thirtieth

Today is the thirtieth day of this month. Is that significant? Of course, it is! Every single day of our lives is significant. Today is the day when we share love and kindness. Yesterday was that day too of course, and tomorrow will be as well. The joys of the thirtieth of November are the joys of every single day of our lives!

Obama on Change

Now more than ever, let us not forget the wise words of former President Barack Obama, who said "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."

in times of anxiety

In times of anxiety and when we are experiencing extreme stress do you know what helps calm your anxious thoughts?  Kindness.  Yup.  Here is just one more reason why being kind is so good.  I have heard this from experts and also experienced it myself.  If a court ruling has you frustrated; if crime in the streets has made you tense; if there is stress in your life due to hatred and injustice, try doing something especially nice for someone.  I don't mean to minimize life's problems, and we certainly should work on correcting the ills of society, but a kind act can also be a wonderful tonic.

surrounded by kindness

For some it just comes naturally.  I think so of it has to do with tradition and how people act around you.  If we are always surrounded with kindness, then it would seem we are more likely to be kind.  Of course I am no expert.  What do YOU think?

the kind people

I love hearing stories of kindness. Sometimes on the local news we hear of a neighborhood hero or maybe in a Facebook post. The kind acts that people do always warm my heart and getting all the details is such an extra bonus. Sharing stories can be done here too - just add them in the comments below!  I really never get tired of here about kind acts and the kind people in our world.

thankful for the good

So very thankful am I.  I'm thankful every single day.  Yes, we keep hearing bad news, but somehow, we seem to neglect the good news.  There is a lot of good too.  There is also a lot of kindness too.  We can always make more.  Let us keep being kind and let us keep being thankful for all the good.

remembering that turkey jook

How many of you have had turkey jook (some people call it congee or rice porridge)?  One of my favorite memories of kindness is when I was given a nice big bowl or a few days after Thanksgiving. It was so delicious and I can still remember how good it made me feel.

gratitude

I have always loved the Thanksgiving holiday.  It's not because of the turkey or pumpkin pie and it isn't because of the parades and the football.  I like the idea of gathering together in gratitude.  Most of us don't say thank you often enough and there is so much to be grateful for.  I love the great kindness associated with this day too.  Enjoy your holiday!

profound words

This morning I want to share these profound words from Albert Schweitzer: "When you callously ignore the suffering of others, you lose the capacity to share their happiness, too." Give that some thought.

make someone happy

One of the happiest things for me is when I make someone happy.  It doesn't have to take a lot of effort.  It's usually pretty simple.  Talk to people.  Be interested in their life.  Show that you care.  It's amazing but if you make someone happy, you will find that it also makes you happy.

Remembering Mrs Carter

Yesterday, Rosalynn Carter writer, activist and humanitarian and former First Lady of the United States, passed away.  She will certainly be remembered for her kindness and for her wisdom.  Mrs Carter once said. "There are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers."  At one time or another, she was all four.  

National Drummer Day

Today is National Drummer Day, so be especially kind to drummers. By the way, do you have a favorite drummer?  Think for just a moment of all the drummers you have ever heard perform, and be glad.

teddys

Today is National American Teddy Bear Day. My apartment is filled with teddy bears. My mom, Teddy, collected them.  I know they gave her great joy and brought joy to all the people she showed them too.  Mom also gave teddys to special people in her life.  Teddy bears bring joy and kindness, so hug one today!

Especially today

Today is World Kindness Day.  I urge everyone to be kind every single day of their lives, but especially today.  We truly can make a difference.

Light Up My life

Remember back when Debby Boone sang "You Light Up My life"? It's a happy song because lighting up someone's life is such a kind and happy thing to do. Today and every day, do your best to light up someone's life!

Words from Robert F Kennedy

I have always liked these words spoken by Robert Francis Kennedy: "Some men see things as they are and ask why.  I dream of things that never were and ask why not." 

How about you

How about you? I keep listing 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!

pulled pork and spaghetti sauce

My sister is a good cook.  She's great making fudge, any baked goods, pulled pork, and spaghetti sauce.  She takes goodies to work for her coworkers to enjoy and she brings thing by for me too.  She is one of the kindest people I know too and today being her birthday, I just HAD to mention her.  What a great world it would be if we all had sisters like mine!

From Charlotte's Web

In E.B. White's classic "Charlotte's Web," there is this wonderful passage:
    “Why did you do all this for me?' he asked. 'I don't deserve it. I've never done anything for you.'
    'You have been my friend,' replied Charlotte. 'That in itself is a tremendous thing.”

who

Every one of us have met someone who is kind.  If we are fortunate enough, we have met several people who are.  Kindness is not just for family and friends.  Hopefully we encounter kindness in the workplace, at school, when we are shopping, and even from the celebrities we enjoy.  Think for a moment about who might be on your list of kind people.  Let's all do our best to add to the world's kindness.

what's it all about

Generosity, concern, consideration, niceness, giving to others (in many cases more than they deserve). That's what kindness is all about.  It makes you feel good too!

make the most of every day

It is so important to make the most of every single day, and in our kindness, we should help others to also make the most of every day.