I Found A Quilted Heart!

An incredible act of kindness - I Found a Quilted Heart, an just ahead of Valentine's Day! The heart I found is part of a movement of sorts, and what a wonderful idea. The hearts are made out of fabric, cut out into a heart shape, with a layer of batting between the two layers. While mine is quite lovely, I have enjoyed looking at pictures of others. They have a website if you want to learn more. https://www.ifoundaquiltedheart.com/

isn't a better feeling

Which feels better, being kind to someone, or someone being kind to you?  That might seem like a trick question.  Of course, it's nice to have both, but you just can't beat the warm and wonderful feeling you get when you do something special for someone. When you see that they appreciate your efforts, there just isn't a better feeling.

simple and unassuming

Albert Einstein was smart. We all know that. Look though at some of the remarkable things he said. This, for example: "I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone, best both for the body and the mind."

naturally

Kindness is an intrinsic part of living rather than merely an act of gratitude. The best kindness just comes naturally.

lovely quote

This morning, I want to share this lovely quote from philosopher and essayist Thomas Carlyle. He said "Without kindness there can be no true joy."  Think about it.

it is in our power

Sometimes we want to create our own opportunities for kindness: Going beyond the opportunities that naturally present themselves by intentionally working to make someone’s day. Truly it is in our power to do amazing things!

more kindness ideas

Let me share some more kindness ideas today. Compliment a work colleague on their work. Send an encouraging text to someone. Let a car into the traffic ahead of you.  Buy extra at the grocery store and donate it to a food pantry, Buy flowers for someone (postal worker, grocery store clerk, bus driver, etc.). Bring coffee to a co-worker. Post anonymous sticky notes with validating or uplifting messages around for people to find. Help someone change a flat tire. 

from Ralph Waldo Emerson

Essayist, poet, and lecturer Ralph Waldo Emerson said "You cannot do kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." How true.

you're not a tree

If you don't like where you are, move.  You can put down roots in a new community.  You're not a tree.

grateful

Today I am grateful for all of the people who are loving and kind to me.  I hope I can be just as kind and loving to others.

powerful thoughts

If we all realized how powerful our thoughts are, we would never again think a negative thought.

Groundhog Day

Will Punxsutawney Phil be kind to us this morning?  It would be nice to see winter come to an early end.  I don't have an answer regarding the groundhog of course, but I know that all of us can certainly be kind to each other!

Special month

You might think that February has less kindness than the other months, simply because it is the shortest.  Nope.  This is a special month.  This is the month in which we focus on love at Valentine's Day.  It is also American Heart Month during which we become more aware of heart health.  What can be better for a healthy heart but kindness?

Mister Rogers

Remember Mister Rogers? Wonderful Fred Rogers was such a great teacher for our kids. He once said “Being kind means responding to the needs of others—and people can be kind, no matter how old or young we are.”  I agree!

need a break

Need a break?  Go for it!  It is perfectly normal to take breaks.  While I will always encourage kindness to others, kindness to ourselves is so very important too!

what it's all about

Being kind to yourself and to others.
Kindness. That's what it's all about.
I really don't need to say any more.

spread love everywhere

Occasionally I think of the advice that has come to us from others. An example of that is these words from Mother Teresa: "Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."

Albert Einstein said

Albert Einstein was so correct when he said, “The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been kindness, beauty and truth.”

make it so

Every now and then I hear folks say they are looking for a kinder world.  That of course would certainly be wonderful, but don't forget that we each have the power to make it so!

friendship

I have shared these words about friendship, from Henry David Thoreau here before, but this is one of my favorite quotes, so let me share it here once again. “The most I can do for my friend is simply to be his friend. I have no wealth to bestow on him. If he knows that I am happy in loving him, he will want no other reward. Is not friendship divine in this?

from Eleanor Roosevelt

Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt said: "In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility."  I agree.  Let's choose to be kind.

bits of good

Bishop Desmond Tutu urged us to "Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world."

Celebrating Dr King

As we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day this year, I am reminded of one of the many encouraging things he said: "May I stress the need for courageous, intelligent, and dedicated leadership... Leaders of sound integrity. Leaders not in love with publicity, but in love with justice. Leaders not in love with money, but in love with humanity. Leaders who can subject their particular egos to the greatness of the cause."

Inaugural instructions

Tomorrow is not only a civic holiday, but it is also Inauguration Day.  I am thinking this morning of one of the most memorable phrases from any Inauguration.  It came from John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address back in 1961.  He said "Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country."  Those instructions are just as good today.

too often

I have quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson many times in this space. This particular quote can never be said too often: "You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."

proud parents

My parents didn't raise me to take advantage of people. My intentions will always be pure. Mom and Dad will always be proud.

keep them

The best way to keep the people in your life, is to not give them away.  Keep them and be kind to them.

seeds of sweetness

Make your actions so kind, that they spread seeds of sweetness far and wide. Those seeds can grow and grow! How wonderful!

Kind Doctor

An incredible physician recently treated me in the Emergency Department, and when I thanked him, he was so humble and kind. He said to me "Getting to hear a thanks from patients makes all the hard work worth it. It means more than you think." I will always remember the good efforts of this doctor and I will especially remember his kindness.

against equality

William Faulkner said “To live anywhere in the world today and be against equality because of race or color is like living in Alaska and being against snow.”

Leo Buscaglia words

Author and motivational speaker Leo Buscaglia said "Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."

all the good you can

John Wesley said "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can."  Such good advice!

This is your family

Athlete and activist Colin Kaepernick says "My parents told me from the time I can remember that, 'Yeah, you're adopted. But this is your family.' I can remember my mom, she tells me this story: when I was little, I was looking at her, and I was like, 'Why isn't my skin the same color as yours?' 'Oh, you're adopted, but I wish I had pretty brown skin like you,' said Mom."  From a caring family came this caring American hero.

from Aesop

Although I write here in this place every morning about kindness, the words are not always mine. I often quote others. One of my favorites is this simple line from Aesop: "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

David Levithan says

Author David Levithan says "Kindness connects to who you are, while niceness connects to how you want to be seen."

hello

The telephone company used to say "reach out and touch someone" and "long distance is the next best thing to being there."  I'm not sure how many of us think about it, but hearing someone's voice can truly brighten our day.  Not everyone can get out and see folks and if you are stuck indoors and alone, it can become overwhelming.  Take a few minutes and say hello to someone in your life.

Robert Louis Stevenson said

Robert Louis Stevenson said "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant."

Happy Kind Year!

2025 is upon us!  I hope that you are enjoying this holiday season and I hope too that you will join me in making this new year a very kind year for everyone.  Let us spread the kindness far and wide!