In Sixteen Days

It's January 29th - 16 days from Valentine's Day, the day of love.  Don't you think every day should be a day of love?  In sixteen days, let's all be proud of the fact that we have just had sixteen days of kindness!

gorilla present

I have often noted the kindness of Ellen DeGeneres, but did you know her wife is kind as well?  This year for Ellen's birthday, wife Portia de Rossi gave Ellen a permanent gorilla home in Rwanda, and setup the "Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund."  The happiness on Ellen's face said it all!

Saint Paul on kindness

In his letter to the Colossians, Blessed Paul the Apostle said "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience."  In his first letter to the Thessalonians, he said "See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone."  So much of Saint Paul's ministry is related to kindness.  Perhaps my favorite of all the things he said comes from his first letter to the Corinthians:  "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

   
    

Severe pain

Oh my!  Last night I had such severe pain that I went to the Emergency Department.  Kidney stones.  Painful.  I only mention this because of the tremendous kindness I was exposed to.  It seems that hospital employees are among the kindest people in the world - it least that's how it felt last night.  I am most grateful.

Tired of winter

How many of you are tired of winter?  (Can I see a show of hands)?  Be kind to yourself, and others.  Don't worry about the cold and the snow.  Spring will be here soon.  Enjoy each day for what it brings.  Remember, there will be days this summer when many folks (like me) will be thinking it is too hot!

So many hugs

Last night I was at a birthday party for a 102-year-old woman.  The room was overflowing with kindness.  Hugs too.  Everyone was hugging.  I hope there is more of that today because this is National Hug Day.  Really.  It is!

From the mouth of Betty White

The wonderful Betty White, who turns 96 today, once said "When I pontificate, it sounds so, you know, oh, well, she's preaching. I'm not preaching, but I think maybe I learned it from my animal friends. Kindness and consideration of somebody besides yourself. I think that keeps you feeling young. I really do."