Done already?

Are we done already (with February, that is)?  Yup! Today is the 59th day of the year with 306 days remaining until 2018 comes to a close.  If you don't think you showed enough kindness this month, fear not.  March is longer and there is plenty of opportunity ahead!

mean what you say

Be sure to say what you mean and mean what you say.  Let people know how you feel, being always open, honest and real.      

Always adding

I can add to that list of kind acts every day. After all, there are so many ideas!  So here are some more, as we begin another month: Give flowers to be delivered with meal delivery programs. Open the door for another person - yes, something that simple makes a difference. If you are able to, leave an extra-large tip for the waitperson. Sing at a nursing home. Give your full attention to someone in need and simply listen. Tell a bus or taxi driver how much you appreciate their driving.  There are so many more ideas!

Inspiration from the Olympics

Tonight with the closing ceremonies over in Pyeongchang, South Korea, the XXIII Olympic Winter Games come to a close.  So many positive things came out of these games.  (Yes there were negative moments too, but I prefer to focus on the positive).  A lot of kind moments.  A lot of heroic moments.  A lot of unforgettable moments. 

Another beginning

Each day can be a new beginning for showing kindness.  Each week and each month we can start fresh too and strive to be kinder, nicer people.  If we stumble and are not as kind as we like, we must never give up, for there will still be a chance to make a new beginning.

February 23rd

Do you know what February 23rd is?  It's TODAY silly!  Make it a good one, and a kind one.  Make it a day you will be proud of.

Why the smile

The smile on your face is there because of what?  Do you always wake up happy?  Did someone say something to you yesterday that stayed with you?  Do you always smile, or is this now because of some kindness you remember?

Leave a trail

Nobody being kind to you?  Yes, the world can be mean, but you certainly don't have to be.  As someone very wise once said “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”  You can be a leader in kindness!

Oh joy!

Perhaps I sound like a little kid on Christmas morning, but there is something magical about seeing another person experiencing joy.  When you know that you helped to bring it about, well that seems to make it even more special.  I love trying to make people happy.  It's probably my favorite thing to do!

Random acts of kindness

Can you think of some random ways to show kindness to others? How about these: As you go about your day, pick up trash. Call or visit a homebound person. Make a point of finding the name of a supermarket or drugstore employee and then praise him/her through that company’s corporate office. When drivers try to merge into your lane, let them in with a wave and a smile. Tell your boss that you think he/she does a good job. Pay a compliment at least once a day. Donate blood. Transport someone who can’t drive. Others?

wise words from Steven Seagal

The wonderful actor and producer Steven Seagal once said "My philosophy is that the most important aspect of any religion should be human kindness. And to try to ease the suffering of others. To try to bring light and love into the lives of mankind." I certainly agree with that! 

Our holiday

It's Random Acts of Kindness Week, and the 17th of February (today) is even more special because it is Random Acts of Kindness Day. The whole idea is to encourage people for acts of goodness and kindness toward others. Of course we promote kindness every day, but don't be surprised if more folks are being especially kind today!.

New Year Wishes

Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year, which is celebrated by people all around the world.  May this New Year be with kindness and prosperity and may it be as melodious for you as your favorite song.

straight in the eye

Never bend your head.  Always hold it up high.  With confidence, look the world straight in the eye, and do it with kindness and with love. 

Hearts and flowers

Oh the joy of Valentine's Day.  So much love, or is there?  So many send roses or head out to a romantic dinner, because they feel they HAVE to.  Show the kindness and the love every single day, not just on special occasions, and let's all do it because we WANT to!

Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, but it also happens this year to be Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent when many Christians have their foreheads marked with ashes while "Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris," is said.  (Actually it's usually said in the local vernacular "Remember, man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return" is the English).  I bring this up because a very unkind thing often happens - folks are teased for the mark on their forehead.  Not nice.  Whether you follow this religious practice or not, the kind thing to do is respect those that do follow this.

Perfect moment

Have you ever heard someone say they are waiting for the "perfect moment?" Oh my! I hear it all the time. What a waste too. Don't wait for the "perfect moment." Take the moment and make it perfect.

Someone did

Yesterday I asked for comments here and although I wasn't expecting hundreds of responses, I did find it very nice that someone did indeed post.  It was a brief "Hi Michael!" but it really meant a lot.  That's what kindness is all about.  Random Acts of Kindness Week begins today (through the 17th) by the way, so let's be extra kind!

Your turn

As I said yesterday, I have written 500 posts here about kindness, so now it's your turn.  It's on all of us to be kind, but could I ask for some of you to write about it too?  Simply write in the comments section below for everyone to see.

Five Hundred

For five hundred mornings in a row, I have gotten up and written a few lines here about kindness.  Has it made the world kinder or made a difference to anyone?  We can only hope.  I do know it continues to help me be better in how I relate to others.

It takes a village

It's often said that it takes a village to raise a child.  I agree, but I think it takes a village to do anything well.  We aren't meant to exist in isolation.  One of the kindest things a person can do is to care about neighbors, to care about family, to even care about folks we have never even known.  Let's be part of our villages and let our villages grow and flourish.

Get involved

The world won't be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing a thing about it.  Be kind.  Get involved.  Care.

sharing the candy

Valentine's Day is next week, but how many of you already have candy?  Do you have a favorite?  One very kind act is sharing that candy with others.  You don't have to buy the most expensive box of See's - even a few of those conversation hearts can brighten someone's day!

Did your team win?

The Winter Olympics is just ahead and the Super Bowl just happened.  The results are not always the way we like, but good sportsmanship means we accept the results and move forward.  There is no burning down the town.  That is not only unkind, it's stupid!

lookiing back on last week

As we begin this new week, take a moment and look back on last week.  Think of an act of kindness that you witnessed or some kind thing that you did.  How did it make you feel.  Were you the sort of person you want to be last week?  How will you make the week ahead better?  Give it some thought.

Third

It's the third day of February (by the way, how do you pronounce this month?) and the third chance this month to show kindness.  Since we have a three here, let's try to show kindness at least three times today!

over and over and over

In the classic film Groundhog Day, weatherman Phil Connors is forced to live the same day over and over and over.   Of course if it's a day filled with love and kindness, who wouldn't want it to end?  In the movie, Phil begins to re-examine his life and priorities.  May we always continue to do likewise and become better persons for it.

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?