Another month ends

Just as July comes to a close today, we prepare for the beginning of August tomorrow.  I hope you are having a wonderful summer, full of love and kindness.  Don't forget to share that positivity with all those around you.  Always be kind.

A Most Enjoyable Summer

So far for me this has been a most enjoyable summer, and I hope it's the same for you.  Keep on smiling and keep on being kind!

Why so quiet?

So many kind readers out there in cyberspace (a counter tells me when someone clicks on this blog.  It doesn't say who and it certainly doesn't know if you actually read these words, but I would guess that most who come here, actually read what I have written), but everyone is silent.  Oh my!  Please feel free to add your thoughts about kindness below!

responding to the needs of others

Remember Mister Rogers? He was a very wise and a very kind man. Fred Rogers once said, "Being kind means responding to the needs of others—and people can be kind, no matter how old or young they are."  Wise words indeed.

National Love is Kind Day

Today is a national day that encourages you to become aware of how you are treating people, how people are treating you, and how you can become emboldened, supported, and empowered to lead the joyful and productive life you deserve. Survivors of abuse celebrate their life today on National Love Is Kind Day, a day for all victims of domestic violence and abuse and their freedom and independence from their abuser.

a new week

Here we are starting a brand-new week.  I wish only the best for you in the days ahead and I hope you will encounter much kindness.  Let's dish up a large serving of kindness to everyone we encounter and the great feeling it gives us will bring out the kindness bliss.

The Good Banker

Last night I discovered fraud on one of my credit cards and so had to call the bank.  Not fun, right?  The banker I spoke with was quick, efficient, and very friendly.  He had everything taken care of in minutes and is rushing a new card to me.  I asked to be transferred to a supervisor so I could report this incredible employee.  A phone call I was dreading, actually left me smiling.  I'm always happy to encounter workers like this one!

Weekends were made for

Here we are all ready for another weekend!  Most people when asked will say either Friday, Saturday, or Sunday as their favorite day of the week.  Least favorite is usually Monday.  Can't we make them ALL wonderful?  Of course we can!  Weekends were made for kindness, just like all the other days.

What I Like About Myself

Last night, What I Like About Myself was trending on X (formerly twitter). I took a look and saw that someone had said, "That I make my friends happy." That's the spirit! Let's make the whole world happy.

Back to the beginning

Just for the heck of it, I went back to the very beginning of this blog and started reading some of what I wrote.  This nice warm feeling came over me as I pictured the many things we can all do to make this a kinder world.  I had to pull myself away so that I could write this fresh message for today, but I think I will make it a point to go back every now and then and get some additional encouragement.

How about a nice casserole

Talking about food the past two days (fresh bread and then that peach) got me thinking about casseroles. I'm not sure if the practice is as common as it once was, but there was a time when friends or neighbors would bring a freshly baked casserole to a family in need or to someone grieving the loss of a loved one or to someone unable to cook for themselves. What a kind thing to do!

the perfect peach

As I pulled my garbage and recycling bins out to the curb last night for pickup, my neighbor was standing there holding a beautiful peach in his hand.  It was a beautiful piece of fruit and in fact I told him it looked like the perfect peach.  "Would you like it?"  he asked.  Oh yes!  I'd love it!  What a kind thing for him to do.  By the way, it tasted as good as it looked.

fresh bread

I'm not sure what made me think of this today, but the smell of fresh bread is one of my favorite aromas.  Many years ago my mom had a wonderful neighbor who was always baking bread.  She always made some extra loaves for neighbors and friends.  Once when I was visiting Mom, her neighbor arrived with a loaf fresh out of the oven and Mom quickly grabbed the butter and we enjoyed!  Oh my!  That neighbor was so very kind.

Saturday Service

Off from work today?  Have you ever volunteered to help cleanup around the highway or the shores of a lake or ocean?  Working in a community garden is a great way to give back also.  Oh and you can help clean graffiti from neighborhood walls and buildings. Tons of things can be done to make a difference.  It's kind to help out and it makes you feel good.  What about mowing a neighbor’s grass or sweeping a neighbor’s walk?  The list of ideas can go on and on! 

Another quote from Dr King

Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, said a lot of important things.  I'm often encouraged by his messages like this one: "Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others."

Happy Thursday!

Happy Thursday everybody!  I hope you have a truly wonderful day filled with love and kindness and I hope that you help others to have a great day too.

National Give Something Away Day

Today is National Give Something Away Day. I'm not sure who came up with this idea but what a great way to spread kindness. Maybe even give away several somethings!  Be creative.  Be kind.

Gorgeous days

Where I live there is so much natural beauty all around me.  Personally I think there is beauty wherever you may be - sometimes you just have to look in a different manner.  During this especially gorgeous days of summer, it's especially easy to show kindness.  The beauty of the earth just makes you want to give back more!

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!  (Sorry to be so late today).

it can be very simple

We don't have to think long and hard.  We don't have to go out of our way or spend a lot of money.  Kindness is a way of life.  It can be very simple, but it is who we are and how we act all the time.  Being kind makes people feel good, including ourselves!

rainbow

Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.

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.

all around

In addition to BEING kind, I think we should also take time to observe the kind acts around us.  Let's observe the little things and watch how folks can bring a smile to others.  Sometimes we take things for granted, but if we just concentrate a little on doing and on seeing, I think we will all become kinder. It will be second nature.

pretty incredible language

"Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see," said Mark Twain. Wow! Imagine that.  "The deaf can hear and the blind can see" - that sounds like a pretty incredible language. We should speak it more often.

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.

Monday Monday

So many people dislike Mondays because it is often the return to work after two days off (or for some, the return to school classes), but why should that be a bad thing?  If we work at something we enjoy, every single day can be positive.  Be kind to the calendar and be kind to yourself and of course be kind to others.  Monday can be just as wonderful as any day!

Your thoughts

If you read this every day, you know that I always have something different to say about kindness, but there is so much more that what I might share here.  Would you be so kind as to share your thoughts with us as well?  I'd love to hear some other ideas!  Using the comments section below, write whatever seems to fit relating to being kind.  Thanks for sharing!

Independence Day

Thinking on this Independence Day of these words from John F. Kennedy: "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty."  Enjoy that liberty!  Enjoy this holiday.  Be kind.

Big weekend

This is a big weekend! Oh my! Tomorrow is Independence Day, but this one is extra special.  Our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Let us celebrate of course but let us also work to keep the values that we hold dear.  Let us respect and be kind to one another.  Have a great weekend!

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!

What about July?

We should always be kind.  That's my daily message here.  What about July?  Do we get a summer break?  Of course not.  It's not some horrible task we are forced to do though.  Being kind is a good thing that benefits everyone.  How nice it is to be around kind people.  Let's make this the kindest July ever!