Words from Saint John Chrysostom

"No act of virtue can be great if it is not followed by advantage for others. So, no matter how much time you spend fasting, no matter how much you sleep on a hard floor and eat ashes and sigh continually, if you do no good to others, you do nothing great." -John Chrysostom

Being a friend

Being a friend to someone else is just about the kindest thing a person can do.  (Cue Carole King's wonderful song You've Got a Friend right now).  Think for a moment about how your own friends make you feel.  Think about the lyrics of this song too.  Next, go and be the best darn friend you can possibly be.

Just another day

Today is the favorite day of the week for many people. Why? It's just another day, right? Nope.  Some folks live in the moment and make every single day special.  They choose to be happy and to share that happiness.  Yes, there can be difficult moments.  We have had a LOT of them this year, but don't think of today as just another day.  Think of it as another opportunity to share kindness with others and to be kind to yourself!  

I intend

Today I intend to be kind. I intend to be kind every single day. Sometimes when something bad happens or someone is yelling at me, I may need to step away for a moment or take a deep breathe. Sometimes I might even want to scream. At no point though do I ever want to repay someone else with anything other than kindness and I intend to be true to this attitude always.

Whole heart

"Life is going to give you just what you put into it. Put your whole heart in everything you do." 

                                                                                                   -words of Vivian Baxter

If Candlemas brings clouds and rain

The February 2nd tradition of deciding how much longer winter will last goes way back. An old English poem says "If Candlemas be fair and bright, winter has another flight. If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, winter will not come again." Back in the 18th and 19th centuries in central Pennsylvania, we began looking to a groundhog for predictions. Although he isn't the only one, Punxsutawney Phil became the most famous. All I have to ask is "Mr Groundhog, be kind to us. Let spring come early!"

February!

The second month of the year already!  February!  (Don't you wish everyone could pronounce it)?  Anyway, this is a good time to remind everyone about the importance of being kind.