Santa knows who has been naughty or nice, but who else knows? Well I can tell you that your friends and relatives know if you are nice. They know if you are kind. Actually kindness is such a wonderful thing that truly kind people get a reputation for being kind.
It's now been several years since Mom passed away, but I still think of her a lot, and today would have been her birthday. It's hard to write a daily blog about being kind, without thinking of Mom too. She taught me all about kindness because she lived kindness. She also taught me the importance of sticking with things, and after doing this for over four years, I guess I learned that one too!
You might not have heard it lately. You might not have ever heard it (although I hope that isn't so), but you matter. To some folks it is obvious. Too often though we fail to say it or to show it. Regardless of that, you matter. You will always matter. Never think otherwise.
We are all done with another month. Oh my! It seems like I am checking them off like something I'm happy is done. That really isn't the case though. I cherish every single day and although we have now come to the end of this month, we can look forward to the next, and the ones after that, and all the adventures yet to come our way!
Here are a few ideas of random acts of kindness. Mow a neighbor’s grass or sweep a neighbor’s walk. Say nice things randomly to facebook and twitter friends. Call a homebound person. Clean graffiti from neighborhood walls and buildings. Give your full attention to someone in need and simply listen. Sponsor people in fundraising walk-a-thons. Remember the bereaved with phone calls, cards, plants, and food. The list of course can go on and on!
It's not about the feast, or the shopping, or the football, or the parades, or even the gatherings of friends and family. Many of those things won't be happening this year anyway. Just look to the name of this holiday. It's about the thanks.
We all know what tomorrow is. Thanksgiving Day happens to be my favorite holiday. This year we all should be kind to ourselves and to each other. As much as we might enjoy huge feasts with lots of people, let's instead invent new and safe ways of celebrating. Technology can let us hookup and we won't be putting anyone at risk!
Call a friend out of the blue or call an aunt, or call your grandparents, 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. This is especially true for the many who haven't been able to be out and about due to the pandemic. 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 too.
I keep hearing people say "I would survive COVID-19. I'm taking my chances." The way I see it, yeah. I'd probably survive it. I just might carry it to someone who wouldn't though. That dear readers is the problem. Be kind. Think of the other folks! This is especially important this week. Stay home. Stay safe. Help keep your friends and family safe too.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America is incredible. They try to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a critical illness. Today as part of the HBO Max 20 Days of Kindness campaign, Make-A-Wish is in the spotlight. Go to https://wish.org/ to find out more about this amazing program and be prepared to have your heart warmed. Donate to them too is you are able, or to any being honored in the 20 Days of Kindness.
You are right that I'm making up this Part Two, but why not? Yesterday was indeed World Kindness Day, and don't you think we should continue it every single day? That's what this blog is all about, and that's what life is all about! I will say that the HBO Max Twenty Days of kindness is continuing and today is day five with the focus on Conservation International. I don't usually get commercial here and I have no connection at all to HBO Max, but I think this is a great thing they are doing here!
365 days a year I write something here about kindness. I try really hard to actually practice my advice too. (I did miss a few days when I was in hospital back in September). Today a lot of people are joining in talking about kindness and hopefully it will cause more people to get involved. Kindness heals. Being kind brings joy and happiness. Today is World Kindness Day - not something I made up, an actual observance. Keep spreading that kindness!
Usually I don't talk about anything commercial here, but this I just can't ignore. HBO Max today begins a 20 Days of Kindness campaign together with their new film Superintelligence from New Line Cinema. HBO Max will highlight and donate $20,000 to a different good cause daily for 20 days and at the same time encourage others to lend their support. Girls Who Code is honored first. I will say more in the days ahead, but this is fantastic!
In competition, not everyone comes in first place. It shows good character and great kindness to accept defeat graciously. Nobody likes a sore loser.
Happy birthday to my dear sister. She certainly knows about kindness. Today I hope a lot is directed back at her!
For so many of us, this year has been scary enough already. Instead of a scary theme today, let's make it a theme of kindness. Remember we are still in the midst of a pandemic. Be safe. Perhaps we can start some new traditions or at least begin some alternate ones. Maybe we can do some zoom Halloweens.
Writing this blog every single morning has (hopefully) made me more aware of how we act toward each other. There are so many reasons to be kind to others. For me, the biggest thing is it just feels good!
Did you ever have someone tell you how many things they had done for you and how you now owe them? In my way of thinking, they gave you nothing at all. Gifts don't come with strings attached. Of course if is always very nice to do kind things for those who have done kind things for you, but that should not be your reason. Actually no reason is necessary at all. Give out of the love in your heart, and expect nothing in return. That is the real joy.
I've been seeing pumpkin spice products all over the place once again. How come it isn't year-round? Would we tire of it if we had too much? I hear people talk about too much of a good thing, but to me that is impossible. Could there be too much kindness? How about too much love? I don't think so! I'm going to go try some new pumpkin spice thing.
In the midst of a pandemic, things are certainly different. Kindness is probably more important now than ever. One very important (and kind) thing is to help protect our neighbors. Parties and dinners at Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas and all the associated things like trick-or-treating, need to be modified this year. Hey! Good health and safety is important. I'm hearing a lot of talk about zoom Thanksgivings. This could actually be more fun. We wouldn't even have to put on our pants!
I write here every morning about being kind. It's one of these subjects that there really is no argument against. Think about it. Why not be kind? What could possibly be wrong with it?
I know I have asked this before, but what is the kindest thing someone has ever done for you? Think about it. I'll bet it made you feel pretty good, huh? This is just one of the reasons why we do kind things.
The message is really quite simple: Be kind. There are so many different ways of doing it, but the result if always the same. Being kind really does make a difference. If you don't think you are a kind person, practice. We can all get better at it!
I know that nobody is happy with this pandemic. What we really need now is a kindness pandemic or a love pandemic!
Marriage equality didn't just happen overnight. I remember Gavin Newsom's first directive. I remember the in and out of court. I remember the public protests and being out there with hundreds of others. I remember the moments of great disappointment (like the passing of Prop 8) and moments of great joy. I have had the great privilege of participating in a number of same-sex weddings. Every single time I rejoice that love has indeed won. Hearing of yesterday's nuptials of two more friends of mine, truly warms my heart. In the midst of a very bleak year, it's wonderful to see that good things do still happen and we need to keep working to insure that there are more. Never give up!
The world is remembering Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and all she did. What a kind and caring person who truly made a difference! This quote from her sticks in my head: "Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you."
Are you a planner? Do you make out a daily list of things to do? One thing that should always be on the list: Be kind!
I could probably write here about Arnel Pineda every single day. I have seen him do some amazing things and I have heard about others. It's not often that a rock star is thought of as a kindness hero, but I can say that about Mr Pineda (and a few others). I want to say thank you. That kindness truly makes a difference.
Let the person behind you in the grocery store go ahead of you in line. Say nice things randomly to friends on social media. Buy some bottles of water and randomly hand them out to strangers on the street. Volunteer for a cause or campaign that is important to you. Clean graffiti from neighborhood walls and buildings. Leave a treat or handmade note of thanks for a delivery person or mail carrier. Give another driver your parking spot. There are so many random acts of kindness. Can you think of others?
So much kindness in our world. It is a tough year to be sure, but yesterday on my birthday so many reached out to me and showed kindness. I even got my favorite chicken! woo hoo! I am truly grateful!
TV's MisterRogers always got it so right! His words: “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.”
Just nineteen days until my birthday (and nevermind how old I will be). Remember when you were a kid and your counted off the days? Did you try to be good around then too just to make sure a present was coming your way? And now. have you changed?
How is everybody? Seriously. Are things going well for you these days? One of the kindest things a person can do is check in on their family members and friends. Does someone have a great success they want to share? How about those though times when you need a friend just to listen while you vent? Be there. Let folks know you care.
Let your family and friends and coworkers and everyone know that you care. Indeed show the world you care. Caring is the beginning of being kind
This is certainly the most weird summer I have ever experienced. We are all going through a lot of difficult moments. Are you finding it harder to be kind to others? That certainly is understandable, but let's not let the situation get the better of us. Kindness can get us through difficult moments!
Are you having a good summer? Yes, it sure is an odd one. Hopefully things will be getting better soon. Let us continue to be kind to each other.
Strawberries and vanilla ice cream and whipped cream - I'm not sure why that popped into my head. Oh! I remember the wonderful ice cream socials that used to happen every July when I was growing up. It was mostly a chance to hang out with lots of people (something we can't do these days) and to eat lots of yummies (something we also probably shouldn't be doing). Be kind to yourself. Indulge in something that makes you happy. Ice cream? Perhaps.
So my friends, let's list some things. Tell me (in the comments below) what you think is the kindest thing someone could possibly do. We need some special ideas, in addition to just being nice.
Someone once said (I really don't remember who it was) that strangers are just friends we haven't met yet. How true!
Kindness. I write about it here every day, but what does it mean? Is being kind something we should all be doing? Well my answer to that is yes. Yes indeed! What are your thoughts though? I ask every now and then, but you are always welcome to comment and to share your thoughts.
I believe in science and in good judgement. I believe in following the informed advice of my medical providers. This COVID-19 appears to be getting worse, and we all need to be on the same page. It's new. We are learning. One thing we already should have learned though is compassion and kindness. Let's stop the spread by caring about of friends and neighbors. Wash you hands often. Wear a mask. Keep your distance from others. Care.
