Scatter Some Kindness During Lent
Some folks are scattering kindness this Lent. Need a few ideas? Check out “Easy Ways To Scatter Kindness.”
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Receiving With Grace
(By Guest Blogger, Leah Renter)
Asking for and receiving help can be difficult for me.
Maybe it’s geographic. Equal parts stubborn German and proud Midwesterner, I was raised to roll up my sleeves and rely on sheer work ethic. Maybe it’s genetic. I once argued with my grandmother for ten minutes in line at Subway over who was paying for the $5.50 cold cut combo. Or maybe it’s just me. I couldn’t accept a compliment with a simple, “Thank you” until my early 20’s. Perhaps you’re like me — only in your comfort zone on the giving end of the equation. In recent years, I’ve come to learn that receiving gracefully is the other (and often more difficult) side of the same coin.
During the past year, I’ve taken on a large home renovation project with my partner, and we’ve relied on so many people to complete the work. While …
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While You’re Away
Vacations should be fun! Exploring new places and experiencing something new often adds to an adventure. When planning a trip to the Caribbean, we chose Grenada because it appeared to offer a good variety of things to do, not to mention turquoise water and white sandy beaches.
We chose to stay at the Mount Cinammon Resort where we learned they have a “Pack for a Purpose Program.” Guests are invited to bring small school supplies to support the South St. George’s Primary School. Being a volunteer kindergarten teacher, I liked the idea of spreading a bit of kindness around the globe. Spending time with some of the students was a real delight! They say “If you save just a few kilos of space in your suitcase and take supplies for the project we support, you’ll make a priceless impact in the lives of our local children and families.”
You don’t …
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The Gift of Longevity
(By Guest Blogger, Cynthia Brian, from her book “Be The Star You Are” Millennials To Boomers)
Life expectancy has changed dramatically since the time of the Roman Empire, when the average lifespan was 22 to 25 years. In 1900, the world average was 30, while in America a male could expect to live to 46 and a female to 48. Fast forward a hundred years to millennials born in 2000, where the average man is expected to live to 75 and average woman to 80.
The world’s highest life expectancy is found in Japan according to statistics gathered from the United Nations for 2005-2010. What characteristics set them apart from the rest of the world’s population? An Okinawa Centenarian Study found that elders are laid back, adaptable, optimistic, and rely on strong family and friend connections plus deep spiritual beliefs. They also follow a low calorie diet and eat …
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How Do You Demonstrate Dignity?
Dignity is the right of a person to be valued and respected for their own sake, notes Wikipedia. We may not realize the great impact dignity has on our lives and our relationships. When we feel accepted, we have greater hope for the possibilities in our future.
How do you demonstrate dignity? Simply treat people with courtesy and kindness. It can be as simple as asking someone’s name or looking them in the eye and saying good morning as you pass them by. The opposite is also true. If you lose a game and you say nasty things about your opponent, you may be acting without dignity.
Sometimes people who don’t look or act like us might cause us to think less of them, but it only takes a moment of thoughtfulness to prove our own dignity. After serving breakfast to a woman at a homeless shelter she said: “You …
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The Gift Of Joyfulness
(By Guest Blogger: Cynthia Brian, from her book “Be The Star You Are! Millennials To Boomers”)
Experiencing the world through the eyes of a child is a path to happiness. Kids have such vibrant imaginations and they know how to squeeze bliss into even the tiniest details. The joy and wonder of being a child is a treasure to remember and relish forever.
When my son was five, he hugged my leg and said, “I love you so much, Mommy. But I don’t know who to love more: you or Santa? You help lots of people, but Santa helps millions. This is a tough question! My heart skipped a few beats, and the joy that rushed through my veins was as strong as the current of Niagara Falls. If he only knew…
Here are my simple suggestions for a life-altering payoff. Start practicing gratitude. Taste the sweetness of a …
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Dream On
The idea came to me when I least expected
It was something I always wanted to do
Yet I didn’t have a clue how
So I turned to a friend
She nodded her head
Maybe there is a possibility
I know others have made it happen
So why not me
Will I jump for joy
Or will I even know it is now
My dream is as close as my doorstep
I just need to open the door
And kindness will be scattered
Not to Forget, But To Reflect
An old proverb says a person can actually die two deaths. The first happens when your physical body dies; the second occurs when people stop mentioning your name. Mark and Susan Lacek felt strongly that they would not let this happen to their infant daughter, Faith, and that her brief time on this earth should have a legacy. This legacy is the creation of Faith’s Lodge, a place where hope grows.
Those coping with the death or medically complex condition of a child can find hope and strength for the future at Faith’s Lodge. Not to forget; but to reflect. In its North Woods setting, Faith’s Lodge provides a peaceful escape for families to refresh their minds and spirits while spending time with others who understand what they are experiencing.
If you know of a grieving parent or a child with a medically complex condition, please share this resource…
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The Gift of Adoption
Radio interview includes the chapter I wrote for a recently published book on “The Gift Of Adoption.” Click below to listen.
A Little Something Good
What can you do this year that will instantly make you smile without spending a penny and does not involve eating the right foods or giving up something you enjoy? Scattering kindness, paying it forward and helping others are a few phrases that describe a plethora of activities that create an opportunity to be the person who makes you feel good.
You probably are already doing lots of little things that make others smile. So this might be the year when you simply do more of them. Try to catch yourself in an act of kindness. Notice how quickly you pick up something that someone has dropped but barely notice their smiling nod of thanks. When you decide to let someone ahead of you in a busy store or driving down the freeway, do you feel proud for a moment because you just did a little something good?
Simply keep …
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