ten months ago

Ten months ago I began writing these daily thoughts about kindness and I am so glad I did.  What a nice exercise this is for me each morning, and thinking about kindness and writing about it, just might make me more kind myself!

Presence

Another celebrity took their own life yesterday.  We hear about the famous people, but not the stranger across town who commits suicide.  It happens every day and it is sad no matter who it is.  The answers are complicated, but one thing I have seen in the past 24 hours is people saying "I am here if you need me.  Please reach out."  The presence of people who care - people who will listen, can make a huge difference.  As I said, the answers can be complicated but a good place to start is the kind and caring folks who reach out.  I'm so grateful there are people like this in the world!

Thankful for the givers

Today is the 30th AIDS Walk San Francisco, a 10k fundraising walk to fight the epidemic.  While HIV/AIDS is still touching millions of people, the kindness of so many cannot be ignored, and I am thinking of all who have sponsored me over the years in this walk and of all the other walkers and all the people making a difference.  So many giving people, and I am thankful.

Grateful fo have known him

Sometimes the minute you meet someone, you realize they are special and they are going to make a difference in your life.  Years ago I met such a person, who was always a kind and gentle soul.  Yesterday he passed away.  I'll certainly miss his quiet loving nature, but I am grateful to have known him.

Holiday confusion

It seems that whenever there is a holiday in the week, I get confused about what day it is.  I'm sure I'm not the only one.  Already this morning I read something referring to today as Monday when in fact it's Wednesday.  Oh my!  All the more reason we need kindness in our world.  When I make that error, please don't yell or call me a fool.  Gently correct my mistake and realize that I am probably not alone.

Thoughts of the Fourth

My favorite day of the year is Independence Day.  I actually can relate to the Declaration of Independence and the birth of our country - growing up in Upstate New York, I had a chance to visit a lot of the historic sites.  I also happen to love patriotic music and fireworks.  Nearly every year I go out to see some of the pyrotechnics (or watch it on tv) and spend much of every Fourth of July thinking of the wonderful potential our country has.

Sunday Kindness

On Sundays folks are generally out of school and more often than other days, are also off from work.  That would seem to me like more opportunities for doing kind things.  As this Sunday unfolds, just how many people will smile at your kindness?

Thirty one days

I love it every time a new month begins!  July first doesn't mean that summer is half over - it means another new beginning is here, and it means we have another thirty-one days during which we can share love and kindness with all the other humans on this planet.  Wow!  Such a beautiful thing:  more time!