Reverse trick-or-treating

Reverse trick-or-treating is just one of many kind things you can do to celebrate Halloween.  Put on your costumes but instead of going door to door asking for treats, go to specific places (like social clubs or senior centers) and GIVE your treats away!  You might also go to police or fire stations or maybe to hospitals (be sure to ask first though if dealing with patients.  Take treats and donate them to a food bank or shelter too.  All kinds of things you can do for others today.  Have fun!

Thomas Carlyle said

I just came across a lovely quote from philosopher and essayist Thomas Carlyle.  He said "Without kindness there can be no true joy."

Rewarded

The other day, someone told me he appreciated my kindness and wanted to reward me.  "Would you prefer a gift card or a check," he asked.  Oh my!  Neither!  I was already rewarded just seeing how appreciative he was.  Besides, I don't want to be kind in hopes of some kind of gift.  We are rewarded every day by the positive reactions of those we encounter.

I believe in pink

The wonderful actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn, was quite inspirational in many things she spoke. For example, Miss Hepburn said "I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles."

Kind tweet

Yesterday afternoon I received a kind tweet from someone who has read this blog:  "you have some great nuggets of wisdom and kindness on your blog!"  He didn't have to reach out to me of course, but what a kind thing to do.  That's what kindness is all about.  You don't have to, but it sure is nice.

brand new week

It's a brand new week filled with brand new opportunities. May your week be filled with good thoughts, kind people, and happy moments!

Pay a compliment

It always feels nice when someone pays you a kind sincere compliment. It's such an easy thing to do too! I'll bet if we all give it a try, when can come up with a compliment for just about everybody and wouldn't that make for a lovely day?  Let's make this Pay a Compliment Day.

Kind songs

Songs with the word kind in the title - how many are there?  Now I'm speaking here of when kind is used as an adjective.  As a noun (meaning sort), there are many.  I was thinking long and hard and came up with only three:  Try A Little Kindness by Glen Campbell, Please Be Kind by Frank Sinatra, and Tim McGraw's Humble and Kind.  Are there others?  There are certainly songs that encourage kindness.

Impact

Be kind.  You have no idea what the impact will be, but I'm here to tell you, it's going to be good!

Saying no to the corrosiveness

Part of being kind, is saying no to the negativity and corrosiveness that often surrounds us.  Just last night I heard so much name-calling, I thought I was back in first grade.  Disagreeing with someone does not mean we need to be nasty or hurtful.  Building bridges becomes so much easier without venom.

Purpose

Having a tough day?  Take a moment and look at a picture of your children, or place your hand on your chest and feel your heartbeat, or think of the person you brought a smile to earlier in the day.  Wondrous!  It's called purpose. You're here in this world for a reason. Never give up.

Going to be a great day

Do you ever spring out of bed, rested and refreshed, and just knowing that it's going to be a great day?  How wonderful if that was the way it always is, huh?  We actually control a lot of that.  Want a kinder world?  We control a lot of that too!  We don't control the actions of others, but if we set out to be kind and nice, some of that is bound to rub off on those around us.

kind acts

I've listed various acts of kindness here before. Here are a few more: Volunteer to read to kids in the library. Donate time at a senior center. Give a pair of tickets to a concert or baseball game to a stranger. Send a gift anonymously to a friend. Pay for the person behind you in the movie line. Tell your parents/children why you love them. Give blood. Pay for the meal of the person behind you in the drive-through. Bring flowers to work and share them with coworkers. Can you think of more?

We can do it

Want to see a kinder world?  We can do it.  We really can. Yes it takes some work to get everyone together and caring about the same thing, but I have no intention of giving up.  Let's make kindness our daily way of life!

reminder

While not everyone is kind, that is not a reason for anyone else to be unkind!  Even if someone is mean to you, remember this: You are special.  You have purpose.  You are loved.  Never forget that.  This is true of everyone.  Remind them too.  You are special.  You have purpose.  You are loved.

Have a great journey

This journey is not just about reaching a destination, it’s about enjoying and learning from the journey itself.  Have a great journey.  

Kindness in giving

Ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi told us "Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love."

best version of yourself

Not only do you have to be disciplined to become the best version of yourself, but you also have to want that with all your heart.

Kindest of all

I'm sure people have done kind things for you in the past.  It feels good, huh?  That's why I like encouraging kindness.  Think for a moment about all those wonderful things that folks have done for you in the past.  What was the kindest of all?

Looking out my window

First thing every morning, I open my blinds and then while checking overnight email and morning news, I sip my coffee and check the immediate beauty around me.  Looking out my window I can see if I will need any kind of protection when I go out on my walk minutes later.  (All of that happens before I write this).  This morning I could see a lady exercising outside when I first peered out.  A little while later she was still outside as I began my walk.  "Good morning!" she beamed as I approached her.  She already made my day and it's on seven o'clock.

Touched

Being touched by kindness - what a wonderful thing.  I love when someone does a kind act for me.  I really do.  It warms my heart.  I also love witnessing acts of kindness.  There is something very special about seeing someone do a really nice thing for someone else.  Of course I love doing those kind things.  All these things touch me.

DETERMINED

I am so determined.  I want to be a kinder and nicer person.  I'm hoping to convince others to be kinder too.  I know we can do this!  I'm determined.

Colin Powell said

Colin Powell had something to say about kindness: "Don't just show kindness in passing or to be courteous. Show it in depth, show it with passion, and expect nothing in return. Kindness is not just about being nice; it's about recognizing another human being who deserves care and respect."

banana bread

Last night there was a knock on my door in the early evening.  I wasn't expecting anyone, so I was someone surprised.  I was even more surprised to open the door to my neighbor standing there with some banana bread she had baked.  What a lovely, thoughtful, and kind gift!  (Oh and it was delicious too). There was a time when neighbors interacted more.  How lovely if there were to begin once again.

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. 

What's that you say?

Sometimes being kind is as simple as opening you mouth.  Really.  I mean it.  Tell people what they mean to you.  Compliments clerks for their service.  If somebody truly makes your day, tell them.  The world needs more positive talk.  Begin with a nice cheery "hello" or "good morning"!  What's that you say?  You like my friendly attitude?  Aw  You are so kind!

Sunday Kindness

On Sundays folks are generally out of school and more often than other days, are also off from work.  That would seem to me like more opportunities for doing kind things.  As this Sunday unfolds, just how many people will smile at your kindness?

Encouraging words from Roger Ebert

I think I have shared these words from the late film critic Roger Ebert, but they are important, so think about them once again.  "To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try."

Let it begin with me

Sometimes it may seem like I am telling everyone else to be kind, but I don't have to worry about a thing.  I need to work on this as much as the next person.  In many cases, I have to work more, and harder.  Because I'd love to see a kinder world, I must say, "Let it begin with me."  I'm going to do this.  It's important.

second

What is the second way to be kind or the way to be kind to people on the 2nd? Oh my! I have said this so many times and it will always be true. There are endless ways to show kindness, and it isn't specific to the day or the hour. Let's just always care about others!

always something

Be kind to yourself and bring your mind back to how blessed you already are.  There’s always something to be grateful for.