Smile

Earlier in the month we had World Laughter Day. Well, today is National Smile Day. Smiles are powerful! I'm told that smiling has a direct link to our brain and can help to reduce stress.  A friendly smile is always a kind act.  Let's do a lot of smiling today!

alone

No person should ever have to be all alone.  Some prefer moments of solitude, but how wonderful it is to have folks around that you can interact with.  It's nice knowing that someone cares.

Inspiration from Michelangelo

"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

transplant kindness

I was just reading about a mother sharing some very moving moments with a transplant recipient. The mother had lost her daughter following complications from a congenital brain malformation and the daughter's limbs and organs were donated, with her left hand becoming a transplant for a young woman who lost her hands as a result of sepsis. The donor's mother met the recipient, and it was a heartwarming emotional meeting. Such a great example of kindness!

it's coming

Growing up, this was one of my favorite times of the year.  School was nearly finished for the year.  Summer was just days away.  The weather was getting nicer.  Oh my!  What not to like, huh?  These days I prefer to not think of what's coming but instead, what is already here.  I prefer to try to make each day great and each day full of kindness!

be kind

You might have been expecting some fancy quote or an incredibly moving message, but what I write about here every day is really quite simple.  If I encourage you or help you along the way, so much better.  My goal though is just to spread kindness everywhere and hopefully to make me a kinder person too.  So dear friends, be kind.

Like stepping on to the surface of the sun

It's 99° where I live, and it's only 7am.  I keep hearing about other really hot cities.  In Phoenix I'm told it was 122° yesterday!  I told someone that is like stepping on to the surface of the sun!  On hot days like these, kindness is more and more important.  People are not comfortable, so help them with a pleasant attitude.  Stay hydrated.  You might want to carry an extra bottle or two of water to share with others.  Don't forget the animals too.  They won't be liking this heat either!  The good news for me is I am moving this week to a much cooler city!

The kindest thing you do this week

What do you think will be the kindest thing you do this week? Oh there are certainly a lot of loving and nice things we can all do for each other, and everyone can add suggestions, but I like the idea of always trying to outdo myself? Let's be kind to everyone! Let's put some smiles of those faces!  Let's all try to be more kind than we ever have been before.

this blog

There are many types of blogs on the internet covering a variety of subjects. This one is about kindness, a type of behavior marked by acts of concern for others, rendering assistance, and generosity. As I have said here before, I'm not an expert, but hopefully by writing about it every day, I will become better at it. Do feel free to share your own thoughts on the subject and continue to check in daily to see what I have to say.

YOUR kindness

I could easily go on and out speaking here of being kind, 

but I would also love to hear about your kindness.  

Seriously.  

Using the comments section below, tell us about a kind 

thing you regularly do or you are trying to do, or maybe 

some suggestions for all of us to do!

simple

Be kind. (It's really quite simple. The message doesn't have to be complex. We don't have to spend hours thinking about it. Why would anyone not want to be a good kind person? It just doesn't make sense. And so, this very simple message). Be kind.

This is not the source of all kindness

This blog is not the source of all kindness.  Try as I might, I am not the perfect person and I certainly don't have all the answers.  I try though.  We all can do that.  We can all strive to do our best to be kind to everyone.  I want to see a nice high success rate too!

Nine years later

After writing this for nine years, you might think I would run out of things to say. I'll admit that some mornings the words come easier than others. At the core though the message is always the same: Be kind. I cannot stop until we all become kinder, me included. It really makes a positive difference. Helping to make other people happy is very rewarding.

Arnel

I'm sure you have all heard of the fantastic singer Arnel Pineda.  I've mentioned him before in both of my blogs.  His talent as a singer and songwriter is obvious, but in addition to that, it is his kindness that inspires me the most.  If all the world was like Arnel, what a better world this would be! 

honoring our LGBTQ+ elders

Today is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions and struggles of older LGBTQ+ individuals who paved the way for equality and social acceptance.  It is National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day and I think this is a great idea.  Let us continue to build on the path they have begun.

middle of the month

I can't believe it's the middle of the month already! Oh my!  There's a feeling of spring in the air but summer is just around the corner. In so many places, this is one of the most beautiful times of the year. Mother nature is so kind to us, be sure to return the favor. Be kind to the environment. Enjoy the beauty of the earth and share that beauty with others.

Be patient

Never give up. 

Great things take time. 

Be patient.

Keep those cards and letters coming

Keep those cards and letters coming in.  It was a long time ago when Loretta Lynn sang those words in a song and Dean Martin said them at the end of his television show.  It has been said by many folks over the years.  I was thinking of them though because I really want to invite you all to respond.  You don't have to write a letter or even a card.  Below there is a comments section and a word or two there would be most kind.  Let me know what you think about this blog.  Tell me a story of kindness that you witnessed or were a part of.  Make suggestions.  It really would be of great help.

observe the little things

I said this here before "Observe the little things. Watch how folks can bring a smile to others."  Sometimes we take things for granted, but if just concentrate a little on doing and on seeing, I think we will all become kinder. It will be second nature.  Seeing the kind acts of others is very inspiring.

surrounded by family and friends

Last night a woman died in the apartment building where I live.  That is not unusual.  She was old and had health issues.  What is especially sad to me is that she died alone.  Often in obituaries it will say "surrounded by family and friends."  That wasn't the case for this woman.  Police discovered her while doing a welfare check.  My message today is to cherish your family and your friends.  Nobody should have to be alone.  

Mother's Day thought

On this Mother's Day, here is something that actress Sophia Loren once said: “When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.”

The Red Power Ranger

Sometimes celebrities inspire us in ways we might not expect.  I suppose you don't even have to be a celebrity for that to be true.  We ALL can inspire.  The actor who is the red Power Ranger always inspires me.  He seems like such a nice and kind person.  Shouldn't we all want to be thought of that way?

almost 100

Folks seem to live longer these days and if you can have a long life and a healthy one, how wonderful, right? I have a neighbor down the hall who is 99. He is in a wheelchair but seems to be happy and is always smiling.  He recently wrote a song and is hoping to have it professional recorded.  He talks about his 100th birthday which will come in August and he is really looking forward to it.  He seems to be such a kind man.

End the hate

Every day in the news we hear stories of hate.  I don't understand it.  I probably never will.  I'm not going to list the various items and don't want to give any more attention to the negative acts.  We can put an end to it.  Let's all try to be nice always.  Let's end the hate!

volunteer to be kind

Yesterday I was at a women's health fair with the hospital where I volunteer.  What a wonderful event.  I saw so much kindness and so many people were thanking me and my fellow volunteers for our service.  Giving my time really makes me feel good, and it is also a great feeling to be appreciated.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo isn’t Mexico’s Independence Day. It actually commemorates a significant battle during the Franco-Mexican War that took place in a town called Puebla. Tacos are a staple at any Cinco de Mayo party, but the holiday's most beloved dish is mole poblano. Did you know that? Of course, today is also a very good excuse to be kind, just like every day!

Princess Diana said

I love the encouraging words from Princess Diana who said, "Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you."

World Laughter Day

World Laughter Day is celebrated annually on the first Sunday of May to promote health, happiness, and global peace through laughter. What a kind idea. Dr Madan Kataria, a family physician in India, was inspired to start this and I recently learned that there are actually thousands of Laughter Clubs in more than 115 countries.

ideas

As we head in to this weekend, can you think of some kindness ideas?  How about donating blood?  (That's always a very kind thing to do).  Give coffee to people on their way to work in the morning. Tell your parents/children why you love them. Leave a treat or handmade note of thanks for a delivery person or mail carrier.