behind with the blogs right now.

      Reply

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