Acts of Random Kindness to You

Ever been in a situation where you are watching someone that you don’t overly care for be mistreated and suddenly you feel badly for them? I believe everyone should have their own opinions and I certainly have mine, but I am not sure as adults that when someone is down, we should kick sand over their faces.

Lately, I have been watching this occur and it does make me feel a bit bad. I have made more of an effort to smile and say hello to the person even though we don’t see eye to eye on many things. I think as a teacher I am a role model and that I have to hold myself in a way that I would want my students to see even when I know they aren’t watching me. Otherwise, I might fall into the status of hypocrite.

So, I think it is harder to be mean than it is to be kind or even indifferent. It takes a lot of energy to get up in the morning and work at being cruel. So, for me, I choose kindness and I hope that you do too. Not only will it make you a better person, but it makes you a better role model for others.  Yes, I will be the kindest person that I can be as often as possible.

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.

Well, we have a beautiful new family member or will have her as soon as she is spayed. Harley is a 14 month old fawn colored, AKC registered pug that weighs in just over 16 pounds and is as sweet as she looks! We were so excited to find her and can’t wait to have her home. Since discovering her earlier this week, we have visited her twice at her current foster home. The foster mom, Cheryl is an amazing lady with a heart as big as you could imagine. She not only has been helping Harley find a new home, but has countless other dogs just hanging out waiting for the right people and if they aren’t found, then they stay with Cheryl in quite a nice little setting!

Stay tuned for more posts and pictures of Harley as our journey begins. Nothing says kindness like a nice, new, lovable pug! I have wanted one forever and now my dream has come true!

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!

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 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.

Wow. I can’t believe it has been so long since I last wrote here. I have no good excuse except that I am a slacker sometimes. I admit it. Yes, life has been busy, but not so busy that I couldn’t jot a few lines about kindness. I think it is often times the being busy that keeps us from being kind and noticing kindness in our lives. Enough about that, I have some kindness that I would like to spread to my readers. Below, I am going to list some sites and links that over the past few years have made me some real money. Although they are referral links, feel free to use them without the referral if you would rather. These are legitimate and fun sites. Once that have outlasted the others and a couple of new ones too. Interested? Read on and check out those that interest you!!

1.) Mypoints – An old standby. I can expect without doing any purchasing to get at least (3) $25 gift cards from here a year. They are reliable and the prizes come quick.

2.) Swagbucks – This is an amazing site. You can search and win Swagbucks that turn into gift cards, prizes, and now even paypal. I have earned several hundred dollars since December of 2008 for just searches and participating in contests. If you do ONE site, I would make it this one!!!

3.) Gather – A great Social Networking site. Although the prizes have slowed down somewhat, they are reliable and often have contests that allow you to win more points. Points become gift cards and now even paypal. You will meet some amazing people while winning some great prizes too.

4.) GSN – A fun game show site. This one is fairly new for me, but I cashed out for (2) $10 gift cards and received them almost immediately. So far, so good and a really fun site too. You win OODLES and turn them in for prizes. Great fun!

5.) Redgage - Another new site, but interesting in concept. It too is a social networking site, but you get paid for your content. It can be anything you have done. Blogs, posts on sites, articles…anything you want to share and the bigger your network…the more you make. Interested? If you want to use me as a referral, just type Cyclonewriter where it askes who sent you. If not, that’s fine but look me up so we can be friends!!

These would be my top 5. Got others? I would love to hear about them. Be sure to give me your referral link in case I am interested…Regardless of what you decide, just remember that kindness makes the world a better place !