Where there’s a will

Someone once said "Where there’s a will, there’s a way.  Don’t let your challenges hold you back.  Rise above and remember that anything is possible."  We don't know who said that, but it certainly is true.

goal

It is my goal every single day to be a kinder, nicer person, and to never be the one who broke someone's heart, but to instead be the one who helped mend it.

Three years ago

It was three years ago that I began this daily blog about kindness.  I have no idea who reads it (I can see the number of people who click on it but not who they are, and of course have no idea whether or not they are actually reading) and don't know if this has done any good for other people.  I can say one thing for certain:  this has made me so much more aware of kindness and I think I have become a kinder person.  Thanks for reading!

from Amelia Earhart

I find these words from Amelia Earhart to be very inspiring: "A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees."

credit

One word that gets used way to much is a simple one letter word, I.  I did this and I did that.  Truly kind people don't need to be the center of attention.  

behind every face

Treat people with kindness because behind every face is a story that could use a little more love.  I know I could always use a little more!

it's very simple

What is this blog about?  What is our daily message here?  It's very simple.  I write about kindness, and I try to be a kind person.  Join me.  Be kind.

Happy Fall

Nature is kind to us all today as the entire world (or pretty much all) experiences the same amount of light and darkness because the sun shines at the equator.  The equinox, meaning "equal night" is the start of fall.  Have a happy one!

way of life

For some people, random acts of kindness are a way of life. They do little things to brighten others days without ever asking for any acknowledgment at all.  Do you know anyone like that.  We can all try to me that way!  

kindness seems to have dried up

These days, kindness toward others seems to have dried up, and that's sad. Kindness is in short supply at a time we need it most — a time when large swaths of American society have turned their backs on others and cruelty seems to be a way of life for many. Perhaps it was never as kind as I think it was, but it certainly can become more kind than it is!

Emerson inspirations

Ralph Waldo Emerson: "You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." Emerson also said "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." I find his words so inspiring; I have quoted them here before.

it makes my heart sing

Every now and then I hear or see such wonderful things, that it makes my heart sing! Keep on spreading that kindness!  Make my heart keep on singing!

pretty incredible language

"Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see," said Mark Twain. Wow! Imagine that.  "The deaf can hear and the blind can see" - that sounds like a pretty incredible language. We should speak it more often.

aware

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

How kind are you?

I'm not going to judge. That certainly is not my place. Judge for yourself though. Are you a kind person? How kind are you? Are you always kind; kind to everyone? If the answer is no, what's holding you back? From time to time, I look back on my day and the people I interact with. Am I proud of the way I acted? Can I do better? Something to think about.

Phone a friend

Call a friend out of the blue or call your grandparents, or an uncle, or perhaps a distant cousin. Come to think of it, call anyone you don't normally call.  You'd be surprised how good it can make someone feel to know that someone is thinking about them.  It doesn't have to be a long call (in fact it is good if you are very conscious of whether you are really connecting or if you are interrupting).  I know I love getting calls from folks I seldom hear from.  I'm sure you have people like that in your life.  Call them.

Be the reason

Be the reason someone smiles.  Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in other people.

Unlucky

Unlucky today?  It is Friday the thirteenth and there is all kinds of superstition, but don't pay any attention.  Be your usual kind and loveable self and everything will be fine!

Say it now

Over the weekend I heard the sad news of someone taking their life.  People were commenting about how loved and respected he was about how much they will miss him.  Did everyone say that before?  If there are people in your life that you care about, let them know it.  Say it now.  Don't wait until it's too late.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 

24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, 

prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. 

 1-800-273-8255

Remember

It has been eighteen years since the horrible terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and people will be remembering that all week long, especially today.  In addition to remembering, we all must do everything we can to make sure nothing this terrible ever happens again.  Hate needs to end.  ALL hate.  The world works so much better with love.

a favorite quote

I don't know who said this, but it's a favorite quote of mine: "Look forward with hope, not backwards with regret."

no terms or conditions

Good relationships don't need any promises, terms or conditions, just people who can trust and understand each other.

Being kind

Being kind is a daily thing, an always thing.  I have occasionally mentioned random acts of kindness, but those are just the bonuses.  Those are the extra things that kind people sometimes do in addition to the cheerful way they always show a generosity of spirit.  Being kind is part of who we are.  It's not something we even have to think about.  It just happens.

Kindness is

Kindness is a lot of things. The dictionary says it is "the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate." Kindness is more than being nice. Kindness is part of who you are. We all have the ability to be kind. Sadly, some folks choose not to be.  Kindness is a way of life.

    

here for you

Friendship is not about who you've known the longest, but rather who walked into your life, said "I'm here for you," and then proved it.

The smallest acts

Remember, the smallest acts of kindness can mean a lot to someone - an awful lot!   Spread kindness today, and every day.

Friends

A special friend is hard to find, hard to lose and impossible to forget. True friends are never apart, maybe in distance but not in heart.

Daily reminder

Years ago on the radio, I used to close by saying "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice."  I've probably told you this story before, but a listener called in and thanked me for saying that.  She said it was her daily reminder to be nice to others.  I'll never forget that.

happiness and personal growth a priority

Make your happiness and personal growth a priority in your life.  The more we take care of ourselves, the more we are able to take care of others.

Another month

September!  Another month is upon us and more opportunity to be kind to others.  Pretty cool how we can have day after day of being kind!