Soup Sunday - A Recipe for Kindness and Connection

A few years ago, my family started making soup every Sunday as a way of winding down the cooler weeks of fall and winter. Taco soup, white bean soup, chicken and vegetable soup, chili, any kind of soup – I simmer together all the ingredients in my Instapot for hours while we go about our usual Sunday morning routine. By the time lunch comes, we have a hearty, warm meal ready to go. In my family, we started calling it “Soup Sunday.” 

Earlier this year, we saw an elderly neighbor who lives alone and thought, Why not share some of our soup this Sunday? That Sunday, my husband walked down the street with a big Tupperware of soup and spent a few minutes saying hello as he dropped it off to Mr. Brown. The following Sunday, we figured our neighbor might enjoy some again. So my husband brought another batch of soup to him, chatted for a bit, and then we went about our day.

Week after week, we’ve been making our soup, and each Sunday, we bring some to our neighbor. Recently, we ran into his son, who lives in another town. He stopped to tell us something that has stayed with me. His father loves “Soup Sundays.” In fact, he looks forward to it all week. Not just for the warm, homecooked meal, but for the simple joy of a friendly visitor at his door, and knowing that we care enough to include him in our Soup Sunday tradition. 

It seems like such a small gesture, but over time, it has become a meaningful weekly act of kindness, a moment of connection, and a way to let our neighbor know we’re thinking of him. It’s a reminder that kindness doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful.

"A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions." – Amelia Earhart

At Perfectly Me, we believe in fostering community with others by encouraging families and kids to think about how they can share small acts of kindness in their communities. As Amelia Earhart once said, a single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions. And when those roots take hold, it begins a chain reaction of goodwill and kindness. 

Small Acts of Kindness Make a Big Impact

Research shows that even small acts of kindness have the potential to make a big impact on those around us, as well as on our own well-being. When we signal to others that they matter to us, it starts a ripple effect. They experience higher levels of happiness and self-esteem, and in turn, we also boost our own feelings of worthiness. This is true when we treat those we love with care, but also when we practice small acts of kindness with complete strangers. 

Here are just a few small gestures that can spread kindness:

• Let someone in a rush go ahead of you in line at the grocery store

• Hold the door open for people and share a genuine smile

• Offer to bring snacks to a team meeting or community event

• Walk someone to their car at night to help them feel safe

• Bring your neighbor’s trash can up from the curb

• Ask a neighbor to join you for puzzle night or a card game

• Pick up trash in your neighborhood

  
  

It’s often the smallest acts of kindness that have the most impact. What are some ways you can spark kindness and connection in your community? How can you encourage your kids to do the same? Are kindness and connection part of your family values?

If you’re looking for a camp community to support you, please join the Perfectly Me movement. 

P.S. - Tell us your favorite soup in the comments below!

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