War, what is it good for?

You may recall these words written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in the song "War."  I feel the need to repeat them this morning.  I can almost hear the voice of Edwin Starr (who recorded this back when I was a kid).  

     War, huh, yeah
     What is it good for?
     Absolutely nothing, uh-huh, uh-huh

     War, huh, yeah
     What is it good for?
     Absolutely nothing, say it again, y'all

     War, huh, good god
     What is it good for?
     Absolutely nothing, listen to me

     Oh war, I despise
     'Cause it means destruction of innocent lives
     War means tears to thousands of mothers' eyes
     When their sons go off to fight and lose their lives

     I said, war, huh, good god, y'all
     What is it good for?
     Absolutely nothing, say it again

                                                                          -Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong

Take responsibility and breathe kindness

"If everyone took personal responsibility for their animals, we wouldn't have a lot of the animal problems that we do. I'm a big spay-and-neuter supporter. Don't have babies if you're not going to take care of those babies. We don't need more. We just need to take care of the ones we have. Take responsibility and breathe kindness." -Wonderful words of wisdom from the late actress Betty White 

making my heart sing

Oh my!  Occasionally I hear or see such wonderful things, that it makes my heart sing!  Keep on spreading that kindness!

Surpassing yourself

Winning does not always mean being first.  Winning means you’re doing better than you have done before. Winning means surpassing yourself and turning your dreams into reality.

sharing

On this Tuesday, as you go about your business, take a moment to think about the kindness you experience and how it makes you feel.  Share that with others and help them experience it as well!  Kindness is always best when shared!

Cooper Words

Having grown up in the same village as author James Fenimore Cooper, I learned these words of his at an early age, and I agree with him. “Equality, in a social sense, may be divided into that of condition and that of rights. Equality of condition is incompatible with civilization and is found only to exist in those communities that are but slightly removed from the savage state. In practice, it can only mean a common misery.”

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!

my apologies

Even though I still head to my computer every morning both for this, another blog I write, and musical posts on another platform, I'm not doing as well as I used to.  My apologies.  I haven't felt well for some time now.  Kindness is still important, perhaps more than ever.  I'll keep on posting and hopefully my health will improve.

now more than ever

I'm not sure how or why, but there seems to be a lot of frustration these days and so many people are fearful for the future. We can do better.  Kindness helps an awful lot and now more than ever we need to plant these seeds of kindness and then watch them grow.  Do something nice for people today.  It will make them feel good and also make you feel good.

My epitaph

There are all sorts of things that people say about us after we pass away, but I would like my epitaph to be, He was a kind person. What a great way to live life and a wonderful way to be remembered.

Surround yourself with positive

By surrounding ourselves with people who inspire us and lift us up, we create a support system to help us weather any storm. These positive relationships are a source of strength, encouragement, and motivation, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles. Surround yourself with positive!

idea

Some ideas: Remember the bereaved with phone calls, cards, plants, and food.  Volunteer to be a tutor in a school. Give a bag of groceries to a homeless person. Volunteer to read to kids in the library. Donate time at a senior center. Send a gift anonymously to a friend. Pay for the person behind you in the movie line.  Give a pair of tickets to a concert or baseball game to a stranger. 

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.

Kindness stories

I love hearing stories of kindness. Sometimes on the local news we hear of a neighborhood hero or maybe on a tv show or in a Facebook post. The kind acts that people do always warm my heart and getting all the details is such an extra bonus. Sharing stories can be done here too - just add them in the comments below!  Tell the world!

love is in the air

It doesn't matter to me if the jewelers, florists, chocolatiers, and card companies all conspire for Valentine's Day. I just like the idea of celebrating love! A bit more often would be nice though. How great it would be to discover that love is in the air every single day of our lives!

daily exercise

Many people write blogs, but it seems to be easier for me all the time.  What a nice exercise this is for me each morning, and thinking about kindness and writing about it, just might make me more kind myself!  I am hoping that is the case.  The first thing I think about every morning is "Be kind."

Be kind

Be kind.  This isn't meant to be a command, but a suggestion and a hope.  It is my hope that I will become more kind and that everyone will as well.  The world can never have too much kindness.

intentions

At the end of the day I am at peace, because my intentions are good and my heart is pure.  How wonderful if we can all say this.

Kindness costs nothing

Kindness costs nothing but changes everything. A single act of kindness can brighten someone’s darkest day.  Be kind!

an always thing

Being kind is an always thing. We aren't just kind sometimes.  I have occasionally mentioned random acts of kindness here, but those are just the bonuses. Those are the extra things that kind people sometimes do in addition to the cheerful way they always show a generosity of spirit. Being kind is part of who we are. It's not something we even have to think about. It just happens!

we can all relate

Blind people can see kindness and deaf people can hear it.  We can all relate to kindness regardless of where we come from.  Kindness is a universal language.

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."

powerful words

I find these words from Winston Churchill to be quite powerful. He said "We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."

friendship

"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?" ―Henry David Thoreau

kindness at work

I volunteer at a local hospital and today when I arrived there was a birthday card for me signed by every employee in physical therapy (not the area where I volunteer) and there was also two meal vouchers from the cafeteria enclosed.  I am very grateful for this kindness!

words from FDR

Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, "Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people."

the beauty of kindness

The beauty of kindness lies not in its recognition but in its genuine, often silent, capacity to touch lives and make a difference. The essence of true kindness is its ability to affect others deeply, even when the act itself remains unseen.

magical words

Do you believe in magic? Richelle Goodrich gives us some magical words in her book Making Wishes. She says that "Kindness is a magical spell - performed by enlightened beings - meant to enchant hearts and lift weary souls that they might fly." Oh my! I love her words!