World Kindness Day — Just Smile!

In our fast-paced and often stressful lives, it can be easy to forget the power of a simple smile. “A smile is the light in your window that tells others there is a caring, sharing person inside.” These words by Denis Waitley capture the essence of a smile.

It may seem like a small gesture, but it has the power to change someone’s day. You can spread joy in just a moment with an ability that transcends language barriers. Your smile can have a powerful impact on people, making them feel seen and valued.

Celebrate World Kindness Day with a smile!


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Wise Words From Maya Angelou

Those who knew her, described legendary author, Maya Angelo, as a good person, a woman who pushed for justice, education, and equality. She wrote beautiful poetry and was a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honor.

Angelou spent her early years studying dance and drama but dropped out of school at age 14. When she was 16, she became San Francisco’s first female streetcar driver. After returning to high school, she then became a single mother. Later she earned more than 30 honorary degrees.

President Obama remembered Angelou as “a brilliant writer, fierce friend, and a truly phenomenal woman.”

In a CNN 2009 interview (15 years ago), Angelou said :

“Our country needs us all right now to stand up and be counted. We need to try to be great citizens. We are necessary in this country, and we need to give something – that …
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Autumn Kindness

A silver lining to saying goodbye to summer is often when pumpkins and the first golden leaves appear.  Instead of lemonade, we might order a spiced latte. While days at the beach are a thing of the past, long drives to “see the colors”  create lasting memories.

How to make it an even better season?  Sprinkle it with kindness.  Pay for the latte of the person behind you in line. See if there’s someone at a nearby living assisted center who would be thrilled to ride along to see the leaves. Candy bars are a rare treat for those who are homeless or live in a shelter.  Scatter some kindness in a way you’ve never done before.

Welcome to Autumn!

 

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Independence Day in Guatemala

Happy Independence Day to all of our friends in San Lucas!

                           

 

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“This Labor Day, I sincerely want to thank all the laborers who make my life – and the lives of so many others – better.  I appreciate your hands and minds, but I love your hearts.”

Jack Uldrich

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You

If every single person who has liked you in your lifetime were to light up on a map, it would create the most glitteringly beautiful network you could imagine. Throw in the strangers you’ve been kind to, the people you’ve made laugh, or inspired along the way, and that star-bright web of you would be an impressive site to behold.  You’re so much more than you think you are.

You have done so much more than you realize. You’re trailing a bright pathway that you don’t even know about. What a thing. What a thing indeed.

Donna Ashworth, Author & Poet

 


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Genuine Kindness

All day long we do little acts of kindness, but are they perceived as being genuine?

  • When we hold the door open for the person carrying many packages, do we take the time to wish them a good day?
  • Leaving a nice tip for a server is definitely kind, but do we also tell them how much we appreciated their good service?
  • Complementing our spouse or child on doing things like helping to fix dinner is nice. Are there positive words we can include that will be remembered the next day?
  • Dropping a dollar in the hand of a homeless person might mean more if we simply share our name and ask theirs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         At the end of the day, remember how good it feels to be kind!


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The 5th of July

While most folks celebrate the 4th of July, it’s the 5th when I remember having a dream come true.

Many years ago, when my heart drove me to explore various places around the world where I might find “my Maria,” I knew it wasn’t going to be a simple journey.  As a single parent, my options were limited in where I could adopt a baby girl.  Mexico appeared to be an easy possibility, notwithstanding all the red tape, reference letters and endless forms needed to apply.  Several months later, I got a call saying the program had closed for no apparent reason, and they wished me the best of luck.

I then learned Honduras offered an adoption program, and I even had a chance to communicate with another Mom who successfully added a daughter to her family.  While having a little baby girl was my wish, when I …
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Words To Make You Smile

See if any of these words of not-so-famous authors make you smile.  Perhaps they were written for You.

“Your words bring light, magic and hope into my life.”
“I love you because you raised me to be the kind of person who loves without cause.”
“You are singularly beautiful.”
“I thank God daily for your existence.”


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To Dads Everywhere

To all the men who raised us, taught us, and loved us, a big Thank You!

Happy Father’s Day to all Dads — and remembering our Dads who are in heaven.

 

 

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