value of a moment

Sometimes you never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory that you wish you could experience over and over again.

It's the little things

We can change our world one small act at a time. That's why kindness is so important.  It's the little things that add so much when life's journey is difficult.  We can begin with something as little as a smile.

Kindness never dies

June 28 will always be a special day to me.  My dear friend was born 52 years ago on this date.  He was one of the most thoughtful and kindest people I ever met.  Even though he passed away ten years ago, the love and the kindness live on in my memory.  Kindness never dies.

kind things

Need some kindness ideas? How about paying the bus fare for the passenger boarding behind you. Take muffins or doughnuts to work. Take a gift to new neighbors and introduce yourself. Wash someone else's car. Take a friend to lunch. Give the gift of time - volunteer. Let someone go ahead of you in line.  Pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru. 

How do you spell kindness?

It is probably a little different for each of us (and there is no right or wrong answer), but how do you spell kindness?   F-R-E-S-H-L-Y-B-A-K-E-D-B-R-E-A-D.  Oh my!

Summertime

I woke up hearing Al Jarreau on the radio singing "Summertime." No one ever quite sang "Summertime" like Al Jarreau. Oh my! What a lovely way to begin a day.

He's a real saint

I'm sure you have heard people say that someone "is a real saint" before.  It of course means that do some wonderful caring things.  I have a friend like that.  We live in different cities now and seldom see each other, but he calls me often so we can catch up and always wants to know how I am doing.  He also regularly visits several different senior citizens, volunteers at various causes including a food bank, and spends money helping out folks in need.  That is just a fraction of the good things he does.  To call him a kind person is a huge understatement.

the kindest thing that you can do

The kindest thing that you can do for another person is what?  Let's think about this.  I really believe that if we spend more time picturing kindness in our minds, we will each become a bit kinder ourselves.  So, what do you think is the kindest thing you can do for someone?

Common courtesy

Sometimes kindness is just common courtesy, like holding a door open for someone approaching right behind you, or avoiding that hydroplane experience as your car approaches a pedestrian, or returning that other customer's shopping cart as you return your own.

The kindness of neighbors

Since I was little, I have always been aware of the kindness of neighbors.  There was a lovely lady I can recall who always was bringing over fresh bread, right out of her oven.  Mom was always close to the people she lived around.  Apartment living isn't always like that despite what you see on tv sitcoms.  Where I currently live though there are occasional glimpses of neighborly kindness.  The woman across from me once gave me some delicious banana bread.  Yesterday I ran into my neighbor on the other side, returning home with a brand new crock pot.  He gave me his old one!

Kind or not

Being kind isn't something most people stop and thing about.  Should I be kind today or not?  Nobody should ever want to choose not being kind!  Of course we are all human and from time to time we do things without thinking.  That's why I suppose thinking about kindness can be a very good thing.  We can remind ourselves of the rewards that come from being kind to others and when others are kind to us.

Our theme song

Probably very few of you recall when Bob Keeshan  as Captain Kangaroo sang "It's Another Be-Good-To Mommy Day" on his children's tv program, but I think of that song often when I write these words each morning. Perhaps we could make it our theme song and change the words to It's Another Be-Kind-To Others Day.  Ready?  Let's sing!

Observation

Today as you go about your business, take a moment not only to be kind to other people, but also to witness the kindness of others.  Observe the little things.  Watch how folks can bring a smile to others.  It's truly amazing.  Visibly seeing everyday kindness warms your heart.

There once was a Tuesday in June

There once was a Tuesday in June - um, er  You probably thought this was the beginning of a limerick, huh?  How about instead we just make this the beginning of a very kind day! 

Kinder still

Each day I attempt to be a better person, especially in the way I act toward others.  Each day I try to show more kindness, and then the next day I try to be kinder still.

starting another week

As we begin this second week of June, may it be a kinder and happier we than last, and may we all show more love toward one another. We can all do great things. We can all make a positive difference. Let's spread joy and make the world a better place.

Sharing ideas

While I am the writer of this blog and have done a lot of thinking about kindness, I don't have all the answers, so I could use a bit of help.  Would any of you be willing to share some ideas?  There are so many ways to be kind!

We ALL can

I can.  You can.  We ALL can!  Every single one of us can make this a kinder world.  Let's work together and make it so!

No hate

On June 12, 2016, a man pulled out a gun and killed 49 people and wounded 58 others in a hate crime inside Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. It was the deadliest act of violence against LGBTQ+ people in US history. It was not the last. LGBTQ+ people face hate and violence every day. In some parts of the world, it is even worse. We must remember the massacre in Orlando, but we must also ensure that these incidents don't keep repeating. We need to turn to kindness and love, and we need to end the hate.

send a card or letter

People like to know that other folks are thinking of them and what better way to show this than sending a card or letter.  Even an email shows you care.  One of the kindest things a person can do is to care about another human being!

Leftovers

Kindness is wrapping up your leftovers to give to the homeless person you pass every day on your street.  Give him the rest of that open package of cookies too!

say it

Do you have wonderful friends?  How about your family?  Do you enjoy the people you work with?  Think about it.  When did you ever say it to them?  Compliments don't cost money because they are priceless.  You really can make someone's day too, and just using a few words.  Don't just think about how much you like someone or something they do.  Say it.

More kind things we can do

Give a bag of groceries to a homeless person. Open the door for another person. Leave an extra-large tip for the waitperson. Tell a bus or taxi driver how much you appreciate their driving.  Give coffee to people on their way to work in the morning.  Leave a treat or handmade note of thanks for a delivery person or mail carrier. Treat someone to fresh fruit.  Sing at a nursing home.  Give another driver your parking spot.

Paying it forward

Was someone especially kind to you recently?  Well pay it forward.  It's really pretty simple to make the world kinder.  If we all continue to pay it forward, it will be a never-ending stream of kindness and that will certainly make this a better world!

Price tag

So what is the price tag for kindness?  How much money will you need to spend to be kind?  Absolutely nothing.  Kindness is priceless, yet it is one of the most valuable things we will ever encounter!

To Do

Are you a planner?  Do you make out a daily list of things to do?  One thing that should always be on the list: Be kind!

doing your best

Doing your best at this moment 

puts you in the best place for the next moment!

No rewards needed

I love doing kind things for others.  It's just a part of who I am.  I don't need thanks or any special rewards either.  Yes, it is nice when folks say thank you and it's also very nice to be recognized, but that isn't my reason for being nice and kind.  When no rewards are needed, you are motivated by something greater, and there is a different kind of reward, one that you feel through your entire being.

picking up the pieces

We all at certain times in our lives find ourselves broken. True strength is found in picking up the pieces.  The song says, "pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again."

Pride

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month and so in addition to beginning another month of kindness, how wonderful it would be if the whole world was always kind to our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer friends and neighbors.  Pride is a time to remember the past but also to celebrate and kindness should always be celebrated!