gratitude

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.  

1843

The little counter on the page that keep track of these things, says that today is the 1843rd post to this blog!  Thank you for sticking with me these past five years.  Thanks too for your never-ending kindness.  Let's keep spreading it!

thinking of you

Live your life so that when your friends or your neighbors or your children think of kindness and love and fairness and integrity, they think of you.  

Kind Arnel

The wonderful music that Arnel Pineda shares at all of his performances is certainly an act of beauty, but I am told that he is also a very kind man who enjoys bringing joy to others.  He brings a LOT of joy!

mistakes happen

Have any of you ever made a mistake?  Human beings aren't perfect.  None of us are.  We do seem to hold some though to unreasonable standards.  When someone makes a mistake, it seems to me we should accept that.  Of course if they do something intentionally bad, that's another matter.  Let's be kind to each other and accept that nobody is perfect.  

be kind anyway

Surrounded by meanies?
Be kind anyway

musical kindness

How many songs are there with the word kind in the title? Now I'm speaking here of when kind is used as an adjective. As a noun (meaning sort), there are many. Tim McGraw's Humble and Kind came to mind right away.  Try A Little Kindness by Glen Campbell and Frank Sinatra's Please Be Kind would also make the list. Are there others? How about some songs that encourage kindness?

I may be wrong

I was just thinking, and I may be wrong, but there was a time when writing words like I do here every morning, would be totally unnecessary.  There was a time, and again I may be wrong, when everyone was basically kind.  Maybe it is just how I want to remember things.  Maybe it is just how I hope it will someday be once again.

Life is too short

Life is just too short, too unpredictable and too complicated. Be happy no matter what.  A smile sometimes is all you need.

Good

How much good do we see each day? 

What can we do to add to the good? 

Add good. Be kind.

turn the page

Life is like a book.  If you never turn the page, you will never know what the next chapter holds.

My Goal

It's my goal every single day to be a kinder, nicer person, and to never be the one who broke someone's heart, but to instead be the one who helped to mend it.  I will keep working on this goal day after day and try to improve.

Einstein's truth

One of humanity's greatest minds, Albert Einstein, once said "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." You don't have to be an Einstein to know that's the truth!

Is there anything better than love

Ask yourself this: What is better than love? Seriously. Can you come up with an answer? Is there anything better than love? I don't think so. We can always use more of it, as a matter of fact. There is nothing better than love! No sirree!  Nothing at all is better than love.

go sit with a stranger

Reaching out is important all the time. Today though a special effort would be in order because this is National Sit With a Stranger Day. We can never have too many friends. The most simple connection just might turn into a wonderful life-long relationship. I'm thinking of all the lonely people too. For them, making a new connection is certainly a kind thing to do. Reach out and touch someone!  Go sit with a stranger.

For the future

The earth has been here a long time and it will be around for a long time to come, BUT will it be able to sustain life? Will plants and flowers grow and fish swim in the water and birds fly through the air? Will cows and chickens, dogs and cats, all manner of life, including humans, still roam the planet?  I've been thinking a lot about this.  Climate change is real folks.  Look at the soaring temperatures.  Look at the sea life being cooked in the water.   Be kind to future generations.  We need to act.  

donuts

Today is National Cream-Filled Donut Day and my mouth is already watering. Maybe a good time to bring some donuts to work or to school or maybe just get some to share with neighbors and friends. I love Boston cream! Oh and I love chocolate cream too. Oh and then there's custard or lemon cream or nutella or maple cream. Wow! Cream-filled donuts come in so many varieties, but I suppose you could share a good old jelly donut too!

footprints

This morning I want to share some powerful words from former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt: "Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart."

Does time heal?

Yesterday, another 9/11 day of remembrances.  I find every year for the day to be a very emotional one.  Does time heal?  Perhaps.  What helps a great deal is kindness and respect.  Treat everyone in a positive manner.  Understand that we all process difficult moments in our own way and that there is no wrong way to grieve - it's a very individual thing.  We get our strength by showing love and concern for others.

remembering

Twenty years ago the day began like most others, and then terror struck.  Let us always remember the events of that day and do all we can so see that atrocities like that never happen again.  Let us work for peace and harmony.  Let us also remember the souls we lost that day.

at the end of the day

At the end of every day write down in a diary, or on your calendar the best thing that happened to you that day. It's a wonderful exercise.

Teddy Bears

National Teddy Bear Day honors the history of one of our favorite toys. My mom used to collect teddy bears, and many of hers are now with me. In 1902, President Teddy Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear cub while hunting in Mississippi. The incident made national news. Clifford Berryman published a cartoon of the event in the Washington Post and the caricature became an instant classic. That's how it began, now let's keep it going!

be proud

Don't be ashamed of how someone else sees you. Be proud of who you are. Each day add things to make you even more proud!

nothing better than love

Ask yourself this: What is better than love?  Seriously.  Money?  Jewlery?  Champagne?  Can you come up with an answer?  I think there is nothing better than love!  Let us love each other.

holiday kindness

Yes, today is a holiday.  It's also another be kind to others day.  Being kind takes no holiday, no vacation.  Being kind is a way of life that we practice every single day.

a special birthday

Today is a special birthday. No, not mine. That just happened. Today is the birthday of Arnel Pineda who is the lead singer of the rock band Journey. He also happens to be one of the kindest people in the world. Wish him well today and in his year ahead!

true relationship

A true relationship is someone who accepts your past, supports your present, and encourages your future. Be kind to yourself and to each other. Fully accept and encourage each other.

September is

September is National Blood Cancer Awareness Month, Better Breakfast Month, Self Improvement Month, National Suicide Awareness Month, Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Little League Month, National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, Baby Safety Month, Classical Music Month, National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and National Courtesy Month.  Learn.  Be aware.  Be kind.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides

24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress,

prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.

1-800-273-8255

Courtesy Month

It’s National Courtesy Month! No, I'm not making this up. While I am always urging kindness, here we have a whole month that is especially urging that. So, show lots of courtesy all through September (and beyond)!

welcome September

Welcome September, a brand new month and more opportunities to show kindness.  Enjoy this ninth month of the year, and be kind!