Encouraging words from Roger Ebert

I think I have shared these words from the late film critic Roger Ebert, but they are important, so think about them once again.  "To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try."

need a break

Need a break?  Go for it!  It is perfectly normal to take breaks.  While I will always encourage kindness to others, kindness to ourselves is so very important too!

some random acts of kindness

This morning, I want to share a few ideas of random acts of kindness. Volunteer at your local hospital.  Buy a stranger a free pizza. Offer to return a shopping cart to the store for someone loading their car. Buy cold drinks for the people next to you at a ball game. Call an estranged family member. Clean graffiti from neighborhood walls and buildings. Spend some time serving food at a meal program for the needy.

enjoy life

I've said this many times and it is so important. We should all make the most of every day. Enjoy life. Do what we can to makes the world better and help our neighbors to also make the most of every day.

from Ralph Waldo Emerson

Essayist, poet, and lecturer Ralph Waldo Emerson said "You cannot do kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." How true.

self-kindness

To truly practice self-love, you have to learn self-kindness, and being kind to yourself means getting serious and committed to your dreams.

Take responsibility and breathe kindness

"If everyone took personal responsibility for their animals, we wouldn't have a lot of the animal problems that we do. I'm a big spay-and-neuter supporter. Don't have babies if you're not going to take care of those babies. We don't need more. We just need to take care of the ones we have. Take responsibility and breathe kindness." -Wonderful words of wisdom from the late actress Betty White 

grateful

There is a group of women who are doing some amazing things this week, and I am most grateful.  We need more folks who just step up and do good!

Two words

Just two little words:  Be kind.  That's what is blog is all about.  I hope in the years I have been doing this, it has reached a few people and helped them become more kind.  I also hope it continues to make me more aware and hopefully become a kinder person.

ideas

As we head in to this weekend, can you think of some kindness ideas?  How about donating blood?  (That's always a very kind thing to do).  Give coffee to people on their way to work in the morning. Tell your parents/children why you love them. Leave a treat or handmade note of thanks for a delivery person or mail carrier.

Receiving compliments

Raising funds for a large charity, I was very pleased last night to receive a large donation from someone I have known for many years, but when I saw that on my fundraising page he had written that I have "always had a big heart," it made my day.  The money was certainly great, but oh those words!  We don't go through life looking for compliments, but when they receive them it is such a beautiful tonic.

unkind

To me, unkind is such a foreign concept.  We might not all be as sweet and nice as the next person, but unkind to me says mean and rotten.  How could anyone act that way?  Yet sadly, there are some who do.  Oh how wonderful it would be if there were never an unkind action again!

isn't a better feeling

Which feels better, being kind to someone, or someone being kind to you?  That might seem like a trick question.  Of course, it's nice to have both, but you just can't beat the warm and wonderful feeling you get when you do something special for someone. When you see that they appreciate your efforts, there just isn't a better feeling.

Did you feel the love

Cards, candy, flowers, teddy bears, all kinds of messages and gifts - Did you feel the love?  The love and the joy of Valentine's Day isn't only romantic, and it didn't have to end yesterday.  Let's keep it going!  Share the love.

Love

The late columnist Ann Landers once wrote "Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving.  It is loyalty through good and bad times.  It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weakness.”  Think about her words on this Valentine's Day and celebrate the love.

Colin Powell said

Colin Powell had something to say about kindness: "Don't just show kindness in passing or to be courteous. Show it in depth, show it with passion, and expect nothing in return. Kindness is not just about being nice; it's about recognizing another human being who deserves care and respect."

Rest in peace

One of the sweetest and kindest people I have ever met died this week from COVID-19 complications.  I only had the privilege of knowing her a few years, but I saw the love and the care that were a part of her life every day.  It is always sad when folks pass away - we won't see them anymore.  It is a comfort though when they leave behind such warm memories.

I'm not the judge

Please be assured that I am not the judge. That certainly is not my place. Judge for yourself though. Are you a kind person?  How kind are you?  Are you always kind, or just sometimes?  Are you kind to everyone? If the answer is no, what's holding you back? From time to time, I look back on my day and the people I interact with.  Am I proud of the way I acted?  Can I do better?  Something to think about.

keep on making my heart sing

Occasionally I hear or see such wonderful things, that it makes my heart sing!  Keep on spreading that kindness and keep on making my heart sing!

big and expensive

Does it have to be big and expensive?  Nope.  It need not cost you any money at all.  In fact some of the kindest things we can do are simply being there for someone else and showing that you care.  Try it.  It matters.

only the laundry

My mom said the only thing that should be separated by color is laundry, but when I was little, I remember seeing "whites only" signs and public water fountains were all labeled "colored" or "white." I didn't understand it. I still see people not wanting to interact with people of different races or ethnicities and I still don't understand it.  Why be separate? The more we experience each other, the more we experience life!

we are the vessels

Joél Leon is a storyteller, musician, poet, and author. These profound words are his: "If we are asking for the world to be kind, we must first ask what are we doing to add more kindness to the world. If we are asking for the world to be more loving, we must first ask what are we doing to add more love to the world. We are the vessels for the things we seek."

donate blood

This week I will be coordinating two blood drives and I know I'll see a lot of kindness. The act of donating blood is a generous and amazing thing and I'm always filled with gratitude and joy as I see the donors arrive. About one in seven people who come to the hospital need blood, including surgery patients, women in childbirth, accident victims, and cancer patients. The blood supply comes from caring donors like you. When you give blood, you give someone another chance at life.  Thanks in advance to all who donate.

happy weekend

Happy weekend everybody!  Love yourself.  Love and respect others.  Be a light in the world.  Above everything, be kind.

pass it on

Do something today to make others smile.  Stay positive.  Let today be your best and share all that good with those around you.  Truly pass it on!

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,

Punxsutawney repeat

Remember the film Groundhog Day, where Bill Murray's character, weatherman Phil Connors gets stuck in a time loop in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania? I love that movie, but the idea of some things repeating over and over is pretty cool too. Let's put kindness on a continual repeating loop. I know for sure that would be a good thing!

Too many suicides

Too many suicides. Actually, any suicide is too many. Every life is important.  Care about your family and friends, and even total strangers.  Be there for them.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7,

free and confidential support for people in distress,

prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.

1-800-273-8255