I walked into the store recently to buy another week’s worth of groceries for me and my sons.

As I went through the doors I saw a man struggling to separate two shopping carts stuck together. When he got them apart he pushed the first one to me with a smile. I thanked him and started going up and down the aisles. They were narrow and crowded but with smiles and “excuse me’s” we moved around each other. I even stopped to chat a few times with people about the best toothpaste to buy or how much we all spoil our dogs by buying them treats.

I saw one old lady struggling to reach an item on the top shelf and stretched out to get it for her myself. When I got to the deli section to grab my sons and me something to eat for the trip home, the deli lady recognized me, smiled, called me honey and asked if I wanted my usual.

And as I was about to head out the door after paying for my groceries I helped a lady unstick a shopping cart from the pile myself. It was only when I finally reached my car that I realized just how many tiny little acts of kindness I had given and received in such a short period of time.

Most of us take for granted those little acts of kindness we share each day. Opening a door or sharing a smile with someone doesn’t seem like such a big deal but the truth is it is these little acts of kindness that make our hearts light. It is these little acts of kindness that make our souls shine. It is these little acts of kindness that make life worth living.

God created us to Love and to be Kind. We should never worry then about what others think but just act with love and kindness. Love and kindness are natural. Love and kindness are contagious. Love and kindness are who we are. Love and kindness are the essence of our souls.

Every tiny little act of kindness inspires others. Every tiny little act of kindness makes this world better. Every tiny little act of kindness brings us closer to love, to God, and to each other.