let it begin with me

We need more kindness.  I'm not talking about how you should act.  This really isn't an instruction manual.  It's so very important for these words here be directed to me.  We ALL should be kind.  Let it begin with me.

Volunteer Recognition Day

Today is Volunteer Recognition Day, so take a moment to thank a volunteer in your life. To volunteer for an organization is to show great kindness. Evaluate your current schedule and see where you can fit in time for volunteering.

Do me a favor

I'm sure you have heard people say "Do me a favor."  Another way to say that is "do me an act of kindness" or "do me a solid."  Should someone have to ask though?  Isn't it great when those favors just flow forth from us like the water in a stream?  Do me a favor good readers and lets spread that kindness everywhere!

It's inside

Inside every one of us is the ability to love others, to bring joy, and to be kind. The great poet and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson reminded us of this when he said "What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you."

Echoes of kind words

Thinking of the long show business career of Marlene Dietrich, you might not easily be able to quote her, but I find one tiny sentence of hers to me a great anthem for our lives. Dietrich said "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."

the kindness of that guy over there

Did you expect the man you passed to smile and nod hello?  Did you expect the little boy in the park to offer you one of the candies his mom had just given him?  Did you expect your next door neighbor to sweep off your sidewalk this morning?  The kindness of that guy over there might be unexpected, but it sure is nice.

All the time

Remember back around Thanksgiving when folks were collecting canned goods or just after that when toy drives were in full swing and collections for warm clothing?  Why don't we do that ALL the time?  There are people in need at any time of the year, not just for a month or two at year's end.  Think about putting aside a couple of food items every single week and donating them to a food bank, church, or other organization that is helping those in need.  Some places will also accept toys and clothing as well.