Being Kind to this lonely little blog ...

I've been neglecting this blog shamefully. It's done nothing wrong, it doesn't deserve to be neglected like this. I wrote a comment on a friend's Facebook page a little while ago. I like the comment, and it's had some interesting response from others.

After I read my comment again, I thought, hmm, where could I further expand on this thought? And the answer that came to me, was, to write about it on this blog. It's totally relevant to the blog, being about kindness...

So this was my comment:

'Always be kind to yourself, at least as kind as you are to those you love.'

I truly believe this to be true. I always give myself the benefit of the doubt. I deserve that, just as I believe other people deserve it too. I try to consider my actions though, to decide whether I actually deserve the kindness I've given to myself. I'm not perfect, no human being is. Sometimes I'm lazy, selfish, thoughtless and so on. But on considering the reasons why I fail to achieve perfection, I can find answers to help me next time...

With the blogging thing, neglecting this blog, which probably could be a much more widely used blog, I know the reasons for the neglect, to some extent. I got hooked on blogging and went overboard with it, first one blog, then two and now suddenly I have hmm, I'm not really sure how many, perhaps twelve...

I go to some of them more often. The ones relevant to possible money making things, get the most attention, as is a good idea, I feel. This blog here though, a blog about being kind, well surely that should get more attention. There is a terrible deficit of kindness in the world. People feel bad, they lash out at others, and kindness is completely forgotten ...

I remember the kindness issue though. In my comments online, I try to be kind. In my dealings with others in 'the real world' I try to be kind. I know other people appreciate my kindness, because they tell me so. I hope I am spreading a network of kindness. 

Do you know someone who could do with some kindness? Let them know you care, tell them and show them in your actions that you care. You will both benefit from it. If the someone who needs the kindness, well, what a great start it would be, to do something nice to yourself. Think of something you'd like to do, see, hear, and do it - plant something, taste something, see something, and enjoy being kind to yourself!

Something to be Proud of

Today was a great day. In the morning I went to the Gawler Show. I had two free tickets to get in and I decided to find someone to give one of the tickets to.

The first people I found who didn't have tickets already looked like a lovely older couple. I smiled and approached them asking them if they were nice people. They said they were so I offered them the ticket.

They were very grateful and thanked me a lot. I said it was OK, and I hoped they would do something nice for someone else. They said they would and we all went in to the show.

I had a lovely day, feeling good about myself and people in general. Just think what a wonderful world it could be if we all did this kind of thing whenever we got the chance to!

I hope you would/will do this sort of thing. Even a heartfelt smile can do wonders, both for you and for the person you are smiling at.

Kindness is Contagious!

If you're kind to other people, they will be kind to someone else and it will go on and on from there!

Help to spread kindness throughout the world. Be kind to someone every day!

It can be as little as a friendly smile, but the benefits can be huge.

Save the World with Kindness!

I want to do something positive in my life and I need all the help I can get! It won't cost you anything, and it will help to make you happier.

Interested? Then read on...

The world is a sad and angry place for so many people. We have people starving to death, and other people dying from obesity related diseases. We have conflicts in the of God and we have people spreading hatred against against people who don't believe in their God.

Angry people doing damage with road rage, Christian against non-Christian, Muslim against non-Muslim. It's time to stop!

You might say there's nothing you can do, but you're wrong! It's like the acorn story - a tiny acorn seed can grow into a mighty tree. All it needs is water and sun.

You can do your tiny acts of kindness and inspire others to do the same, and slowly, bit by bit, the world might begin to become more kind. Tell your children, your local politician, tell everybody!

All it takes is a kindly smile, a word of encouragement, a small donation. If we all work at being kind to people instead of being angry indifferent or dismissive, the kindness can grow and follow on from our kind actions.

That is my challenge to everybody, Let's make Kindness go Viral and Take Over the Whole World!

Being Kind Leads to More Kindness

I am learning, over and over again, that being kind to others leads to them being kind to other people. Whether they are kind to you, returning your kindness, or being kind to others, kindness begets kindness.

If someone you know is having a bad day, but you don't know how to help them, a simple act of kindness, a smile or a sympathetic hand on the shoulder can be a help. Some people don't like to be a burden to others, and won't ask for help.If you know someone like that who is struggling through their life, connect to them, listen to their story.

Sometimes just being able to articulate your woes can be a relief. A burden shared is a lighter load. You may be able to offer options to help with their problems, a second person can sometimes see things the first person may not have thought of.

Even if you can't solved that person's problems, at least they know they are no longer struggling all on their own. Be the one who helps someone turn the corner.

Kindness is a Gift that Gives Back to You

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.--The Dalai Lama

You can always rely on the Dalai Lama for a good quote. And by 'good' I mean an intelligent. thoughtful and thought-provoking quote.

Being compassionate toward others will help you to be happy, whether the or not ones you are being compassionate to realise what you have done for them. Compassion is part of 'The Golden Rule' - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you from Christianity. Other world religions have the same kind of thought.

Compassion just feels good! If you help another person, you will get a warm feeling within which is increased when the person receiving your kindness says thank you.

If you ever feel down in the dumps, try giving kindness to others, you may receive back a hundredfold, and be uplifted!

Kindness in My Inbox

Every week day, my email inbox delivers me another good news story. Sometimes it's a too sweet story that I reject, but most times it's a story that shows me yet again, that humans can be kind and good.

If you are ever feeling cynical and stale, I suggest you visit this website, and others like it to see that we are, overall, a good species, even when some people do bad things. I truly believe this, and I wish I could do more to help those who can't see the benefits they will receive if they started being good and kind to others.

Patting a puppy or kitten will make almost every person smile. Smiling at someone will make them smile, most of the time. Most people will respond positively to something given for free. Your time and your kindness are valuable things you can give for free, and they are gifts that can give you things back - happiness, feelings of self-worth, the knowledge that you have helped someone.

I believe that the best things in life are free, and I hope to go on giving away my time, kindness and smiles throughout my life. It makes everyone involved happy, including me. You can do the same.

What's This All About?

I have suffered a turn around in my life recently, when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I had no idea that what I was suffering from, would be with me in some form for the rest of my life. But it will be, unless the experts can come up with a cure.

Some people might break down and curl up into a ball of misery when given such news, but not me. My diagnosis and the kindness that has been shown to me since I found out about it has made me happy. So many people have been so kind to me, in many ways that my faith in the goodness of my fellow human beings has been restored, over and over.

People have been kind to me, offering to drive me places, lending me a lovely walking stick, giving me advice on practical things. People has said I am brave, strong, amazing and a variety of other things. I don't feel like that, I just feel that I'm carrying on in the best way possible.

My hope is that, with this blog, I can connect with other people and help them to see the goodness in others. I do some volunteer work, and I hope that I can continue to do many things to help others.

On another of my blogs I offered to help other poets with their poems, giving feedback. I have done this on a volunteer basis, and I'm glad to do it.

I hope to continue giving back to people in many different ways, giving kind words, free smiles, and other things that can bring kindness to the lives of others.