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.

together

 I am convinced that together we can all help make the world a better place.

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.

not even a tuna sandwich

There is nothing better than kindness, not even a tuna sandwich.  Seriously.  Being kind makes you feel good.  Having kind people around you is pretty wonderful too.

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?

rise above

It has been said "Where there’s a will, there’s a way.  Don’t let your challenges hold you back.  Rise above and remember that anything is possible."  I don't know who said that, but it certainly is true.

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!

thinking of you

Live your life so that when your friends or your neighbors or your children think of kindness and love and fairness and integrity, they think of you.  

mistakes happen

Have any of you ever made a mistake?  Human beings aren't perfect.  None of us are.  We do seem to hold some though to unreasonable standards.  When someone makes a mistake, it seems to me we should accept that.  Of course if they do something intentionally bad, that's another matter.  Let's be kind to each other and accept that nobody is perfect.  

musical kindness

How many songs are there with the word kind in the title? Now I'm speaking here of when kind is used as an adjective. As a noun (meaning sort), there are many. Tim McGraw's Humble and Kind came to mind right away.  Try A Little Kindness by Glen Campbell and Frank Sinatra's Please Be Kind would also make the list. Are there others? How about some songs that encourage kindness?

be kind anyway

Surrounded by meanies?
Be kind anyway

gratitude

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.  

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!

actions

Your words will lose value if your actions don’t match.  Don't just say you care about people.  Show it!  It's has been said many times that actions speak louder than words.

make a difference

How will YOU impact someone's life today?

Think about it. Make a difference!

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.

love what you do

Don't waste your life trying to impress other people.  Do those things you love and love those things you do.

why not

In all seriousness I must ask:  can anyone give me a good reason not to be kind?  It would seem to be so very obvious that kindness is the only way, so why not?

how do you spell kindness

It is probably a little different for each of us (and there is no right or wrong answer), but how do you spell kindness?  H-O-M-E-M-A-D-E-S-O-U-P.  Oh my!

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.

without them knowing

Real generosity is doing something nice for somebody without them knowing! What a great feeling to see their happiness and joy.

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!

words from Dr Brothers

Psychologist, columnist, and tv personality Dr Joyce Brothers always had wonderful things to say.  Remember her?  Dr Brothers once said "Love comes when manipulation stops, when you think more about the other person than about his or her reactions to you. When you dare to reveal yourself fully. When you dare to be vulnerable."

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!

center of attention

Do we do kind things so that people will like us or so we will get attention?  I hope not!  Being kind is part of who we are.  It comes naturally.  No special reward is necessary.  Nobody needs to give us credit for our kind acts.  Truly kind people don't need to be the center of attention.  

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.