You Say You Want a Resolution?

Tomorrow we start a brand-new year, and traditionally many of us will begin by making resolutions.  How about you?  What will you resolve to do?  For me it continues to be about kindness.  We can never have too much!  I'm going to try even harder in 2024.  We can make this world of ours a better place, one kind act at a time.

Has this been a kind year

How kind has 2023 been?  Was I kind enough?  Were you kind enough.  Could we have done better?  On this last weekend, I invite you to think back and reflect on kindness.  In my opinion, I can always do better, and I will continue to work on that.  Please join me.  It really makes a difference!

share some

May goodness be your guide as you go about your day, and may your cup overflow with peace, love and pure awesomeness. Be sure to share some of that too!

Happy Christmas everybody!

You deserve happiness and joy whether or not you celebrate Christmas.  This is true not only today, but every single day of the year! 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 everybody.

Thinking of Mom

She is no longer with us, but she left a mark - a very good mark.  Mom was loved by just about everyone she met.  Her kindness I'm sure had a lot to do with that.  She was always thinking of others, especially me and my sister.  I miss her a lot and think of her often, especially today, her birthday.

gifts

Tell people what you need.  You'll either get it or realize they can't give it to you.  Both are gifts.

The Holiday Season

When we say "happy holidays," most people only think of two or three, but December has many! Last night at sundown, Hanukkah began and lasts until December 15th at nightfall. Coming up are Longest Night, Festivus, Christmas, Boxing Day, Zarathosht Diso, Kwanzaa, International Cello Day, and New Year's Eve. Oh my! Which ones do you celebrate? Of your kindness, find out about the customs of others and help make their celebrations happy!

happy Monday!

Did someone say happy Monday?  So many hate Monday.  What's happy about it?  Sorry folks, but we have this wrong.  We can find happiness every single day.  We are alive!  Happiness comes in so many different forms.  If you don't feel happy, take a few moments to make someone else happy.

AIDS Day

World AIDS Day, observed on December 1 each year, is a day of solidarity for people around the world who are affected by HIV, a day for voices to unite by sharing experiences, remembering those lost, and standing together in the fight against HIV. Today is an opportunity for every community and each individual to honor the more than 32 million people who have died worldwide from AIDS-related illness.  In your kindness, let us continue the fight, and never forget those whom we have lost.

thirtieth

Today is the thirtieth day of this month. Is that significant? Of course, it is! Every single day of our lives is significant. Today is the day when we share love and kindness. Yesterday was that day too of course, and tomorrow will be as well. The joys of the thirtieth of November are the joys of every single day of our lives!

Something to look forward to

Do you have things you look forward to?  Every December, as Christmas draws near, I look forward to the holiday celebrations.  My birthday was three months ago, and I always look forward to that.  One of the big things I look forward to every single day is seeing friends and neighbors, chatting with strangers, seeing smiles and acts of kindness.  I will never tire of seeing people do nice things for each other.  We can all look forward to that.

thankful for the good

So very thankful am I.  I'm thankful every single day.  Yes, we keep hearing bad news, but somehow, we seem to neglect the good news.  There is a lot of good too.  There is also a lot of kindness too.  We can always make more.  Let us keep being kind and let us keep being thankful for all the good.

remembering that turkey jook

How many of you have had turkey jook (some people call it congee or rice porridge)?  One of my favorite memories of kindness is when I was given a nice big bowl or a few days after Thanksgiving. It was so delicious and I can still remember how good it made me feel.

gratitude

I have always loved the Thanksgiving holiday.  It's not because of the turkey or pumpkin pie and it isn't because of the parades and the football.  I like the idea of gathering together in gratitude.  Most of us don't say thank you often enough and there is so much to be grateful for.  I love the great kindness associated with this day too.  Enjoy your holiday!

Remembering Mrs Carter

Yesterday, Rosalynn Carter writer, activist and humanitarian and former First Lady of the United States, passed away.  She will certainly be remembered for her kindness and for her wisdom.  Mrs Carter once said. "There are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers."  At one time or another, she was all four.  

National Drummer Day

Today is National Drummer Day, so be especially kind to drummers. By the way, do you have a favorite drummer?  Think for just a moment of all the drummers you have ever heard perform, and be glad.

teddys

Today is National American Teddy Bear Day. My apartment is filled with teddy bears. My mom, Teddy, collected them.  I know they gave her great joy and brought joy to all the people she showed them too.  Mom also gave teddys to special people in her life.  Teddy bears bring joy and kindness, so hug one today!

Especially today

Today is World Kindness Day.  I urge everyone to be kind every single day of their lives, but especially today.  We truly can make a difference.

pulled pork and spaghetti sauce

My sister is a good cook.  She's great making fudge, any baked goods, pulled pork, and spaghetti sauce.  She takes goodies to work for her coworkers to enjoy and she brings thing by for me too.  She is one of the kindest people I know too and today being her birthday, I just HAD to mention her.  What a great world it would be if we all had sisters like mine!

what's it all about

Generosity, concern, consideration, niceness, giving to others (in many cases more than they deserve). That's what kindness is all about.  It makes you feel good too!

make the most of every day

It is so important to make the most of every single day, and in our kindness, we should help others to also make the most of every day.

Halloween is

Radio personality Elvis Duran is very wise. He once said “Halloween is not only about putting on a costume, but it’s about finding the imagination and costume within ourselves.”

Sad news

I just learned the sad news that someone I have worked with took his own life earlier this week. He was such a bright star and will certainly be missed. It's hard to believe that he is gone, and even harder that it was as a result of suicide. Every life is important.

We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free 

and confidential support for people in distress, prevention, and crisis resources 

for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

988

Stop the violence

Children were playing games at a party in a bowling alley.
Locals were drinking and dining at a restaurant.
Last night seemed normal – until it was rocked by the latest horrific act of gun violence.

When will this stop?  When will people care enough to do something.

We need kindness in America.  Stop the violence NOW!

make a difference

We can all make a positive difference in the world, and personally I think it should be an ongoing thing. Today though there is a special spotlight. It is Make a Difference Day. What can each of us to to improve the lives of others?  Being kind is a very good beginning!

paraskevidekatriaphobia

Are you afraid?  Don't be.  Paraskevidekatriaphobia (fear of Friday the 13th) is easily overcome with a smile and a confidence that this day can be just as good as any other.  Be kind to yourself.  Never fear. 

smile

Smile. Do it a lot. You will find it contagious and notice others smiling too. Oh and just for some added incentive, today is World Smile Day.

remembering her kindness

Funerals are sad occasions of course, but it was so very uplifting to hear the positive words spoken yesterday about Dianne Feinstein.  One of the things I heard over and over was talk about her great kindness.  What a wonderful way to be remembered!

do something nice

Today is National Do Something Nice Day. You KNOW I had to mention it here, huh? It's an actual commemoration on the calendar and it's a perfect time to showcase our kindness.  In the comments below, I'd love to hear about some of the nice things you do today!

Saint Francis Day

On this day honoring Francis of Assisi, these words attributed to him: "Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life."

Happy birthday Jimmy Carter!

James Earl Carter Jr. was born October 1, 1924, in Plains, GA, at the Wise Sanitarium (the first American president born in a hospital), the son of Bessie Lillian Gordy and James Earl Carter Sr.  He was the nation's 39th President, but I think he is known more for his great kindness all that he gives back.  Today he turns 99! Happy birthday Jimmy Carter and thank you so much for making a difference!

Be an angel

I was thinking of angels yesterday - the heavenly messengers.  Of course there is another kind.  Have you ever heard someone say "She is such an angel"?  Of course they mean the person is nice and kind.  We should all want to be that kind of angel.

Dianne Feinstein

California's Senior US Senator and former San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein died last night.  In her memory this morning, I offer the encouragement that comes from her own words.  She very wisely said "We're not perfect, and there are some dark patches in our past, but what makes us special is that we recognize these evils, we come to grips with them, and we fix them."

Missing Wilson

I miss Wilson Fang!  Eight years ago on this date he passed away.  I'm so lucky he spent some time with me.  He easily could have been the poster-person for this blog.  Wilson was one of the kindest people I ever met. I hope I can be as wonderful a person as Wilson was.  Such great memories of such a terrific person.

Remembering

"Remember the hours after September 11 when we came together as one! It was the worst day we have ever seen, but it brought out the best in all of us." -Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry

Stay

I am saddened every time I hear that someone has taken their own life.  Everything is not perfect, but there is so much to stick around for.  Stay.  If you need help, ask.  If you know of someone who needs help, help them. Don't wait until it's too late. 

We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention, and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

                                                    988

happy birthday to me!

 Do you know what I would really like for my birthday?  A kinder world, that's what!  Let's make it so!

ALL

Sometimes I wonder how many people have actually read the Declaration of Independence. In the second paragraph, you'll find these words: "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." Now please note there is no asterisk. It doesn't say except for people of color or people with blue eyes or people who are gay or Jewish people or transgender or any other exception. It says ALL!

Happy July!

Let's all do the best we can to make this a very kind month.  Happy Saturday.  Enjoy your weekend. Happy July everybody!

fully visible

"While as a society we are moving toward greater inclusion and equality for all people, the tide of history only advances when people make themselves fully visible." -Broadcaster Anderson Cooper

because of who you are

Do things for people, not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.

every single American

"Every single American — gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual, transgender — every single American deserves to be treated equally in the eyes of the law and in the eyes of our society. It’s a pretty simple proposition." -Barack Obama

define yourself

“Accept no one’s definition of your life, define yourself.” -Harvey Fierstein

someday

Someday we won't have to "come out of the closet."  We'll just say we are in love and that will be all that matters.  Someday.  Happy Pride everyone!

It takes no money to respect the individual

"It takes no compromise to give people their rights. It takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no political deal to give people freedom. It takes no survey to remove repression." -San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk 

live authentically

Don't ever tell someone that they can't be exactly who they are.  Gender identity and sexual orientation are personal.  WE are in control, not others who might hate us.  Be a friend.  Be someone that others can count on.  We all deserve to live authentically.

Taylor said

Singer Taylor said it so well last week. “We can’t talk about Pride Month without talking about pain," she said. "There have been so many harmful pieces of legislation that have put people in the LGBTQ and Queer community at risk.”

words from Barack Obama

Former President Barack Obama told us "Each of us deserves the freedom to pursue our own version of happiness. No one deserves to be bullied."

more important that ever

Every morning for the past several years, I sit down and write something here about kindness.  Most of my posts are fairly general and could apply to any day of the year.  This month I decided to focus on my LGBTQ+ community.  We deserve kindness and respect - everyone does.  Right now, with so much hate in the world, it is more important that ever.  Show some extra love and kindness this month to everyone who identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

love is love is love

Lin-Manuel Miranda's words from his Tony Award acceptance speech seven years ago still bring tears to my eyes, and on the first day of Pride month it seems so appropriate to remember them.
              "And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love, 

                   cannot be killed or swept aside.
              I sing Vanessa’s symphony, Eliza tells her story.
              Now fill the world with music, love, and pride."

May the Fourth

What is the correct response to "May the Fourth Be With You'? 

Kindness. Kindness is the correct response to anything.

whatever the weather

Kindness is spreading sunshine into other people’s lives regardless of the weather.  Be sure to spread some love, kindness and positivity today, as well as, every day, even if it's raining! 

Earth Day 2023

We know Dame Jane Goodall largely for her work with wild chimpanzees, but on this Earth Day 2023, I am reminded of something the primatologist and anthropologist once said: "You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make."  Let's get out there and make a positive difference and let today be a day of action for our environment and for our planet.

Thoughts of Nana

Every April 20th I think of my grandmother - she was born on this date.  I think of Nana more than once a year though.  She was one of the kindest and fairest people I have ever known, and I learned a lot from her.  I think our entire family learned the importance of kindness because of her.

sharing the candy

I hear there is a big sale on Easter candy beginning today!  Buying up some of it and sharing it is certainly a kind thing, don't you think?  Of course sharing the candy is always kind, even when you have to pay full price!

The Joy of Easter

Of all the days in the entire year, what could possibly be happier than Easter Day?  Oh and talk about kindness - oh my!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!

Remembering Roger Ebert

Film critic Roger Ebert died on this date in 2013. One of the things I remember about him is his encouraging words. He once said “To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try.”

Maya Angelou's thought

On this Valentine's Day, I am reminded of this thought from Maya Angelou "In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine."

February!

The second month of the year already!  February!  (Don't you wish everyone could pronounce it)?  Anyway, this is a good time to remind everyone about the importance of being kind.

last day

It's hard to believe that we have already reached the last day of the month!  Wasn't New Year's just yesterday?  Oh my!  Has January been kind to you?  More importantly, how kind have you been?  Let the kindness continue right into the next month, an all our days to come.

Friday the 13th

Always be kind to everyone, but today be especially kind to those with paraskevidekatriaphobia.  Being afraid of Friday the 13th is a real fear.

We can do it

Want to see a kinder world?  We can do it.  We really can. Yes it takes some work to get everyone together and caring about the same thing, but I have no intention of giving up.  Let's make kindness our daily way of life!

resolutions

I'm not sure how many people make New Year's resolutions these days but setting goals can always be a good thing.  I'm sure you already know what I am going to say now.  I resolve to be a kinder person, and I hope that you will join me.

Happy New Year!

Celebrate!  It's a holiday!  Today we begin 2023, and I KNOW we will all be kind to each other, not just today, but throughout the year.  Let's share the joy.