Tag Archives: kindness

Monday Motivation

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“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” – Anne Frank

What are you doing to make the world a better place?

10 Things You Can Do Today:

  1. Recycle paper, plastics, glass, aluminum. Find your local recycling center and get busy!
  2. Show kindness wherever you go! Smile at everyone. You aren’t the only one who may be having a rough time.
  3. Use less plastic. Switch to reusable grocery totes instead of plastic bags when shopping.
  4. Donate money to a local charity or donate clothing to a women’s shelter, or local charity.
  5. Cook a meal for a shut in. Be sure to find out about dietary needs and that your meal will be accepted. Some may not accept food from someone they don’t know. You could cook your parents or grand parents a meal, or your neighbor.
  6. If you’re able, walk or run a mile for charity! Good for others and good for your body, too.
  7. Volunteer at a local hospital, nursing home, or shelter.
  8. Volunteer at an animal shelter. Animals need love and care, too.
  9. Support small businesses! Instead of buying from the big guys, see if you can find your needs through small, family-owned businesses. They are working harder than the big guys to provide for their family, and/or put their children through school.
  10. Offer to mow your neighbor’s front lawn when you do yours!

There are so many ways to make the world a better place! What other ways can you think of?

10 Things We Can Learn From SpongeBob SquarePants (Part 1)

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I heard some women the other day complaining about their kids watching SpongeBob SquarePants. If you’ve never watched it, you should. It’s quite amusing and if you watch real close you just might learn something.

The first time I ever saw SpongeBob I couldn’t understand why he was wearing a fishbowl on his head. My son explained that he’s a sponge, lives under the sea, and the fishbowl is so that he can still breathe while visiting his friend, Sandy Squirrel, on land. Ok, I thought. What will they think of next?

SpongeBob has been a favorite ever since then. Unless I’m trying to take a nap. No one can sleep through SpongeBob’s laugh, can they? Dad loves the show and he tells my granddaughter that I won’t let him watch SpongeBob unless she’s visiting! Totally not true! But I digress.

I got to thinking the other day, there are a lot of things to be learned from good ol’ SpongeBob and company! Let’s take a look!!

1. Be optimistic! Don’t be a sour puss like Squidward.

2. Just Be Yourself!

3. Be kind to others. A little kindness goes a long way.

4. It’s ok to have friends who are different than you.

5. Use your imagination!

6. It’s ok to fail. Keep trying!

7. Do what you love, love what you do.

8. Laugh. Find humor in everything. It makes life a little more interesting!

9. Let your weird shine. It’s ok to be different.

10. Be helpful to others.

Generosity and Kindness

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Today, while Dad and I were out picking up a few groceries, we decided to stop at the Dollar Tree. Oh, how I love the Dollar Tree! Some people I know just shiver at the thought of going into a Dollar Tree. I don’t know why! They have some really great finds there! Just make sure your food items are not coming from China and you’ll be ok. Other things like make-up, facial care, and baby items I would be a little careful with as well. All in all, if a person HAD to (which some of us may someday) we could get pretty much everything we need to survive. But I digress. I always do that!

The store was pretty crowded as you can imagine. Most places will be this close to Christmas. We grabbed what we needed pretty quickly and headed to the checkout line. There was one young woman, probably in her early 30’s in front of us in line. She was having a hard time with her debit (or credit) card. It kept being declined and she couldn’t understand why. She ran it 3 or 4 times and still, declined. She didn’t have any cash on her. There was a woman behind us in line (probably in her 50’s) and she quickly asked how much the young woman’s tab was. It was a mere $4.00 and some change. She (the woman behind us) said, “I got it!” She pulled out a $5 and paid for the young woman. It was very nice, and although not very much money, the young woman insisted on a hug and thanked the generous woman for her help. It was heartwarming to see something like this in person.

It has me bothered though. It got me thinking… Those old rickety wheels of mine started turning. I wondered if I had had cash, would I have thought to help the young woman? I’d like to think I would BUT it never occurred to me while standing there like a dunce, if I had cash I would pay her tab. The thought never entered my mind. Does that make me a bad person? It sure made me feel like an asshole, but this isn’t about me.

We are all so wrapped up in our own lives and in a rush, especially this time of year. We need to slow down and be helpful and kind. Everyone is trying so hard to get things done, to be somewhere on time, or trying to take care of their families. We all have “stuff” to do but it won’t hurt us to slow down a little. It won’t kill us to be more helpful, more kind, and perhaps a bit more generous.

Have a wonderful week ahead, my friends. Enjoy family and food… If things get rough please refer to my last post and have a Merry Christmas!

red merry christmas printed mug

Photo by Roman Koval on Pexels.com

Just An Illusion

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There’s so much negativity in the world today. Humans can be such rude creatures. Social media has created a world of snobs; people who think they’re better for one reason or another. I know they existed before Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc., but those platforms have exacerbated the problem.

I’m not impressed with anyone who boasts of the possessions they hold, followers who worship them, or the places they have traveled.

I’m not impressed by social status, job title, or money.

I’m not impressed by the education you’ve received or in what schools your kids are enrolled.

I’m not impressed by the Church you belong to or your religious beliefs.

I’m not impressed by your perfect skin, which has been covered with inches of makeup and/or fixed with photo filters.

I’m not impressed by your wrinkle-free face that has been lifted more times than the weights at the gym.

I’m not impressed by your hair, that you spend so much money, time and effort on to present your “perfect” self.

I’m not impressed with your high-dollar automobile, or your indoor pool in your big fancy house.

Nope. None of those things matter. Your looks will fade and you’ll die someday regardless of your “perfect” image. You can’t take your money or your house with you when you die. Your kids can go to the most prestigious schools and still end up homeless and addicted to drugs. You may not always be healthy, wealthy and if social standing and money are of utmost importance to you, then you are surely not wise.

I’m impressed with people who are real; people who walk tall and proud on their own path. I’m impressed with those who are “transparent” as they like to say these days. No hypocrisy. No greed. No self-absorption. No perfection. Just real. Real people, living real lives.

I’m impressed by your humility, empathy, kindness, integrity, and honesty.

I’m impressed with your attitude, your smile, your laugh, and your sense of humor.

I’m impressed with how your mind works; the ideas you have or dreams that drive you.

I’m impressed by your heart; your willingness to help others when they can offer you nothing in return.

I’m impressed with how you treat other people and animals. Kindness always matters. ALWAYS.

I’m not putting down people who have “things” that I do not. It’s fine to be proud of what you have or of what you have accomplished. It’s great that you can travel or that you’ve earned multiple degrees or that you have a Mazaratti.

Being better off financially than others doesn’t make you better nor do most people think of you that way. It’s not real. It’s just an illusion.