another month

Today we end the fifth month of the year.  Wow!  Sometimes it seems like time flies by.  How has 2024 been to you so far?  Do the people you come in contact with seem more kind these days?  How kind are YOU?  Be proud of yourself if you think you are improving, but never stop and never give up.  We can always improve.

My epitaph

There are all sorts of things that people say about us after we pass away, but I would like my epitaph to be, He was a kind person.  What a great way to live life and a wonderful way to be remembered.

Spreading around that kindness

Bring coworkers a special treat.  Give the gift of your smile.  Tell a bus or taxi driver how much you appreciate their driving.  Draw names at work/school and have people bring a small gift or treat for their secret pal.  Deliver fresh-baked cookies or holiday candies to workers at government offices.  Sweep a neighbor's sidewalk.  Collect warm clothing during this cold season for those who don't have any.  So many ways we can all show kindness!

distance

Distance does not ruin a relationship. You don't have to see someone everyday to care about them.  These days it is even easier to show your care, even from far away!

true heroism

On this Memorial Day, I remember the words of tennis great Arthur Ashe who said “True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.”

Discrimination is NOT kind

I will never understand discrimination in any form.  When I was little I remember the separate drinking fountains labeled "whites" and "colored."  I remember when guys with long hair were thought to be bad.  Oh yeah and there was the looks people gave when they encountered two people of different races together.  Banning gays in the military went on way too long and now apparently we are reintroducing a transgender ban.  Why?  I don't get it.  This is one of the most unkind things I can think of.  How can you ban an entire group of people?

On the chalkboard

Go write this 100 times on the chalkboard:   I AM A KIND PERSON.  Wait!  Better yet, let's all just BE a kind person!

self-kindness

To truly practice self-love, you have to learn self-kindness, and being kind to yourself means getting serious and committed to your dreams.

All things break

Everyone has tough days from time to time. I am reminded of some marvelous words from L.R. Knost, She gets right to it saying "Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world.  All things break. And all things can be mended. Not with time, as they say, but with intention. So go. Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally."

What was I thinking?

Did you ever sit down and start to write something, but then your mind goes blank?  What was I thinking?  Have I run out of things to say?  Is there not even one more thing to be said about kindness?  Oh my!  You know the answer of course.  There is always more to say because there is always more to do, until kindness becomes a way of life for us all!

self training

We would all do good to train ourselves to live in the present without regretting the past or fearing the future.

Karen was singing

Fifty-two years ago, Karen Carpenter was singing "What I've got they used to call the blues. Nothin' is really wrong, Feelin' like I don't belong." Ever had a day like that yourself? That popular song Rainy Days and Mondays could easily describe today, except for one thing: Nothing needs to get us down. Nothing. It's raining where I live, and it is indeed Monday, but I refuse to be depressed about anything. There are bright corners everywhere. Just look for them.

In appreciation of all those teachers

Letha Sines is someone I will never forget.  She was my sixth grade teacher and gave us so much!  My aunt, who later became a teacher also, was a student of Miss Sines too.  Even my sister had the great experience of this wonderful teacher, although by her year in sixth grade, she had become Mrs Letha Munson.  I fondly remember Lou Ella Gridley who taught me in fifth grade too, and Mrs Doyle from the fourth grade.  I appreciate them all, and my numerous friends and relatives who went into teaching.  Such a giving profession!

spread the kindness

Let me talk to you a bit about niceness or affection or helpfulness or hospitality or warmth or friendliness or unselfishness or benevolence or consideration or warmheartedness or neighborliness or charitableness or gentleness or understanding or thoughtfulness or generosity or big-heartedness - in other words, kindness. That's what this daily blog is all about. Spread the word, and spread the kindness.  

How you make people feel

Just about everything I ever heard from the incredible Maya Angelou, makes me feel good. It's so appropriate that she is the one who said "I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

being happy

Being happy does not mean that everything is perfect. What it means is that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.

Kindest day of May

What is the kindest day of the month of May?  How about today?  We can make this happen.  Start spreading that kindness!

Your presence

Reaching out to people who are grieving doesn't happen as often as you might think. Don’t pretend nothing happened. If you don’t know what to do, simply be there. Your presence will mean a lot.

hospital week

Highlighting our hospitals, health systems, and health care workers and the innovative ways they are supporting and connected to our communities, yesterday we began Hospital Week. As a hospital volunteer of many years, I can tell you one thing for certain about hospitals. You will encounter a LOT of kindness there!

another be good to mommy day

On the old television program Captain Kangaroo, I can remember them singing "Another Be Good To Mommy Day."  Of course every day is such a day.  Today is Mother's Day and while people will do special things for their moms, I want to encourage you all do remember the wisdom of Captain Kangaroo.  Don't just be good to your mom today, but every single day.

feedback

Whether this is your first time here or if you read this every day, I'd love some feedback.  Why do you read this blog?  What does kindness mean to you?  What is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

What can we possibly do?

Do you think this is a kind world we live in?  Can we do better?  Would more kindness be a better thing?  Think about it for a moment.  What can we possibly do to bring more kindness into our lives and the lives of all those we come in contact with?

Valerie Bertinelli on happiness

Actress Valerie Bertinelli once said "Happiness is a choice. You can choose to be happy. There's going to be stress in life, but it's your choice whether you let it affect you or not."  

What are you expecting

Have you read this blog before?  Do you read it often?  Just what are you expecting to see me write about?  Kindness of course!  Being kind is enjoying life.  Oh my!  The kinder people are, the better our world is.  Don't you agree?

giving blood

Want to hear some amazing numbers?  Every 2 seconds someone in the United States needs blood and or platelets. Approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the US and nearly 5,000 units of platelets and 6.500 units of plasma are needed. Wow!  Blood cannot be made in a lab.  When blood is needed it comes from the kind and caring donors who truly save lives.  That's why I mention it here so often.

nurses

Nurses are amazing, and on this Nurses Day, I want to quote Maya Angelou who said "As a nurse we have the opportunity to heal the mind, soul, heart, and body of our patients. They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel." I agree. It has been said "Save one life, you’re a hero. Save 100 lives, you’re a nurse."

Always kind

There are tons of random kind things we can do for others (like paying the bus fare for the passenger boarding behind you, or introducing yourself to new neighbors, or volunteering for a charity, or giving a hot cup of coffee to a homeless person), but being kind doesn't have to be a specific special thing we do.  It's really about the nice way we always interact with others.

being called selfish

Nineteenth century academic and theologian Richard Whately told us "A man is called selfish not for pursuing his own good, but for neglecting his neighbor's."

Springtime ease

The beauty of the spring and even the generally nice weather seem to make everything a little bit easier.  That seems to even include niceness. 

Don't wait

I have said this many times before, but it really cannot be said too much.  Tell people who you feel about them now.  Don't wait.  Yesterday I learned of the death of someone I have many fond memories of.  We had been out of touch, and now it's too late.  Don't let that happen to you and those you care about.  Show your love and you concern for those people in your life.

new month

It's a new month and a new week and a new opportunity to show our kindness!  How wonderful!  Happy May everybody!  Be kind!