Boo!

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.

Greet everyone

When you enter a room, greet everybody.  Seriously.  This is a courtesy thing and also an act of kindness.

No one likes to be ignored.  This doesn't mean you have to discuss your entire life with everyone you encounter, but at least acknowledge those around you.

two-fer

Amazing. For me it will always be amazing how wonderful it feels to make someone else feel good. I think that's what some folks call a two-fer. One act makes two people feel good (and probably many more, once they hear about it). One simple act of kindness. For me it will always be amazing.

It just feels good

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!

You owe me

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 believe in pink

The wonderful actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn, was quite inspirational in many things she spoke. For example, Miss Hepburn said "I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles."

Honesty when receiving a present

In just two months, folks will be opening Christmas presents. Of course there are many other occasions during the year when you might receive a gift, such as your birthday or anniversary, or "just because." As kind as it is for someone to honor you with a present, is it kind for you to simply utter a few words of thanks, and nothing more? How about if you get something that you really dislike, should you be grateful but also be honest enough to say the gift really wasn't to your liking? If you gush too much, the giver might make a tradition of giving you the same thing, over and over. How about handwritten notes? Are they still a good way to show your appreciation? What's the kindest way to respond to gifts?

Some October random acts of kindness

Stuck for ideas of ways to be kind?  Well here are a few examples of random acts of kindness.  Tell your parents/children why you love them.  Make telephone calls in support of equality urging others to put aside hate.  As you go about your day, pick up trash.  Pay a compliment at least once a day.  Send a gift anonymously to a friend.  Make a point of finding the name of a supermarket or drugstore employee and then praise him/her through that company’s corporate office.  When drivers try to merge into your lane, let them in with a wave and a smile.  (Do feel free to add to this list)!

All that pumpkin spice

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.  

Make A Dogs Day

Every morning I write about being kind to each other. Sometimes I remind us all that we also need to be kind to ourselves. Wait! What about the animals in our lives and the unconditional love they give us? Well, today is Make A Dogs Day, the perfect time to show some extra kindness to your doggie.  Let us know what you do too.  I'd love to see some details in the comments below!

COVID kindness

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!

reminder

While not everyone is kind, that is not a reason for anyone else to be unkind!  Even if someone is mean to you, remember this: You are special.  You have purpose.  You are loved.  Never forget that.  This is true of everyone.  Remind them too.  You are special.  You have purpose.  You are loved.

We're supposed to be different

How can we discriminate against an entire group of people? I don't get it. When I was little I remember the drinking fountains labeled "colored" and "white."  (I actually used the colored one once in a store, thinking the water was colored, and boy did I get yelled at by the racist storekeeper). These days I see more discrimination based on religious affiliation or gender identity, and I still don't get it. We're supposed to be different. That is part of the beauty of life. We are supposed to discriminate though, because despite all of our many differences, we still are all equal!

Let me make this perfectly clear

Every single morning I wrote about kindness.  Does that mean I am an expert?  Does it even mean I am a kind person?  Let me make this perfectly clear.  I am just as flawed as anyone else, but I believe that being kind to one another is the only way to live.  Hopefully I will someday be an expert.  You can be sure I will keep trying!

Dreams

If you can dream it, you can achieve it.  Never give up.  Oh and when you accomplish your own dreams, reach out and help some other folks do the same.

Language of kindness

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

Why not?

 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?

It's Universal Kindness Day

Today is Universal Kindness Day! Actually I said that back on July 22nd in 2017, and I had made it up then. I think every single day should be Universal Kindness Day though, don't you?  Let's make it happen!

Albert Schweitzer said

"Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate." -Albert Schweitzer

Kindest ever

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.

Lance Bass on homophobia

On this National Coming Out Day, I thought I'd share these words from entertainer Lance Bass:  "When I see ignorant people talk about LGBT people it drives me crazy because I know everything they're saying is brainwashed garbage. At the end of the day, I feel sorry for those people. Somebody taught them to think that way, and consequently they're missing out on so much good in life." 

Miss Sally

I remember back when I was in grade school, this wonderful lady whom we called Miss Sally would come and pick us up for church on Sunday mornings. She drove a very old car that she had probably purchased fifty years before, but it still ran nicely, possibly because she only drove it one day a week. Miss Sally always had some kind of pastry or cookies to share after church too. With a warm sparkle in her eye, I'll never forget her kindness, even now looking back to MANY years ago!

Be kind

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!

friendship that has caught fire

Remember the advice columnist Ann Landers? She always had such wise words! One very inspiring thing from her: "Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses."  I really like that picture she gave us.  "Friendship that has caught fire" - what a wonderful image!

Kindness can change the world

In my opinion, kindness can change the world, and so I not only want to be a kind person myself, but I want to urge others to be kind as well.  Have you ever heard anyone complain about a kind act?  Kindness is always looked upon with positive feelings.

Kindness pandemic

I know that nobody is happy with this pandemic.  What we really need now is a kindness pandemic or a love pandemic!

Do Something Nice Day

Today is Do Something Nice Day. Seriously. I don't make this stuff up. Go ahead, do something nice, anything nice. And, do it to, or for, another individual. Doing something nice for someone almost always evokes a very pleasant response. At the very least, it results in a smile. More likely, that person will do something nice to, or for you. And, best of all, doing something nice just might be contagious. Sometimes we call it kindness.

Off before on

Riding a streetcar with my mom, we arrived at our stop and when the doors opened, we couldn't get off.  Boarding passengers rushed to get on pushing aside everyone near the doors.  It happens all the time.  Buses and trains and even elevators.  Not only is it rude and very unkind, but it isn't safe at all.  Please dear folks, let people get off first before you board!

Kindness makes me happy

Kindness makes me happy - all of it.  I love when people are kind to me of course, but I love being kind and doing kind things and I love seeing others do kind acts to their families and their friends.  I love seeing kindness toward animals too.  One of the most satisfying things in the whole world is kindness!

World Smile Day

The first Friday in October is World Smile Day. Did you know that? Today celebrates the ever popular yellow smiley. The intent of World Smile Day is to do an act of kindness, or help one person to smile. Hey! Why not do both!?

Day for the Elderly

Today is International Day for the Elderly, dedicated to honor, respect and care for the world's elderly population. Anything we do to help, or support elderly people is a great idea!   Let's be especially kind. Remember, someday we all hope to be included among this group!