BONUS

February doesn't always give us as much time to be kind.  Instead of thirty or thirty-one days, February usually only has twenty-eight.  This is leap year though with twenty-nine days, so on this bonus day, be extra kind!

change a person’s life

It would seem that actor Jackie Chan agrees with me. It was he that said, "Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life."  Indeed.

kindness at the concerts

It seems just about every day I hear about some kind thing that singer Arnel Pineda has done.  He really connects with his audience at concerts, and I just saw pictures from two different venues where he was posing with a little boy.  You know those kids were probably at their first concerts and that warm happy memory will stay with them forever.  Thanks for making a difference, Arnel!

in times of anxiety

In times of anxiety and when we are experiencing extreme stress do you know what helps calm your anxious thoughts?  Kindness.  Yup.  Here is just one more reason why being kind is so good.  I have heard this from experts and also experienced it myself.  If a court ruling has you frustrated; if crime in the streets has made you tense; if there is stress in your life due to hatred and injustice, try doing something especially nice for someone.  I don't mean to minimize life's problems, and we certainly should work on correcting the ills of society, but a kind act can also be a wonderful tonic.

Beginning a new week

 It's Sunday, and that means we are beginning a new week, one where I hope we will all experience a lot of kindness.  I hope that people are kind to us, and of course I hope we will all be kind ourselves.  I am certain we can do it!

Missing Mister Rogers

I sure am missing Mister (Fred) Rogers.  He was such a kind man and always pointed us in the right direction.  He once said "As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has, or ever will have-something inside that is unique to all time."

Your stories

I always love hearing stories of kindness.   Sometimes on the local news we hear of a neighborhood hero or maybe in a facebook post. The kind acts that people do always warm my heart and getting all the details is such an extra bonus.  It can also give all of us idea on how to be more kind.  Sharing stories can be done here too - just add them in the comments below!

The Day of Love

Our world can never have too much love.  Today is Valentine's Day, which is generally focused on romantic love, but all love is important.  May the Day of Love fill your heart and may the kindness you show to others light up their lives!

It's in my blood

One of the most wonderful things a person can do, is donating blood.  I coordinate several blood drives every year and I am always encouraged by the love and generosity that people show. I never tire of hearing the many stories of why people donate.  Kindness?  Absolutely!  I wish everyone would donate blood.  

happy weekend!

Happy weekend dear readers!  Love yourself.  Love and respect others also.  Be a light in the world. Above everything, be kind.

Groundhog Day

Poor Phil Connors. He becomes trapped in a time loop, forcing him to relive February 2 repeatedly.  I think of Groundhog Day as a fun film, but not a movie with a heavy message, until you wait to highlight that repeating theme.  How about kindness becoming such a regular part of who we are and what we do, that it keeps repeating, without us even being aware of it.

The Love Month

Because of Valentine's Day (on the 14th), February is often thought of as the love month. As much as I like that idea, and many of you will know what I am about to say before I even say it, I would love it if every single month was a love month. Share the love in May and in October and in every single month of the year. We can never have too much!