We're done

We're done!  Oh no, not with being kind.  We will always be kind!  We have finished the month though, and tomorrow we begin the short one, February.

The list of kind acts goes on and on!

Make a point of finding the name of a supermarket or drugstore employee and then praise him/her through that company’s corporate office. Buy some bottles of water and randomly hand them out to strangers on the street. Drop off a plant or a plate of cookies to your nearby police or fire station. Clean graffiti from neighborhood walls and buildings. The list of kind acts goes on and on!

Another quote from Dr King

At the beginning of last week, as we honored Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, and I posted something from him here. Another quote of his came to mind yesterday and it really speaks to the love and kindness we share. He said "Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others."

Rushed to the hospital

The pain was incredible when I was rushed to the hospital late at night and I have to say I was probably not as kind as I would like to be.  Oh my!  I was probably even rude.  The Emergency Department staff could not have been nicer.  The pain medication had me feeling better and I apologized to everyone, but they all said the same thing:  I had acted like anyone in pain might.  (By the way, it was kidney stones).  Anyway, there may be a time when you are not as kind as you would like, but always strive to be your best.

Many seeing kindness

Many of my friends have been reporting on social media, about seeing various acts of kindness.  I'm always happy to hear stories of kind acts, and especially now that there seems to be so many.  Let's keep it going.  We can never have too much kindness!

Happy music

Does music make you happy?  The sun has been up where I am for less than an hour, but I am listening to happy peppy music (oldies) and it helps charge me up for the day and it certainly helps me to be happy.  I try to be pleasant and kind always, and being happy leads me in that direction.  You might say that good music makes me a kinder person.

Words of Saint Paul

On this day in which the conversion of the Apostle Saint Paul is remembered, some words of his come to mind.  In his letter to the Colossians he said "as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

Compliment Day

Folks today might be waiting for some kind words because it is National Compliment Day.  I hope that encourages people to take a bit of time and intentionally pay some compliments.  One kind word can change someone's entire day!  All you daily readers are wonderful!  Let's make this happen.

Good morning world

Hello all!  Good morning world (or good afternoon or evening, if you are reading this at a later time)!  We are halfway through another week.  Make it a kind one!  Spread the happiness!

A Mental Exercise

Take just a moment to think about the last kind act someone did for you.  Picture that in your mind.  Now think about how it made you feel.  Imagine if everyone you encountered did something kind for you.  How would you feel then?  Hold that image in your mind.  Wow!  Now if we all practiced this same kindness, picture the results.  Oh my!

Forgiveness

Part of being kind, I think, is being able to forgive.  On this day in which we honor the legacy of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, I am reminded of something he said: "Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude."

A little help please

What can be said that hasn't already been said about kindness?  A little help please.  Some days I feel like I am repeating myself.  Sometimes a fresh point of view is helpful.  What are your thoughts?  What does kindness mean to you?

piping hot coffee

There is nothing better on a cold winter morning than a cup of piping hot coffee, especially when someone hands you a cup they just bought for you and it's exactly the way you like it!  What a very kind thing to do.

Pooh words

Today is National Winnie the Pooh Day (celebrated on author A. A. Milne's birthday), and these words from Pooh come to mind: "You can’t stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you.  You have to go to them sometimes."

birthday greetings

Wishing someone a happy birthday helps to brighten their day and it only takes a few seconds!  Be kind and remember the birthdays of those around you.  Today we especially remember former First Lady Michelle Obama and the fabulous Betty White Ludden.

Lin-Manuel's birthday

Today is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 349 days remaining in 2019.  Oh and it's also the birthday of one of the world's nicest, kindest people Lin-Manuel Miranda.  Let's follow his example and share the love!

Laughter

Waking to the sad news that the great Carol Channing has passed away, I am reminded of her wish words about laughter:  "Laughter is much more important than applause.  Applause is almost a duty.  Laughter is a reward."

Random thoughts from you

For the past week I have mentioned various random kind acts that will make someone's day.  There are so many ideas of course.  Please feel free to share some of yours!  (Actually your thoughts are always welcome here).

One more random act of kindness

How about another random act?  When paying for your breakfast in a restaurant, ask for the check of a random diner (especially someone who is elderly or who is dining alone) and pay it without their knowing.  Wow!  That will really make someone's day!

 

More nice gestures

Load extra money in vending machines to buy the next person's snacks when they come along.  It will be a pleasant surprise for them!  Leaving a few extra quarters next to the washers or dryers in the laundromat is another nice gesture.

 

 

Want to make someone's day?

Want to make someone's day?  Sing an employee's praises to their manager or on a comment card — a little recognition goes a long way.  Believe it or not, people complain more often than praise even though most workers deserve the praise more often than the complaint.

 

 

 

Another random kind act

Another random kind act:  Help a friend see today in a wondrous new light: present them with a kaleidoscope. They really aren't very expensive and are available in most toy stores.  Like the coloring books I mentioned on Tuesday, this is something stores might give you or discount if you tell them what you are doing!

 

 

 

More winter random acts

Since I mentioned a random kind act yesterday, I thought I would continue with more.  Buy boxed valentines (the kind kids use for their schoolmates - they're available in stores right now) and send them to people at random times to brighten their days.  You can do it now - no need to actually wait for Valentine's Day!

 

Random acts in the winter

It's cold and gray where I live, but random acts of kindness can always warm things up!  How about giving the pediatric wing of a hospital a stack of $1 coloring books and $2 boxes of new crayons?  Good idea, huh?  (Some stores even give away coloring books to their customers. Tell them what you want to do and see if they will then give you a quantity).

 

Ripped from the headlines

Waking  to this headline:  Sandra Oh And Andy Samberg Kill Hollywood With Kindness In Golden Globes Opening.  The reference of course was to last night's Golden Globe Awards, and the kindness - well that is always a good thing!

About those resolutions

Did you resolve to change an undesired trait or behavior or set some kind of goal to improve their life as the year began a few days ago? How is that coming for you?  I know it's early on, but to be successful, you need to stick with it!  Each year I resolve to be kinder and more caring.  Join me!

12th

For those of you keeping score, today is the twelfth day of Christmas.  I hope you have enjoyed this season!  The holiday may be ending tonight, but let's keep the joy alive every single day.  Share the love and kindness!

First Friday

Today is the first Friday of the year.  Fridays used to be my favorite days of the week - weekends for me meant no school, and later no work.  Fridays were the beginning of a time of rest and of fun.  Now, while I still love Fridays, I love the other days too.  We can make any day a good one. 

Still

Are you enjoying your Christmas?  Yes, I said it correctly because it is still Christmas.  In fact it will be Christmas until January 5th!  (Twelve days altogether).  So enjoy, and spread the kindness!

am very grateful

As 2019 begins, I want to thank all the folks who read these words and all who share them.  Thanks also for the comments you have left.  I appreciate it and am very grateful!  I don't know if this makes a difference at all and if somehow this blog has helped to bring more kindness to the world, but I am hopeful.  I do know that writing these thoughts each morning has helped me to be more aware and hopefully I have become a kinder person.

Happy 2019

Happy New Year everyone!  Thanks for reading my thoughts here in this space.  I hope you have a wonderful 2019 and my this be a year filled with lots and lots of kindness!