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. 

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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?

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!