Saying no to the corrosiveness

Part of being kind, is saying no to the negativity and corrosiveness that often surrounds us.  Just last night I heard so much name-calling, I thought I was back in first grade.  Disagreeing with someone does not mean we need to be nasty or hurtful.  Building bridges becomes so much easier without venom.

Kind thoughts and actions

I'm not an expert, but it seems to me that if we think kind thoughts, we are more likely to do kind actions.  Agree?  Okay then, let's do both!

In Sixteen Days

It's January 29th - 16 days from Valentine's Day, the day of love.  Don't you think every day should be a day of love?  In sixteen days, let's all be proud of the fact that we have just had sixteen days of kindness!

gorilla present

I have often noted the kindness of Ellen DeGeneres, but did you know her wife is kind as well?  This year for Ellen's birthday, wife Portia de Rossi gave Ellen a permanent gorilla home in Rwanda, and setup the "Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund."  The happiness on Ellen's face said it all!

Please be kind

There are so many ways we can live our lives, but the greatest is when we think of others.  Please be kind in everything you do.  Think of much better our world would be if we were always kind!

More kind things to do

Take an acquaintance to dinner.  Sponsor people in fundraising walk-a-thons.  Buy cold drinks for the people next to you at a ball game.  Spend some time serving food at a meal program for the needy.  Remember the bereaved with phone calls, cards, plants, and food.  Leave a treat or handmade note of thanks for a delivery person or mail carrier.  Share some ideas here.  There's never an end to kindness.

Saint Paul on kindness

In his letter to the Colossians, Blessed Paul the Apostle said "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience."  In his first letter to the Thessalonians, he said "See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone."  So much of Saint Paul's ministry is related to kindness.  Perhaps my favorite of all the things he said comes from his first letter to the Corinthians:  "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

   
    

Severe pain

Oh my!  Last night I had such severe pain that I went to the Emergency Department.  Kidney stones.  Painful.  I only mention this because of the tremendous kindness I was exposed to.  It seems that hospital employees are among the kindest people in the world - it least that's how it felt last night.  I am most grateful.

Tired of winter

How many of you are tired of winter?  (Can I see a show of hands)?  Be kind to yourself, and others.  Don't worry about the cold and the snow.  Spring will be here soon.  Enjoy each day for what it brings.  Remember, there will be days this summer when many folks (like me) will be thinking it is too hot!

Words of Saint Teresa

I love these words of Saint Teresa of Calcutta who said "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."

So many hugs

Last night I was at a birthday party for a 102-year-old woman.  The room was overflowing with kindness.  Hugs too.  Everyone was hugging.  I hope there is more of that today because this is National Hug Day.  Really.  It is!

Great memories from seniors

I often wish I'd spend more time with Grandpa. Nana and I did things together, and she lived much longer and was quite active.  Senior citizens are often alone, but have so much to share. Nana got out and kept busy, but that's not true of many as they get older.  A day in a retirement community can be very rewarding, and can brighten the day for them.  I like chatting with elders and asking them to share memories - how has the world changed during your life? can you remember your first date? Sharing memories helps both us and them stay connected.

Just one kind deed

One kind deed can change someone's day.  Just one kind deed.  Pretty amazing, huh?  One kind deed can even change lives!

The whole wide world

Oh how I wish I could simply wrap my arms around the whole wide world for a giant hug and bring kindness and love to all.  Every day I want to try a little more until I am truly making a difference and actually bringing real joy to folks.

From the mouth of Betty White

The wonderful Betty White, who turns 96 today, once said "When I pontificate, it sounds so, you know, oh, well, she's preaching. I'm not preaching, but I think maybe I learned it from my animal friends. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself. I think that keeps you feeling young. I really do."

More King

It is always amazing to me how many folks post photos and quotes of Martin Luther King Jr. on one day a year, but somehow never speak about Black Lives Matter and are critical of Colin Kaepernick and his peaceful protests.  I truly hope that someday we will always move forward, or to again quote Dr King, "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."  Another appropriate quote from the good reverend might be "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

Dr King

On the day set aside to remember the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior I was thinking of a lot of his inspiring speeches.  These words of his also came to mind:  "You meet people who forget you.  You forget people you meet.  But sometimes you meet those people you can't forget.  Those are your friends."  Dr King also said "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear."

Special outreach

A week ago I was feeling a bit under the weather, and when I mentioned it, many people offered kind words.  I know that there are churches and various other organizations that reach out to homebound folks or people with different illnesses, but I was thinking this would be a marvelous special outreach for all of us.  Feeling sick is never fun, but when people help out, it becomes so much easier to deal with.  Prayers are nice and cards or emails.  Visits or calls should be brief so as to not be taxing for the sick person - the idea is to cheer them up, not wear them out.  Also sometimes a nice care package (things like fruit juice or a hot soup or a casserole) can be so very helpful!

Seeing a difference

I'm seeing a difference from the way I felt at the beginning of this week.  I'm also seeing a difference in the way kindness makes you feel.  I have to say every message and every phone call made me feel a little bit better.  Just knowing someone cares can make all the difference in the world!

always stand up for what's right

I know it can be difficult, but we must always stand up for what is right, even if it means we are standing all alone.

Compliments are great

Yesterday I met someone for the first time and it began with a compliment.  Now compliments are always great, especially when they are sincere and from the heart.  One more compliment though that he won't even hear:  this was the kindest and most productive experience I have had in a very long time!

From the fortune cookie

While I am still sick, I can't keep talking about it!  I'll talk about something familiar.  Believe it or not, I have mentioned fortune cookies here a few times.   Fortune cookies!  Who would think?  Anyway, it is the fortune that appears on this page that I think of every day:  "From now on your kindness will lead you to success."  I wish I could just be more kind!

Still sick

Oh my!  Someone told me yesterday that I can expect to be sick for three weeks!  I sure hope not.  Anyway, be kind to me and forgive me if these daily posts seem odd this week.

Sick in bed

Ugh!  I have a cough and sniffles and just generally feel yucky.  This is one of those days when I feel like doing nothing at all.  I'm even posting this a bit later than usual.  I cannot ignore saying something about kindness though.  When folks are sick, they need our kindness most of all - not just me, but everyone.  Of course that's no problem if we are always kind!

Are you enjoying yourself?

Yes, 2018 is still pretty new, but are you enjoying yourself so far?  How would you like to share that enjoyment?  What can you do to make things happy and enjoyable for someone else?  Sometimes it is something as simple as just being there for them.

Inspiration from Michelangelo

"Danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark." - Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni

How are we doing with those resolutions?

Did you make any New Year's resolutions?  You already know what I think.  It's not always a good thing - you can be setting yourself up for disappointment.  Resolving to be kinder though, that is something I can certainly get behind!

What's all this about kindness?

First time reading this daily blog?  Have you been here before?  Do you find yourself asking "What's all this about kindness?"  Why is it even important?  Think about it for a moment.  How do you feel when someone smiles at you?  How do you feel when someone does something nice?  How do you feel when YOU do something nice for someone else?  Think about it.  Now I'm sure you can see why kindness is so wonderful.

Good everywhere

I think the luckiest people are the ones who can see the good in everything, and in everyone.  Yes there is good everywhere.  Sometimes we just need to believe.

Cold? Shivering?

Cold? Shivering?  Winter can really be a drag, especially when the temperature gets really low.  Buy a friend a nice hot coffee or a hot chocolate.  Donate coats or blankets to shelters.  Make sure animals are out of the elements and have enough clean water.  Remember, if you are feeling the cold, so is everyone else!

Welcome 2018

As we ring in the brand new year, there is great cause for celebrating.  Here comes twelve new months for us to share kindness with others.  Let the love flow!