Daily Acts of Kindness

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Comment by Sandra on April 23, 2009 at 11:42pm

Kindness is Spreading!!!
From http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2009/18171.html
April 23, 2009
Spreading Love Effortlessly
Kindness

In the quest to create a gentler, more loving world, kindness is the easiest tool we can use. Though it is easy to overlook opportunities to be kind, our lives are replete with situations in which we can be helpful, considerate, thoughtful, and friendly to loved ones and associates, as well as strangers. The touching, selfless acts of kindness that have the most profoundly uplifting effects are often the simplest: a word of praise, a gentle touch, a helping hand, a gesture of courtesy, or a smile. Such small kindnesses represent an unconditional, unrestricted form of love that we are free to give or withhold at will. When you give the gift of kindness, whether in the form of assistance, concern, or friendliness, your actions create a beacon of happiness and hope that warms people’s hearts.

The components of kindness are compassion, respect, and generosity. Put simply, kindness is the conscious act of engaging others in a positive way without asking whether those individuals deserve to be treated kindly. All living beings thrive on kindness. A single, sincere compliment can turn a person’s entire world around. Holding a door or thanking someone who has held a door for you can inspire others to practice politeness and make already kind individuals feel good about their efforts. Smiling at people you meet—even those who make you feel like frowning—can turn a dreary encounter into a delightful one, for both of you. Every kind act has a positive influence on the individual who has performed said act as well as on the recipient, regardless of whether the act is acknowledged. Kindness brings about more kindness and slowly but surely takes a positive toll on humanity.

Weaving the thread of kindness into your everyday life can be as easy as choosing to offer a hearty “Good morning” and “Good night” to your coworkers or neighbors, a stranger on the street, or the grocery store clerk. When you commit a kind act, you are momentarily disconnected from your ego and bonded with the individual who has benefited from your kindness. Being fully present in each moment of your life facilitates kindness as it increases your awareness of the people around you. You’ll discover that each act of kindness you engage in makes the world, in some small way, a better place.

Comment by CJ Scarlet on April 4, 2009 at 2:15pm

Thanks, Sandra, for sharing this awesome article! I'll use the information in it during my interviews. I appreciate you for posting it to the site. You're awesome! Hugs, CJ

Comment by Sandra on April 3, 2009 at 11:18pm

Thanks CJ, I love that story too!

Everyone, I hope you enjoy the following as much as I did!!:

The Gentle Art of Blessing
http://www.intuitionzone.com/artofblessing.php?10248


DailyGood
http://www.dailygood.org/view.php?qid=3641

Gratitude is noticing the extraordinary in the ordinary. And then taking the nanosecond to feel it. --Karen Krakower Kaplan

Effects of Gratitude on the Body:
Researchers have found that when we think about someone or something we really appreciate and experience the feeling that goes with the thought, the parasympathetic -- calming-branch of the autonomic nervous system -- is triggered. This pattern when repeated bestows a protective effect on the heart. The electromagnetic heart patterns of volunteers tested become more coherent and ordered when they activate feelings of appreciation. There is evidence that when we practice bringing attention to what we appreciate in our lives, more positive emotions emerge, leading to beneficial alterations in heart rate variability. Neurobiologically, gratitude is nested within the social emotions, along with awe, wonder, "elevation" and pride. It can be both practiced and experienced. [more]

Submitted by: Dr. William B. Stewart

Be The Change:
Try some of the "Seven Ways to Gratitude," courtesy of the University of Texas Health Science Center. [more]

Comment by CJ Scarlet on April 2, 2009 at 9:51pm

Love this story! Hope you all enjoy it. Hugs, CJ

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs.
His bed was next to the room's only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.


Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.


The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.


The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.


As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.


Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.


The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.


She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'


Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.


Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

Comment by CJ Scarlet on March 29, 2009 at 7:49pm

I think people who give blood are true heroes and thank you, Sandra, for the reminder to us all. It is so simple to do and takes so little time. I didn't realize I could save three lives with one simple pint of blood! That is so motivating! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Have a wonderful day! CJ

Comment by Sandra on March 29, 2009 at 5:09pm

Very inspirational post at http://365daysofgoodness.com/2009/03/28/saving-3-lives-in-15-minutes-or-less-part-2/: SAVING 3 LIVES IN 15 MINUTES OR LESS: PART 2
March 28, 2009, 10:42 pm
Filed under: Acts of Kindness for Charities/Non-Profits/Foundations, Acts of Kindness for Strangers
Today Matt and I donated blood at the Red Cross again. (We first donated blood on Day 4 of 365.) I actually received a phone call about a week or so ago from the Red Cross telling me that they are in desparate need of my blood type (A Positive). Only 25% of people who donate blood one time ever go back for a second (or more) time to donate. I know how easy donating blood is and I know that each time I do it, I help save 3 lives, so I happily signed us up. Did you know that you can donate whole blood every 56 days? Yep, it’s true! That means you can safely donate blood 6 times a year! Which means that for a total of 90 minutes of your time a year, you can help save 18 people’s lives! Pretty cool, huh? Now who said you had to be a doctor to safe a life?! To find out more info about where you can donate blood go to: www.givelife.org
Unfortunately, I can't donate blood because my veins are too small. :(

Comment by CJ Scarlet on March 26, 2009 at 4:40pm

Thanks so much, Sandra, for sharing these awesome videos. I will absolutely send them on to others to enjoy. I hope you're having a great day! Hugs, CJ

Comment by Sandra on March 25, 2009 at 1:43pm

More Inspirational Movies:

http://www.simpletruths.com/movies.asp

Comment by Sandra on March 25, 2009 at 1:02pm

I would like to share these inspirational movies with you, & encourage you to share them with others who you think might benefit. :)

http://www.bettertobless.com/movies.html

http://www.kumbayamovie.com/

http://www.makeadifference.com/movies/index.htm

http://www.connectionmovie.com/

Comment by CJ Scarlet on March 15, 2009 at 8:46pm

Wendy, I'll bet the repairman really appreciated having you bring his screwdriver to him. That was a very kind thing to do; you made his day! I hope you are well and happy. Hugs, CJ

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