Why not?

I write here every morning about being kind.  It's one of these subjects that there really is no argument against.  Think about it.  Why not be kind?  What could possibly be wrong with it?

Explore, Dream, Discover

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, was a great novelist and entrepreneur. He also was quite the motivator! Here are some words of inspiration from him: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover."

Kindest ever

I know I have asked this before, but what is the kindest thing someone has ever done for you?  Think about it.  I'll bet it made you feel pretty good, huh?  This is just one of the reasons why we do kind things.

Color

Laundry is the only thing that should be separated by color!  Can you imagine a rainbow with only one color?  oh my!

Give it some thought

Some days it might come naturally, and at other times you might have to think a bit.  There's really nothing wrong with that.  Sometimes those special kind acts that we think up are pretty wonderful indeed.  If like me you are trying to become more kind each day, just give it some thought.

Some random acts of kindkess

Let the person behind you in the grocery store go ahead of you in line. Say nice things randomly to friends on social media. Buy some bottles of water and randomly hand them out to strangers on the street. Volunteer for a cause or campaign that is important to you. Clean graffiti from neighborhood walls and buildings. Leave a treat or handmade note of thanks for a delivery person or mail carrier. Give another driver your parking spot. There are so many random acts of kindness.  Can you think of others?

Not an expert

Kindness is something I strive for in myself, but I am certainly not an expert.  I love when folks are good and kind toward me, and I get a genuinely wonderful feeling when I am the recipient of the kindness of others.  That doesn't mean I am perfect.  That doesn't mean I don't need help along the way.  I always welcome suggestions of how I can be more kind.

Remember me

Some things we can achieve in life, and other things are out of our hands. We can try to be the richest or the best looking or the tallest or the fastest, but what do any of those things really mean? Years after someone meets me, I'd prefer for them to remember that I was nice to them. They don't have to recall my sense of humor or my incredible physique. I'd much rather have them remember that I was kind to them, and to others.

Those Dreams

I have said this before, but it is so true.   If you can dream it, you can achieve it.  Don't ever give up. Oh and when you accomplish your own dreams, reach out and help some other folks do the same thing with theirs.

Invisible people

There was a time - there really was, when folks spoke to each other. More and more it seems like people are texting or otherwise involved with some electronic device. You can say hello to someone and be ignored and you can smile and offer a cheery "Good Morning!" without even a return glance in your direction. It can make you feel invisible! When someone smiles back though, it make a huge difference. When you are noticed, the feeling of kindness can melt your heart.  We are not invisible people!

Go forward

Stop looking backwards. You aren't going that way! Stay in the present moment. Be here now. Go proudly forward!

Just how kind are you?

Many folks who read this probably already do kind things.  I'll bet you are one of them.  Just how kind are you though?  Is it something you have to think about?  Are you only kind toward some people?  I'd love to hear some thoughts of being kind.  Please share!

Say no to silence

Let your voice be heard! Silence enables. Silence is acceptance. Silence is compliance. Silence threatens freedom.  Don't ever stop speaking out!

Be so happy

Be so happy that
when others look at you,
they become happy too!

Keep at it

Never give up is one of my long held beliefs. My values aren't something I change several times a day, as I might change my clothes. I have to stay true to my principles, even if others don't join in. The test for me is simple: is it the kind, just, and fair path. If it is unkind, if it is not fair, if it doesn't treat everyone equally and justly, then it must be wrong. Activism is not a four letter word though and I will not be swayed by threats or setbacks. When it is the right thing to do, I will keep at it, and I will keep urging others to join in.

strangers

Someone once said (I really don't remember who it was) that strangers are just friends we haven't met yet.  How true!

touch

If you want to touch the past, touch a rock. 

If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. 

If you want to touch the future, touch a life.

                                   -author unknown

Heroes of Mister Rogers

Children's television host Fred Rogers said some remarkable things which often come to mind, like "Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero to me."  He also said more about heroes:  "We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility.  It's easy to say 'It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.'  Then there are those who see the need and respond.  I consider those people my heroes.'  I agree.  One more thing though - to me, Mister Rogers was also a hero.

Be nice

Be nice
Be kind
Care
Make a difference

Checking in

How is everybody?  Seriously.  Are things going well for you these days?  One of the kindest things a person can do is check in on their family members and friends.  Does someone have a great success they want to share?  How about those though times when you need a friend just to listen while you vent?  Be there.  Let folks know you care.

What does it mean

Kindness.  I write about it here every day, but what does it mean?  Is being kind something we should all be doing?  Well my answer to that is yes.  Yes indeed!  What are your thoughts though?  I ask every now and then, but you are always welcome to comment and to share your thoughts.

Fresh start

Some of us are forced to make a fresh start.  Don’t be afraid to start all over again. Who knows? You may like your new story better.

words from Scott Adams

Think about these words from Scott Adams:  "Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness.  Every act contains a ripple with no logical end."

Kindness even toward those we dislike

Many people are of the opinion that they must never show any kindness to those with whom they disagree or those they dislike.  Nope.  We can be kind to everyone.  Let them do they negative.  We can strive to take the high road.  Sometimes it's just a matter of common courtesy, but being kind and extending a positive attitude should always be they way we operate.  Who knows?  We just might bring about change in those other people!

thanks a lot

Saying thank you isn't something we do as often as we should, in my opinion.  It is quick and easy and doesn't cost anything.  Showing thanks should be as regular as being kind!

Can't get enough

I was remembering an old-time television commercial last night. Can't get enough of that Sugar Crisp, Sugar Crisp, Sugar Crisp. I couldn't get the tune out of my head. Then I started saying Can't get enough of that kindness, kindness, kindness. Oh my! I'm not sure about the breakfast cereal, but I know it's true about kindness.  You can never get enough! 

Hold that door

Remember when folks always opened a door for a woman? How about when people see someone else coming and keep the door open for you? Remember? Oh and if you saw someone running to catch the elevator you are on, same thing. It doesn't seem to happen as much as it once did. Something as simple as holding the door open can make someone's day. It really can, and it's such an easy kind act!

May the Fourth

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

Kindness. Kindness is the correct response to anything.

Up on Crumhorn Mountain

I was thinking this morning of a Boy Scout Camp nearly a century old, on Crumhorn Mountain in Upstate New York.  As a scout, I spent a lot of time there.  I learned about nature and about kindness and about how to get along with others.  The scouts back then did a lot of good things, but they excluded a lot of kids too.  I think they have improved.  I think they have finally learned more about kindness.

kindest of the month

What do you think will be the kindest thing you do this month? Oh, there are certainly a lot of loving and nice things we can all do for each other, and everyone can add suggestions, but I like the idea of always trying to outdo myself. Let's be kind to everyone! Let's put some smiles of those faces! Let's all try to be more kind than we ever have been before.

May Day

There was once a big deal made of the first day of May.  In small towns especially, small baskets filled with homemade bread or cookies, cut flowers, or other goodies, would be left at someone's doorstep. You would set down the basket, ring the doorbell, and run away.  Of course there are other May Day traditions in the various places where it is celebrated, but this one seems to be such a lovely act of kindness.  I think it would be a nice random thing to do any day!