Acts of Kindness

Acts of Kindness

Robin @ Kids Matter

Sometimes it seems like the world is going crazy; people can be downright rude and inconsiderate.  Taking the time to help someone, or even offer a friendly “hello” or a warm smile is often out of the question.  Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Life is short, but there is always time for courtesy.” Everyone is so caught up in their own world, activities, and priorities, that they often don’t take the time to look up and around at the beautiful world and people around them. 

            Acts of kindness are woefully lacking in our society.  As globalization spreads, and the world becomes smaller, we know less about our neighbors and have become uninvolved in our communities.  Unfortunately, as the world and technology become more advanced, many people become more backward, losing basic social skills.   How do we get them back?  I suggest that one way is by helping others in a self-less, thoughtful, caring way.   According to Gandhi, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” 

            Acts of kindness have become a rarity, but they have also become popular.  There is a random act of kindness week and many people do acts of kindness on their birthdays, one act for each year they have been alive.  A random act of kindness is a nice and self-less act done by one person to help or encourage someone else.  The action should technically be done anonymously, since there shouldn’t be an expectation of a return, such as a “thank you”.  But, just doing kind acts is always great too.  A word of encouragement to a co-worker, or holding the door for someone can make someone’s day.  It’s also very important to teach our children about kindness and encourage them to help others. 

            So, you may be thinking what can I do?  Below are some acts of kindness examples.  This list is by no means exhaustive… it could go on forever.   Be creative in thinking of things to do, and remember that you don’t have to spend money to show kindness.

·       Push your neighbor’s trash cans back beside the house where they belong after trash pickup.

·       Visit a nursing home and interact with those who don’t have any other visitors.

·       Pick up the tab for the person behind you in line at the drive-thru restaurant.

·       Tape change to the soda or snack machine in a hospital or at work.

·       Take canned goods to a food bank.

·       Leave a kind note for a family member or co-worker.

·       Put change in the parking meter for someone whose time is getting low.

·       Donate to the energy assistance fund in your community.

·       Buy a meal for a homeless person.

·       Send flowers to someone in the hospital… the nurses can make sure it goes to someone who doesn’t get many visitors.

·       Take books and magazines you’ve already read to a hospital or nursing home.

·       Pick up trash at a neighborhood park.

For additional acts of kindness please see Random Acts of Kindness.

All about the Butter on the Biscuit

All about the Butter on the Biscuit

Belinda @ Kids Matter

When life is just butter on a biscuit, you know your world is grand! BUT… when you find your biscuit is stale and your butter dripping all in your lap, what then? Yeah, what then, oh my! Let me tell you what you do. Been there, done that, and repeat it often, so I dub myself a pro. You step back, nuke the biscuit a couple seconds, don’t use so much butter this time, eat and enjoy! What? Why is this strange person talking about biscuits? Why is it even important?

Let me explain… biscuits are the equivalent to your life. If you don’t put a little excitement, fun, and joy in your life, life gets really stale… just like a biscuit. Now the butter… that’s the joy, fun, and spice you add to your life. If you overdo it you’ve got a nice mess in your lap, but with just the right amount… well you know… ummm butter on a biscuit!

Who I Am or Who Am I?

I have filled many roles in my life. Some roles have been more influential than others, some longer than others, and some brought happiness while others rendered tears. There were times I wanted to give up, but early in life I adopted my own personal motto, “Never give up; never give in.” If a motto is what it takes to see you through, then by all means find you a motto that summons up the power to conquer… conquer the task, the job, the role, and even life when it has you in a choke hold.

My roles are probably very similar to yours. I have worn many hats throughout my life with most of them overlapping at some point. Often it is very hard to determine which hat should be worn at which moment.

I’m sure you have heard the old adage, “Giving it 110%”. Seriously? Do you ever feel there is no way you can wear all those hats and give every role 110%? It’s just not humanly possible, so stop beating yourself up. You have to find ways to split your time, reduce the number of hats worn at once, and prioritize your life. Just because you wake up in the morning and think “Hey, I’m going to be a painter today!” does not mean that you are a failure in all your other roles. It doesn't mean that you are a bad mother because you decide to hang your mother’s cap on the chair for a couple hours while you take a little time to experience another hat or fulfill another role.  

We are not defined by our roles in life. We are defined by the choices we make, the freedom we take, and what we give freely of ourselves. We have to realize that we have no choice but to fail in life if we try wearing 50 hats at once. We are always chasing that almighty 110% just to realize it is forever just out of our reach. Take time out to focus on one role and feel free to delve deeply into that 110%. I assure you, succeeding in one role at a time is far better than failing in all of them. So… slow down, take a breath, and pick out that one hat you really want to wear right now, right this moment, and give it your 110%.

Belinda @ Kids Matter