Last chance for February

The shortest month is coming to a close.  Have you been as kind to others as you would like?  There still is time of course.  We have this whole day ahead of us, and although this is our last chance for February, we hopefully will keep on being kind in March!

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.

more kindness ideas

Let me share some more kindness ideas today. Compliment a work colleague on their work. Send an encouraging text to someone. Let a car into the traffic ahead of you.  Buy extra at the grocery store and donate it to a food pantry, Buy flowers for someone (postal worker, grocery store clerk, bus driver, etc.). Bring coffee to a co-worker. Post anonymous sticky notes with validating or uplifting messages around for people to find. Help someone change a flat tire. 

it is in our power

Sometimes we want to create our own opportunities for kindness: Going beyond the opportunities that naturally present themselves by intentionally working to make someone’s day. Truly it is in our power to do amazing things!

naturally

Kindness is an intrinsic part of living rather than merely an act of gratitude. The best kindness just comes naturally.

Give peace a chance

Today is World Peace and Understanding Day, emphasizing the significance of peace for human survival.  I talk about kindness here and a peaceful world is about the kindest thing we can have.  No fighting.  No violence.  Peaceful existence for us all.

now more than ever

I'm not sure how or why, but there seems to be a lot of frustration these days and so many people are fearful for the future. We can do better.  Kindness helps an awful lot and now more than ever we need to plant these seeds of kindness and then watch them grow.  Do something nice for people today.  It will make them feel good and also make you feel good.

simple and unassuming

Albert Einstein was smart. We all know that. Look though at some of the remarkable things he said. This, for example: "I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone, best both for the body and the mind."

you're not a tree

If you don't like where you are, move.  You can put down roots in a new community.  You're not a tree.

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."

The Value of a Moment

Sometimes we never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory that we wish we could experience over and over and over again!

friendship

I have shared these words about friendship, from Henry David Thoreau here before, but this is one of my favorite quotes, so let me share it here once again. “The most I can do for my friend is simply to be his friend. I have no wealth to bestow on him. If he knows that I am happy in loving him, he will want no other reward. Is not friendship divine in this?

spread love everywhere

Occasionally I think of the advice that has come to us from others. An example of that is these words from Mother Teresa: "Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."

Two men in California

The whole purpose of this blog is to encourage kindness and to help me focus more and hopefully become a kinder person myself. Some days it seems like kind people are fewer in number than ever before, but then I am encouraged by two men in California. Their kindness knows no limits. They are amazing examples of what we all should be. Their work brings them in contact with many people and so many benefit from their positive outlook and the many nice things they do. Our world is indeed a better place because of these two men in California.

candy, flowers, and cards

Today is that day.  Candy, flowers, and cards!  Oh my!  What will you do this Valentine's Day?  As much as I love doing things for others, I prefer doing it all the time and for no particular reason.  Oh course if a special occasion makes folks a little kinder, so much the better!

I Found A Quilted Heart!

An incredible act of kindness - I Found a Quilted Heart, an just ahead of Valentine's Day! The heart I found is part of a movement of sorts, and what a wonderful idea. The hearts are made out of fabric, cut out into a heart shape, with a layer of batting between the two layers. While mine is quite lovely, I have enjoyed looking at pictures of others. They have a website if you want to learn more. https://www.ifoundaquiltedheart.com/

lovely quote

This morning, I want to share this lovely quote from philosopher and essayist Thomas Carlyle. He said "Without kindness there can be no true joy."  Think about it.

grateful

Today I am grateful for all of the people who are loving and kind to me.  I hope I can be just as kind and loving to others.

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.

powerful thoughts

If we all realized how powerful our thoughts are, we would never again think a negative thought.

make it so

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

bits of good

Bishop Desmond Tutu urged us to "Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world."

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.

David Levithan says

Author David Levithan says "Kindness connects to who you are, while niceness connects to how you want to be seen."

from Eleanor Roosevelt

Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt said: "In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility."  I agree.  Let's choose to be kind.

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!

Groundhog Day

Will Punxsutawney Phil be kind to us this morning?  It would be nice to see winter come to an early end.  I don't have an answer regarding the groundhog of course, but I know that all of us can certainly be kind to each other!

Special month

You might think that February has less kindness than the other months, simply because it is the shortest.  Nope.  This is a special month.  This is the month in which we focus on love at Valentine's Day.  It is also American Heart Month during which we become more aware of heart health.  What can be better for a healthy heart but kindness?