simple

Be kind.   (It's really quite simple.  The message doesn't have to be complex.  We don't have to spend hours thinking about it.  Why would anyone not want to be a good kind person?  It just doesn't make sense.   And so, this very simple message).   Be kind.

Hospital gowns

Those gowns they give you in the hospital and certainly not all that good looking.  I'm a patient right now and if you come to visit, be kind.  (ALWAYS be kind of course, but especially if you see me or any patient in this outfit.  Oh my)!  Of course the good thing around here is so many caring people.

follow those dreams

Everyday is a new opportunity to follow our dreams!  One of my dreams is for the entire world to be filled with kindness.

Tell me a story

I could tell you a story this morning, but I usually tell you stories of sort here.  I'd like to hear some of yours too!  I'd really love to hear about so very kind act that someone once did for you.  (It doesn't even have to be recent).  A story about a kind act you did for someone else would be lovely too.  Come on!  Tell me a story!

Kind relatives

Yesterday I mentioned my mom.  I know I received so much kindness from her.  The same is true of her mother, my Nana.  What a very kind lady she was.  My sister is also very kind.  I suppose it runs in the family!

Remembering Mom

Yesterday was the sixth anniversary of my mother's passing, and while there is always sadness that she is no longer here, the day is easier when folks take time to reach out.  There were posts on social media, messages, and emails to me, and the words were both touching and comforting.  This of course is another example of kindness and I am most grateful.

Being hated

Yesterday I said no hate.  I always say that, but yesterday I said it here.  Hate stings.  On Friday and then again on Saturday, some hateful things were said to me.  Think.  How would you like someone saying vile, nasty, hateful things to you?  Being hated just for who you are is a horrible thing.  We can change that.  We each have the power to put an end to hate.

No Hate

How sad to wake up on so many days with news of more hate crimes somewhere in the world.  While encouraging kindness, I have to say how important it is for all of us to take a stand against hate.  Such a waste to be so destructive.  Say no to hate and say yes to love and mutual respect.

Another Saturday

Saturday is the favorite day of the week for many people.  Why?  It's just another day, right?  We can make every day special just by staying happy and being kind.  Happy Saturday everyone and carry that with you into tomorrow too!

Equality for all

Seeking to end the legal distinctions between men and women in terms of divorce, property, employment, and other matters, the Equal Rights Amendment was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution designed to guarantee equal legal rights for ALL Americans. It was first introduced in Congress way back in 1921 and finally passed in Congress on this date in 1972 and was then sent to the states for ratification, but fell short by three states. Let's bring it back.  Let's try gain.  Equality for all isn't just kind, it is right.

Spring has sprung

The vernal equinox was last night, marking the astronomical first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere!  woo hoo!  I know many of you are happy about that, huh?  Spread the joy!

One more day of ideas

We can tell a bus or taxi driver how much you appreciate their driving. Give another driver your parking spot.  Give public testimony about an important civic matter. Volunteer at an organization that needs help. Buy books for a day care or school.  Let us hear some ideas from you too!  As I have been saying, the list is endless.

I said the list never ends

Yes, I said the list does not end.  Here are more ideas.  Clean graffiti from neighborhood walls and buildings. Buy a stranger a free pizza. Give a bag of groceries to a homeless person. Give coffee to people on their way to work in the morning. Leave a treat or handmade note of thanks for a delivery person or mail carrier. Treat someone to fresh fruit Sing at a nursing home. Open the door for another person. Leave an extra-large tip for the waitperson.

The list of ideas never ends

The last few days I have listed a lot of random things we can all do to spread the kindness.  Are there more?  Of course!  We can never run out!  We can do many things!  Invite someone new for dinner, either in your home or in a restaurant. Say nice things randomly to facebook and twitter friends. Buy some bottles of water and randomly hand them out to strangers on the street. Drop off a plant or a plate of cookies to your nearby police or fire station.  What else?

Even more ideas for March

Even more ideas today.  Share a Saint Patrick's Day meal of corned beef and cabbage.  Bring some green treats to friends.  Go through your closets and find several nice items and then donate them to a shelter.  Give toys to the children at a shelter. Volunteer to fix up an elderly person's home. Buy a pack of brightly colored stickers and give them to children you meet during the day. Let the person behind you in the grocery store go ahead of you in line. Give your full attention to someone in need and simply listen.

still more mid-March ideas

Yup, here are more ideas.  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. Call or visit a homebound person. Pay a compliment at least once a day. Transport someone who can’t drive. Make telephone calls in support of equality urging others to put aside hate. Say something nice to everyone you meet today. Send a treat to a school or day-care center.  Give flowers to be delivered with meal delivery programs.

More mid-March kindness

Here are some more ideas of ways to spread kindness.  Tell your parents/children why you love them. Spend some time serving food at a meal program for the needy. Volunteer to be a tutor in a school. Stop by a nursing home, and visit a resident with no family nearby. Have a clean-up party in the park. Bring coworkers a special treat. Volunteer to read to kids in the library. Make a point of finding the name of a supermarket or drugstore employee and then praise him/her through that company’s corporate office.

mid-March ideas

Here are a few kind things you can do to make the world a little kinder: Share your smile generously, take an acquaintance to dinner, sponsor people in fundraising walk-a-thons, donate time at a senior center, give a pair of tickets to a concert or baseball game to a stranger, send a gift anonymously to a friend, or pay for the person behind you in the movie line.  Can you think of some more?

Oddball

I'm probably an oddball, but I love the winter!  The cold months are my favorite and where I live we recently had a big snowfall, which was so pretty to look at.  Of course there are nice things about the spring too and that is just days away.  I love seeing flowers poking their way through the snow!  Maybe I'll send some flowers today.  That's not such an oddball thing.  Everyone loves flowers!

all the time

If you are nice all the time, you really don't have to put any special effort into being kind.  Sometimes it can be fun though to add some bonus moments.  That's when we do those special random acts of kindness.

How's everyone doing?

Hey!  How's everyone doing?  Is all well in your life?  Are you being kind to everyone?  My experience show that kind people are usually the happier people!

Compliments

So many compliments lately - not only directed at me, but I have overheard folks complimenting each other.  Another great example of kindness!

Being nice is a true treasure

George Foreman was a boxer, so it might surprise you that he has spoken of the importance of being nice.  Foreman said "It's very important that people know that I really enjoy everything that has happened to me.  And I tell my kids 'you're not going to be the tallest, fastest, prettiest, the best track runner, but you can be the nicest human being that someone has ever met in their life.'  And I just want to leave that legacy that being nice is a true treasure."

What I Like About Myself

Last night, What I Like About Myself was trending on twitter. I took a look and saw that someone had said "That I make my friends happy." That's the spirit!  Let's make the whole world happy.

Specific acts

Being kind is so many different things.  Some people try to think up specific acts.  I do that sometimes myself.  Being nice can be a pleasant greeting and a smile.  I like to think of it as a way of life.  Those random acts of kindness can be such powerful tools though to help us stay on the path.  Even the nicest people need encouragement sometimes and intentionally doing something kind is great tonic to keep us moving forward.

Another Ash Wednesday

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

Do you read this every day?

Being kind is what this blog is all about.  I've said a lot, but there is always more to say.  Do you read this every day?  Have you ever commented or mentioned this to others.  Do share.  That's another kind thing we can easily do.  Together we can make this a kinder world!

March forth on March fourth

I have always told people that my mom would say March 4th is a command (march forth).  It's been nearly six years since she passed away, but I'm certain I will always remember this.   Cherish your memories everybody, and may we all march forth on March fourth and do kind things for each other!

keep on trying

Things don't always turn out the way we would like them, but that isn't reason to give up.  Never throw your hands up in surrender.  Instead, keep on trying.  The kindness of others will help to fuel you along the way together with the knowledge that we have the power to make things better.

Back to the beginning

Just for the heck of it, I went back to the very beginning of this blog and started reading some of what I wrote.  This nice warm feeling came over me as I pictured the many things we can all do to make this a kinder world.  I had to pull myself away so that I could write this fresh message for today, but I think I will make it a point to go back every now and then and get some additional encouragement.

March

March.  It's not just a month.  March is what we can do to go forward.  Let's march down the street and do good things.  Let's march right up to our neighbors and friends and show them how wonderful we think they are.  May we march through our days with kindness and love!