Words that build

This morning I received an unexpected phone call from a woman who used to live in my neighborhood and had moved to Israel a number of years ago. While we spoke to each other frequently when she lived nearby, now that she lives in another country, our conversations are sporadic. She called to wish me a Shana Tova and her call put a smile on my face.

Week 4 of the acts of kindness initiative focuses on words that build. Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis focuses on the same topic in her column titled Just Two Words.

Call someone just to say you were thinking about them. They will smile for the rest of the day.
Call someone you normally wouldn’t call to wish them good shabbos and good yom tov.
Call a single with a shidduch suggestion
Invite a guest for a shabbos or yom tov meal who may be alone, for example, a single, widow, divorcee or someone new to the community or an unaffiliated Jew.
Let’s heighten our sensitivities to other person’s emotions
If they are happy, join in their happiness. If they are sad, show sincere concern and help carry their emotional burden. If they are lonely…find ways to reach out in friendship. If they are frustrated be encouraging and optimistic. Use your words to encourage and uplift – kind words last forever.
Develop a good eye to see positive in others. Then ask yourself, what can I say to this person that will make them feel good about themselves. Find a virtue in another and express how much you value that person for it.