hope and confidence for the New Year

We're just about ready to begin a brand new year.  As 2022 comes to an end, don't despair.  Instead, look ahead to a kinder year, to better happier days. May we start out fresh tomorrow with hope and with confidence that great things will happen in 2023!

The year is almost over

The year is almost over and on the whole, I think it has been a good year.  There is still a lot of negativity and still a lot of hate, but I think that kindness is growing, and that is certainly a good thing.  Let's help it continue to grow.  We can never have too much kindness.

More to come

Just to set the record straight, Christmas isn't over.  It seems some folks want to start things off earlier and earlier each year and end earlier too.  How sad.  This is a time of great kindness and joy and I think it's best when it is fully embraced for each of the twelve days.  December 25th didn't end the Christmas season.  It was actually the beginning and we can continue to celebrate right through January 5th!

hot tea

How cold is it right now where you live? Bundle up and share warm wishes with others. A very kind gesture might be to give folks hot beverages - cider is particularly popular at this time of year.  I'm love some hot tea.

donate blood

This week I will be coordinating two blood drives and I know I'll see a lot of kindness. The act of donating blood is a generous and amazing thing and I'm always filled with gratitude and joy as I see the donors arrive. About one in seven people who come to the hospital need blood, including surgery patients, women in childbirth, accident victims, and cancer patients. The blood supply comes from caring donors like you. When you give blood, you give someone another chance at life.  Thanks in advance to all who donate.

Holidays galore

I love December 26th.  It's Boxing Day, the second day of Christmas, the first day of Kwanzaa, and Saint Stephen's Day!  So many opportunities to show kindness.  So much joy!!

Happy Christmas to all!

Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, you deserve happiness and joy.  My wish for you is lots of love and kindness today and always.  Let us all continue to do our part to share and spread that kindness to everyone!

Joy

Live each day with joy.  Feel the joy and share the joy.  (That sharing is really the best part).  This world can never have too much joy!

Thanks for the greeting

No matter what your belief, when someone says "Merry Christmas," "Happy Holidays,"  "Happy Hanukkah," or any other holiday greeting, thank them!

profile words

Sometimes people's social media profiles really grab me.  Yesterday I saw one that read "Love is the answer. Spread the light. Kindness is the new cool."  I like that!  That's another great reason for being kind - it's the new cool!

great holiday gift

Kindness makes a great holiday gift.  When I began writing this five years ago, I had no idea how long I would continue.  I'm sure I can go another five!  There is so much to say and there are so many ways to be kind.  Let's never stop finding new ways.  This holiday season let us all be especially kind.

Thinking of Mom

Every year on her birthday, I think of Mom.  She was kind, always.  I often wish that the whole world had known her.  Perhaps then we would have more kindness.

snowy kindness

Have you seen your first snowfall yet this season? As I think thoughts of kindness (and of white fluffy snow), I am reminder of the words of Kahlil Gibran who said "Kindness is like snow. It beautifies everything it covers." Indeed. May we have a long snowy season, or at least one filled with kindness!

What can I do for you?

Some folks go through life always asking "What have you done for me?"  I much prefer thinking "What can I do for you?"  Usually I don't ask, I just look and see what might bring you a little joy, and if I can make it happen, that ends up bringing me joy too!

Make the best of it

Yesterday I saw a wonderful and inspiring sign.  It said "The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything."  Indeed.

About that glass

Is there optimism or pessimism in your life?  Perhaps a bit of both?  About that glass - you know, is it half full or half empty?  It seems to me that we sometimes think about that too much and should simply be grateful to have the glass!

giving all year

It happens every December, and this year I actually heard people saying it last month - this is the "Season of Giving." I love that so many toy collections, canned food drives, holiday donation programs, and other ways of giving spring up just about now. Giving is such a wonderful thing, even if you really can't give much. Why do we have to limit it to three of four weeks? Why not celebrate giving all year long!

Baby it's cold outside

The song "Baby, It's Cold Outside" has been recorded by tons of artists over the years, but it is also the phrase that comes to mind for me when the temperature begins to drop severely.  In the duet of course, one tries to convince the other that they should stay together for a romantic evening because the weather is cold and the trip home would be pretty tough.  In my thinking, when it gets cold like this, it's all the more reason to be kind and considerate of others.  Let's build a fire, break out the blankets, and stir up some nice hot cocoa (or perhaps a hot toddy).  The warmth of human kindness can melt any cold!

In the news

There is so much negativity in the news these days and it is easy to become sad, angry, depressed, and a whole variety of emotions.  Some things we KNOW will improve.  Some things already have.  Now is not the time to give up.  (Actually giving up should never be an option).  Now is the time to work harder than ever to make things better.  Share the good.  Share the kindness.  Say no to hate in all its forms.  Believe in the good that we can help bring about!

It stays with you

I remember those special moments when folks have done nice things for me.  Kind acts stay with you, whether it was a day ago or way back in your youth.  We never forget those who are kind.

Say the secret word

How fortunate I am to have enjoyed so much of the work of Groucho Marx. From his films and tv appearances, must folks think of him as a very funny man, but he was also very wise. Said he: “I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.”

personal experience

So many times, in my life I have experienced great kindness. There are so many loving, caring people in our world. I always smile and am thankful when people are kind to me, but I really feel especially lucky. Being kind to others feels really good, but being on the receiving end feels really good too!

so many ways of being kind

Oh my!  So many things to say about being kind.  So many ways of doing it.  It truly warms my heart whenever I see a kind act.

grateful

There is a group of women who are doing some amazing things this week, and I am most grateful.  We need more folks who just step up and do good!

Don't be amazed

It may come as a big surprise, but it shouldn't.  People are basically kind natured.  Don't be amazed when you have the urge to make someone's day.  Don't allow yourself to be surprised by the goodness that is inside you.  Rejoice!  Let it flow!  Let kindness spread to everyone you come in contact with.

Angels working through us

Actress Roma Downey, who once played an angel on television, once said "I think we all do have a guardian angel. I believe they work through us all the time, when we are thoughtful and good and kind to each other."

It just takes one

One kind word can make someone's day!  (Of course one mean word can ruin the day).  Think about it.  We're not talking about spending a lot of money, or requiring a lot of time, or even putting in great effort.  It is so very simple.  It just takes one - just one kind word, and you can bring happiness to someone else.

fortunate

Yesterday I told someone "I'm so fortunate to have you in my life."  She really is wonderful.  I should have said that before.  Are you fortunate to have certain people in your life?  Perhaps ALL of the people in your life.  Have you ever said that to them?

smiling

Who was the last person you saw smile, and why were they smiling? Have you looked in the mirror recently? Were you smiling? There's really something special about a smile!

reminder

While not everyone is kind, that is not a reason for anyone else to be unkind! Even if someone is mean to you, remember this: You are special. You have purpose. You are loved. Never forget that. This is true of everyone. Remind them too. You are special. You have purpose. You are loved.

health

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said, “Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have.” May we all have good health! I am thinking about that especially on this World AIDS Day.