All done

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!

November examples of random acts of kindness

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!

Wrapping up the 20

The HBO Max 20 Days of Kindness campaign is such an wonderful idea, and I have been pleased to talk about it here. Day 17's charity was Teach For America. Yesterday was Day 18 and the spotlight went on International Rescue Committee. Today it's The Joyful Heart for Day 19 and tomorrow it all wraps up with Day 20's focus on Planned Parenthood. Each of the 20 organizations received $20,000.  Visit https://www.hbomax.com/superintelligence/kindness to learn more and look closer at each of these organizations!

Hope and Joy

We remember two great men today, both of whom happen to have been gay. It was 42 years ago that Harvey Milk was murdered on this date. One year ago on this date Louie Clay passed away. Harvey is remembered for saying, "Gotta give em hope." Louie is remembered for saying, "Joy, anyway!" Hope and joy. We all need both in our lives. They are the cousins of love and kindness.

It's about the thanks

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.

tomorrow

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!

The rest of the 20

Since I began telling you about HBO Max 20 Days of Kindness campaign, I suppose I should catch you up.  Day 11 - Common Sense. Day 12 - American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Day 13 - Together We Rise. Day 14 - The National Coalition for the Homeless. Day 15 - Movember is the leading charity changing the face of men’s health.  Tomorrow is Day 16 and they look at Habitat For Humanity.  If there are organizations you are unfamiliar with, check out their websites.  Donations are welcome too!

way of life

 Kindness isn't just a specific act, it's a way of life.

Think ahead

What really kind thing will you be doing for someone tomorrow or next week? Think ahead.  Plan some very special things. Be bold. Think ahead to a year from now. What will you be doing next fall? Will you be a kinder person?  Go for it!

The things I see

It really warms my heart when I witness the kindness of others.  Despite all the negative news we hear, I am seeing more and more nice gestures, often by strangers.  The other day I got up to pay for my breakfast at the restaurant where I occasionally treat myself in the morning, and the hostess told me a couple that had just left had paid for me.  I have no idea who they were, but this is what kindness is all about.  I am truly grateful!

Make the call

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. 

Good is something you do

Italian cyclist Gino Bartali said "Good is something you do, not something you talk about. Some medals are pinned to your soul, not to your jacket."  Wonderful words.  Think about it.

A little more

I'm going to say a little more about the HBO Max and their 20 Days of Kindness campaign, because I think it is such a wonderful (and certainly kind) thing they are doing.  Yesterday on day eight, they honored Trevor Project which provides crisis services to LGBTQ youth.  Today they spotlight HRC.  Tomorrow, as they reach the halfway point, they focus on Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger relief organization.

Think of the other folks

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.

Make-A-Wish

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.

Those 20 Days continue

Those of you who read this regularly know that I never do any sort of commercial plug here, but I've mentioned HBO Max and their 20 Days of Kindness campaign here a few times already.  I have no relation at all to HBO Max, but what they are doing is awesome!  They donate $20,000 to a different good cause daily for 20 days and encourage others to lend their support. On day one, AT&T kicks joined with them making a $1 million contribution to Girls Who Code. Wow!  Today is Day 6 and World Central Kitchen is being honored.  Tomorrow they will spotlight one of my all-time favorite organization!

World Kindness Part Two

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!

World Kindness Day

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!

Twenty Days continues

Tuesday I told you about the 20 Days of Kindness campaign that HBO Max is doing together with their new film Superintelligence. Star Melissa McCarthy has been talking about it on social media. Pretty wonderful. They highlight and donate $20,000 to a different good cause daily for 20 days and also encourage others to lend their support. Yesterday being Veteran’s Day it was so appropriate that Team Rubicon was honored. Best Friends Animal Society is honored today, and tomorrow on World Kindness Day, the spotlight will be on Step Up Womens Network.

Grateful for their service

Many people express thanks every single time they see a military veteran. Today is the day set aside for that purpose. Just saying thanks though is only a part of it. President John F. Kennedy said it best. "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

Twenty Days of 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!

Don't be a sore loser

In competition, not everyone comes in first place.  It shows good character and great kindness to accept defeat graciously.  Nobody likes a sore loser.

We need a little Chaplin

In this difficult month, this difficult year, we need a little Chaplin,  The films of Charlie Chaplin are legendary.  His words are too.  This morning I am thinking particularly of his statement from him:  "The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish." 

School poem

This is a kindness poem we learned in grade school. 

Does anyone else remember it?

Kind hearts are the gardens,

Kind thoughts are the roots,

Kind words are the blossoms,

Kind deeds are the fruits.

Say it often

"I wish I had the chance to say goodbye. I would like to have thanked you for your service, your friendship, all that you were to me." I can't tell you how often I hear that when someone passes away.  Why did they wait though?  Tell people what they mean to you now. Say it often, and not just with words.  Why wait until you are standing at someone's deathbed to let them know how you feel? 

Kindness for my sister

Happy birthday to my dear sister.  She certainly knows about kindness.  Today I hope a lot is directed back at her!

Patience

The ability to wait for something without frustration is a useful skill to have. How many of us are really good at this though? It may take days, even weeks for some of the results from yesterday's voting to become known. Take a deep breath. Relax. Right now is when that patience can really some in handy. Look out for your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors too. Waiting can be tough on everyone. Worry and frustration won't make things any better though.

Vote

Today is the day! Election Day is finally here, and it isn't just the Presidential race, but also all 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate, and thirteen state and territorial governorships, as well as numerous other state and local elections, will also be contested.  If you didn't vote early, get out there today!  One of the kindest things you can do is participate in the process.

Bring food

I was watching a tv program from Australia the other day, and there was mention of taking a casserole to a neighbor.  How lovely.  It seems like we used to do that in this country.  Taking cookies, soup, or a casserole to a new neighbor, or someone who just lost a family member, or a friend who’s had a serious health diagnosis is such a kind thing to do.

Be on time

Someone I know is ALWAYS late. Seriously. I have never seen him on time for anything. He'll invite me to do something with him and then I wait and wait and wait.  Is he coming?  One of the kindest and most respectful things we can all do is to be on time. We’re all busy and every one of us should stop making people wait for us.