giving

Robert Louis Stevenson said "You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving."  

Oh and it's a perfect time to mention that today is GIVING TUESDAY.  Be as generous as you are able.

the seasons

The pumpkins and the fall leaves and the changing colors at this time of year is fun for me.  The cold and snow are just ahead.  That may be fun for you.  Summer?  Spring?  Do you have a favorite season?  How about the season of giving?  The season of kindness (which I believe to be all year) is really my favorite time!

What's in it for me?

At some time, you may have heard someone ask, "What's in it for me?"  Well in terms of being kind, there actually is something in it for you, although I don't think that's why we should be kind people.  Kind people attract kindness though, so the more kind you are, the more like it is that folks will be kind to you in return.  Another good thing is the feeling you get.  It's nice to do something for somebody else and not expect anything in return.  It makes you feel good.

your thoughts

How about you? I've often listed random acts of kindness here, but what about you? Please always feel free to add ideas in the comments section below or to just tell us a story about kindness. There are so many wonderful heartwarming stories out there, and sharing is caring!

groan

No matter how kind you are,
        German children are kinder!

thankfulness and kindness

I am always thankful for the kind people and the kind moments in my life.  Even in difficult times, there is always something to be thankful for and there is never a moment for us not to be kind.  To me, kindness and thankfulness seem to go hand in hand.  I'm thankful too for all who read this daily blog and hope that someone has been influenced along the way.

sharing is caring

Not everyone is able to enjoy a big holiday feast.  Remember, sharing is caring.  If you can afford it, consider preparing a double batch of everything, and then go delivery that extra food where it will be most appreciated.

Kindness toward shut-ins

Do you know anyone who is confined indoors, either as a result of physical or mental disability, or simply because they have no transportation? Days can become rather boring for some of these folks and an occasion note in the mail or call on the phone might really brighten things for them! Such a simple act is also a very kind thing.

because you exist

Someone out there feels better today because you exist.  Remember that.  Yes, it really is true.  There are probably even several someones.

Lonliness

Does being alone makes you lonely?  It can.  We can also be lonely being surrounded by unkind and uncaring people.  Spread that kindness.  Let people know that you care.  Don't make anyone live a lonely life, feeling afraid and often unloved.  Be kind.

good in others

Life becomes easier and more beautiful 

   when we can see the good in other people.

Become an inspiration

Let your life really mean something. Become an inspiration to other people so that they may try to do more and to become more than they are today.

strangers

I'm amazed at how sometimes strangers or people you just met will reach out to you with concern about your well-being.  Sometimes strangers are there before family or friends!  While it is nice to see people reaching out, I hope it spreads and involves those closest to us as well!

good heart

 If everything you do is with a good heart, expecting nothing in return, you will never be disappointed.

back together

One day, someone is going to hold you so tight that all your broken pieces fit back together. Or perhaps you will be that person for someone else.

no such thing as too kind

When we are kind to others, we always strive to become better than we are. There is no such thing as too kind. We just get better and better and when we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.

three things

The great novelist Henry James, once said: "Three things in human life are important: The first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; the third is to be kind." Seems like we just might be on to something!

your voice for honesty and truth and compassion

"Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed.  If people all over the world would do this, it would change the earth." -William Faulkner

be my friend

Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow.

Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead. 

Walk beside me.  Just be my friend.

Patriotism

Grateful for all who have served in our military, I was thinking of what it means to be a patriot, and these words from Theodore Roosevelt helped answer my question.  "Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiency or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country."

I shall not pass this way again

One of my favorite quotes about kindness is from William Penn, even though it might sound a lot like something sung by Jim Seals and Dash Crofts. Penn said "I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."

one of those days

Today seems to be one of those days.  I slept late (which I never day) and when I finally dragged myself out of bed, I felt all kinds of yucky.  Slow down!  There's a holiday this Thursday and another one a few Thursdays later.  Just because today didn't begin great, doesn't mean it has to be a bad day!  I'm going to be very kind to myself, and of course I'll be kind to others!

Kinder world

Every now and then I hear people say they are looking for a kinder world.  That of course would be wonderful indeed, but don't forget that we each have the power to make it so!

We don't take days off

It's Sunday, so no work for many and no school, and therefore no need to be kind, right? WRONG! I'm not serious.  We don't take a day off from caring about others. Being good and kind is an everyday occurrence we should practice every single day!

Passion

Passion is the secret ingredient to an amazing life. Be passionate about something. Be passionate about everything, if you can.

birthday wishes

Happy birthday to my sister today, who doesn't read this, but who otherwise is the greatest sister in the world.  Kind too.  She could easily be the poster-person for kindness!

Which is better

When someone does a kind thing for you, it feels really good, huh?  But wait!  It also feel good to be the one doing the kind deed.  Imagine that  Which is better?  We could begin a contest and keep giving and receiving over and over and test out which one becomes our favorite.

The World Needs More Kindness

The world needs more kindness.  The world needs more kindness.  The world needs more kindness.  The world needs more kindness.  The world needs more kindness.  The world needs more kindness.  The world needs more kindness.  The world needs more kindness.  The world needs more kindness.  The world needs more kindness.  The world needs more kindness.  The world needs more kindness.  The world needs more kindness.  The world needs more kindness.  The world needs more kindness.  The world needs more kindness.  The world needs more kindness.  The world needs more kindness.  The world needs more kindness.  The world needs more kindness.

kindness to those who have passed

When I was young, I was taught to never speak ill of the dead.  Nowadays it seems to happen all the time.  I'm not suggesting we lie.  What I will suggest is that if we live a life of kindness, nobody will have a bad word to say about us.  For those who have already passed, is it necessary to speak of their faults?  Regardless of the way they lived, can we not remember them with love?

Each day holds a surprise

Many powerful quotes came from priest and theologian Henri Nouwen.  He told us "Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let's not be afraid to receive each day's surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity."  Some good advice!