End of the month kindness

July comes to a close today.  Was it a kind month for you?  Were you a kind person this month?  I have an idea.  Let's go out an be especially kind today as this month ends.  Let us all keep happy and upbeat and smile and share our joy.  Let's spread the kindness all over the place!

your kindness toward me

Oh my! The past few weeks have not been my best, but I am so very grateful for your kindness toward me. Hopefully my health will improve. (I'm going to be wearing a heart monitor for several weeks just to be sure). It has been amazing though how many people have reached out with kind words of encouragement and support. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Why wait?

Do you have a friend or relative that you just adore?  Have you ever told them so?  Why wait?  How about when someone gives you a gift.  Let them know right then that you appreciate it.  This is true also with your coworkers, fellow students, those who may work for you, even the bus driver that picks you up each day.  If you have really good feelings about them.  Let them know.  Why wait?

Birthdays

Birthdays can be a lot of fun.  When I glanced at the calendar a moment ago I realized that mine is just a month away.  Oh that means my friends Desmond, Vincent, and Cecilia will be celebrating their birthdays today.  When were you born?  Happy birthday to all when your special day comes!

Effects of COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 has affected day to day life for the past year and a half and it is still with us. In the beginning, we didn't really know what to do. Even now we don't have all the answers, but we do have a vaccine and we know that masking helps. The impacts of COVID-19 in daily life are extensive and have far reaching consequences, but we need to all do our part. Be kind to yourself and to others. Follow the protocols. Science is real. COVID-19 is real. Get vaccinated. Wear a mask. Make a difference.

The Kindest of All

I'm sure people have done kind things for you in the past, right?  It feels good.  That's why I like encouraging kindness. Think for a moment about all those wonderful things that folks have done for you in the past. What was the kindest of all?

It makes me feel good

There are so many reasons for being kind.  At the top of my list:  It makes me feel good.  When people are kind to me, it makes me feel good and when I am kind to others, it makes me feel good.  It works both ways!

so very thankful

Every single day I have things in my life that I am thankful for.  I'm thankful for the opportunity to rise and write something here.  I'm thankful for those of you reading these words.  I'm thankful if I have influenced folks in any way for the better.  Above all though I am thankful for all the blessings of this life.  How great it is to be living here in this day.

Happy Friday!

Hey everybody!  Happy Friday!  How are you doing?  I hope you are all feeling well and enjoying yourselves.  (Yes, you can still enjoy yourself even in a pandemic).  Go out and make it a great day.  Make it great for someone else too!

It's late

There is a daily pattern for me and it includes writing this right around 7am. I then give some thought to another blog I write, eat breakfast, answer emails, and then produce that other blog. Today I found myself waking up after 7! Oh my! I am a bit behind. There is always time though to be kind. Let that kindness shine in all you do!

Be kind today

The daily message of this blog is a simple one.  It is one that I hope will lead us all to a better life.  Be kind today.  Kindness is one of the greatest gifts we can ever give.

kind ideas

Every now and then I've listed things we can all do to show kindness toward others. Here are some more: Let the person behind you in the grocery store go ahead of you in line. Invite someone new for dinner, either in your home or in a restaurant. Give toys to the children at a shelter. Say nice things randomly to friends (or even strangers) on social media. Buy some bottles of water and randomly hand them out to strangers on the street.  Volunteer at a senior center or a hospital.  What else?  Help us come up with some other ideas!

Don't let it disappear!

Just when you began to think that nobody is the world is kind anymore, along comes someone to prove you wrong, and boy is that great.  I actually don't ever think that kindness is ALL gone, but there are times when it seems to be disappearing.  Don't let it disappear!

This week ahead

This week ahead I'm hoping will be a good one.  We can't control everything in our lives of course, but we can always be kind.

beautiful day!

Yesterday was an absolutely day!  I love looking all around at the wonders of nature.  It's cool when you notice other people enjoying it too.  Hopefully today is going to be just as beautiful.

ideas

As we head in to this weekend, can you think of some kindness ideas?  How about donating blood?  (That's always a very kind thing to do).  Give coffee to people on their way to work in the morning. Tell your parents/children why you love them. Leave a treat or handmade note of thanks for a delivery person or mail carrier.

National Give Something Away Day

Today is National Give Something Away Day. Really. I think this is a marvelous idea too! Most of us have the benefit of having more than we need to live our lives. National Give Something Away Day offers a chance to share some of our bounties.  What a kind thing to do too!

YOUR kindness

I could easily go on and out speaking here of being kind, 

but I would also love to hear about your kindness.  

Seriously.  

Using the comments section below, tell us about a kind 

thing you regularly do or you are trying to do, or maybe 

some suggestions for all of us to do!

Whole heart

"Life is going to give you just what you put into it. Put your whole heart in everything you do."

-words of Vivian Baxter

Reaching for the stars

As a fellow broadcaster, the great Casey Kasem was always an inspiration to me. It wasn't just his talent though that inspired, it was the many profound things he said, especially his signature saying "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars." It's always good advice to keep reaching for the stars!

Cheer Up The Lonely

Today is National Cheer Up The Lonely Day.  Yup there is actually a day set aside for that!  (Of course I think it would be wonderful to do every single day).  There are lots of ways to do this.  Maybe we could start by calling some folks who live alone, just to say hello.

Kind in the heat

When it's really hot outside, it can be easier to get frustrated and even lose your temper, but a kind smile can help.  It's already gotten hot in my neck-of-the-woods, and it's more important than ever to be kind to each other.  Pop a few bottles of water in the freezer, and bring them with you as you go about your day.  Most folks will be delighted it you give them one of these bottles, with the water still nice and cold!  Oh my!

I intend

It is a Friday, the ninth day of July 2021, and today I intend to be kind. I intend to be kind every single day. Sometimes when something bad happens or someone is yelling at me, I may need to step away for a moment or take a deep breathe. Sometimes I might even want to scream. At no point though do I ever want to repay someone else with anything other than kindness and I intend to be true to this attitude always.

Happy Thursday!

Another glorious day!  Where I am the sun is already streaming through the windows, after a nice bit of overnight rain.  Happy Thursday everyone!  I know this is going to be a great day.  Be kind to each other!

All things break

Everyone has tough days from time to time. I am reminded of some marvelous words from L.R. Knost, She gets right to it saying "Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world.  All things break. And all things can be mended. Not with time, as they say, but with intention. So go. Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally."

Hey there!

Hello!  Hey there!  How ya doing?  I hope things are well for you.  Smile.  Try to be happy even if you are in the midst of some difficulties.  Share your smile freely.  Share you joy too.  And be sure as you go through your day to spread some kindness!

tons of great things

Relaxing and enjoying nature is often a great time to think about all the good things that come your way.  I am so fortunate to have tons of great things in my life - not just now, but tons of great things always.  How wonderful is that?  I think that's what makes me want to share these great things.  Of course every time I share my great things, I get a whole lot more back!

Quoting Jefferson

Remembering today those very important words of Thomas Jefferson: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."  Please note that we are not guaranteed to be happy, but only to pursue it.  Kindness will help us on the way.

hot dogs, hamburgers, and potato salad

Growing up I remember those wonderful summertime picnics with hot dogs, hamburgers, and potato salad and maybe some icecream or watermelon.  Those are what I might call kind foods.  (Pizza could go on that list, but it isn't usually eaten at picnics).  Do you have any kind summertime memories from your youth?

This weekend

This weekend is going to be incredible.  You believe me, right?  Think positive.  Let us all set out to be kinder than ever this weekend.  Yeah, that's the ticket!

You're adopted

Former NFL player and activist Colin Kaepernick says "My parents told me from the time I can remember that, 'Yeah, you're adopted. But this is your family.' I can remember my mom, she tells me this story: when I was little, I was looking at her, and I was like, 'Why isn't my skin the same color as yours?' 'Oh, you're adopted, but I wish I had pretty brown skin like you,' said Mom." Wow!  Thanks for sharing this with us Colin.