good heart

 If everything you do is with a good heart, expecting nothing in return, you will never be disappointed.

Two words

Just two little words:  Be kind.  That's what is blog is all about.  I hope in the years I have been doing this, it has reached a few people and helped them become more kind.  I also hope it continues to make me more aware and hopefully become a kinder person.

organ donation

Every organ donor offers more hope to people who need transplants, and that means more hope for their families. Are you an organ donor? It's such a very kind thing to do!

Oprah Winfrey said

Oprah Winfrey 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."

brighten someone's day

Random acts of kindness are always good. Smile at someone new, help a friend with a project, volunteer at a local group. As you go about your day, brighten someone else's.

Lonliness

Does being alone makes you lonely?  It can.  We can also be lonely being surrounded by unkind and uncaring people.  Spread that kindness.  Let people know that you care.  Don't make anyone live a lonely life, feeling afraid and often unloved.  Be kind.

above all put on love

Saint Paul had a thing or two to say about kindness and compassion. This from the third chapter of his letter to the Colossians: "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

grateful

As I grow older, I frequently reflect on this reality: I am so very grateful for the sharing of simple acts of kindness, whenever and wherever they happen.

I want to be a nice person

I want to be a giving person and just a nice person in general. I hope that I along the way I can influence others, not only by my words, but more importantly by my actions.

no strings attached

Did you ever have someone tell you how many things they had done for you and how you now owe them?  Gifts don't come with strings attached.  In my way of thinking, they gave you nothing at all.  Of course, ii is always very nice to do kind things for those who have done kind things for you, but that should not be your reason. Actually, no reason is necessary at all. Give out of the love in your heart and expect nothing in return. That is the real joy!

It's universal

Kindness is the universal language that everyone can relate to.  Deaf people can hear it and blind people can see it.  We can all relate to kindness!

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."

There's something to be said for spontaneity

We can plan all sorts of things to show kindness  to others, but sometimes the best acts of all are ones we don't plan ahead of time.  There's something to be said for spontaneity - let the moment guide you.  Of course that is much easier when you are always someone who does nice things for others!

I'm not perfect

I want to make something very clear.  I'm not perfect.  I doubt if I ever could be.  It certainly isn't my aim.  I want to be a good person.  I want to be caring and kind.  I never have had any interest in being perfect.  I would like to improve my health and I'd like to do a lot more to help make our world a better place.  I don't write this though for you to say, "look at this amazing person."  My words here are only for encouragement, both for you and for me.

alone

Nobody should have to be all alone.  Folks can choose that of course, but it really shouldn't be forced upon them.  Reach out, even to strangers.  Be a friend to the friendless.  Be kind.

Cookies

She posted pictures on facebook.  They looked so good.  I jokingly commented that she should have made some for me.  She did.  About half an hour after I posted my comment, there was a knock at my door, and here was this lady with a plate of cookies for me.  So very nice, and despite my comment, it was also quite a surprise.  This is kindness!

Show the world you care

Let your family and friends and coworkers and everyone know that you care.  Indeed show the world you care.  Caring is the beginning of being kind.

Such a kind thing to do

Over the past few years, I have written lists here several times, of various acts of kindness we can do for others.  Some are big, and some are small.  Some take money and some take time, but many are easy to do just as you days rolls along.  I hear word often about how wonderful such things make people feel, and not just the receiver, but the doer as well.  Can you add to the list of kind acts?  Please feel free to write in the comments section below.

Anything we want

We have the choice to be anything we want, so why not choose to be kind?  I can't think of any better choice!

pass it on

Do something today to make others smile.  Stay positive.  Let today be your best and share all that good with those around you.  Truly pass it on!

back together

One day, someone is going to hold you so tight that all your broken pieces fit back together. Or perhaps you will be that person for someone else.

the message

What can I say about being kind that I haven't already said?  I'm sure I will think of something.  I can repeat myself too because you can never hear the message too much.  The message is one that should continue throughout all time.  It's not just talking about it, but also DOING it.  Nobody is perfect and I find that I am not the person I wish to be, but I will keep on trying to do better and I will keep on spreading the message.  

never too cold to help

Have you had your fill of winter yet? Tired of the snow or the cold or both? Do a kind deed for someone and that will warm you up! It's never to cold to help someone else! Shovel the snow from your neighbor's walk or just help by sweeping it. Pick up an extra coffee (or two or three) and share it with random people you come in contact with. Think of all the ways you can warm someone's heart, and you will end up warming your own.

we shape our lives

Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was very inspiring by the things she did and the words she spoke. I am touched especially by these words of hers: "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."

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.”

What's all this about kindness?

First time reading this daily blog?  Have you been here before?  Do you find yourself asking "What's all this about kindness?"  Why is it even important?  Think about it for a moment.  How do you feel when someone smiles at you?  How do you feel when someone does something nice?  How do you feel when YOU do something nice for someone else?  Think about it.  Now I'm sure you can see why kindness is so wonderful.

can mean a lot

The smallest acts of kindness can mean a lot to someone - an awful lot!  Spread kindness today, and every day.

Please be kind

There are so many ways we can live our lives, but the greatest is when we think of others.  Please be kind in everything you do.  Think of much better our world would be if we were always kind!

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!