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Last year when Ryan started college, a friend brought over a care package for me the week before she moved to campus.  Nothing fancy, just some lotion, some tea, a few cookies, and a loaf of pumpkin bread.  She wanted me to know that she understood how hard this milestone could be for moms and that she was thinking of me.  I cannot tell you how much that gift basket meant to me.  I WAS having a really hard time and her thoughtfulness made me feel less alone and extremely loved.

This year my oldest niece is starting college at UNL.  The week before she moved, I made sure to put together a gift basket for her mom as she got ready to send her youngest child off.  I was inspired by the kindness, love, and generosity of my friend and the impact it had on me.  I wanted to make sure and share that with others when I have the chance.  And who knows?  Maybe my sister-in-law will be inspired to do the same for someone else.  Maybe someone reading this newsletter will be inspired to make a care package for a friend or family member who is going through a big life change!  My friend's kindness had a ripple effect and who knows how far those ripples will spread?!

The truth is, our actions and our words  impact others.  Too often we forget that.  Understandable, because we may never know the full extent of it!  But whatever we put out into the world - for good or for bad - it does make an impact and it can inspire the actions of others.  If we give out hostility, cruelty, and hatred, those things multiply and spread.  Our unkindness impacts those around us and continues to be transmitted out into the world in ways we may never realize.  In the same way, when we share love - when we give out words of encouragement and hope or small acts of generosity and kindness - that also makes an impact and ripples out into the world in powerful ways.  What an amazing thought, that our tiny words of kindness or small acts of love can be powerful.  They can ripple out, spreading and growing and impacting more people along the way!

This week I invite you to look for opportunities to spread love - small gestures, kind words, offering encouragement, or a helping hand.  No matter how small, your love and kindness can make an impact - cause a ripple - and you never know how far it will spread!