Acts of Random Kindness to You

We have had the good fortune recently to meet Cheryl.

Cheryl was our new pug’s foster mom for a few weeks. What makes Cheryl amazing is not her genuine interest in animals, but that she puts action to her beliefs. Cheryl has an assortment of dogs at her house. Some are hers for life. Many of her personal pets have every sort of disability you can imagine, yet they seem very happy and content. She saved many of them from sure death in pounds or the hands of people that could not and would not keep them. Then, there are the foster dogs. These are dogs that need a furever home like our Harley, but until then they will be treated very well and just like family at Cheryl’s house.

Nothing is too much for any of these dogs. If they need medication or to see a vet then Cheryl sees to it. Maybe they need special sleeping arrangements or to be separated from other animals, then she finds a way to make them at home and as comfortable as possible. She pays for endless things such as spaying, shots, and other needs not to mention food and transportation.
Cheryl is one of a kind. She not only gets nothing monetarily from doing this, but she ends up spending a great deal of her own money on dogs that could head out the door any day. For her, it is a true labor of love. People like Cheryl don’t come along too often, but you know them when you meet them because their kindness shines through.

Kindness comes in all forms and it isn’t just about being kind to other people. If you meet someone like Cheryl, throw a bag of dog food or a gift certificate their direction if you are able. They will appreciate it and so will the animals that they care so much about. You can never be too kind and Cheryl is a fine example. Not only do we now have a beautiful pug, but a new friend as well.   Kindness does matter.

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to watch a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie that was amazing. It was heartwarming and just an all around good movie. The message it sent is one that will stay with those that watched it for many months to come. Some would say that the movie, “A Smile as Big as the Moon” touched me more than most people because of my occupation as a Special Educator, but that isn’t the case. My husband, my mother-in-law, and several others that I have talked to, also loved the movie.
I don’t want to give away the movie, but I do want to ask that you watch it and see for yourself. It is a story of true commitment and dedication and what it can do to change lives. So, it is 2012 and I wonder what you have done lately to show kindness to someone around you. Remember, it only takes one act of kindness to change the world! Continue Reading »

Well, I may not be getting a pedicure, but I sure made my nephew, his parents, and my mother very happy this week. I had set aside a bit of money for a very rare “Back to School” pedicure. However, while deciding when and where to schedule it, an opportunity came through that I simply had to do.

There is a “POLAR EXPRESS” train ride on Thanksgiving weekend that I just knew my 4 year old nephew would LOVE. His parents can’t afford it right now and kids are only that perfect age once where they still believe and are excited by everything Christmas. So, I booked the ride as well as a hotel stay for them near the ride.

To say they were thrilled might be an understatement. All 4 of them are so excited and the little guy, well, he simply can’t wait to ride the train with Santa. I will get a pedicure another time because for now, I am just thankful that my kindness paid off for some of my loved ones. Remember we can make the world a better place one act of kindness at a time! What have you done lately to be kind?

Anne LaBastille will always be remembered as The Woodswoman. I wrote an earlier post about how very much I enjoyed her books and many people have commented with similar feelings and memories about their reading of her books. Sadly, one of my most recent comments was in regards to Anne’s death. I have confirmed that Anne LaBastille died in July in a nursing home in Plattsburgh, NY.

Anne changed the way I looked at the environment and more particular because I am surrounded by it, how I look at the Adirondack Park and what decisions are made about it. Her books made me laugh, cringe, get angry, and cry, but most importantly they made me think. Although she has not written in quite some time, it is funny where I run into Anne LaBastille fans. My sister-in-law recently had one of her books sitting by her which started a great discussion about this amazing author. I was at a friend of my mothers and there on her bookcase were Anne’s Woodswoman books.  The best part of finding other fans is that it always brings about a great discussion that ends with the wistfulness of living ourselves at Black Bear Lake.

There will never be another Anne LaBastille, but her memories, teachings, and ideals will be preserved forever in her writings. She will be missed by many and it is my personal hope that her kindness for creatures of all species will be spread in generations to come because KINDNESS MATTERS!

I am fortunate for the most part. I have a great family, an amazing job, and some great friends. However, in the past 2 years, I have found friendships that truly have changed my life. I found friendship in people that weren’t my age; as a matter of fact, both of the ladies I am referring to could be my mothers.

These two ladies weren’t likely friends. I mean they were always kind and compassionate people, but I never imagined our paths would cross and our bonds would become so strong. One of the ladies was my boss and not just my immediate boss, but an upper level boss whom I respected and admired. I even turned to her for advice on things that were business related. Then, she retired and we spent a few dinners together which has turned into a great friendship. The other lady of our trio could not be more different than I am about things. She has coordinating everything, cooks like a television show host, and knows anyone that is anyone in our community.

Recently, I was talking about what on earth has made (3) so unlikely people become such good friends. The response from one of the ladies was simple, but so true. She stated, “We have the important things in common such as kindness, humor, and honesty.” You know what? I think she is right!
Remember not to rule out friendship in the most unlikely places. I am sure glad that I didn’t because it has been very rewarding.
Be KIND to others and to yourself!

I think I would be remiss to not mention Haiti on this blog. Those poor people and what they must be going through after the earthquake as if they didn’t have it hard enough already. However, the last thing the Haitians probably need from me or anyone else is pity. They are a proud nation and although they want our help, I am sure they want it with the dignity that they deserve.

If at this time, you feel inclined to give something to help put Haiti back together again, then I would recommend visiting the site sponsored by Bill Clinton and George W. Bush at http://www.clintonbushhaitifund.org/

This will at least give you a starting place to give where the funds are most needed. Make God bless you all and especially the Hatian people as they struggle through these challenges.

I am a Special Educator and I love it. I love the kids and I love what I do. My kids have so many amazing capabilities. Once in awhile, they struggle with their behavior or a writing assignment, but otherwise they are typical high school age kids. I decided to do “ONE MORE YEAR” of summer school with them, so I am currently in the middle of that and although they are there for a variety of reasons, my reason for being there is the success of the kids.

Once we hit summer school, it is a new start. I don’t care that they failed during the regular school year or that they didn’t do a thing I asked them to all year. They get another chance now and that’s what we are there for; to do it together!

So, today a wonderful co-worker brought them a homemade treat. They loved it. It made me chuckle though that her children had wondered why she was bringing something to kids that had failed. I loved her explanation to them and I think it speaks volumes.
She told her children, “Have you ever failed at anything? When you fail is when I try the hardest to let you know that it’s o-kay to fail and that I will be there to help you get back up. We all fail! We all need someone to pick us back up and today that pick up for these students is this treat!”

We do all need people to pick us up when we fail. Failure is a part of life and often a time that I personally learn more than I learn from success. So, remember the next time you see someone fail that it may be you that gets them back on track. One act of kindness at a time, we can all change the world.

I am not overtly religious. Oh, I was raised in a church and I do believe in God and Heaven, but when it comes to organized religion, I am a bit remiss in taking part. Sometimes, I feel bad about that and other times I think my reasons are legitimate. So, I go about my merry way simply trying to be a good person and to do what I think is right. I own up to things that I do wrong and try to fix them and I always give thanks to whomever deserves it.

So, today, I will indeed Thank God. This weekend, we traveled for “Girls Weekend” in Syracuse, NY. It was my sister-in-law, my mom, and my 6 year old niece. About halfway through the day, it happened. It all seemed like slow motion and yet it happened so fast. We were in a head on collision. I remember thinking that there was nothing more we could do and watching the other vehicle slam into us. I never screamed or panicked and I immediately checked to be sure everyone was okay. Then I saw the other man’s windshield, it was shattered and I was concerned. Somehow, some way, he was fine too.

It didn’t make the weekend great, but it could have been much worse. I could have been bitter that our weekend was ruined, but instead I was so grateful that it was only the vehicles that were hurt. Once we got our wits about us, the cops were called and came. We were able to get back on our way once a mechanic looked at the truck.

So, I am home now and still amazed that even though we are all sore and even a little bit shaken, we are all physically fine. Someone was looking over us this past Saturday and I believe that for each person, it may have been whomever or whatever they believe in, but as for me, I will indeed, “THANK GOD!”

Who knew that making a call could make such an incredible difference in someone’s day? Yesterday, I was in Wal-mart and when I came out with my cart loaded, the wind was blowing in gusts of 40 mph or better. It was terrible.

A young man in his teens approached me and said that Wal-mart had put extra help on to assist in the parking lot due to the wind. I told him I was fine, but he insisted on helping. He was such a polite young man and absolutely refused a tip. As he walked away in the wind I heard him say, “Have a great night.” I chuckled. I mean he was going to be the one standing in the wind and rain for the next several hours and yet he smiled and said this to me.  After a long day, I left Wal-mart with a smile.

On my way home, I decided to call management and let them know about this experience. The manager was so pleased that she was heading out to the parking lot to let the young man know. On top of that, his parents had both been laid off and he had been asking for extra hours a lot lately. She stated to me, “He is going to get some of those extra hours because of this call.”  Apparently she had taken a lot of guff from other employees about this not so fun job, but he had just been pleased for the hours.

If you are ever in doubt, make that call and let people know when they have done something well. It could make the difference and it never hurts to spread a little extra kindness.

The economy is a mess and I don’t know that I would find anyone who would dispute that is true. I see the articles about food pantries being down on donations and more people needing to use them. It makes me sad.

However, today one of my students brought something to my attention. She is in a club that looks out for Animal Welfare.  Her question posed to me was “What about the pets?”  She began to explain that her group is about to start a food drive and she wants to put a box in my classroom. The food collected will be pet food.

They aren’t trying to encourage anyone to get new pets that can’t afford them, but they want those that use the food pantry already to be able to feed those pets they already own. The SPCA here is full and if people can’t afford to take care of their pets, it is scary what they might choose to do with their pets instead.

I will admit that I had never thought of things from this perspective. It makes sense and I am glad she has found something that means a lot to her. She is a good girl and she has taught the teacher something all new today.

Another way of spreading kindness and making the world a better place.