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.

random acts

How about some random acts of kindness this July morning? I think kindness is an everyday thing, but it doesn't hurt to do some special unexpected things from time to time, like surprising the office with homemade cookies, or buying the latte for the stranger behind you at the coffee counter or leaving an extra big tip for your server at lunch.  Any ideas for some random things you might do today?

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.

best advice

Writer and philosopher Aldous Huxley said, "It’s a little embarrassing that after forty-five years of research and study, the best advice I can give people is to be a little kinder to one another."

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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!

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!

help feed

There are lots of folks out there who go hungry, and nobody should have an empty belly. Consider volunteering to serve at a homeless shelter or other meal program.  Meals-On-Wheels or similar programs are usually in need of help too!

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.

Presence

Another celebrity took their own life yesterday.  We hear about the famous people, but not the stranger across town who commits suicide.  It happens every day and it is sad no matter who it is.  The answers are complicated, but one thing I have seen in the past 24 hours is people saying "I am here if you need me.  Please reach out."  The presence of people who care - people who will listen, can make a huge difference.  As I said, the answers can be complicated but a good place to start is the kind and caring folks who reach out.  I'm so grateful there are people like this in the world!

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!

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.

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!