It doesn't have to be special

Being kind isn't just performing some random act for someone else.  It's a way of life.  Kindness is something that should always be with us.  It doesn't have to be special but at the same time it is very special.

kindness to our friends

Today is International Friendship Day. Did you even know there was such a thing?  Reach out to others today.  Remember that friendship begins with kindness.

Your thoughts

What is going through your head as you read this?  Have you read this blog before?  Did you stumble upon it or did someone tell you about it?  Would you like to see more kindness in this world?  Share your thought.  I know I'd love to hear from you!

The Kindness of Michelle

Yesterday I experienced kindness from several people, but I want to tell you about Michelle.  I'm a hospital volunteer and that means doing various tasks, but in the middle of the day I was suddenly on the needing side instead of the giving side.  A wonderful hospital employee named Michelle (and whom I already knew) just happened to be walking down the hall behind me.  She saw that I was in distress, detoured from what she was doing to get me quickly to the Emergency Department, stayed with me while I was admitted, and said to let her know how I was doing.  Some might argue that she was simply doing her job.  Yes, all of us in the hospital should help someone in distress, but she went beyond that, doing much more than she had to.  She cared.  I might have written about her someday even if yesterday had not happened.  As I mentioned, I already knew Michelle, and kindness is something I had seen from her before.

Christmas in July

At a Christmas in July event yesterday I saw so many examples of kindness, it brought me great joy!  People were buying gifts like crazy, and sometimes they were getting gifts for folks they hardly knew.  I hard one woman say, "I can't wait to see the look on his face!"  Later on I heard another person remark "I love making people happy."  Let me tell you, they sure made me happy.

Those wonderful memories

Yesterday I spoke of Miss Sally, a wonderful memory from my past.  Do you have someone like Miss Sally in your memories?  Hopefully we all have a lot of kind people in our lives, but is there a particular memory that really stands out?  Tell us about it!

Kind people in your life

With each day I try to be a kinder person.  I encourage kindness here every morning in these short messages.  In your life though, is there a lot of kindness?  Who are the kindest people you know?  Are they folks you want to imitate?

Incredible Heat

Record temperatures are being recorded in many places this week.  Be careful.  Stay hydrated.  Don't spend too much time in the sun.  Be careful of children, the elderly, and animals.  They can be more sensitive to the extreme heat.  Be kind to yourself too.  Don't overdo anything in the excessive heat.

Stay healthy

Take care of yourself.  Stay healthy and fit.  When you’re healthy and energetic, it is so much easier to be kind.

The beauty of nature

Yesterday was filled with thunder and lightening and lots of rain, but it made the trees and plants and grass so much more beautiful.  Today when I woke up and saw the sun poking its head above the horizon, I could just tell it was going to be a beautiful day.  Walk with kindness and make it even more beautiful!

The kindness of fundraising

I'm seeing all kinds of online fundraisers these days.  How wonderful that people not only make donations of money, but that folks are also taking the time to setup these fundraising events to help channel funds to their favorite charities.  Such a kind thing to do.  I'll be doing one next month in honor of my latest personal orbit around the sun.

Sweets for the sweet

Lollipops have been satisfying the sweet tooth for a very long time.  My great aunt used to make them in molds - many different shapes and flavors.  You can buy whole bags of them in stores for just a few bucks.  Why do I mention this?  Today is National Lollipop Day and what a kind thing it would be to purchase a few bags and hand them out to family, friends, perhaps even co-workers.  Not only is this a kind thing, but it's pretty sweet too!

feedback

The counter says a lot of folks visit this blog.  Of course we don't know if you actually read the words here.  Perhaps a bit of feedback would help.  Leave a comment below.  Say a kind word or two.  Encourage us with a story of kindness.  We'd really love to hear from you!

Acknowledgements

Those acknowledgements in our life are important.  When someone does something special for you, thank them.  If you are a charity and you receive a donation, acknowledge it, and say thanks!  When people do exceptional things and make a difference in the world, see that they are recognized.  It is kind and it is courteous, and it just might make their day!

thorn bushes have roses

Abraham Lincoln once said "We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."   What a great way of looking at things!  I love a positive attitude, don't you? 

Ugly dress

If a woman asks you about the hideous dress she is wearing, there is no great need for you to say it is ugly.  If you are spouse or close friend, you might make a suggestion about how she might improve her appearance, but this is one of those times when it is okay to skirt the truth.  Oh and if she didn't ask, what does it accomplish if you simply blurt out that the dress is ugly?  The kind thing to do is sometimes to simply keep your mouth shut.

Give me a scoop

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. You know the saying, right?  Well did you know that today is National Ice Cream Day?  Some of the country’s best ice cream joints are actually giving away some of those delicious icy desserts.  What could be more kind?  Maybe this would be a great day to also treat some of your friends. 

What an incredible gift

Making people happy, being kind to one another - this is such an incredible gift to the world.  When we make others feel good, we make ourselves feel good, but it doesn't stop there.  Those around us are inspired.  Those who hear of our kind acts and the happiness they bring, are generally inspired as well.  One little act of kindness can circle the globe and bring kindness to the entire planet.

Thirteen can be lucky

People are often afraid of the number thirteen, especially Friday the 13th.  Well today is a 13 and a Friday.  It doesn't have to be unlucky though.  Be kind to yourself.  Don't add unnecessary worry.  Be kind to others too.  I think we can make this a very lucky day - certainly a very kind one!

Simplify

Today as you go about your business, do or stop doing things to simplify your day.  Why?  Well it is always good to make things more simple, but today is National Simplicity Day.

July morning kindness

Every now and then I share some random acts of kindness here, and on this wonderful July morning, I thought I would offer these: Volunteer to read to kids at your local library,  pay for the person behind you in the movie line, say nice things randomly to facebook and twitter friends, donate time at a senior center, bring flowers to work and share them with coworkers, and simply smile!

Awareness

Part of being kind comes down to awareness I think.  We need to take a moment and think about how we are acting and how others see us.  Does our tone of voice seem friendly?  Do our actions bring joy or happiness to others?  More and more I try to be aware of everything I do and I am always grateful to hear the thoughts of others. 

The Red Power Ranger

Sometimes celebrities inspire us in ways we might not expect.  I suppose you don't even have to be a celebrity for that to be true.  We ALL can inspire.  The actor who is the red Power Ranger always inspires me.  He seems like such a nice and kind person.  Shouldn't we all want to be thought of that way?

Could you think of any?

Yesterday I asked for you to list some simple ways to show kindness.  Did you think of any?  How about just lending a hand to someone who needs it or giving someone a great big hug?   A simple smile is a kind act.  Pay someone a compliment, pick up litter, write a kind note, hold a door for someone, donate something to a worthy cause, and so many other things.  Any ideas you have are always welcome!

Your simple random acts

Remember all the times I listed various random acts of kindness?  Did you ever do any of them?  What inspires you to do those simple kind acts?  Help us all out and list some ways in the comments below. 

All those donations

I see kindness expressed through donations all the time.  During the year I raise funds for various causes, and it warms my heart when folks contribute.  Recently someone I don't even know gave a large monetary gift.  I see lots of donations come in at the hospital where I volunteer too.  People give money and there are also a lot of donations of used books and magazines, and of course donations of time.

Enjoy every day!

How was your holiday?  Were you able to do something fun yesterday?  Let's carry the spirit with us going forward.  There's no reason why every day should not be enjoyable!  We can make other folks happy too!

Fabulous Fourth

It was 242 years ago that the United States declared our independence.  Today, celebrate.  Be proud of our country, but work to make it better, and kinder.

Price tag

So what is the price tag for kindness?  How much money will you need to spend to be kind?  Absolutely nothing.  Kindness is priceless, yet it is one of the most valuable things we will ever encounter!

He's a real saint

I'm sure you have heard people say that someone "is a real saint" before.  It of course means that do some wonderful caring things.  I have a friend like that.  We live in different cities now and seldom see each other, but he calls me often so we can catch up and always wants to know how I am doing.  He also regularly visits several different senior citizens, volunteers at various causes including a food bank, and spends money helping out folks in need.  That is just a fraction of the good things he does.  To call him a kind person is a huge understatement.

July 2018

Today begins July 2018 - no big surprise.  I'm sure you have a calendar.  I'm sure you also know I'm going to suggest another month of kindness.  Why not?  Let's all pitch in every single day and make this a kinder world!