Don't rush

We always seem to be in such a hurry to celebrate Christmas but end up rushing past so many other wonderful moments.  I prefer to do the traditional twelve days of Christmas beginning on December 25th, so it's WAY too early now.  Let's be kind to all the other observances along the way.

perfect moments

Choose to be happy!  Not because everything is perfect.  (It isn't).  But because you choose to focus on the moments that are perfect!

remembering that turkey jook

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

Let us give thanks

Being kind and giving thanks - the two seem to go hand in hand.  Let us give thanks for all we have and let us eagerly share that, spreading good and kindness wherever we go.  Today, think of those who are hungry and do what you can.  Grab some paper plates and set up a nice array of food from your Thanksgiving dinner, to share with those who might have nothing.  Make as many plates as you are able and then take them to a place where homeless people gather.  Your kindness will be appreciated!

Sing a worker's praises

Sing a worker's praises to their manager or on a comment card — a little recognition goes a long way. Believe it or not, people complain much more often than praise even though most workers deserve the praise more often than the complaint.  

Wisdom from Mikey Bustos

"We all need a hard reset at some point in our life. The hardest part is pushing through the fear, feeling the pain, and trusting in your inner strength to guide you towards a new life." -Mikey Bustos

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?

reason to be kind

It's November 23 - reason to be kind. It's Sunday - reason to be kind. It's Thanksgiving week - reason to be kind. Every hour, every day, every single moment of our life is another reason to be kind!

Receiving compliments

Raising funds for a large charity, I was very pleased last night to receive a large donation from someone I have known for many years, but when I saw that on my fundraising page he had written that I have "always had a big heart," it made my day.  The money was certainly great, but oh those words!  We don't go through life looking for compliments, but when they receive them it is such a beautiful tonic.

Happy Friday!

Good morning and happy Friday to you!  May this be a beautiful day for you, filled with many good things, especially kindness.  We can never have too much kindness!

so important

Just in case you have never been here and read my words before, I want to say something about why I write this, and it's so important.  Kindness is one of the greatest things in the world and we can never have too much.  It is my hope that we can have a kinder world.  I know it is possible.

I'm listening

Every morning is a gift, filled with challenges and new adventures that beckon to bring us brand new insight and to guide us onto a new aligned path, only if we sit still and listen. I'm listening. I hope we all can listen and pay attention. May we learn. Enjoy the adventures. Rise to the challenges. Spread love and kindness.

November 18th ideas

It is Tuesday, November 18, and here are a few kindness ideas. Make a point of finding the name of a supermarket or drugstore employee and then praise him/her through that company’s corporate office. Share this blog with friends.  Become active in a cause that is important to you.  When drivers try to merge into your lane, let them in with a wave and a smile.

setting our aim

"Danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; 

  but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark."  

                                    -Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni

Cassidy's words

Just before he passed away back in 2017, David Cassidy said "So much wasted time." Since hearing this, I've thought about it a lot and it serves as a reminder for me to cherish every moment. ("Cherish" of course was a Cassidy hit song). I don't want to waste a single moment. I want to always share my gratitude and share kindness to all.

whatever the weather

Kindness is spreading sunshine into other people’s lives regardless of the weather.  Be sure to spread some love, kindness and positivity today, as well as, every day, even if it's cold and raining! 

The Dickens you say

I have heard a lot said about dishonest behavior in the past few days. I makes me think of these words from Charles Dickens: "I have known a vast quantity of nonsense talked about bad men not looking you in the face. Don’t trust that conventional idea. Dishonesty will stare honesty out of countenance any day in the week, if there is anything to be got by it."

Feeling rested

I am feeling so rested this morning!  How about you?  Did you sleep well?  Now, go out and make it a great day and of course, be kind!

Ideas

What random act can you do today, to make someone's day? Pay for the meal of the person behind you in the drive-through. Give blood. Call or visit a homebound person. Say something nice to everyone you meet. Volunteer at an organization that needs help. Let the person behind you in the grocery store go ahead of you in line. Say nice things randomly on people's facebook timeline. Call an estranged friend or family member. The ideas are endless!

from Making Wishes

In her book Making Wishes, Richelle Goodrich says that "Kindness is a magical spell - performed by enlightened beings - meant to enchant hearts and lift weary souls that they might fly." Such a lovely way of saying it!

Compliments are great

Yesterday I met someone for the first time and it began with a compliment.  Now compliments are always great, especially when they are sincere and from the heart.  One more compliment though that he won't even hear:  this was the kindest and most productive experience I have had in a very long time!

Making people happy is great

At work, I gave someone a gift anonymously.  I was hoping to make them happy and wasn't looking for any special thanks.  Making people happy is great and for me, that is enough.  He realized though who the gift was from and sought me out to formally thank me.  Wow!  That was a very nice gesture too.  These days many people don't even say thank you when the giver's identity is obvious, and this guy went out of his way!  That's kindness.

Good everywhere

I think the luckiest people are the ones who can see the good in everything, and in everyone.  Yes there is good everywhere.  Sometimes we just need to believe.

Words of Saint Teresa

I love these words of Saint Teresa of Calcutta who said "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."

Remember me

You sometimes hear folks taking about being remembered after they are gone.  I think it would be far better if people remembered us while we are still here!

Happy birthday O sister O mine

I have said this many times, but it continues to be true.  One of the kindest people I know, is my sister, who is always doing things for me, and for others.  Today is her birthday and I'm going to try to show some of that same kindness toward her and to others.

give some back

Remember who good you felt when someone greeted you with a smile or a cheery hello?  Think of all the kind acts that have warmed your heart.  Hopefully you have been the recipient of lots and lots of kindness.  Each day, try to give some back.  It felt good right?  Give that great feeling to others!

telephone

Oh how I wish I could call my mom or my dad or my dear aunt or grandmother.  So much of my family is gone.  Is that true for you?  Don't wait until it's too late.  Just yesterday a woman was telling me her two daughters never call her.  I don't think she liked my response, but I reminded her that telephones work two ways.  You may be hoping for someone to call you, but why not simply call them!

Remembering them

Today is a day when in many churches, the departed are remembered.  (Some combine observances and remember the departed with all the saints on November 1st).  In your kindness, stop for a moment today and think of a favorite relative or good friend who has passed away.  Perhaps a gettogether with a mutual friend to remember that deceased person might be helpful.

Long-time favorite

November has been my favorite month for a long, long time.  It may have originally been because of those extra days off from school for Veterans Day and Thanksgiving but later I'm sure the pumpkins and fall leaves had something to do with it.  I LOVE Thanksgiving Day too.  Of course I love every day!  It gives me more opportunities to put smiles on all the faces I see.