end of the month

Another month is gone!  Oh my!  Have March been kind to you?  Have YOU been kind?  Now at the end of the month, let us look ahead to the good things that await us in April.

little bit more kindness

Our world can always do with a little bit more kindness.  (Or perhaps a LOT more).  Perhaps that kindness should begin with me and you. Let's do it!

Sound familiar?

I really like these words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: "You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." I'm also inspired by this that he said: "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."  Do these words of inspiration sound at all familiar?  I wrote all of the above once before in this space, exactly one year ago!

Kind bars

You have probably heard of kind bars.  They are healthy snacks - energy bars, and have become quite popular.  I'm not promoting them (although I should - they not only taste good, but are good for you), but a funny image just popped into my head.  Instead of thinking of a supplemental bar containing cereals, nuts and such, I was picturing that type of bar where folks go for a cocktail, but instead of libations the bartenders dispense kindness and various ways.  Oh wait!  That might describe this blog.  WE are a kind bar!

endless ideas

I've said before that the list of kind acts is an endless one, and it's true.  Think about it.  What random act can you do today, to make someone's day?  Share some of your ideas here.  Together we can make this a kinder world!

on the chalkboard

Did you ever have a teacher who told you to write something over and over on the chalkboard as a learning tool (or as a punishment)?  Go write this 100 times on the chalkboard: I AM A KIND PERSON. Wait! Better yet, let's all just BE a kind person!

Kindness in giving

Yesterday I registered for a walk-a-thon for a cause very dear to me and I began a fundraiser to collect money for the cause.  Within minutes a generous donor was there to help out.  His giving is another fine example of kindness!

I'm not the judge

Please be assured that I am not the judge. That certainly is not my place. Judge for yourself though. Are you a kind person?  How kind are you?  Are you always kind, or just sometimes?  Are you kind to everyone? If the answer is no, what's holding you back? From time to time, I look back on my day and the people I interact with.  Am I proud of the way I acted?  Can I do better?  Something to think about.

This glorious springtime

Flowers, birds, blue skies, all kinds of wonderful - it is a glorious spring for me!  How kind of nature to give us such a gift.  We must repay by treasuring her beauty and not littering or otherwise abusing all this great earth gives us.  If we treat our world right, we can have glorious spring days for many years to come!

it's very simple

What is this blog about?  What is our daily message here?  It's very simple.  I write about kindness, and I try to be a kind person.  Join me.  Be kind.

the fundraiser folks

I will never get over how kind total strangers can be.  Someone I know, who was living paycheck to paycheck, lost her job and was fearful that she and her dogs would become homeless.  I started an online fundraiser for her and folks just started chipping in.  I don't know how much we will raise, but we are off to a good start.  Most of the donors don't know her and some of them don't even know me!

as simple as that

Be kind 

It's really just as simple as that!

What's in it for me?

At some time, you may have heard someone ask, "What's in it for me?"  Well in terms of being kind, there actually is something in it for you, although I don't think that's why we should be kind people.  Kind people attract kindness though, so the more kind you are, the more like it is that folks will be kind to you in return.  Another good thing is the feeling you get.  It's nice to do something for somebody else and not expect anything in return.  It makes you feel good.

popularity

Some folks may think of life as a popularity contest, but that's not how it is.  No matter how hard we try and how nice we are, there will always be those who don't like us for some reason.  Don't let it get you down.  Be yourself.  Stay positive.  Keep spreading the love, even when it is not returned.

From the mouth of Saint Patrick

"Before I was humiliated I was like a stone that lies in deep mud, and he who is mighty came and in his compassion raised me up and exalted me very high and placed me on the top of the wall."  -Saint Patrick

Traffic kindness

Every time I hear about road rage, I shrug my shoulders and ask why?  This seems to be a me first situation when it could just as easily be a courtesy and kindness matter.  I love hear stories of how drivers yield to others and how they let folks pass them or merge into traffic.  See someone driving crazy?  Call it in!  You just might be saving a life.  Weaving, drifting, swerving, straddling the center line, driving too slowly, and other erratic driving doesn't necessarily mean that driver is drunk.  They may be over-tired and not realize it.  They might also me having a medical emergency.  Care.  Kindness on the road is just as important as anywhere.

Be a true friend

True friends are always there for you.

Fake friends only show up when they want something from you.

Be a true friend!

The important I

The "I" before "miss you" and "love you" is important.  Think about it.

Do me a favor

I'm sure you have heard people say "Do me a favor."  Another way to say that is "do me an act of kindness" or "do me a solid."  Should someone have to ask though?  Isn't it great when those favors just flow forth from us like the water in a stream?  Do me a favor good readers and lets spread that kindness everywhere!

Beautiful lawns and gardens

The groundskeepers where I live do excellent work. The lawns are always exceptional and the flowers and trees so incredibly beautiful. Yesterday, one of the men was packing up tools at the end of the day and I complimented him on the way they had just changed the plants and the rocks surrounding the parking area. "Oh you're too kind." he said. Was that kindness? I was just speaking the truth. Maybe we should all do that a bit more often.

Friends

A special friend is hard to find, hard to lose and impossible to forget. True friends are never apart, maybe in distance but not in heart.

believe it

Believe in it until it manifests for you.  Don't overthink how it will happen.  Don’t worry about when it will happen.  Just believe it.  Allow it.  Let it flow in.

Write a book

Someone recently told me that these daily messages would make a great book.  That was certainly a nice compliment, but there are already many books about kindness.  My words here are just short thoughts that help me each day and hopefully reach some others to encourage a kinder world.  Instead of a book, I'm going to try concentrating on more positive ideas.

100 years old

A few years ago, a woman I knew was turning 100. That doesn't happen every day, but it still is special. What though do you give someone who is 100 years old? I reached out on social media and asked people to send birthday cards. The response wasn't as big as I had hoped, but it was still quite wonderful. Virtually everyone was a stranger to this lady, and yet they took the time to brighten her day with a card. I'm only sorry that the senders didn't get to see her smile!

Some special ideas

Kindness?  Here are some special ideas - Let a car into the traffic ahead of you.  Buy flowers for someone (postal worker, grocery store clerk, bus driver, etc.). Bring coffee to a co-worker. Help someone change a flat tire. Post anonymous sticky notes with validating or uplifting messages around for people to find. Compliment a colleague on their work. Send an encouraging text to someone. Buy extra at the grocery store and donate it to a food pantry.

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.

always stand up for what's right

I know it can be difficult, but we must always stand up for what is right, even if it means we are standing all alone.

Thinking of Mom

It has been a number of years since Mom passed away, but I still think of her all the time. She was such a kind person and such an inspiration. Today I especially think of her because she always said today was a command (march forth).  Thanks for the memories Mom!

The whole wide world

Oh how I wish I could simply wrap my arms around the whole wide world for a giant hug and bring kindness and love to all.  Every day I want to try a little more until I am truly making a difference and actually bringing real joy to folks.

Great memories from seniors

I often wish I'd spend more time with Grandpa. Nana and I did things together, and she lived much longer and was quite active.  Senior citizens are often alone, but have so much to share. Nana got out and kept busy, but that's not true of many as they get older.  A day in a retirement community can be very rewarding, and can brighten the day for them.  I like chatting with elders and asking them to share memories - how has the world changed during your life? can you remember your first date? Sharing memories helps both us and them stay connected.

Marching into March

Kindness.  Oh my!  Is there anything better?  Let's go marching into March being especially kind to each other.  We can make a difference!