Remembering and looking forward

Remembering those days when I went to a funeral five or six times a week, or made trips to Ward 86, or stood in the cold air with hundreds or others, holding a candle. Remembering the rallies, the marches, the speeches, the AIDSWalks, the quilt panels, and the meetings.  Remembering the kindness of strangers and all the folks who cared.  On this World AIDS Day, doing a lot of remembering and looking forward to the end of AIDS.

Give and Remember

Of your kindness, take a moment today to remember the organizations that make a difference in your life and if you are able, donate some time or money to them.  Today is Giving Tuesday and likely you will hear a lot about giving.  I hope you will also remember all those who make this organizations happen.  Remember also two men who were slain on this date forty years ago, San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk.  May their legacy continue to inspire.

A+

I'm always grateful for your feedback and I especially love it when folks respond to my questions.  Yesterday I gave a homework assignment and (you might have already read his comment, but just in case you didn't) some very wse words were shared:  "If we can each look within, love ourself more, find the compassion and acceptance within ourselves, then we will make ourselves more loving and kind. If we can each do this, then collectively, we will create a better world by making ourselves better, kinder, and more compassionate."  Thanks so much Andrew for this and your previous comments.  You get an A+ on this assignment.  You also have truly inspired me!

Three times this month

I have no idea how often folks read these words.  There is a counter that tells me who many people click here, but I don't know if they actually read my words, and I certainly don't know what they think.  One of the kindest things a person can do is to give feedback, and three times this month, a comment has been left.  I so appreciate your kind words.  On Wednesday an anonymous reader wrote "Wonderful thoughts! I am grateful for this blog."  Thanks!  I hope you will keep on reading!

Let's continue to be thankful

Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day of course, but why stop being thankful?  Why race ahead to a holiday that is still more than a month away.  Today is traditionally one of the least kind days of the year, as people push and shove to buy things they don't really need and end up obscuring the warm celebration we just had.  Today, let's begin a new custom.  Let's continue to be thankful and let us bring kindness everywhere we go!

spread the turkey around

One of the biggest feasts of the year.  Families serve more food on Thanksgiving Day than at any other time, but what happens with all the leftovers?  Please don't throw away good food!  Make some dinner plates or turkey sandwiches and share them with homeless people, shut-ins, or folks you know who will be alone.  A slice of cake or piece of pie will be joyously received too!

all week and all month

Many folks are already looking ahead to Christmas or other December holidays.  For me though it's one day and it's this month.  I love Thanksgiving - I always have.  People have been talking about it all week - all month.  Yes, the meal is wonderful and getting together with family and friends is always great, but I like the giving of thanks.  There is so much to be grateful for.  For me, it's not just what I do tomorrow, but every day.  Kindness is important every day, and so is gratitude!