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.

Comparison

Why compare yourself with others? No one in the entire world can do a better job of being you than you.  Remember that!

Hope and Joy

We remember two great men today, both of whom happen to have been gay. It was 45 years ago that Harvey Milk was murdered on this date. Four years ago, on this date Louie Clay passed away. Harvey is remembered for saying, "Gotta give em hope." Louie is remembered for saying, "Joy, anyway!" Hope and joy. We all need both in our lives. They are the cousins of love and kindness.

three ways to success

Television's MisterRogers always got it so right!  His words: “There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.” 

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.

It's late

There is a daily pattern for me and it includes writing this right around 7am. I then give some thought to another blog I write, eat breakfast, answer emails, and then produce that other blog. Today I found myself waking up after 7! (I probably ate too much turkey).  I am a bit behind. There is always time though to be kind. Let that kindness shine in all you do!

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!

we have

We still have hate
We still have racism
We still have unrest
We still have wildfires
We still have political turmoil
   We also still have each other
   We still have the capacity to love
   We are still able to be KIND!

Sharing is caring

We have heard folks say "Sharing is caring" and it can really mean different things.  One kind of sharing is simply exchanging thoughts and ideas.  I try to share some thoughts every morning here for example.  I would love for you to share some thoughts and ideas too!  Right below in the comments section, say something about kindness.  We would love to hear from you!

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.  

The kindest of all

I was just trying to think of the kindest thing anyone ever did for me.  I'm fortunate to have so many kind people in my life, it may take me a while to come up with the kindest of all.  Actually that inspires me to think up more ways to be kind!

Lend an ear

Do you ever just need someone around to hear you? Sometimes, especially in times of crisis, the thing you need the most is someone to talk to. They don't have to talk back. How wonderful it is to have a person who can simply sit in silence and listen to those who need a listening ear. In times of worry or sorrow or loneliness, this is particularly true. Listening to another person is a great act of kindness.

kindness poem

This is a kindness poem we used to recite in grade school. Does anyone else remember it?

Kind hearts are the gardens,

 Kind thoughts are the roots,

 Kind words are the blossoms,

 Kind deeds are the fruits.

Be kind today

The daily message of this blog is a simple one.  It is one that I hope will lead us all to a better life.  Be kind today.  Kindness is one of the greatest gifts we can ever give.

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.

surrounded by kindness

While I may talk about kindness all the time, I know I make my share of mistakes.  I want to be nice and pleasant and show kindness to everyone, but if I fall short, please forgive me.  I'm not perfect.  I can always use help.  I think the more kindness I am surrounded with, the easier it will be for me.  If we all are surrounded with kindness imagine how wonderful our world will be!

Grateful for their service

Many people express thanks every single time they see a military veteran. Today is the day set aside for that purpose. Just saying thanks though is only a part of it. President John F. Kennedy said it best. "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

The kindness of cooking

Cooking a meal for someone is such a kind thing!  TV chef Julia Child once said "I think careful cooking is love, don't you? The loveliest thing you can cook for someone who's close to you is about as nice a valentine as you can give."

letting go of our need to be right

Author and meditation expert Sharon Salzberg once wrote "Sometimes kindness takes the form of stepping aside, letting go of our need to be right, and just being happy for someone."  Indeed.

No thanks

There seems to be a trend these days to not say thank you.  Oh my!  How unkind!  If someone does something special for you, acknowledge it.  Let them know you are grateful.  This is especially true when someone gives you a nice present or money.  Oh and if you donate to a charity, there should be a thank you too!  Money should always be acknowledged in writing too.  It's polite.  It's kind.

What have you to say

You may have guessed that I think kindness is important and I like writing this every morning and encouraging all of you.  I would also really love your feedback.  Am I missing something?  Are there ideas that should be shared?  Has this blog benefitted you?  Say something!  Use the comment section to let me know your thoughts.  Thanks.

Bring back the welcome wagon

There was a time when neighbors welcomed new neighbors.  If someone was moving in to a house of apartment close by, you dropped by with a fruit basket, some fresh bread, or maybe a nice cake.  Sometimes individuals did it and sometimes it was part of an organized official "welcome wagon."  One things is certain though - it was a very kind gesture!

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!

let it begin with me

We need more kindness.  I'm not talking about how you should act.  This really isn't an instruction manual.  It's so very important for these words here be directed to me.  We ALL should be kind.  Let it begin with me.

For the future

The earth has been here a long time and it will be around for a long time to come, BUT will it be able to sustain life?  Will plants and flowers grow and fish swim in the water and birds fly through the air?  Will cows and chickens, dogs and cats, all manner of life, including humans, still roam the planet?  Environmental protection is important for the future.  They earth will be here, but will it be bare?  Thanks up to us!

some kind things we can do

Open the door for another person. Leave an extra-large tip for your server.  Treat someone to fresh fruit. Tell a bus or taxi driver how much you appreciate their driving. Give coffee to people on their way to work in the morning. Leave a treat or handmade note of thanks for a delivery person or mail carrier.  Sing at a nursing home. Give another driver your parking spot.  Give a bag of groceries to a homeless person. 

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.