this year

Were you kind this year?  You still have a few hours left.  Do something especially kind to close out 2021 and then begin the new year tomorrow being even more kind!

care and unite

I began this Thursday with sad news. The US is now averaging more COVID-19 cases per day than at ANY OTHER POINT in the pandemic, according to data updated yesterday from the CDC. A respiratory therapist was in the news for taking his own life, because the strain of the pandemic had gotten so bad. Very sad. We all need to care, and we all need to unite. 

 If you or anyone you know are having thoughts of suicide, 

please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 

1-800-273-8255 (TALK).

Ten years from now

Ten years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you did not do than by the ones you did do.  Think about it.

There's something to be said for spontaneity

We can plan all sorts of things to show kindness  to others, but sometimes the best acts of all are ones we don't plan ahead of time.  There's something to be said for spontaneity - let the moment guide you.  Of course that is much easier when you are always someone who does nice things for others!

we shape our lives

Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was very inspiring by the things she did and the words she spoke. I am touched especially by these words of hers: "In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility."

presence

Presents are always nice to receive.  (Did you receive many of them yesterday)?  As nice as it is to receive a physical gift, I think I think presence is even more important.  Let people know you care and that you are there for them.  That really is the best Christmas presence!

be happy

Whether you are celebrating Christmas today or looking ahead to the new year, or just relaxing as 2021 comes to its last week, be happy.  Try to be happy always.  Share that happiness too.  Help to make others happy.  Today is an especially good day to call, text, email, or otherwise reach out to others, even if it's just for a moment.  

memories

Sometimes you never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory that you wish you could experience again.  Many of you have wonderful memories of things that have happened on December 24th.  Today you can add some fresh memories.  Be sure to including a nice big serving of kindness!

don't forget the others

As we go about our planning and our shopping for holidays and celebrations, it's important that we not just look inward, but also look outward too.  Don't forget the others.  Don't forget those who are sad or lonely or poor or alone.  Don't forget the friends we no longer see or the relatives who live far away.  Don't forget those who have health issues or who have recently lost a loved one.  Kindness means thinking not just of ourselves, but of others.

giving

Giving to your favorite charity is something many people plan and budget for.  Sometimes things come up unexpectedly though.  A lot of organizations really need help right now.  A lot of individuals too.  Do what you can, if you can.

picking up the pieces

We all at certain times in our lives find ourselves broken. True strength is found in picking up the pieces.  The song says, "pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again."

Mom

Thinking today of my mom. Today would have been another birthday for her, just five days before Christmas. I don't think she ever got the attention she deserved. Mom was the kindest person I have ever known, and that memory keeps making me want to be kind and to encourage others as well. So much love! Thanks Mom. I miss you.

I've got your back

It's during the worst times of your life that you'll get to see the true colors of the people who say they care about you. If you say to someone "I've got your back," mean it!

all of us

Not all of us celebrate Christmas.  Not all of us celebrate any number of holidays.  One thing all of us can and should do though is respect each other and be kind to each other.  If someone says, "Happy holidays!" to you, thank them.  Wish them the same. 

Arnel's Foundation

Have you heard of Arnel Pineda Foundation Inc?  Have you even heard of Arnel Pineda?  (Well, I believe APFI operates solely within the Philippines with no outside affiliations, but check them out though).  They do good things.  I made a mention here a few years ago.  Their website is at https://arnelpineda.org/  It's the time of year when folks give gifts, and I know they would appreciate yours!

kind things

Need some kindness ideas? How about paying the bus fare for the passenger boarding behind you. Take muffins or doughnuts to work. Take a gift to new neighbors and introduce yourself. Wash someone else's car. Take a friend to lunch. Give the gift of time - volunteer. Let someone go ahead of you in line.  Pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru. 

people who inspire you

Focus more on the people who inspire you rather than annoy you.  You’ll get much further in life.

Albert Schweitzer words

Albert Schweitzer was a brilliant man. These are his words: "Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate."

optimism

Everyone has to start out somewhere. This start always begins with optimism. Negative attitude is not going to take you anywhere.

The Friday night monsters

Yesterday at this time I only knew a little about the horrible tornadoes that struck six states causing death and destruction. The Friday night monsters were worse than I thought. It appears that entire communities have been wiped out. The American Red Cross makes it easy to send a quick $10 donation simply by texting REDCROSS to 90999.  Other donations can be made by going to redcross.org  Kentucky was by far the hardest hit state and a special fund has been setup to help there.  Go to https://secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/Finance/WKYRelief to donate.

Kindness in time of disaster

Waking up to some horrible news from the midsection of our country. More than thirty tornadoes have been reported to the National Weather Service across Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, and Mississippi.  Property damage is incredible.  Injuries and fatalities are not yet known, but there may well be over 100 dead.  These people need help - all kinds of help.  Be generous and be kind.  Check with your local news sources for ways you can give.

value of a moment

Sometimes you never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory that you wish you could experience over and over again.

ALWAYS

 You never know what someone is going through.  Be kind to everyone.  ALWAYS!

there was a time

Have things changed?  It seems that way to me.  There was a time when people cared about each other, but I see less and less of that.  There is nothing humorous about the tornadoes that recently struck the middle of our country.  Anyone use that as fodder for comedy is just plain mean.  Oh, and the folks who refuse to get vaccinated or wear a mask, yet still want to be physically close to others?  That to me is very uncaring.  Let's care once again.  Let's be kind.

Button up your overcoat

As the cold comes to so many of us, kindness is all the more important.  I love the collection drives at this time of year for blankets and coats.  When the winder winds blow, so many cannot button up their overcoat because they don't have one.  Giving doesn't just help other folks get warm.  It leaves the giver with a warm feeling too!

Happy Monday!

"Monday, Monday

  So good to me
 Monday mornin'
 It was all I hoped it would be"

Those words from John Philips were running around in my head as I woke up!  I hope this Monday is all we hope it will be.  Be sure to be kind!

Everyone enjoys a little kindness

Start each day with kindness (you can always find a dose of it here), and spread it around too.  Everyone enjoys a little kindness!

all alone

Nobody should ever have to be alone.  Now some folks choose this, and that is their decision, but most people like a little human contact.  Help them.  Reach out!  A phone call or a card or a text can mean a lot to someone who lives by themself.  Paying them a visit could be nice too.

who gets the credit

The 33rd U.S. President Harry S. Truman said "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."  Oh that is so very true!

positive circle

They say what goes around, comes around, so let us all keep our circle positive. Let's think good thoughts, be kind to each other, speaking good words, and doing good deeds.

World AIDS Day

On this 33rd World AIDS Day, I remember all those who died, all who are living with HIV, all the men and women working for a cure, and I remember my friends. Randy Shilts, who died before I got to know him very well, wrote the book And The Band Played On, about the early days of AIDS.  Randy also once said “What society judged was not the severity of the disease but the social acceptability of the individuals affected with it.”