the joys of kindness

For me there is something especially joyful about not only doing kind thing, but also witnessing them.  I love seeing other people do nice things for each other.  It really makes my day!

Turkey jook

One of my favorite memories of kindness is the time I was given a nice big bowl or turkey jook (some people call it congee or rice porridge) a few days after Thanksgiving.  It was so delicious and I can still remember how good it made me feel.

let us give thanks

I think of Thanksgiving Day as one of the kindest days of the year.  We gather together and give thanks and we also share.  Sharing is such a wonderful part of kindness.

Impossible

The great Muhammad Ali said and did many thing that have inspired me.  Here is an example.  He said "Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing." 

together

Support each other,
Respect each other, and
Be there for each other.
We are all in this together!

come naturally

This isn't difficult to any degree.  It isn't very hard at all.  Being kind should just come naturally.  It's not something you need to think out or make great plans for.  It just is.

tons of great things

Relaxing and enjoying nature is often a great time to think about all the good things that come your way.  I am so fortunate to have tons of great things in my life - not just now, but tons of great things always.  How wonderful is that?  I think that's what makes me want to share these great things.  Of course every time I share my great things, I get a whole lot more back!

Early beginnings

It was a children's novel by Esther Forbes that first made me aware of standing up for others and trying to make a difference.  That book, Johnny Tremain, had a message that will stay with me forever.  Learning about love and kindness came earlier, largely from my mom and dad and a kind priest who always believed in me.  That is one of my guiding lights as I write these brief messages each morning.

Check your memory

Think back. Do you remember a kind act that someone did for you? How did it make you feel? It doesn't have to be a huge event - it doesn't have to require any money or gifts. Kindness is a way of life for many of us, and certainly you have been the recipient at some time. Check your memory. Didn't it feel great? Wouldn't you want to share that feeling with others?

Lincoln words

The sixteenth President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln said some terribly inspiring things like "I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him." Lincoln also said "I dream of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth."

The niceness

I remember when I was little seeing the niceness of the spring plants poking up through the snow.  I remember the hyacinth plants that I loved for both their beauty and that wonderful smell.  I remember how nice the changing of the seasons made folks feel.  That was when I was little in Upstate New York.  I don't seem to see the niceness as much anymore.  Why is that?

A simple phone call

Yesterday morning the phone rang, and I was delighted to hear the voice of a friend I haven't spoken to in a couple of years.  (We have emailed and messaged, but this was our first time speaking to each other).  It made my day!  Something so simple and so kind - a phone call.  Kindness doesn't have to be complex.

Who said?

I love this saying:  "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."  I totally believe it.  I searched to see who said it and found unknown as well as Aesop.  Therefore, I can't say for sure who these words belong to, but like I said, I totally believe it!

why are you doing it now?

If you say your job is something you "don't plan on doing forever," I just have to ask you a simple question:  Why are you doing it now?

Unkind vs Kind

Have you ever had unkind things said about you? How did that make you feel? Now, take a moment to think about when kind things were instead said about you. I'll bet that felt a whole lot better, huh? If we all learned this simple lesson, we could make every day so much better.

Sharing stories

I love hearing stories of kindness.  Sometimes on the local news we hear of a neighborhood hero or maybe on a tv talk show or in a Facebook post.  The kind acts that people do always warm my heart and getting all the details is such an extra bonus.  Sharing stories can be done here too - just add them in the comments below!

Be kind to everyone day

The second Thursday in November is Be Kind To Everyone Day.  Actually, you won't find that on any lists or calendars, but don't you think it should be?  (I just made it up).  Come to think of it, we could celebrate that every day of the year!

care

There was a time when everybody cared about everyone else.  Really.  I'm not taking about being nosy.  I'm talking about genuine concern for other people, even if you don't know them.  That seems to have disappeared, and that makes me sad.  If you have a big family or a lot of friends, it might not seem like a big deal, but for others it does matter.  What a wonderful feeling it is to know that someone cares about you.  It also really feels good to be the caring one.

This is a kindness-only zone

Let's not be uncharitable, mean-spirited, mean, uncaring, cruel, unpleasant, nasty, vindictive, disagreeable, vicious, spiteful, malicious, unsympathetic, callous, unfeeling, or anything else that is negative.  Let kindness be the only way for us.  Let positive feeling and a happy spirit guide our way.  This is a kindness-only zone!

The Duke

My memory of actor John Wayne, "The Duke," is that he was a big man with a big heart. Despite being very conservative, there were things he said that have made a positive impact on me. One such saying: "Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday."

Speak up

Did you ever attend a theatre performance that moved you to tears?  Have you ever witnessed something that was so wonderful that it will stay in your mind forever?  Did a stranger ever make your day just by showing a little kindness?  Well, speak up.  Let them know how their actions effected you.  It just might make their day!

Let's get rid of hate

Love and kindness is always the way.  I actually think it should be the only way.  Sometimes it's extremely frustrating to see so much negativity and hatred.  I don't understand it.  Let's get rid of hate.  Let's show respect for others.  Come on!  We can do it!

beyond the plateaus

Bruce Lee lived a very short life, but it was an inspiring life. He said so many profound things. One of my favorites is "If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them."

Happiness and success

I believe it was Albert Schweitzer who said "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success." I was just thinking about that. How happy are you?  How successful are you?

Hey there!

Hello!  Hey there!  How ya doing?  I hope things are well for you.  Smile.  Try to be happy even if you are in the midst of some difficulties.  Share your smile freely.  Share you joy too.  And be sure as you go through your day to spread some kindness!

My sister's birthday

Today is my sister's birthday.  I hope it is a happy one for her.  In your great kindness, let us always remember our siblings and all the folks in our lives as they celebrate milestones.  My sister is very nice.  Do feel free in joining me in sending her good wishes!

spread it

Goodness and kindness.  Spread it everywhere.  We need some everywhere.

From Tom Giaquinto

In his book Be A Good Human, Tom Giaquinto says this very important thing:  "We change the world a little each day with our kindness."

I need your help

If you read this every day, you already know that it is about kindness.  In my opinion, we need more of it.  I need your help though.  We all need to do our part.  It's an everything sort of thing too.  We aren't just kind for special events, but always and everywhere.  I'm not perfect, but I am trying to be a kinder person, and I hope you will all join me!

Kindness all around

Some days I see so many examples of kindness, it truly warms my heart. Yesterday it seemed to be everywhere, and I will tell some of those stories in the days ahead. Occasionally I get a little discouraged and think the world is falling apart. All of a sudden, I realize that kindness is all around. Such a great thing to realize.