Sunday, June 02, 2013

The Kindness Chronicles


the kindness chronicles
Kindness. The nice thing about kindness, it can be experienced with small actions or words like:

from Lesley Riley

  • Last week, I told a woman (a stranger) how beautiful she looked as she walked with her dog at Blue Sky Reserve. (I also made a donation to the non-profit, since I walk there regularly and so appreciate the open, natural space!)

a card  from Judy Ranieri   (She hands them out to people, randomly)
Kindness can be accomplished with the dedication of a few hours of your day:
  • My friend, Debbie Levine, works with elders, in senior centers, to create artful greeting cards in Austin, Texas. She's sponsored by philanthropist, John Russo, with the mission statement to 'help elders be less lonely, to help them connect to others in meaningful activity." Debbie told me that one of the woman recently told her, "When I make art, I don't feel my aches and pains."  So true! 
Kindness can be accomplished in much larger undertakings:
And, kindness, can just be in the way we speak and carry ourselves through life:


VIDEO of my sweet, very kind husband, acknowledging his watercolor teacher, Helen Shafer Garcia.

What kindnesses did you do or observe this month? Remember, tell us a kindness that you did or observed recently. Small or large, doesn't matter.  Oh, and if you missed it, here's a video interview I did with Danny.



19 comments:

  1. I'm a patient at a big Cancer Hospital in our area. One day on my way to an appointment I heard a older lady ask for directions to the parking garage. The person she was asking didn't know so I turned around and said I would help her. I walked with her to the elevator and explained how to find it next time.

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  2. I have little kindness cards - about 2" by3" that I got on line from Kind Over Matter Quotes. I cut them out and place them in library books that I return. The person who reads gets a nice little reminder.
    Janet Wright

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  3. I like this idea. I try to show love to everyone, not superficially, but deeply. It really doesn't take much to give someone a connection. The notes for for the seniors remind me of a movie called the letter writer, worth checking out of you Netflix instant.

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  4. What an amazing woman you are; an inspiration to me, thanks x

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  5. I think you are amazing; an inspiration to me, thanks x

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  6. Love the examples you shared. Now that I will be retiring, I love the idea of creating art with seniors.
    This past week, I leterally had 2 five dollar bills land at my feet, being blown in the wind. I could not find anyone who might have lost them. An hour later I was behind an elderly lady who looked like she counted pennies. I pulled out those 2 bills and gave them to her. She wouldn't take them until I told her I needed to - the next day was the 5th anniversary of my mom's passing. She was so appreciative. I really did not feel comfortable keeping the money so this was a perfect solution.

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  7. I'm on a smile mission. When I'm out shopping, I will engage everyone I meet--employees, customers, anyone. I will smile as brightly as I can and ask them how they are doing. Sometimes, folks will tell me and we'll get into a great conversation, sometimes they smile back without any words. I always wish them a great day. It makes me feel good. I hope my smile and good wishes improve their day.

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  8. I made muffins this morning and took a half dozen to two friends in need right now. One whose husband is critically ill and another who just had surgery.

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  9. I recoverd from a disease last month and I try to comfort the people who had a treatment at a health resort with me. I call two to three of them regularly to give them support and an open ear for their problems.

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  10. I'm writing as the recipient of kindness: I'm waiting for tests which will tell me some very important, possibly life changing medical news about myself. the kindness is in all the friends who have stopped their lives to send me encouraging messages and remind me I matter to them.

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  11. Thank you Don for your kind, gentle words about my teaching. You are an inspiration to me!

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  12. I like to make little ACEO cards with mixed media and a few inspiring words. I take them with me when I go to graduate school and I leave them standing on a shelf in the restroom or pin them to a board. I like the idea that someone out there will smile and maybe pick it up and pass it along.

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  13. I recently gave a family in need our spare double stroller. We can certainly get by with one. Thank you for your inspirational ideas!

    Kim

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  14. My sweet daughter in law is two weeks away from having her fourth child. To give her a little break, I brought her three cutie girls home with me and have them snuggled into sleep. We will play all day tomorrow and let their wonderful mommy rest up for delivery!

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  15. Love one another! Loving your neighbor means helping out when you see a need. Your neighbor may be a stranger on the street, the bus, at the store. Whenever the opportunity presents itself, that is when to take action!

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  16. I love to garden and enjoy sharing the "fruits" of my labor. I took a big bag of produce and fresh eggs from my ladies to work today. It was so nice to see the delight on all the faces as I went from office to office for them to grab what they wanted. I love the idea that has been posted of leaving artwork for people to find and enjoy. Thanks for all your inspiration.

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  17. when my Mom passed away last month, a friend of ours, upon hearing the news ( e-mail on iPhone) while with her knitting group, folded up her yarn and needles. she came right over with flowers and gomet ice cream

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  18. My Dad has been in a nursing facility since December. The people who work there are the kindest, most generous people I have ever met. From the van driver, janitors, CNNs, on up to the administration, they all care deeply about their patients. These are the people who do so much for others and are often overlooked. I stopped at the local bakery in my parent's rural town and got boxes of sweets to deliver to each area of the facility along with bouquets from my Gram's garden. It wasn't much and really didn't express the gratitude I feel for them, but giving those who give so much of themselves to others a little thank you is the least I can do.

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  19. Just checking to see who won Danny's book!

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