water

Lots of hot days where I live. One very kind thing to do on days like this is to buy bottles of water (those little ones work just fine) and randomly hand them out to strangers on the street.

Become an inspiration

Let your life really mean something. Become an inspiration to other people so that they may try to do more and to become more than they are today.

Listen

Listen to your heart.

Share the love.

Always be kind.

birthday kindness

Today is my birthday, and I already know there will be a lot of attention given to me.  I'm grateful for the kindness of course.  I'm also grateful for the daily kindness - the folks who are kind by nature and don't need any sort of special reason or occasion.  I'm grateful for the folks who read these words here too.  Thanks so much.

Be on time

Someone I know is ALWAYS late. Seriously. I have never seen him on time for anything. He'll invite me to do something with him and then I wait and wait and wait.  Is he coming?  One of the kindest and most respectful things we can all do is to be on time. We’re all busy and every one of us should stop making people wait for us.  

Size doesn't matter

There are those who think that when you speak of kindness, you are referring to some huge lavish extravagant action, but that really isn't the case.  Size doesn't matter at all.  In fact it's the little things that mean so very much - the smile or the nod hello.  The daily niceties of life are the foundation of kindness.

A wonderful kind lady

Whenever I see someone being obviously kind to someone else, it makes my heart sing.  Last night I encountered such a person.  I swear, kindness should be her middle name.  This wonderful kind lady was smiling and happy and doing nice things for several people, not expecting anything at all in return.  Oh my!  We need more like her.

Guidelines

Trust before you love. 

Know before you judge. 

Commit before you promise. 

Forgive before you forget. 

Appreciate before you regret.

keep those cards and letters coming

How often do you receive mail?  I don't mean email or texts, but actual physical paper inside an envelope that is delivered by the Postal Service right to your door.  Folks don't do it nearly as much as they used to, and that's a shame.  It's such a kind thing to let someone know you are thinking of them and it's so nice to open a card from a friend!

Disney dream

The great film producer, animator, voice actor, and movie pioneer Walt Disney only lived to be 65 years old, but he accomplished so much. Whenever I need any sort of encouragement, all I have to do is look at his brilliant life.  Disney once said "If you can dream it, you can do it."

All by myself

Does "all by myself" work for you?  I know there are people who thrive on being all alone.  I am not one of them and I know that is true for many.  Have you ever felt lonely?  Some people are lonely all the time. What can we do about that?  Well, a phone call might help or a card in the mail.  A short visit can help usually be a good thing. We each have it in our power to help cut down on the loneliness out there.  Even folks who are new to town and don't know many people yet, can have lonely moments.

No worries

Have you noticed that retails employees don't say "you're welcome" these days? Most of the time it seems to be "no worries," which wouldn't bother me if I were Australian, but I'm not. I'd have no issue if they said "my pleasure." I might even prefer it. It's all about courtesy. "No worries" just seems way too indifferent to me. In courtesy, it's always better to take the high road.  "I'm so glad I didn't cause a problem or worry you," should not be what you are thinking.  Instead I want to feel glad I was there.  Wow!  She said it was her pleasure.  How nice! 

Just one word

One kind word can change someone's entire day!  Think about that.  Just one word.

Let me count the ways

How many random acts of kindness can their possibly be? Let me count the ways. When a new business opens in town, drop of a plant or fresh flowers to welcome them. You can do the same thing when a new family moves into your neighborhood. Donate blood. Volunteer to be a tutor in a school or perhaps at the local library. Let the shopper behind you in the grocery store go ahead of you in line. Say nice things randomly to folks on facebook or X. Smile. Cheerfully greet those you come in contact with. Oh my! There are so many ways.

The Call

Yesterday was a busy one for me.  At a bit before five though, everything became wonderful.  It was a caring person calling me on the phone that made everything so special.  People don't seem to take the time these days, for themselves or for each other.  I'm glad this friend took the time though and made that call.  It truly made my day!

More Kindness

More than anything, I would like to see more kindness.  I really don't understand how anyone could object or disagree.  It doesn't cost money or require special training.  It doesn't even have to cost us any extra time.  Being nice and being kind should be a natural thing that we simply do.

Just because

“Just because” can be such a sweet reason to do something.  Let's be kind today,  just because.

Wonderful daughter

In the hallway of my apartment building I ran into a young woman whom I thought I had seen from a distance earlier.  "Are you a new neighbor of mine?" I asked.  No.  She was checking on her mom.  We chatted for a while because this women seemed so nice, it was almost impossible to believe.  She was coming over every two hours to put drops in her mother's eyes.  Normally she came a bit less but still was around a lot helping with chores, getting groceries, and just keeping Mom company.  I think that's pretty wonderful!

Say it often

"I wish I had the chance to say goodbye. I would like to have thanked you for your service, your friendship, all that you were to me." I can't tell you how often I hear that when someone passes away.  Why did they wait though?  Tell people what they mean to you now. Say it often, and not just with words.  Why wait until you are standing at someone's deathbed to let them know how you feel? 

Another few minutes in bed

Another few minutes in bed this morning would have made me very happy, but it's not the only thing. Right now, I'll be happy to get some smiles. I'll be happy when I see others who are happy. I'm pretty easy to please. Oh I can get more sleep - I might even go to bed a bit earlier tonight. Right now though, I just want to share some joy!

Bring food

I was watching a tv program from Australia the other day, and there was mention of taking a casserole to a neighbor.  How lovely.  It seems like we used to do that in this country.  Taking cookies, soup, or a casserole to a new neighbor, or someone who just lost a family member, or a friend who’s had a serious health diagnosis is such a kind thing to do.

who they are

Love someone for who they are,
not who you want them to be.

gratitude

Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.

Patience

The ability to wait for something without frustration is a useful skill to have. How many of us are really good at this though? It may take days, even weeks for some of the results from yesterday's voting to become known. Take a deep breath. Relax. Right now is when that patience can really some in handy. Look out for your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors too. Waiting can be tough on everyone. Worry and frustration won't make things any better though.

never-ending kindness

Sometimes kindness comes unexpectedly from folks far away that we barely know. That happened to me last night, and it wasn't just one incident. The same person show concern for me over and over and some very nice actions followed. The beginning of a great friendship with this never-ending kindness actually brought tears to my eyes. I won't go into detail, but this made me very happy.

And the livin is easy

Remember that old song?  ""Summertime, and the livin is easy."  I could almost burst out singing!  That living we sing of just isn't quite as easy for everyone though.  Remember that.  Your kindness toward others can go a long way!

Those who come in to our lives

Everyone comes into our life for a reason; some good, some bad.  Be kind to each one of them.  We can make a difference in their lives, just as they make a difference in ours.  Each person who comes into our lives, helps to make us who we are.

Jonah Kim on love

My friend Jonah Kim is one of the most inspiring people I know. He says "It's easy to love those who love you, that is, when they love you the way you want to be loved. It isn't so easy to love those who wrong you time and time again. But we are human and we are bound to fail those we love over and over again over the course of a lifetime." Jonah continues "Some say this kind of love can only exist between parent and child. If you have never experienced the desire to love this way, perhaps you haven't learned to truly love yet. This is why divorce rates keep rising; majority of matrimonial vows are defenestrated in the first year because the 'I' is so much more important than the 'love you'." 

Sunrise music

Does music make you happy? The sun is just now coming up where I am, but I'm already listening to happy peppy music (oldies) and it helps charge me up for the day and it certainly helps me to be happy. I try to be pleasant and kind always, and being happy leads me in that direction. You might say that good music makes me a kinder person.

question from a philosopher

Here's a question for you this morning from the French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau:  "What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?"  You're welcome to mull that around today, but I'm sure you will find there is none.

my birth month

It's my birth month!  I am so grateful for all the blessings of life so far that you KNOW I am going to be extra kind this month.