it makes a difference

What we do and how we act really makes a difference.  I have seen it so often.  Those positive moments in our lives are priceless.  Please believe me.

keep them

The best way to keep the people in your life, is to not give them away.  Keep them and be kind to them.

self kindness

You are not too old and it's not too late. Never give up. Be kind to yourself. You never know what your future might bring.

Promote what you love

Promote what you love.  Rather than bashing what you hate.  I always want to take the more positive approach.

Earth Day

Today is Earth Day. I happen to think that every day should be Earth Day. but that's another matter. Let's just concentrate on today for the moment. I talk here about kindness, and usually am talking about being kind to other people, but there is another kindness that is extremely important. Be kind to our planet. Be kind to the future generations who will live here. Today, set some goals for our relationship with the good old Earth.  We CAN make a difference!

Leo Buscaglia words

Author and motivational speaker Leo Buscaglia said "Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

Tomorrow is another one

Today was good.
Today was fun.
Tomorrow is another one.
Be kind.

Every single day

Every single day is important. Good days give happiness, bad days give experiences, worst days give lessons, and best days give memories. Treasure them all.

No war

War is never a good thing. There is currently fighting going on in Myanmar, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Lebanon, Sudan, and several other countries. Yesterday there was talk of another world war. This is nothing new. Throughout history there has been fighting and killing, but it doesn't have to be this way. We can actually sit down and work out our differences. We can actually respect each other and be kind. We can, but we don't. I really don't understand it. Let's all say, "no war" and mean it.

Surround yourself with positive

By surrounding ourselves with people who inspire us and lift us up, we create a support system to help us weather any storm. These positive relationships are a source of strength, encouragement, and motivation, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles. Surround yourself with positive!

hello

The telephone company used to say "reach out and touch someone" and "long distance is the next best thing to being there."  I'm not sure how many of us think about it, but hearing someone's voice can truly brighten our day.  Not everyone can get out and see folks and if you are stuck indoors and alone, it can become overwhelming.  Take a few minutes and say hello to someone in your life.

daydreaming

Sometimes I daydream about all of the ways I want to make someone happy.  Does that seem odd?  We need more joy and happiness in our world, and I want to make that happen.  I know many of you are with me in this endeavor.  The daydreaming might be good, but I need to do more.  Let's all make it happen!

Kindness ideas

Kindness ideas are never-ending! Here are a few. Send a treat to a school or day-care center. Volunteer at an organization that needs help. Go through your closets and find several nice items and then donate them to a shelter. Buy books for a day care or school. Give toys to the children at a shelter. 

footprints

Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt said, "Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart."  Lets all try to leave some footprints!

Some kind things to do

Some kind things we can all do:  Donate time at a senior center.  Make a point of finding the name of a supermarket or drugstore employee who helped you, and then praise him/her through that company’s corporate office.  Tell your parents/children why you love them.  Share your smile generously.  Call or visit a homebound person.  As you go about your day, pick up trash.  Go through your closets and find several nice items and then donate them to a shelter.

What is better than love?

Ask yourself this:  What is better than love?  Seriously.  Can you come up with an answer?  I called February the Love Month, but we had last month and can have more now.  Love is all around.  How wonderful, because I think there is nothing better than love!

simple message

 The purpose of this blog, the message of this blog, is very, very simple.  BE KIND!

Ella

I always enjoyed the music of Ella Fitzgerald, but it wasn't just her wonderful singing, Ella said some pretty inspiring thing too. She said "Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong."  I agree.

words from FDR

Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, "Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people."

happy weekend!

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

knowledge and wisdom

About knowledge and wisdom, a wise person (I'm not sure who) had some profound words.  "Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life."

playing

We don't stop playing because we grow old.
Nope.  We grow old because we stop playing.

Be civil

Sometimes all the arguing in the world makes me want to scream, especially in the areas of politics and religion.  Let's be civil and let's be kind.

Not a guru

More than once, someone has called me the Kindness Guru. An expert on kindness? Oh, dear no! Wouldn't it be great if we could all be an expert?  I do look for our world to be kinder each day. That requires us all to do our part, and that certainly includes me. This blog is meant to encourage the readers, and also to encourage me. I hope I will become better each day.

I want to be one

I want to be a good person.  I want to be a nice person in general.  I hope that I along the way I can influence others too, not only by my words, but more importantly by my actions.

how many ways

How many ways are there to say "be kind"?  Well, if we are basing the answer on the number of posts here in this blog, it would be over 2,300 but that is only a tiny part of it all.  We all show kindness in our own ways, and that is a wonderful thing.  The ways are endless!

goals

The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The real tragedy lies in having no goals to reach.

Acts of kindness

Every now and then I have listed things we can all do to show kindness toward others. Here are some more: Volunteer to be a tutor in a school. Buy a pack of brightly colored stickers and give them to children you meet during the day. Let the person behind you in the grocery store go ahead of you in line. Invite someone new for dinner, either in your home or in a restaurant. Give toys to the children at a shelter. Say nice things randomly to facebook and Instagram friends. 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. Please add your own ideas below!

Hospital Hugs

I was working my volunteer shift at hospital yesterday when an outpatient (there for some tests) came up to me and asked if I remembered her.  I sure did!  Her husband had been a patient there several years ago and knowing he was in his last days, she tried to stay positive and one day asked if I would give her a hug.  Well it became a regular thing.  Lots of hugs.  One day in the cafeteria she walked up to where I was sitting with tears streaming down her face.  Her husband had died.  We hugged.  Yesterday she told me I had been a big help and thanked me.  We hugged once again.

Now

I keep hearing the stories from funerals of friends and loved ones commenting on how much they loved the departed person.  Yes, this is good to be sure, but I can't help wondering if they said that while the person was alive.  Never wait to express your positive feelings toward someone.  Let them know you love them NOW.

Sunshine

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.  Bring some sunshine.

Good Samaritan Day

The term "good Samaritan" comes from the Bible parable where a Samaritan helped a stranger who had been robbed and beaten and left to die by the side of the road. Today is National Good Samaritan Day recognizing the unselfish actions of those who provide help when it is needed. The day is also known as Good Samaritan Involvement Day and celebrates kindness in all its forms.

Happy Sunday

Hello!  Happy Sunday to you!  I hope you have a wonderful day and I hope you will do things that help others have a wonderful day too.

amazing women

This is International Women's Day, and I'm thinking at the moment of some fantastic people in my life who happen to be women.  My mom is at the top of that list.  She was amazing and was always kind.  I miss her a lot.  Think today of the amazing women in your life and be thankful.

March Fourth

Today is March Fourth, which my mother always said was a command (march forth).  I think of her words every single year.  It's amazing how some things always stick with you.  Anyway, let's all march forth on this March Fourth!  Remember also to be kind.

Soup It Forward

When my mom made a pot of soup, it was nearly always enough to feed an army. I think that's true for most of us, so how about sharing?  Deliver a nice hot pot of your delicious chicken noodle or split pea to a family or friend in need, or to someone under the weather.  Today is National Soup it Forward Day on encouraging us to deliver love and kindness by the bowlful.  I could go for a nice hot pot of potato soup!

time marches on

Today we begin the third month of the year.  Wow!  Doesn't it seem like we just celebrated New Years?  Time marches on folks.  We should cherish every single day.  Let's also make each day enjoyable for others.  Be kind.  Make a difference.

Start spreadin' the word

Being kind is not part of a secret club, and neither is this daily blog.  Leave comments.  Share this with others.  http://ofbeingkind.blogspot.com/  Let's all help each other become kinder!  May being nice and being kind be at the forefront of all our minds.

The Day of Love

Our world can never have too much love.  Today is Valentine's Day, which is generally focused on romantic love, but all love is important.  May the Day of Love fill your heart and may the kindness you show to others light up their lives!

It's in my blood

One of the most wonderful things a person can do, is donating blood.  I coordinate several blood drives every year and I am always encouraged by the love and generosity that people show. I never tire of hearing the many stories of why people donate.  Kindness?  Absolutely!  I wish everyone would donate blood.  

inspiring

I love those who inspire us, like that Ralph Waldo Emerson said "What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you."

wonderful quote

I'm sure I've shared this wonderful quote here before. It's one of my favorites and comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson. "You cannot do kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."

Groundhog Day

Poor Phil Connors. He becomes trapped in a time loop, forcing him to relive February 2 repeatedly.  I think of Groundhog Day as a fun film, but not a movie with a heavy message, until you wait to highlight that repeating theme.  How about kindness becoming such a regular part of who we are and what we do, that it keeps repeating, without us even being aware of it.

The Love Month

Because of Valentine's Day (on the 14th), February is often thought of as the love month. As much as I like that idea, and many of you will know what I am about to say before I even say it, I would love it if every single month was a love month. Share the love in May and in October and in every single month of the year. We can never have too much!

The driver on the bus

I suppose the bus driver didn't see me because she kept on going.  I waved and yelled, but it didn't do any good - for her, but another driver, going the other direction.  He pulled around, let me board and wouldn't let me pay.  He then proceeded directly to my door (he knew where I lived because he sometimes drove that other route), before resuming his schedule.  He might have gotten a tad behind, although I am sure he was able to make it up.  He also did one of the kindest things I can imagine, and it made my day!

as natural as breathing.

I don't know when (or if) everyone will catch on, but being kind is such an easy thing and important thing.  I hope that someday it will come as naturally for everyone as breathing.  We can do it!  I KNOW that we can!  Be kind!

National Compliment Day

A compliment has a powerful effect. Today is National Compliment Day, providing a wonderful way to brighten someone's day or to give credit for a job well done. Give an extra compliment to someone today. In fact, let's be especially generous with those compliments! What a kind thing to do.

Honoring Martin Luther King

On the day we honor Martin Luther King Jr., here are three important quotes from him:

   - "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." 
   - "I have decided to stick to love.  Hate is too great a burden to bear."

   - "Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

National Pharmacist Day

Today is National Pharmacist Day. Pharmacists are an important member of our health care team, directly involved in patient care and play a vital role in patient recovery. Be kind and be grateful to our pharmacists always.

twelfth night

For those of you celebrating the twelve days of Christmas, today is the last day.  In some parts of the world tomorrow is a really big deal.  Tomorrow is when the three kings arrive and for many, it is a day when gifts are shared. I find it very kind when people share their customs with me, and I always enjoy seeing the various ways holidays are observed.  Have yourself a happy twelfth night!

it isn't complicated

Be kind to people. It really isn't complicated. Being kind should simple be our way of life all the time and with all people.  

personal growth

The path from desire to action is not just about achieving goals. It is also about personal growth and transformation.  I certainly want to grow as a kind person.

too late

I know that I have shared this wonderful quote here before. It's one of my favorites and comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson. "You cannot do kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."  How very true.

Have a great journey

This journey is not just about reaching a destination, it’s about enjoying and learning from the journey itself.  Have a great journey.  Have a great year!