Because Nice DOES Matter!
As most of you know from my previous posts I spend a LOT of time at my kitchen window. I figured since I'm going to be spending so much time there I wanted to make is not only a place that is pleasing to the eye but I also wanted to make it a meaningful time as well. When I am doing my dishes I can think about my friends and loved ones, pray, sing praises, and sometimes on "certain days" tackle that nasty frying pan with a little bit TOO much gusto, if you know what I mean! LOL

I try to surround myself with things that speak to my heart and can serve as reminders to me. When I saw this sign "BECAUSE NICE MATTERS" I knew it would have to find a place on my window sill. Why, because NICE REALLY DOES MATTER! Everyday I can make a conscious choice whether I'm going to be nice OR be mean and cranky. When it gets right down to it nobody is MAKING me be mean and cranky, that is the feeling and behavior I am choosing to display.

They say it takes a lot more muscles to frown than smile. Ladies, this is a great incentive in itself because it will cut down on our wrinkles! When I pass somebody on the street I can either choose to ignore them or decide to greet them with a pleasant smile. Even if it is not returned that is okay because the smile will still make me feel good. The frazzled clerk at the checkout might have forgotten how to smile but I can certainly remind her by giving her one! It takes very little effort to hold the door open for a Mom with a stroller and diaper bag and a screaming child on her hip, or a frail elderly person who needs a little extra assistance. Those are just a few examples in our day to day life where we are given the choice of our behavior. I have found that most times when I see somebody that looks worn out or sad, if I give them a smile I will usually get a little one back. People are walking around with such wounded hearts and heavy burdens that they need a little "nice" in their life. Sometimes even the smallest gestures can mean so much to a hurting person.

We can also practice "nice" in our homes. I am here to ashamedly admit that sometimes I treat strangers nicer than my own family members. That's a hard "pill to swallow" but it is very much the truth sometimes. God has convicted me on this matter many times. I need to show love, appreciation, and NICENESS towards my family every single day, after all they are God's gift to me. Again, it is those small little gestures that mean so much. A "please" here and a "thank you" there can show your family member how much you love and respect them. That is certainly what I always want to convey to my family even though I don't always succeed.

In closing I will be the first one to say that some people are much easier to be nicer to than others. Do you know what I mean??!! If we remember that with each act of kindness we are doing it through God's love then it will make the smile a little wider:) I think you will be amazed at the response you will get from people. Why? Because NICE DOES MATTER! Who can you be "nice" to today?