The Puppy Episode

It was twenty years ago today that "The Puppy Episode" of Ellen aired on abc-tv.  It's amazing how much better things have gotten, and it was nice on Friday seeing the kindness shown to Ellen DeGeneres, who not only came out on that program, but also in real life on Oprah Winfrey's talk show.  It is sad though that DeGeneres and episode guest star Laura Dern both faced career backlash for this sitcom moment.  It changed lives though and some say it saved lives.  Still a ways to go.

An exercise for kindness

On Sunday I was thinking about those food drives and saying the should be done all the time (some places actually do) and on Monday I was thinking of all those many random acts of kindness.  Writing this each morning helps me start my day by specifically thinking about being kind.  It seems and exercise in kindness can also be an exercise for kindness.  You can help too by sharing other ideas about how to be kind!

Thinking of Saint Mark

Some churches celebrate the Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist. Whenever I think of Saint Mark, I think of a church in Berkeley, CA named for him.  Some of the kindest people I have ever met are there and there is so much love and joy.  I suppose that should be common in churches, but it doesn't seem to be.  Perhaps they are paying good attention to their patron and the One he followed.

Elderly best man

Would you want your 90-year-old grandfather to be your best man at your wedding?  Well, a 27-year-old Indiana man did last week!  Pretty cool, huh?  That's a pretty kind act on the part of both of them!  What a great example of love too.

Suicide is not to be cheered

Two days after a murder that the killer recorded on video and posted to Facebook, the killer apparently took his own life. When Whoppi Goldberg made the announcement during her tv program yesterday, the audience applauded, until Whoppi held up her hands and asked for quiet. Last night convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez apparently committed suicide as well and the internet is lit up with comments of happiness at this and even jokes. I don't understand. I seriously don't. Suicide is not to be cheered.  Has all kindness disappeared. ALL life is precious, even the lives of those who do wrong.

Easter over? Nope

We all know there are folks who try to rush Christmas every year, and the same thing is true about Easter.  Just so you know, Easter lasts four times longer!  Yup.  Fifty days!  Don't celebrate Easter?  Nope a problem, but allow those who do, the joy of this annual remembrance of the resurrection of Jesus.

Easter reminder

Christian evangelist Joslin McDowell tells us "No matter how devastating our struggles, disappointments, and troubles are, they are only temporary. No matter what happens to you, no matter the depth of tragedy or pain you face, no matter how death stalks you and your loved ones, the Resurrection promises you a future of immeasurable good."  A good reminder at Eastertime.