No worries

Have you noticed that retails employees don't say "you're welcome" these days? Most of the time it seems to be "no worries," which wouldn't bother me if I were Australian, but I'm not. I'd have no issue if they said "my pleasure." I might even prefer it. It's all about courtesy. "No worries" just seems way too indifferent to me. In courtesy, it's always better to take the high road.  "I'm so glad I didn't cause a problem or worry you," should not be what you are thinking.  Instead I want to feel glad I was there.  Wow!  She said it was her pleasure.  How nice! 

change for the better

Waking up to news of yet another shooting and several stories of hate.  Oh my!  Yes kindness is important, but we need a whole lot more.  We need to make some big changes.  The hate has to go.  We need to care about each other.  I know we can do it.  I truly believe we can change for the better.

All by myself

Does "all by myself" work for you?  I know there are people who thrive on being all alone.  I am not one of them and I know that is true for many.  Have you ever felt lonely?  Some people are lonely all the time. What can we do about that?  Well, a phone call might help or a card in the mail.  A short visit can help usually be a good thing. We each have it in our power to help cut down on the loneliness out there.  Even folks who are new to town and don't know many people yet, can have lonely moments.

A wonderful kind lady

Whenever I see someone being obviously kind to someone else, it makes my heart sing.  Last night I encountered such a person.  I swear, kindness should be her middle name.  This wonderful kind lady was smiling and happy and doing nice things for several people, not expecting anything at all in return.  Oh my!  We need more like her.

Disney dream

The great film producer, animator, voice actor, and movie pioneer Walt Disney only lived to be 65 years old, but he accomplished so much. Whenever I need any sort of encouragement, all I have to do is look at his brilliant life.  Disney once said "If you can dream it, you can do it."

Guidelines

Trust before you love. 

Know before you judge. 

Commit before you promise. 

Forgive before you forget. 

Appreciate before you regret.

keep those cards and letters coming

How often do you receive mail?  I don't mean email or texts, but actual physical paper inside an envelope that is delivered by the Postal Service right to your door.  Folks don't do it nearly as much as they used to, and that's a shame.  It's such a kind thing to let someone know you are thinking of them and it's so nice to open a card from a friend!

special kind things to do

Kindness is something we do all the time, but some special kind acts?  Here's a few ideas:  Send dessert to another table when eating out.  Donate your old eyeglasses so someone else can use them.  Help a parent with their baby stroller.  Talk to the shy person who's sitting by themselves at a party.  Help someone with heavy packages.  Let the other person have the parking space, even if you arrived first.  Other ideas?

1616

There is a counter that tells me how many entries I have here for this blog.  Usually I don't take notice, but yesterday it somehow caught my eye.  1616 it said.  Oh my!  With 1,616 posts, I must have said everything you could possibly say about kindness.   WRONG!  There is always more.  I can be more kind.  We can be more kind.  The world can be more kind.

weekend thoughts

As this week comes to a close, how are things going for you?  Have you been kind this week?  Have others been kind to you?  Think for a moment of the kindest moment in this week just ending.  How did it make you feel?  Wouldn't it be great to experience that all the time?

Kindness to animals

Kindness is not something that is restricted to other people. We should all be kind to the environment, and especially be kind to animals. Look into the loving eyes of a cat or a puppy. You can see in an instant that kindness is what the deserve!

too late

Ralph Waldo Emerson certainly had a way with words! His religious views were often considered radical during his lifetime. I can relate to so many things he said though, like this: "You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."  Yes, I posted this quote before, but I really like it!

living by our words

Writing here every day about kindness is not enough. I have to practice what I preach. I have to BE kind. In the words of John F. Kennedy, "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

Beautiful lawns and gardens

The groundskeepers where I live do excellent work. The lawns are always exceptional and the flowers and trees so incredibly beautiful. Yesterday, one of the men was packing up tools at the end of the day and I complimented him on the way they had just changed the plants and the rocks surrounding the parking area. "Oh you're too kind." he said. Was that kindness? I was just speaking the truth. Maybe we should all do that a bit more often.

where everyone feels included

Let's eliminate all forms of discrimination. On this International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, may we renew our commitment to inclusion and advocate diversity, integrity and equality where everyone feels included, respected and valued.  Let us be kind to each other and welcome all of our sisters and brothers.

Be one

There are so many good people out there in the world. If you're having trouble finding one, then be one!

Trailblazers

Yesterday I learned of the passing of Fred L. Townson, a community activist in San Francisco, and another activist in that city, Felicia Elizondo is in her last hours.  To say that I am sad would be an understatement, but I am also happy - happy to have known them, and happy for all the wonderful things they have done.  They were trailblazers.  They were also very kind.  Saying goodbye is never easy, but I am so glad they came my way.

Early beginnings

It was a children's novel by Esther Forbes that first made me aware of standing up for others and trying to make a difference.  That book, Johnny Tremain, had a message that will stay with me forever.  Learning about love and kindness came earlier, largely from my mom and dad and a kind priest who always believed in me.  That is one of my guiding lights as I write this brief message each morning.

Happiness and success

I believe it was Albert Schweitzer who said "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success." I was just thinking about that. How happy are you?  How successful are you?

beyond the plateaus

Bruce Lee lived a very short life, but it was an inspiring life. He said so many profound things. One of my favorites is "If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them."

Tuneful Tuesday

I woke up hearing Melissa Etheridge sing Tuesday Morning, and then for some reason I started thinking of other "Tuesday" songs. There are a lot. I came up with 25, but there are probably more.  How many can you think of?  I wonder what day has the most songs written about it.  Anyway, have a tuneful Tuesday, and as always be kind!

It's inside

Inside every one of us is the ability to love others, to bring joy, and to be kind. The great poet and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson reminded us of this when he said "What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you."

Mother's Day thought

On this Mother's Day, here is something that actress Sophia Loren once said: “When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.”

Let's get rid of hate

Love and kindness is always the way.  I actually think it should be the only way.  Sometimes it's extremely frustrating to see so much negativity and hatred.  I don't understand it.  Let's get rid of hate.  Let's show respect for others.  Come on!  We can do it!

Be healthy

Kindness can relate directly to your overall health.  A healthy lifestyle is not just about what we eat.  It is also what we consume emotionally, mentally and spiritually.  Have a healthy weekend everyone!

Check your memory

Think back. Do you remember a kind act that someone did for you? How did it make you feel? It doesn't have to be a huge event - it doesn't have to require any money or gifts. Kindness is a way of life for many of us, and certainly you have been the recipient at some time. Check your memory. Didn't it feel great? Wouldn't you want to share that feeling with others?

Lincoln words

The sixteenth President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln said some terribly inspiring things like "I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him." Lincoln also said "I dream of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth."

Size doesn't matter

There are those who think that when you speak of kindness, you are referring to some huge lavish extravagant action, but that really isn't the case.  Size doesn't matter at all.  In fact it's the little things that mean so very much - the smile or the nod hello.  The daily niceties of life are the foundation of kindness.

be careful with your words

Something to think about:  a  tongue has no bones, yet it is strong enough to break a heart. Be careful with your words.

Love on a two-way street

Don't they love me anymore?  Oh my!  Did you ever think about friends or relatives with that question, because you never or rarely hear from them anymore?  Ask yourself one more question:  when did they last hear from you?  It really is a two-way street.  If we want so desperately to hear from them and to be included in their lives, it would seem to me we should be including them in ours!

The May Pole

I remember back when I was little (perhaps a kinder and gentler time) when we danced around a Maypole on the first day of May. Poet Jonathan Swift describes a Maypole this way:

Deprived of root, and branch, and rind,

Yet flowers I bear of every kind:

And such is my prolific power,

They bloom in less than half an hour;