it's the day for it!

Smiling is always a good thing, but today there is even more reason.  Today is National Smile Day.  Seriously.  I don't make these things up.  So smile a little more - it's the day for it!

Hate cannot drive out hate

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." Most people are familiar with those words from the Rev Martin Luther King, Jr.  With all of the hate in the news yesterday it seemed appropriate to think about Dr King's words.  "Hate cannot drive out hate."  May we learn and never forget. 

Kinder still

Each day I attempt to be a better person, especially in the way I act toward others.  Each day I try to show more kindness, and then the next day I try to be kinder still.

holding them in a special place

No school and no work today for many people.  Trips to the beach or sales in favorite stores or maybe a baseball game will occupy a lot of folks, but what is today really about?  Today is Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor the men and women of the US military who lost their lives in the line of duty.  We don't know them all of course, but on this day we are holding them in a special place because they did something special for us all.

She brought doughnuts

Yesterday I was at a training for hospital volunteers.  (I've already been volunteering, but going to an occasional meeting helps me to stay fresh, and also meet any new folks).  The person making the presentation is also a volunteer and she does such an amazing job.  She even brought doughnuts!  The kindness was so visible in every direction.

Paying it forward

Was someone especially kind to you recently?  Well pay it forward.  It's really pretty simple to make the world kinder.  If we all continue to pay it forward, it will be a never-ending stream of kindness and that will certainly make this a better world!

Moral support

No, I didn't remember that great thought I had, but last night I received  a message from a future leader.  He was sad that he couldn't make a monetary donation to a fundraiser I am participating in, and said "At the very least, you know you have my moral support!"  Least?  Oh my!  Moral support is so important!  This is one of the kindest, nicest people I know, and he is always involved in programs that make life better.  Here he was worried he wasn't giving what he wanted, when in reality, he was giving a truly great gift for which I will be forever grateful.

forgotten thoughts

When I woke up this morning, I had a wonderful idea of what to write here.  I usually have some thoughts, but this was very specific and involved a song.  Unfortunately, that's all I remember!  Did you ever forget something so completely in such a short period of time?  Oh well!  Perhaps I will remember and can write about it another day.  In the meantime we can all certainly remember to be kind!

The Kind Waitress

The story of the kind waitress is making the rounds and it truly warmed my heart.  Working behind the counter at a breakfast place, the waitress overheard an elderly customer dining alone say something about having difficulty cutting his food.  The man, who was also on oxygen, didn't ask for help, but the waitress saw that he clearly could use a hand, so you took his plate for a moment and cut up his food.  This of course is above and beyond what we might expect from our food servers, and it is extremely kind!

helping hand of a neighbor

The late Vice President Hubert Horatio Humphrey once said "The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor."

Onward

It was fun yesterday marking another anniversary of this blog.  600?  Oh my!  I really had no idea I would get up that many mornings and write something about kindness.  Now though I move onward.  I want to become a better, kinder person, and I'd love to see a kinder world.  Join me.  Your comments here are always welcome.

SIX HUNDRED

Wow!  I cannot believe it!  This morning is the 600th morning that I have sat down and written something here about kindness.  Thanks to those of you who read this regularly and those who share it.  I know I have made myself a kinder person.  If any of you have been touched by these messages, let us know in the comments below.  Now, onward to 600 more blog entries and hopefully to a kinder world!

Testify to love

Much of the world was watching early this morning as a member of the British Royal Family wed an American in a traditional ceremony attended by some 600 guests and viewers around the world.  Bishop Michael Curry preached about love.  Well preach isn't a strong enough word.  It was electric!  Love and kindness go hand-in-hand, so you know this was an event that captured me.  How wonderful if this testimony to love encouraged more loving actions by everyone who was watching and all who hear of this!

Do me a favor

I'm sure you have heard people say "Do me a favor."  Another way to say that is "do me an act of kindness" or "do me a solid."  Should someone have to ask though?  Isn't it great when those favors just flow forth from us like the water in a stream?  Do me a favor good readers and lets spread that kindness everywhere!

Always doing Always kind

I know some people who are always doing things for others.  I know some people who are always kind.  I must say, I am so encouraged by these people!

Overflowing mind

Some days when I wake up my mind takes a little longer than my body.  Perhaps my brain is still processing those overnight dreams.  Most days though I find my mind is overflowing with thoughts and ideas.  What will I write about kindness here in this space?  What will I put in another blog I write?  I'm so grateful for good health and the ability to think.  I'm so grateful for all the kindness in the world that inspires me to want more!

chocolate chips

Today is National Chocolate Chip Day!  Seriously.  There really is such a thing.  I was just thinking about how kind it would be to share some chocolate chip cookies.  Agree?  I can spend some time in the kitchen or if time and money are an issue, just pop into the grocery store and pick up some packages of chocolate chip cookies.  Then bring your cookies and some napkins and hand them out on the street, take them to work, share them with a neighbor, or spread the treats any way you dream up.  Yummy and kind!

Another glorious day

The sun is shining and the flowers are in bloom, and even though it's only seven o'clock, I just know this is going to be another glorious day!  Of course how our days go depends a lot on us and our actions.  That's where kindness comes in.  Days are always better when we are kind to each other!

Going up

While I have no official statistics, it seems kindness goes up every year on Mothers Day.  Everyone wants to be especially kind to their mom.  Cards, breakfast in bed, presents, a fancy brunch - we do so many different thing to show Mom we love her.  I'm always happy to see kindness go up, but how incredible if we showed the same manner of kindness every single day!

The little ones

Yesterday I was at a restaurant and I saw a little boy - he was probably only five or six, run to the door and hold it for an elderly woman.  The woman was very impressed with his kindness and so was I.  When the little ones begin showing courtesy at an early age, you can bet they are going to grow up and be very kind people!

neuroscience

Being kind to other people actually benefits the brain of the giver more than that of the receiver.  Leave it to neuroscience to help make us more kind!

stay positive

Stay positive.  Love yourself for what you are, instead of hating yourself for what you are not.  Do the same thing with others.  Life is so much better without negativity.

Book of Life

The book of life isn't just a single page, it has many different chapters.  If you don't like a chapter, keep turning the pages.  One bad chapter doesn't mean that you have finished the book.

What say you

Three days of quoting the same person got me thinking.  What do I say that folks might want to repeat?  Better yet, what to YOU say?  Do you ever speak of kindness and good deeds?  Do encouraging things come from your mouth?  Share some of them!

at the store

The other day while I was at the store, the lady in front of me was having trouble paying.  She presented a VISA card, but the store doesn't accept VISA.  She was traveling from Canada and it seems the only cash she had was Canadian.  She kept apologizing but really had done nothing wrong.  I asked how much it all cost and it was only fourteen dollars and some change, so I handed the cashier a twenty dollar bill.  You would think I had just given her a new car!  Both the lady and the cashier kept thanking me.  The lady then offered to give me the equivalent in Canadian currency.  Nope.  That's fine.  Glad I could help.  And that was that.  I just know this lady will be helping someone else one day!

What it takes

I wish I had all the answers.  Just because I write about being kind, doesn't mean I know everything.  It doesn't even mean that I'm actually a kind person myself, although I do try to be.  It would be nice if there was a perfect list of what it takes.  Being kind isn't just one thing though.  I can't simply state what it takes in a simple paragraph, because there are many factors.  Lets begin though with showing love and respect, caring and concern, and some common courtesy.  

From Dr Brothers

Remember Dr Joyce Brothers? She was a columnist, a tv personality and perhaps most significantly, a psychologist. She always had wonderful things to say. Once Dr Brothers said "Love comes when manipulation stops; when you think more about the other person than about his or her reactions to you. When you dare to reveal yourself fully. When you dare to be vulnerable."

May the Fourth

I wonder how many people when they hear "May the Fourth be with you," respond "And also with you."  I wonder.

What's today all about?

What's today all about?  What do we celebrate on May 3rd?  Why kindness of course!  Kindness should be celebrated every day.  Who wouldn't want more kindness in the world?

back to you

Sometimes you are kind to me and I am kind back to you, because seeing you happy creates this sense of joy that I really want to see more of.  If we all are kind to each other and it just keeps on going with one person after another and each back to the other, think of how much joy the world will have!

May Day

There was once a big deal made of the first day of May.  In small towns especially, small baskets filled with homemade bread or cookies, cut flowers, or other goodies, would be left at someone's doorstep. You would set down the basket, ring the doorbell, and run away.  Of course there are other May Day traditions in the various places where it is celebrated, but this one seems to be such a lovely act of kindness.  I think it would be a nice random thing to do any day!