Knowing what to say and when

 A couple of weeks ago, a floral delivery driver I know, walked up to a house with a large, beautiful flowering plant. Assuming it to be a holiday gift, he said to the woman opening the door, "Boy are you a lucky lady." The woman burst into tears. The driver later found out that the plant was a sympathy gift. The woman had just lost her husband. He was trying to be kind by cheerfully greeting her, but not knowing all the facts, he added to her sorrow. I've been thinking about this and realized that we sometimes need to know what to say, and when to say it.

Cassidy's words

Just before he passed away last month, we are told that David Cassidy said "So much wasted time." Since hearing this, I've thought about it a lot and it serves as a reminder for me to cherish every moment.  ("Cherish" of course was a Cassidy hit song).  I don't want to waste a single moment.  I want to always share my gratitude and share kindness to all. 

Here it is

Here it is, what the say is the most wonderful time of the year.  Not just wonderful too, but Christmas Day just might possibly be the kindest day of the year.  Why though?  All the joy and love shared can just as easily happen on those other 364 days.  Let's make it so!

Charity begins at home

So many donation requests this time of year - dozens and dozens of charities asking for money.  It might be a pain to sort through all those letters and emails, but there are indeed many organizations worth giving too and this annual push get them a lot of money.  Of course charity begins at home, so our first responsibility is for the needs of our own family and friends and co-workers.  Not all of us can give with money (sometimes it just isn't there), but we can all show extra kindness and we all can show love and concern.

share a hot beverage

In the top half of the earth, today is winter solstice or the first day of winter - the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest period of dark.  Oh yes, and it's colder in many places.  Bundle up and share warm wishes with others.  A very kind gesture might be to give folks hot beverages - cider is particularly popular at this time of year.

Mothers

There are great people you meet along the way, who inspire you to do great things yourself.  Mothers so often are those great people.  My own mom certainly was.  All good things that I might do are because of the good things she inspired me to do.  I try to be kind.  I'm not perfect, but hopefully writing this daily blog helps me too.  Today would have been Mom's 91st birthday.  I'll be thinking of her a little extra today I'm sure.  Of your kindness, think of your own mothers too!

Gettin close

If you should happen to be keeping track, we're getting closer to Christmas.  Next Sunday dawns as the Fourth Sunday of Advent and then transitions into Christmas Eve.  Help others celebrate by being especially kind!

Do you know what today is?

Let's celebrate! Do you know what today is? It has been a year of these morning messages about kindness. One whole year! I wonder how many read this regularly. I wonder. Hopefully some of these thoughts have been helpful. Hopefully I have gotten kinder, oh and you too!

the holidays

When we say "happy holidays," most people only think of two or three, but December has many!  Last night at sundown, Hanukkah began and lasts until December 20th at nightfall.  Also coming up are Longest Night:, Festivus, Christmas, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, and more!  Which ones do you celebrate?  Of your kindness, find out about the customs of others and help make their celebrations happy!

Respect for the dead

I'll never understand how anyone can curse someone who has died.  I woke up this morning to the shocking news that San Francisco's Mayor passed away unexpectedly in the wee hours of the morning, and on social media I saw the most horrible, vile, disgusting comments about him, some of which included his family.  Here is another place where we always need kindness.  Being anything other than kind at the time of someone's death is just plain mean.

No day off

It's Sunday, so no school or work, and therefore no need to be kind, right?  WRONG!  We don't take a day off from caring about others?  Being good and kind is an everyday occurrence we should practice every single day!

No lists

In November, we not only had a month of thanks but also a month of kindness with lists of ideas of various acts of kindness.  No lists this month.  We all have this kindness thing down now.  It comes naturally, and oh it feels so good!

Happy December everybody

So many observances this month including World AIDS Day (today), Advent, Saint Nicholas' Day, Saint Lucia's Day, Hanukkah, Longest Night:, Festivus, Christmas, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, Saint Stephen's Day, Holy Innocents' Day, Saint Sylvester's Day, Watch Night, and New Year's Eve.   Happy December everybody!