Acts of Random Kindness to You

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?

This time of year is crazy. You are so concerned about making everything nice for others that somewhere along the way, you lose yourself. It may only be for a month or so, but even at this time of year, it is important to be kind to yourself.

Save a few minutes every day to do something you enjoy such as reading a good book, playing on your favorite website or indulging in your favorite television show. Also, don’t stop exercising and eating right. It’s okay to indulge in those holiday treats, but take some time out and continue your healthy habits. This will give you the energy you need and the attitude others like to be around.

The holidays are not just for everyone else. They are for you too. So, relax and enjoy them by taking a moment or two out for you. Make it your very own special gift. Happy Holidays!

It is one of the best and most emotional times of the year. I lost my dear grandmother at Christmas time and this year will be celebrating a 2nd year with my father in a nursing home at Christmas time. I have much that I am blessed with, but there certainly are things that make me sad.

I will be writing a Christmas post very soon and also have some new ideas for the coming New Year. Stay tuned and enjoy the days ahead.

I just wanted to wish all the ladies out there a Happy Mother’s Day! I am not a mother, but I have a mother and this is a significant day. Mothers work hard all year long and they deserve a day to be appreciated and shown gratitude.

We went to breakfast this morning at Bob Evans and brought back breakfast for my 81 year old Mother in Law. She is no dummy. She knew getting out would mean a crowded restaurant so instead her wish was for breakfast to be brought to her.

Tonight we will get together with my mother and brothers. We are having just some Little Ceasar’s pizzas. It may sound not too fancy, but it keeps from anyone having to prepare and do dishes on what should be a relaxing day!

So, how are you celebrating? Don’t forget to call your aunts, grandmas, and other special ladies in your life. It will mean a lot and we can change the world with one random act of kindness at a time!

This week is Valentine’s Week. It should not catch anyone by surprise considering the things were out in the store far before the Christmas holiday was even a memory. However, one of the best things in my mind about Valentine’s Day is it is a chance to spread a little extra love. It isn’t about the chocolates, flowers, and other gifts although those are all nice; it is about the kindness and generosity in the air on this special day.

Many people think that in order to enjoy Valentine’s Day, you have to be part of a couple, but love comes in many forms. Spend some extra time with an elderly relative, take those nieces and nephews for a night so their parents can go out, call a friend that you know is alone or think of something completely different to do to show love.

Love is a great thing, but never forget that it comes in more than simply the romantic form. Remember to love yourself first and then look for ways to love others. Still not sure what to do on this holiday? I am sure that there are many volunteer opportunities in your community that would “LOVE” to have you.

Take some time and spread some kindness to make the world a better place ! Most importantly, Happy Valentine’s Day !

It it that time of year when kindness is abound. People are looking forward to time with their family, a good meal, and presents under the tree. Well, not everyone has those things and some people are grateful for what they do have this year. I would like you all to meet my friends, 18 year old Justin and his mother Sherry.  Justin is in Stage 5 Renal Kidney Failure with a bleak future. To be honest, it may be his last holiday season. He has fought hard for the past two years including time on dialysis and a great deal of medical procedures. As sick as he is, Justin and his mom simply refuse to give up.

I am writing this because if you click on the link above, you will find that Justin and his mom have some Christmas wishes. They are not extreme or outrageous, just typical things that any young man might need or want. I also have a more detailed list of items he could use from Amazon or Wal-mart. I am asking you, the readers to consider this list. Maybe you have a $5 Amazon code that you can share, I can add it to those I have and if we get to $25 or more we can send a package with Free shipping. Maybe you are able to send some clothing or a donation of your own. Whatever you can do even if it is just kind thoughts, please comment below and let Justin and his mom know that there are kind people in this world. I will post his wishlists tomorrow when I get them all compiled.

The world will be a better place with one Act of Random Kindness at a time !!

My husband just showed me a neat new website that is aimed at spreading a little Halloween cheer and friendliness. Who doesn’t need those things in their life?  Ghosting It Forward is just what it sounds like, you simply do something positive and start a hopeful chain reaction. The site has some great stories and ideas. The best part about the entire idea is that it costs so little and can make such a difference. I would love to hear about your “ghostly” activities, so stop back and tell me about them.

It is also a great way to get kids involved with some positive fun for Halloween. This could go in so many directions that I can’t wait to see what we can do with it here in our little town. So, what is stopping you? Let’s make the world a better place with one act of random kindess at a time.

I love to travel and in my travel I make many new friends. One in particular lives in Canada. She has been very special to me and she has helped me through some very rough times. When one of my parents was sick, she sent me a beautiful arrangement of sympathy flowers that I thought was a special act of kindness that was totally unexpected. We are not long time friends but we do email back and forth occasionally and we have spoken by phone on occasion.

The flowers came two years ago and I have always looked for a way to do something nice in return. On one of my calls to her, I was speaking to husband because she was not at home and I found out her birthday was coming up in a few days. After some chatting with him, I found out her favorite flowers were Sunflowers. I was excited!

I went right to my computer and searched for Toronto Flowers. I was looking for some birthday flowers to send to her to show how much her friendship meant to me. I was excited when I ordered them and waited to see what her reaction would be.

The day of her birthday arrived and I did not hear from her. The next day her husband called to say she was sick and my flowers perked her right up and made her whole birthday great. It was one of those random acts that shocked and amazed her even though she had done the same for me just a couple of years ago.

Flowers are a great way to show someone how much you care and it inspires a smile even when there would otherwise be none. I did not know she was sick but the time was perfect to celebrate her birthday and cheer her up from her illness.

Just remember, random acts of kindness not only helps the person who receives it, it helps the giver also.

Well, it might be an early one, but it is upon us once again. I actually love Easter as it is a sign of a new season, new animal life, and generally better weather, but all that aside, there is more I like about Easter. At Easter, the focus of things changes somewhat for people. Their spirits are a little lighter and things suddenly don’t seem so dark and gloomy.

If you are of a particular faith, Easter can mean much more than even those things I mentioned above.  There are even some faiths that don’t celebrate Easter at all. Many people that I keep in touch with on some of my other sites have been kind enough to share with me about their faiths and views. I think it is important that we understand where other people are coming from and I think it makes a more tolerant world in general.

So, whatever Easter has in store for you, take a minute and think about a situation where you could be or even could have been more tolerant of someone that was different than you. Do your part to make this sometimes chaotic world a better place to be. Happy Easter to each of my friends and for those that don’t celebrate Easter, Happy Spring !!

Valentine’s Day is here again and for many, that means all kinds of material goods. It also means that some people will feel sad or left out of traditional Valentine’s Day couple activities. It doesn’t need to be this way. As a matter of fact, make it another day to spread some extra kindness or cheer.

Take 30 minutes when you head home from work and visit an elderly or disabled person you know. Drop them off a few homemade cookies or even a handmade valentine card. In the same time it takes you to watch one television show, you could e-mail an old friend or call your parents, siblings or other family member just to say hello.

For me, Valentine’s Day isn’t about money or even about being part of a couple which I am fortunate enough to have an amazing husband. Instead, it is about loving everyone and being kind. Imagine actually making someone else’s heart grow on this day. Don’t worry if they aren’t expecting it, that is what makes it even better.

I challenge all my friends, family, and readers to LOVE A LITTLE DEEPER and make the world a kinder place on the 14th. Happy Valentine’s Day !!