Brownie and the Bean®️Bakery’s Post

Today is World Kindness Day. I was touched by a story about an elderly gentleman who does his banking in person rather than online. Why? Because he values the small connections he makes with people he knows, whether it's the bank staff, the shopkeeper, or neighbours he sees while out and about. Over time, these connections have blossomed into genuine community. Those same people check in and lend a hand when he's unwell. I smile as I write this for an online community - the irony is not lost on me. There's such value in online connections, especially for staying close to friends and family miles away or meeting new people when we can't venture out. But here's the challenge for all of us: let's try to balance both worlds—the virtual and the physical. Each has its way of making us feel connected and valued. But there's something unique about face-to-face interactions, almost like the difference between recorded and live music. The "in-person" magic is real. So, today, I'm committing to showing up—online and offline—with kindness wherever possible :).

🌟 A Simple Act of Kindness 🌟 One fine morning, I woke up feeling unusually lazy, typical of my days off. But that day, the universe nudged me out of my comfort zone. 🛏️✨ With a craving for Greggs’ sausage rolls, I headed out, only to find the store closed for maintenance. As fate would have it, I wandered into a nearby Co-op for an alternative breakfast option. 🍩🥤 That's when I noticed Aysha from afar, looking lost and confused. I approached her with a simple smile and said "Hello!" 😊👋 We exchanged numbers, and she shared that she was new to the country, feeling lonely and disoriented. Since that serendipitous meeting, we've bonded over meals, grocery shopping, life stories, and countless coffee dates. 🍽️🛒☕ We've explored the city together, building a friendship based on mutual kindness and compassion. 🌍❤️ A small act of kindness can make a big difference. As the saying goes, “A little bit of kindness can go a long way.” 📚✨ Let’s all be kind and compassionate. You never know how much it can mean to someone else. 💬 Share your own acts of kindness or stories in the comments! Let’s spread some positivity together. 👇💖 #KindnessMatters #LifeLessons #BeKind #SmallActsBigImpact #PositiveImpact

Today is World Kindness Day! Small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Whether it’s a smile, a helping hand, or a simple ‘thank you.’ Let’s celebrate by spreading a little extra warmth, compassion, and positivity wherever we go. #WorldKindnessDay #SpreadKindness #BeTheGood #brokersarebetter #brokersworkforyou #insurancebroker #insurancebrokerage #brokers #brokersdoitbetter #InsuranceBrokerage

From your first breath to every milestone, she's been your unwavering support. No matter your age, she remains your lifelong guardian. This World Mother's Day (May 12) honour her with a gift as timeless as her love. She's earned it. Wish her a heartfelt Happy Mother's Day. #FNPdotAE #mothersday #mothersgift #giftformom #GiftCombos #giftforher #premiumgifts #momgiftguide #momgift #onlinegifts #GiftsthatConnect

The Essence of Giving: Beyond Materiality and Into Connection Giving is an act that transcends the material—it is not bound by what is given or its nature, but by the essence of connection it fosters. The significance of Tuesday in this context may not be overtly explained, but it carries a deeper, intrinsic value that resonates through action and intention. To truly understand, one must engage with its spirit rather than seek its rationale. ‘Give’ is a word that symbolizes a profound bridge between the sender and the receiver, one built on genuine connection. Without this bond, giving remains hollow; it is only when the giver feels the connection that the act becomes meaningful. The donor parts with something equally precious to themselves, while the receiver cherishes the gift not merely for its utility but as a treasure imbued with thought and care. This exchange, however, is not complete without mutual acknowledgment—where both the giver and receiver understand and honor the sanctity of the act. Only then can the relationship of giving be sealed, a symphony played to the last note, leaving no room for adjournment or incompleteness. #EssenceOfGiving #ConnectionMatters #MeaningfulActs #GiftOfConnection #GivingWithHeart #PurposefulLiving #ThoughtfulGiving #SymbolicSignificance #ActsOfKindness #BeyondMateriality Giving Tuesday: Share your kindness and giving!

Small Act of Kindness Can Make Big Impact. Last week, I was in a bustling market, trying to get groceries. I saw a young woman struggling to carry a heavy basket of plantains. Without thinking much, I offered to help her. Her smile and “thank you” were so genuine and warm, it made my day. Do you know that a small act of kindness can inspire others around us? In that same market I saw a vendor give extra tomatoes to a customer, and someone paid for another person’s okpa. It felt like a chain reaction of kindness. The smallest acts of kindness can create a wave of positive change. I know it’s challenging to be kind given the recent happenings in the country, but let’s try our best. We might not always see the impact, but our small acts of kindness can save or positively affect lives in ways we don’t know. What’s the nicest thing someone has done for you, or what’s a small act of kindness you’ve seen recently? PS: After taking a short break from LinkedIn to recharge, I’m excited to be back😊😊

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, if you celebrate! I’m Umatilla and I celebrate Thanksgiving with my Mom and family who are white. So, before we go around the table and say what we’re thankful for, there is space for me to give a land acknowledgement. I had been thinking all day about land acknowledgements and calling attention to the atrocities forced upon the people to whom this land rightfully belongs. For white folks, having this mirror held up in front of you could elicit guilt or shame. I’ve been thinking a lot about white guilt lately, especially after the election, and how white guilt doesn’t actually do anything or help anyone. When we’re coming from a place of guilt or shame, we shut down or close off. I’m a procrastinator and usually the one thing keeping me from taking action is the shame of not having done so in the first place. Or maybe you do take action. Perhaps you make a donation because the shame triggers your distress response and your brain wants to solve the problem–not the systemic problem, but the problem of feeling this negative emotion. I was thinking about how we can navigate these feelings of guilt and shame to actually make a lasting impact. When we come from a place of empathy and compassion, we feel more open and we can get more creative in how we can solve a problem. When we come from a place of power, as in “I understand my power and I’m here to share it” the question goes from “how can I fix this feeling of shame” to “how can I help?” You might think "Oh! I have a beach house that I don’t use in the off season and I could offer it as an artist residency to an Indigenous artist!" Or "I have this plot in a community garden, maybe I could give that as part of a land-back action." When you can shift from the guilt and shame that’s keeping you closed off to the possibilities of how to participate in community in a meaningful way, and shift to empathy and compassion and humanness and gratitude–gratitude for the land we’re on–you can be more present in the action that you’re taking. And it will feel good. The pain of that guilt and shame will go away as a result. Our thoughts create our emotions, so a thought like “I’m bad for being white. I’m bad for the things my ancestors did”, is going to create the emotions that impede our ability to participate in community openly. This is what isolates us. But a thought like “I have power, I have resources, and I can share that, how can I help?” is going to generate a very different emotion and make the experience of participating in giving more impactful for those receiving AND ourselves. I don’t think the purpose of a Land Acknowledgement is to elicit guilt and shame. I think it’s to name that your experience is not happening in a vacuum. You are participating in a community, however you got here, and since you’re here now, you may as well open yourself up and get connected with the land and with Indigenous people. I am glad to be in community with you. Truly.

It's easy to overlook the impact that small acts of kindness can have on others. Great share by Okare Shaba Original Post Below 👇 👇 👇 "As we go about our busy lives, it's easy to overlook the impact that small acts of kindness can have on others. But the truth is, every act of giving is a seed of hope, a spark of love, and a reminder that even in our darkest moments, light can shine through. Just as in this video his compassion and kindness is a beacon of hope, inspiring us to make a difference in our own unique ways. Let's take a cue from these amazing young ladies and spread kindness wherever we go. Whether it's a referral, a listening ear, or a helping hand, every act of kindness has the power to transform lives. So, let's make today a day of kindness! Give where you can, and be the reason someone smiles today. #KindnessMatters #CompassionInAction #MakeADifference #SpreadLove #Inspiration ♻️Repost" ______________________ A page dedicated to giving you a warm hug. Follow our page and fuel our mission of Spreading Kindness.