Dishonesty will stare honesty out

A dishonest politician?  Really?  This makes me think of these words from Charles Dickens: "I have known a vast quantity of nonsense talked about bad men not looking you in the face. Don’t trust that conventional idea. Dishonesty will stare honesty out of countenance any day in the week, if there is anything to be got by it."

foodstuff

There are a lot of canned food drives at this time of year, so get involved in one.  Donate food or help collect!  If your community has a food bank or a meal program for low income people, volunteers are always appreciated.  Some of us are blessed with food while others go hungry.  Nobody should have to go hungry.  One of the kindest things a person can do is simply sharing their food.

Guide dogs

Today is International Guide Dog Day, a great time to take a moment and thank the dogs who are such lifesavers to those who need their service and show support the many wonderful guide dog and service dog organizations who train and place these guide animals.  They truly make a difference.

what's the message

Hey everybody!  What's the message?  You should know by now.  It's really pretty simple.  Be kind, now and always.

The niceness

I remember when I was little seeing the niceness of the spring plants poking up through the snow.  I remember the hyacinth plants that I loved for both their beauty and that wonderful smell.  I remember how nice the changing of the seasons made folks feel.  That was when I was little in Upstate New York.  I don't seem to see the niceness as much anymore.  Why is that?

why are you doing it now?

If you say your job is something you "don't plan on doing forever," I just have to ask you a simple question:  Why are you doing it now?

Who said?

I love this saying:  "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."  I totally believe it.  I searched to see who said it and found unknown as well as Aesop.  Therefore, I can't say for sure who these words belong to, but like I said, I totally believe it!

A simple phone call

Yesterday morning the phone rang, and I was delighted to hear the voice of a friend I haven't spoken to in a couple of years.  (We have emailed and messaged, but this was our first time speaking to each other).  It made my day!  Something so simple and so kind - a phone call.  Kindness doesn't have to be complex.

Tell me a story

Dozens of times I've said that I would love to hear from you, and it's true.  I'll be you have some amazing stories.  Share some.  Tell us you kindest memories.  Come on.  Tell me a story

Yesterday

Yesterday we saw accountability for a crime.  We don't often see that.  In fact, in this regard, we seldom see that.  Yesterday we saw many breathe a sigh of relief.  We saw a glimmer of hope for a better future where we just might finally get rid of some of the hatred and prejudice.  Yesterday afternoon I cried, but I was happy.  Somebody finally gets it!  Sometimes you feel like you are shouting to the walls and nobody seems to care.  Yesterday was different though.  There is so much more that needs to be done, but yesterday was a beginning.

4/20 is special

4/20 is special to me

no, it's not THAT!

it was my nana's birthday

I will always remember

such a sweet kind lady she was!

weekend report

How was your weekend?  Was it filled with kindness?  Tell us about it.  Your weekend report might be just the thing we need to get things rolling on this Monday.

Hold the door

Remember when folks always opened a door for a woman?  How about when people see someone else coming and keep the door open for you?  Remember?  It doesn't seem to happen as much as it once did.  Something as simple as holding the door open can make someone's day.  Such an easy kind act!

Remembering Philip

He played a supporting role with grace.  Their marriage lasted for 73 years.  Today, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh will be laid to rest.  Whether or not you support the monarchy and whether or not you like the British Royal Family, we all should respect his long life, his abiding love, and the many who now miss him.  Amazing doesn't even begin to say it.  May he rest in peace.

Message for April 16th

Message for April 16th:  Be kind.  (of course that is also the message all this weekend and every single day)!

Spreading it

Someone thanked me for spreading kindness.  Do I do that?  I just try to encourage the behavior that I would like to encounter, and yes, I love it when folks are kind to me.  If we all like it, we can all do it too, and the spreading is very easy.  Being kind just comes naturally!

Pie

Can you bake a cherry pie?  How about an apple one?  How about baking one for someone else - or maybe some bread or cake?  One of the kindest things you can do is to give a nice freshly baked item to someone.  Yum!

to laugh

Peanuts cartoon creator Charles Schulz, was a very inspiring man. One of the things I remember he said was "If I were given the opportunity to present a gift to the next generation, it would be the ability for each individual to learn to laugh at himself." Indeed. Thank you Mr Schulz.

miracles

I don't know a lot about the kindness of Albert Einstein, but I do know of his wisdom. This is one of the most inspiring things he said: "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

Bright light

Even when worries are many and things seem dark, there can still be a bright light of hope!  Be that bright light!

the kindness of that guy over there

Did you expect the man you passed to smile and nod hello?  Did you expect the little boy in the park to offer you one of the candies his mom had just given him?  Did you expect your next door neighbor to sweep off your sidewalk this morning?  The kindness of that guy over there might be unexpected, but it sure is nice.

The Present

One of my favorite saying, are the wise words of the late former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt: "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift; that's why they call it the present."

teaching our kids

Some kind advice: Let's not teach our children to be rich. Instead, let's educate them to be happy, so when they grow up they will know the value of things, not the price.

In other words

Think of some other words that describe kindness. Here are a few: good will, helpfulness, indulgence, goodness, hospitality, humanity, patience, grace, serviceability, solicitousness, tact, and  thoughtfulness.  Also graciousness, magnanimity, cordiality, benevolence, courtesy, decency, sweetness, good intention, altruism, tenderness, and affection.  Oh and also charity, understanding, unselfishness, amiability, beneficence,  forbearance, clemency, gentleness, and consideration.

Sooner or later

Yesterday I learned that one of the sweetest, dearest people I have ever known passed away last week.  She had advancing dementia, and I believe there were some other health issues, so it shouldn't have come as a shock, but it did bring sadness.  She was so very kind too.  I could easily model this blog after her.  Our world is so much better off because this dear woman came our way.

The little bit of love that I sow

Priest and theologian Henri Nouwen, put forth some great questions when he asked "Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love?" Father Nouwen said "These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come."

rude behavior

I am not a fan of rude behavior.  Nope.  I am not a fan at all.  There seems to be more and more of it too.  Now kindness is not the opposite of rudeness, but if someone is being rude, it would be impossible for them to also be kind.  Let's show courtesy to everyone, and kindness too!

Unforgetable

We always remember the good stuff, right?  I can remember those wonderful moments when folks did really kind things for me, and I also remember when I witnessed their kind acts toward others.  You know what?  I can also remember the reaction to things I have done for others.  it might have given them joy, but I think it gave me even greater joy seeing their happiness.  That is truly unforgettable.

In troubled times

Racial tensions, mass shootings, the pandemic, a slowed-down economy - so many things in the news that give us fear.  In troubled times it is even more important to be kind to one another.  Let's reach out and show love to others - even those strangers we have never even met.

Don't be a fool

Today is All Fools' Day or April Fools, and while a good laugh is always fun, remember it shouldn't be at someone else's expense.  Some things should never be joked about like coming out, murder or suicide. or a life-threatening illness, for example.  In the midst f this pandemic, that is certainly another off limits subject.  Have fun today, but don't be a fool.