That's it

We're done with March now. That's it! Let the month go out on a very kind note though. See how many people you can make smile today.  See how many hearts you can warm.

the beauty of kindness

The beauty of kindness lies not in its recognition but in its genuine, often silent, capacity to touch lives and make a difference. The essence of true kindness is its ability to affect others deeply, even when the act itself remains unseen.

thank you so much

I would love to reach out to all of the kind people in this world and say "thank you so much for your kindness."  It truly makes a difference.  We need more people like that.  We will always need more kind people.  Kindness is never out of style.

powerful

Acts of kindness are uniquely powerful and impactful.

Mental Exercise For The Day

Hello!  I have a little exercise for you.  Take just a moment to think about the last kind act someone did for you.  Picture that in your mind.  Think about how it made you feel.  Imagine if everyone you encountered did something kind for you. How would you feel then?  Oh my!  Hold that image in your mind. Wow! Now if we all practiced this same kindness, picture the results.  Incredible.

some kindness ideas

Regulars here know that I have listed various acts of kindness here before. Here are a few more: Bring flowers to work and share them with coworkers. Volunteer to read to kids in the library. Donate time at a senior center.  Pay for the person behind you in the movie line. Tell your parents/children why you love them. Donate blood. Send a gift anonymously to a friend.  Pay for the meal of the person behind you in the drive-through. Can you think of more?

Always grateful

I am always grateful for the kind comments people make here, for the general kindness we show toward each other, for all the blessings of our creator, and for the good that is everywhere.  Yes, we can always add to that good, but I will continue to give thanks for all that we have.  

The Lead Singer

There's a certain singer in a popular band, who so very kind and nice.  Posing during a recent performance with a little boy attending his very first concert.  He made that little boy's day, and with such a simple act.  Oh and I'm not talking about an isolated incident.  I hear about the kindness of this singer all the time!  I need to journey to one of their concerts, so I can see it up close for myself!

focus

Focus.  Focus on the positives - there are always positives.  Focus on the positives, and above all, be kind.

Everything is not about YOU

Pandemics are real, whether or not you know someone who is sick. Racism is real, even if you are not a racist. White privilege is real, even if you don't feel it. Police brutality is real, even if that cop you know is kind and just. Your world isn't THE world.  Everything is not about YOU.  Burying your head in the sand and pretending something does not exist, won't make it so.

Sing a worker's praises

Sing a worker's praises to their manager or on a comment card — a little recognition goes a long way. Believe it or not, people complain much more often than praise even though most workers deserve the praise more often than the complaint.  

We can top that

When we were younger, most of us had a competitive spirit.  We wanted to win at sports or academia or maybe something as silly as who can eat the most hot dogs.  There is certainly nothing wrong with trying to improve and do better.  How about it we worked on being kinder?  Yesterday I think I was a kind person, but I can top that.  I can do better.  We all can.

comments

I'm grateful for the opportunity to share some thoughts here in this space every morning and there is a counter that tells me how many people click on here each day, but it cannot tell me if you actually read these words and what you might think about them.  Every now and then if you take a moment to comment here I would appreciate it.  I'd especially like to hear your own stories of kindness.

What we need is love

We can remove statues and symbols all day long, but it's the hate in people's hearts that needs to be removed.  We need to share love and kindness.  We need to put aside violence and destruction.  Hate is never a value we should be embracing.  What we need is love.

looking forward

Do you have things that you look forward to? Spring is just around the corner, and I always look forward to that. Easter is a favorite of mine too.  Every December, as Christmas draws near, I look forward to the holiday celebrations.  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.  I'm always looking forward to something!

Homework Assignment

I do have many ideas, but I'd love to hear what you have to say as well, so here's your homework assignment: Think up a way to make this a kinder world.  Feel free to think up many different ways if you like. Then, share your suggestions here so that we can all join in implementing those ideas. Let's see how many different ideas we can come up with!

who

Every one of us have met someone who is kind.  If we are fortunate enough, we have met several people who are.  Kindness is not just for family and friends.  Hopefully we encounter kindness in the workplace, at school, when we are shopping, and even from the celebrities we enjoy.  Think for a moment about who might be on your list of kind people.  Let's all do our best to add to the world's kindness.

Kind nurse

Due to a lengthy hospital stay, a man was forced to give his dog to the local animal shelter. In an act of great kindness, one of his nurses went to the shelter and adopted his dog. She brings the dog to visit him daily, and when the man is discharged from hospital, she plans to give the dog back to him.  True story that warms my heart!  

Good Samaritan Day

The term "good Samaritan" comes from the Bible parable where a Samaritan helped a stranger who had been robbed and beaten and left to die by the side of the road. Today is National Good Samaritan Day recognizing the unselfish actions of those who provide help when it is needed. The day is also known as Good Samaritan Involvement Day and celebrates kindness in all its forms.

Obama on Change

Now more than ever, let us not forget the wise words of former President Barack Obama, who said "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."

goals

The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The real tragedy lies in having no goals to reach.

setting our aim

"Danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; 

  but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark."  

                                    -Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni

Hospital Hugs

I was working my volunteer shift at hospital yesterday when an outpatient (there for some tests) came up to me and asked if I remembered her.  I sure did!  Her husband had been a patient there several years ago and knowing he was in his last days, she tried to stay positive and one day asked if I would give her a hug.  Well it became a regular thing.  Lots of hugs.  One day in the cafeteria she walked up to where I was sitting with tears streaming down her face.  Her husband had died.  We hugged.  Yesterday she told me I had been a big help and thanked me.  We hugged once again.

amazing women

This is International Women's Day, and I'm thinking at the moment of some fantastic people in my life who happen to be women.  My mom is at the top of that list.  She was amazing and was always kind.  I miss her a lot.  Think today of the amazing women in your life and be thankful.

Words from Robert F Kennedy

I have always liked these words spoken by Robert Francis Kennedy: "Some men see things as they are and ask why.  I dream of things that never were and ask why not." 

Happy Wednesday!

How are you doing this morning?  I hope all is well.  Thanks for reading my words here.  Some days I have a lot to say, but it is all meant to encourage us to be better people.  I'm not sure if it's working, but I'll keep on trying.  Happy Wednesday and be kind!

it makes a difference

What we do and how we act really makes a difference.  I have seen it so often.  Those positive moments in our lives are priceless.  Please believe me.

March Fourth

Today is March Fourth, which my mother always said was a command (march forth).  I think of her words every single year.  It's amazing how some things always stick with you.  Anyway, let's all march forth on this March Fourth!  Remember also to be kind.

Soup It Forward

When my mom made a pot of soup, it was nearly always enough to feed an army. I think that's true for most of us, so how about sharing?  Deliver a nice hot pot of your delicious chicken noodle or split pea to a family or friend in need, or to someone under the weather.  Today is National Soup it Forward Day on encouraging us to deliver love and kindness by the bowlful.  I could go for a nice hot pot of potato soup!

from Archbishop Tutu

Remember the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu who said "Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world."

time marches on

Today we begin the third month of the year.  Wow!  Doesn't it seem like we just celebrated New Years?  Time marches on folks.  We should cherish every single day.  Let's also make each day enjoyable for others.  Be kind.  Make a difference.