Be kind
“To stay kind & gentle in a world that could’ve hardened you is so brave.”
I have a running list of blog posts I want to write. Each month, I make a decision on which one I want to go with, depending on what feels right. This month, none of the sciency, naturey topics really made me want to write. Like so many others, my mind has been trying to wrap my head around reality and the constant bombardment of ever-worsening headlines. It doesn't seem real, but it's so SO real. That's when I knew what I wanted to write about this month: the complete opposite.
I wanted to write about kindness, love, acceptance, and everything that is still good. You attract what you put out into the world.
“That’s like, the biggest no no - you don’t want to hurt other human beings. And unless you’ve walked in their shoes, you don’t know what they’ve been through.” ~Randy Fenoli
It’s so easy to feel helpless. It’s so easy to become overwhelmed. It’s so easy to feel like one person can not make a difference.
So what can you do? Be a good person. It sounds cliche, but be the reason someone smiles. Like, genuinely smiles.
Being a “good person” doesn’t require grand gestures or sweeping changes—it’s the small things we do every day that leave the deepest impact. When we show compassion, positivity, and thoughtfulness, we not only brighten someone else’s day but also nurture our own sense of joy and connection.
"I slept, and dreamed that life was joy; I woke, and found that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy." -Ellen Sturgis Hooper
At first glance, joy and service can feel like opposites. We tend to imagine joy as ease, laughter, and freedom…and service as obligation, duty, or sacrifice. But Ellen’s words remind us of a deeper truth: when we step out and give of ourselves, joy follows close behind.
Her words are nearly 200 years old, but there's nothing outdated about her wisdom - today’s science affirms her wisdom: service truly is joy.
Research shows (There’s the science… I can’t help myself) kindness is a direct path to happiness. A 2020 study published in The Journal of Happiness Studies found that people who performed small acts of kindness every day for just one week experienced a significant boost in their overall well-being.
Giving literally changes your brain. Neuroscientists have discovered that when we help others, the brain releases “feel-good” chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin—the same ones linked to pleasure, connection, and reduced stress.
Kindness builds resilience. A study at the University of British Columbia showed that students who practiced intentional acts of kindness reported reduced social anxiety and greater feelings of connection—reminding us that joy and service are especially powerful when life feels heavy or isolating.
So yes—while the world often tells us to pursue joy for ourselves, science confirms that we actually find joy when we give it away.
When we act, we discover the truth—service and joy are inseparable.
“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”
Being a good person isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention. Each day gives us countless opportunities to spread kindness, no matter how small.
So I have a task for you, a challenge, if you will. Do one good deed this week. It can be as large as paying for someone's order at a restaurant, or as simple as making someone smile.
You really never know how big of a ripple effect even just a genuine smile can make in the world. And that's part of the beauty of it. Just send out that energy and intention without needing credit or to know how far it went. Be content with simply being a good human being.
Some other ideas:
Share a small bouquet of flowers or herbs with someone unexpected
Volunteer an hour of your time to a cause that is important to you. https://www.volunteermatch.org/ is a great way to search for in-person and virtual opportunities near you.
Send a quick note of encouragement to someone, anyone
Offer to help with a simple, everyday task
Please join me in spreading more of the good, no matter how bad the bad gets. Be the hope in someone else’s life.
“A single spark of kindness can light up the darkest spaces. And you never know who might need your light today.”
Giving Back
If you’re in need of some inspiration, here is how I give back through volunteering:
My husband and I regularly volunteer with a group that my father-in-law runs called the Habitat for Humanity Road Trip Crazies. The group travels to areas across the country where the Habitat program needs a bit of a boost to bring in more volunteers. We come in for a weekend to do a “Blitz Build” where we start with just the foundation of the house on Saturday morning and by the time everyone goes home on Sunday evening, there are shingles on the roof, siding on the house, and usually drywall being installed.
Mid-day break at a build in Ohio
It helps communities boost volunteer interest, and most importantly, gets one of their houses built! I think the best part is that we get to meet the family that will move into the house. It’s an exhausting, emotional, non-stop weekend that lets you “feel the feeling”, as my father-in-law puts it, in the best way possible.
My son and I volunteer at Fauna Haven Animal Sanctuary once a week. We always ALWAYS leave with a smile on our faces! It’s a lot of work taking care of 50+ farm animals, but it helps them, it helps the owners, and it is the highlight of our week. I can’t tell you how I ever survived before without cow cuddles.
My son taking a break to just observe. It’s amazing how all of these different animals just get along with each other… they take care of each other unconditionally, without caring how different they are. They just know that their fellow beings deserve to be loved and cared for due to the simple fact that they coexist on this earth.
A recent endeavor of mine is donating extra flowers on behalf of the Growing Kindness Project. I started this business because I wanted to share the beauty of nature and the joy of having fresh flowers around. Being able to do so just for the sake of sharing is something I will keep doing for as long as I can. I highly recommend following their social media and becoming part of the movement by doing acts of kindness just for the sake of being kind.
So go out there, be good humans, take care of yourselves and each other. And for goodness sake, BE KIND!!!
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” ~Aesop
Farm Updates
We’re getting ready for Autumn over here on the farm! Seeds have been started, beds are being turned over, and holiday market prep has begun!
A flower crown crafted from dried flowers. One of many being made for the autumn markets!
This one has dried oregano, celosia, and strawflower.
A few hundred plants have sprouted to be added to the autumn and spring plantings. The autumn plantings include 3 varieties of Ornamental Kale which will be ready in November. Feverfew and Snapdragons will be planted out at the same time (early September) so they can get large enough to overwinter and bloom late March/early April 2026.
Flower farming is such an odd mix of living in the moment and planning ahead!
While the flowers have been growing, we’ve been working on a new addition to the Heartwood Display System - the first accessory is just about ready and I’m planning on offering it for the first time at the Holiday markets coming up this winter. If you receive the email newsletter, then you got a sneaky peek! I’m pretty excited for what’s to come with the Heartwood line.
Also new this month is that the Botanical Bath Soaks are now available at Minerals & Mystics, with more blends coming soon! These are still available for sale in our online shop as well.
This month was full of blooms, with the summer plantings coming into their prime time after a rough start in the spring. The weeds also had a moment. It’s all part of the job, though, and I know I’ll get caught up with the weeds. Or the first frost will take them out… hopefully I get to it before then!
Take care of yourselves and please be a good person. Until next time, Namaste.
