Kindness with candy

Somehow today got to be mostly about candy.  Oh I love candy.  Don't get me wrong.  There is so much more though to Halloween.  This is one of those days that is just screaming for kindness.  (No tricks - only treats).  What can you do to make someone's day special?  It doesn't have to involve candy, but of course that would be pretty sweet.

Just wait

I shouldn't be munching on candy yet - I should save it for tomorrow.  Just wait!  I'm going to get really for a nice fun Halloween, and a kind one!

Trick or Treat

Giving out "the good candy" at Halloween is certainly a very kind gesture, but I remember years ago when a wonderful neighbor of my grandmother really did it big. Her house was decorated and she had recorded spooky music and sound effects, and best of all she had great homemade treats, that she invited you in to enjoy. There were apples you could bob for and candy apples too. She made popcorn balls, fudge, brownies, and hot chocolate and cider. We went in and enjoyed her atmosphere and the yummy sweets, and had such a good time, we almost didn't want to leave! Wouldn't it be great if folks cared about their neighbors still and that you didn't have to be afraid to visit such lovely people?

Separating by color

When I was little, I remember seeing "whites only" signs and public water fountains were all labeled "colored" or "white."  I didn't understand it.  My mom said the only thing that should be separated by color is laundry.  I still see people not wanting to interact with people of different races or ethnicities and I still don't understand it.  The same with sexual orientation - why be separate?  The more we experience each other, the more we experience life!

Will on Ellen

"Somebody's having a hard time, and you help them.  It's that simple."  I just heard Will Smith say this on Ellen.  You can see so many wonderful examples of kindness on the Ellen DeGeneres program and here just now, Will clearly explains what it's all about.  Let's listen to him.

Watch it grow

How many people do you encounter in the space of one day?  If you show kindness toward each and every one of them, and they in turn show kindness towards each other, that's a lot of kindness!  People who might never have been kind in the past, suddenly are showing kindness too, as the entire world grows more kind.  Watch it grow!  Be a part of it!

They're coming

We're just days away from Halloween, about a month away from Thanksgiving, and two months from Christmas.  The holidays are coming!  Don't you wish the kindness and the joy of our holidays could be with us every single day?  Guess what?  It can!  Don't wait for a special day.  Share the kindness and the joy every single day.

Change?

Thinking about changing your personality or your hair color or how you occupy your time?  Why?  Are you making a change for YOU?  If you are doing it for others, think about that hard and long before doing it.  Seriously.  Don't change so that people will like you. Be yourself and the right people will love for who you really are.  Sometimes the only change that is necessary, is someone's point of view.

Sandwich kindness

If you look in a kid's school locker, you will likely find books, notebooks, and gym clothes. I just heard though about a kid who keeps a jar of Nutella and a loaf of bread in his locker. Why? He has it just in case any of his classmates don’t have lunch of their own. Now that's kindness!

kind pumpkins

Instead of carving faces on your pumpkins this year, carve messages like "Be Kind" or "Spread the love."  What better way to combine the spirit of kindness and the wonderful fall season, than the power of positivity? 

the very best I can

Our nation's sixteenth president, Abraham Lincoln, is said to be our most inspiring. I have read so many of his speeches and writings and one of the things he said that always sticks with me is "I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end."

There are always more ideas

Many times I have listed various acts of kindness here, and there are always more ideas.  Pretty cool huh?  Something we will never run out of! Here's some more ideas: Let the person behind you in the grocery store go ahead of you in line. Invite someone new for dinner, either in your home or in a restaurant. Say nice things randomly to social media 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. Clean graffiti from neighborhood walls and buildings. Buy a stranger a free pizza. What ideas can you add?

Buns

First thing at work yesterday morning, a woman who works in another area, poked her head in and asked me and the woman working with me if we would like cinnamon buns.  Oh my!  Yes we would and they were so delicious!

From the mind of Andy Rooney

I used to love hearing Andy Rooney's observations on life. This is one of my favorites: “For most of life, nothing wonderful happens. If you don’t enjoy getting up and working and finishing your work and sitting down to a meal with family or friends, then the chances are you’re not going to be very happy. If someone bases his/her happiness on major events like a great job, huge amounts of money, a flawlessly happy marriage or a trip to Paris, that person isn’t going to be happy much of the time. If, on the other hand, happiness depends on a good breakfast, flowers in the yard, a drink or a nap, then we are more likely to live with quite a bit of happiness.”

And the ground shook

Glancing at the calendar, I realize that today is the 30th anniversary of an earthquake that killed 63 people, injured 3,757 and caused billions of dollars of damage. I was there in San Francisco when it happened, and as horrible as the deaths and destruction were, I also remember something pretty wonderful: people helping each other. Power went out so there were no traffic signals, and folks pulled over to direct traffic for other motorists. At the freeway collapse and in the marina District were there were so many fires, civilians became heroes. So many people came out and tried to help others people. It was a bad day to be sure, but I will also forever remember how human beings showed such love and concern for others.

kindness on the bus

Kindness is when the bus driver waits at the stop she sees you running toward, even though it may delay her by a few seconds.  Kindness is when strangers on the bus keep you from falling down because you have your hands full with a water bottle, a book, and your umbrella.   Kindness is when the bus driver tells you to please hold on.  I ride the bus nearly day can see many examples of kindness.

Happy Mid-October!

 Here is wishing you all a very happy mid-October!  Enjoy your day, and be kind!

Confidence

Confidence is not walking into a room with your nose in the air and thinking you are better than everyone else. It’s walking into a room and not having to compare yourself to anyone else in the first place.

Do all the good you can

Do all the good you can in your lifetime, and make as little fuss about it as possible.

The mind

The mind is a powerful force. It can slave us or empower us. It can plunge us into the depths of misery or take us to the heights of ecstasy.  Learn to use the power wisely.  Be kind.

you made someone’s day just a little bit better

If you can lie down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone’s day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.

Pay Attention

Every morning is a gift, filled with adventures and challenges that beckon to bring us new insight and guide us onto a new aligned path, only if we sit still and listen.  Pay attention my friends.  Listen.  Learn.  Enjoy the adventures.  Rise to the challenges.  Have a great Thursday!

Your thoughts

If you read this every day, you know that I always have something different to say about kindness, but there is so much more that what I might share here.  Would you be so kind as to share your thoughts with us as well?  I'd love to hear some other ideas!  Using the comments section below, write whatever seems to fit relating to being kind.  Thanks for sharing!

time

No one is too busy. 

It's not about finding time. 

It's about making time. 

If it really matters, you will make time.

Be kind.

knowing in your heart

If you can go to sleep at night knowing in your heart that you made someone’s day just a little bit better, you know that you have had a good day.

Winning

Winning doesn’t always mean being first. Winning means you’re doing better than you’ve done before. Winning means surpassing yourself and turning your dreams into reality.

From Miss Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey said "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."  She's right you know!

The kindness of Francis

The first week of October is always a welcome time for me because I see so many images of Saint Francis of Assisi along with blessings of animals and commemorations of this most admired and yet least imitated of all the saints.  A kind and loving man, even non-Christians and those who aren't even religious, honor this holy man who's feast day is today.

Focus on the positives

Focus on the positives and above all, be kind.

After three years

After three years of writing this blog, I hope I have become a kinder person.  I hope this has influenced many of you as well.  Do feel free to share the blog with others, and as always, share the kindness too!

Busy Month

October is a busy month!  It is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, Down Syndrome Awareness Month, National Physical Therapy Month, Dyslexia Awareness Month, Organize Your Medical Information Month, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month, Emotional Wellness Month, National Audiology Awareness Month, National Depression Education and Awareness Month, Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month, and American Pharmacists Month.  It is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Spina Bifida Awareness Month, National Bullying Prevention Month, ADHD Awareness Month, National Chiropractic Health Month, National Dental Hygiene Month, and much more.  Be kind!