Celebrating Dr King

As we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day this year, I am reminded of one of the many encouraging things he said: "May I stress the need for courageous, intelligent, and dedicated leadership... Leaders of sound integrity. Leaders not in love with publicity, but in love with justice. Leaders not in love with money, but in love with humanity. Leaders who can subject their particular egos to the greatness of the cause."

Inaugural instructions

Tomorrow is not only a civic holiday, but it is also Inauguration Day.  I am thinking this morning of one of the most memorable phrases from any Inauguration.  It came from John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address back in 1961.  He said "Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country."  Those instructions are just as good today.

too often

I have quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson many times in this space. This particular quote can never be said too often: "You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."

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.

special ways

Here are a few special ways to spread kindness.  Clean graffiti from neighborhood walls and buildings.  Visit or call a homebound person.  Let the person behind you in the grocery store go ahead of you in line. Volunteer at an organization that needs help.  Transport someone who can’t drive.  Donate blood.  Have a clean-up party in the park. Volunteer to read to kids in the library.

against equality

William Faulkner said “To live anywhere in the world today and be against equality because of race or color is like living in Alaska and being against snow.”

I'm listening

Every morning is a gift, filled with challenges and new adventures that beckon to bring us brand new insight and to guide us onto a new aligned path, only if we sit still and listen. I'm listening. I hope we all can listen and pay attention. May we learn. Enjoy the adventures. Rise to the challenges. Spread love and kindness.

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.

The Dickens you say

I have heard a lot said about dishonest behavior in the past few days. I makes me think of these words from Charles Dickens: "I have known a vast quantity of nonsense talked about bad men not looking you in the face. Don’t trust that conventional idea. Dishonesty will stare honesty out of countenance any day in the week, if there is anything to be got by it."

so important

Just in case you have never been here and read my words before, I want to say something about why I write this, and it's so important.  Kindness is one of the greatest things in the world and we can never have too much.  It is my hope that we can have a kinder world.  I know it is possible.

Happy Kind Year!

2025 is upon us!  I hope that you are enjoying this holiday season and I hope too that you will join me in making this new year a very kind year for everyone.  Let us spread the kindness far and wide!