Kindness to animals

Kindness is not something that is restricted to other people. We should all be kind to the environment, and especially be kind to animals. Look into the loving eyes of a cat or a puppy. You can see in an instant that kindness is what the deserve!

be a friend

Today is International Friendship Day. Being a friend is one of the kindest things anyone can do. Be there. Make a difference in someone's life.

for one’s community

In her many years, Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said a lot of important things, but one that stands out for me is this quote, that I believe is so very true: "To make life a little better for people less fortunate than you, that’s what I think a meaningful life is. One lives not just for oneself but for one’s community."

Enjoying your summer

So are you enjoying your summer?  You know what would make it even more enjoyable?  You already know what I'm going to say.  Kindness.  Yup.  Kindness makes everything more enjoyable!

special kind things to do

Kindness is something we do all the time, but some special kind acts?  Here's a few ideas:  Send dessert to another table when eating out.  Donate your old eyeglasses so someone else can use them.  Help a parent with their baby stroller.  Talk to the shy person who's sitting by themselves at a party.  Help someone with heavy packages.  Let the other person have the parking space, even if you arrived first.  Other ideas?

Because of who you are

Show kindness to everyone!  Make no exception.  Do it not because of who they are, but do it because of who YOU are!

Inspirational words

I have always been moved by these inspirational words from Helen Keller: "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart."

I love you

Let me say it again - I love you.  You may not know who I am or anything at all about me, but I love you.  If people can hate for no reason, than I can love for no reason.

Tuneful Tuesday

I woke up hearing Melissa Etheridge sing Tuesday Morning, and then for some reason I started thinking of other "Tuesday" songs. There are a lot. I came up with 25, but there are probably more.  How many can you think of?  I wonder what day has the most songs written about it.  Anyway, have a tuneful Tuesday, and as always be kind!

Good and bad

There is good and there is bad.  I suppose it has always been that way and always will be (even though I don't understand why there should be bad), but can we at least try to have more of the good?  I have said this over and over and it will always be true - love and kindness is the best way to go.  Always.  No exceptions.  Let's do all we can to spread more kindness!

JOY

Saint Mother Teresa was such a kind person, such a joyful person, such a loving person - it's no wonder she has been declared a saint.  She once said "Joy is prayer; joy is strength: joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls."
 

Say no to hate

You cannot be a kind person if you spend your time hating others.  Kind people stand up against hate and know that there is a better way.  There is never a good time to hate someone for who they are because we are all created in the same way and all are deserving of love and respect.  Always say no to hate and yes to love!

Unforgetable

We always remember the good stuff, right?  I can remember those wonderful moments when folks did really kind things for me, and I also remember when I witnessed their kind acts toward others.  You know what?  I can also remember the reaction to things I have done for others.  it might have given them joy, but I think it gave me even greater joy seeing their happiness.  That is truly unforgettable.

Dishonesty will stare honesty out

A dishonest politician?  Really?  This makes me think of these words from Charles Dickens: "I have known a vast quantity of nonsense talked about bad men not looking you in the face. Don’t trust that conventional idea. Dishonesty will stare honesty out of countenance any day in the week, if there is anything to be got by it."

be careful with your words

Something to think about:  a  tongue has no bones, yet it is strong enough to break a heart. Be careful with your words.

living by our words

Writing here every day about kindness is not enough. I have to practice what I preach. I have to BE kind. In the words of John F. Kennedy, "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

Be one

The world is filled with nice people. Some days it might be harder to find them, but if you can’t find one, then be one!

what you do for others

The wonderful entertainer Danny Thomas once said "Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself.  It's what you do for others."

couldn't care more

I have no idea who said this, but it isn't my own original thought. (I have searched, and can't find it, but I am certain I read it somewhere or heard someone else say it). "In a world full of people who couldn't care less, be someone who couldn't care more." Yeah, it's not my original thought, but I certainly agree with it!

Are they stars?

Look up into the sky, and think about this wonderful Eskimo Proverb: “Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.”

rude behavior

I am not a fan of rude behavior.  Nope.  I am not a fan at all.  There seems to be more and more of it too.  Now kindness is not the opposite of rudeness, but if someone is being rude, it would be impossible for them to also be kind.  Let's show courtesy to everyone, and kindness too!

The little bit of love that I sow

Priest and theologian Henri Nouwen, put forth some great questions when he asked "Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love?" Father Nouwen said "These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come."

teaching our kids

Some kind advice: Let's not teach our children to be rich. Instead, let's educate them to be happy, so when they grow up they will know the value of things, not the price.

In other words

Think of some other words that describe kindness. Here are a few: good will, helpfulness, indulgence, goodness, hospitality, humanity, patience, grace, serviceability, solicitousness, tact, and  thoughtfulness.  Also graciousness, magnanimity, cordiality, benevolence, courtesy, decency, sweetness, good intention, altruism, tenderness, and affection.  Oh and also charity, understanding, unselfishness, amiability, beneficence,  forbearance, clemency, gentleness, and consideration.

too late

Ralph Waldo Emerson certainly had a way with words! His religious views were often considered radical during his lifetime. I can relate to so many things he said though, like this: "You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."  Yes, I posted this quote before, but I really like it!

The Fortune Cookie

My fortune cookie said "All great things had small beginnings." Indeed. We want a better world. We want a better life for our children. We want a more kind and more caring humankind. "Oh it is so difficult. It's too big for me!" So often we can become discouraged. What can one person do after all? Well we can change the world. We can make things better. Even if we are the only one at the beginning, we just need to remember that all great things had small beginnings.

From Ms Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey once said "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."  True words!

Independence Day

On this Independence Day, I am remembering these important words from Frederick Douglass: "The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful and virtuous."

day by day

Take life day by day and be grateful for all the little things. Don’t get stressed over those things that you can’t control.

Love on a two-way street

Don't they love me anymore?  Oh my!  Did you ever think about friends or relatives with that question, because you never or rarely hear from them anymore?  Ask yourself one more question:  when did they last hear from you?  It really is a two-way street.  If we want so desperately to hear from them and to be included in their lives, it would seem to me we should be including them in ours!

Oh Canada!

I regularly chat with a dear woman from Canada. Today, Canada Day, I am especially thinking of her. Formerly known as Dominion Day, today celebrates the anniversary of Canadian Confederation which occurred on July 1, 1867, with the passing of the British North America Act, when the three separate colonies of the United Canadas, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were united into a single dominion called Canada.  Special kindness today to all our Canadian friends.