One more day

We have just this one more day in this year and this decade and tomorrow we begin again.  How was 2019 for you?  Do you think our world was kind enough?  Can we do better?  Let's always learn from our past, and as we go forward, let us all become more and more kind!

Resolved

Want to lose some weight or get in better shape? How about being more spiritual? Thinking about making some small investments? Maybe you want to quit smoking or exercise more or drink less alcohol. This is the time of year when people make resolutions. (Don't worry. Next week is when we begin breaking them). I have an easy one. I resolve to be more kind and to continue encouraging kindness in others.

My epitaph

There are all sorts of things that people say about us after we pass away, but I would like my epitaph to be, He was a kind person.  What a great way to live life and a wonderful way to be remembered.

Being kind comes in many forms

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 public testimony about an important civic matter.  Being kind comes in so many forms!

Mister Rogers Said

“There are three ways to ultimate success:   The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.” ―Fred Rogers

Wisdom from a poster

I just saw this on a poster -
FIVE INGREDIENTS FOR HAPPINESS:  Be grateful,  Be helpful,  Be Understanding,  Be kind,  Be Yourself.

Good tidings of great joy

"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."  

                                                                                                           -The Gospel According to Saint Luke

Better

Which feels better, being kind to someone else, or someone being kind to you?  Some people might think that a difficult question, but actually it's pretty easy.  Of course it is nice to have both, but you just can't beat the warm and wonderful feeling you get when you do something special for someone.  When you see that they appreciated your efforts, there just isn't a better feeling.

Spreading around that kindness

Bring coworkers a special treat.  Give the gift of your smile.  Tell a bus or taxi driver how much you appreciate their driving.  Draw names at work/school and have people bring a small gift or treat for their secret pal.  Deliver fresh-baked cookies or holiday candies to workers at government offices.  Sweep a neighbor's sidewalk or shovel their snow.  Collect warm clothing during this cold season for those who don't have any.  So many ways we can all show kindness!

holiday words from Laura Ingalls Wilder

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time." -Laura Ingalls Wilder

Winter is here

Here we go!  The first day of winter, that time of year end everyone leaves the door open - the very same door they were slamming all summer!  Remember, in most places it is much colder this time of year, so show extra kindness, especially to those most vulnerable like the elderly and the homeless.

My Kind Mom

Back in 1926 on this date, one of the kindest people who ever lived was born - my mom. Even though she went to heaven a few years ago, I always think of her on this date and of all the things she taught me, and all the joy she so freely shared with everyone.  I hope I am making her proud.

Blue Christmas

At this time of year with the many celebrations, there is great joy, but for some there is also great sadness. If you lost a loved one around the holidays, it may be particularly difficult. The "Blue Christmas" feeling can be very real. Reach out to your friends. Be present for them. Don't overdo it or smother them, but let them know you care and that you are there for them.

Baby it's cold outside

The song "Baby, It's Cold Outside" has been recorded by tons of artists over the years, but it is also the phrase that comes to mind for me when the temperature begins to drop severely.  In the duet of course, one tries to convince the other that they should stay together for a romantic evening because the weather is cold and the trip home would be pretty tough.  In my thinking, when it gets cold like this, it's all the more reason to be kind and considerate of others.  Let's build a fire, break out the blankets, and stir up some nice hot cocoa (or perhaps a hot toddy).  The warmth of human kindness can melt any cold!

Wisdom from James Clear

Author James Clear wisely tells us "Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you are becoming."

They add up

Those little things - they add up. Small acts of kindness can mean a lot. I remember when I was little and we would go out in the cold for the winter festival where I lived. Our little bodies would be freezing and Mom would give us a great big hug. It was just a small gesture, but it sure helped to warm us up! That nice hot apple cider helped a lot too!  With the cold months arriving, I was thinking back to winters past.  I remember when we would go Christmas caroling and people would invite us into their home for a nice hot bowl of jook or some steaming hot chocolate.  It's those little kind things that people do that mean so much. 

giving all year

It happens every December, and this year I actually heard people saying it last month - this is the "Season of Giving." I love that so many toy collections, canned food drives, holiday donation programs, and other ways of giving spring up just about now. Giving is such a wonderful thing, even if you really can't give much. Why do we have to limit it to three of four weeks? Why not celebrate giving all year long!

Nearly half over

My favorite month is nearly half over.  Oh my!  I love the way everyone seems to get nicer in December and I love the parties and the gift-giving.  I'm not too thrilled about all the rushing though.  We should slow down and cherish the moments.  It would be so nice if this same spirit could be will us all year long too!

In twelve days

The twelve days of Christmas have not yet begun. (I know. The retail folks might be a bit confused about this). In twelve days, we have the first day of Christmas, and then it continues through January 5th. Those twelve days just might be the kindest of the year, or perhaps it is the twelve days leading up to Christmas morning, as everyone prepares for the gift-giving. How about it we extend it to twelve months!

snowy kindness

Have you seen your first snowfall yet this season? As I think thoughts of kindness (and of white fluffy snow), I am reminder of the words of Kahlil Gibran who said "Kindness is like snow. It beautifies everything it covers." Indeed. May we have a long snowy season, or at least one filled with kindness!

True Saying

It's an old saying (I remember saying on the radio more than forty years ago), but it is just as true now as ever:  "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice."

Still More Holiday Season Ideas

We have done two days of holiday season kindness ideas.  Here are a few more.  Give coffee or hot chocolate to people on their way to work in the morning.  Volunteer to serve a meal at a holiday dinner.  Go through your closets and find several nice items and then donate them to a shelter.  I'll bet you can think of even more!

More Holiday Season Idea

 Here are a few more ideas (continuting from yesterday) of things you can do to celebrate the season with some special kindness.  Invite someone to see The Nutcracker.  Donate blood.   Participate in Secret Santa programs for families in need.  Call or visit a homebound person, especially on a holiday they celebrate.  Say something nice to everyone you meet today.  

Holiday Season Kindness

Here are a few ideas of things you can do to celebrate the season with some special kindness.  Send a holiday gifts anonymously to a friend.  Tell your parents/children why you love them.  Give a pair of tickets to a concert to a stranger.  Pay for the meal of the person behind you in the drive-through.  Volunteer to read holiday stories to kids in the library.  

the happiness you share

Some people are nicer around this time of year in hopes of getting more Hanukkah and Christmas presents.  Of course there are those who are always nice.  Those are my kind of people.  The biggest present of all is the happiness you share!

I have no proof

I have no proof of this, absolutely no statistics to back me up, but my guess would be that December is the kindest month of the year.  I'm thinking that folks want to be seen in a good light so that they will be remembered favorably when it comes to holiday gift-giving.  Makes sense, huh?  While I also have no proof that planting an idea in your heads might get more of you to try to be more kind, it certainly is worth the try!

Love is

Love isn't what you say

Love is what you do

friendly gestures

Did she just smile at me?  Oh my!  That makes me feel good!  Oh and the folks who wave at you or nod their heads - I have been noticed.  I matter.  Someone cares.  It's a good feeling.  It really is.  There doesn't need to be any special occasion.  Greeting each other, often silently, is basic kindness, and it's so easy to do.

December 3rd

Is it cold where you are?  Are there holiday decorations everywhere?  It's only December 3rd, so it really isn't winter yet and even though Christmas appeared way back in September many places, I still think it's too early.  It is never too early though to be a nice person.  December 3rd is the perfect time for kindness because ANY time is the perfect time!

Best of December

If I asked you to choose, what would you say is the best part of December? Is it Christmas? Chanukah? Preparations for the end of the year? There are so many parties and celebrations in this month, but for me the best thing of all is that people seem to be more kind. There's more giving and more loving, and that is always a good thing!

you can't run from AIDS

We have love so many people to AIDS and there are still so many living with HIV. On this World AIDS Day, it's important to keep going forward and not be in denial. The wonderful Queen Latifah said "I lost relatives to AIDS. A couple of my closest cousins, favorite cousins. I lost friends to AIDS, high school friends who never even made it to their 21st birthdays in the '80s. When it's that close to you, you can't - you know, you can't really deny it, and you can't run from it."  We all need to join in the fight, until there's a cure!