Just A Way To Say Thank You

The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you. --John E. Southard

Inspiration of the Day:
It all started three years ago. John Kralik's life was really going down the tubes, personally and professionally, when one day, while walking, he heard an inner voice telling him to start writing thank you notes. So he sent a note of appreciation to his daughter's piano teacher. And then to the woman who cuts his hair. And the barista at the coffee shop, just for trying to remember his name. By the end of that year, John had written 365 thank-you notes. He's even written a book about how they have changed his fortune. [ more ]

Be The Change:
Surprise someone with an unsuspecting note of thanks.

Neighborly Kindness

I got this in my email today and it's message is so profound, I had to share it. I hope it touches your heart. ~ Love and Hugs ~ Kat

In contentment and joy are found the height and perfection of all love towards our neighbor. --William Ames

Good News of the Day:
They lived across the street from each other for years, but didn't know each other well. James Bronson was a fixture in Adams Morgan, a retired barber who'd been greeting passerby from his front stoop for more than 3 decades. John O'Leary was 25 years younger, a sound engineer who'd bought his six-bedroom townhouse just as the neighborhood was beginning to gentrify. Not the likeliest of roommates. But when Mr. Bronson lost his home and had nowhere to go, O'Leary took him in rent-free. It was a split-second decision that would profoundly change both their lives. [ more ]

Submitted by: Lonnie F.

Be The Change:
Do something kind for a neighbor today.

Taking Time To Appreciate the Little Things In Life

Too often we fail to appreciate the little things in life that really make our day. I thought I would share some of mine with you.

• The smell of freshly baking bread.

• The sound of the wind, as is whistles through the pine trees.

• The sight of snow swirling as it dances on its way to the ground, landing as soft as a whisper.

• The touch of my kitten nuzzling next to me when she's cold at night.

• The taste of summer's first strawberries.

• The way you hit all the green lights when you are driving home.

• Putting your hand in the pocket of a winter coat and finding money inside.

• Getting a warm towel out of the dryer on a cold morning.

• Attending a small town country fair.

• Having people tell you what an amazing dinner you just made, and it's now their favorite.

• Hearing Christmas carols in church sung by the congregation.

• Having your hubby bring you flowers for no special reason.

• Seeing a glorious sunset filled with all God's colors of the rainbow.

• Finding a four leaf clover when you aren't really looking for one.

• Laughing so hard you cry!

• Feeling the unconditional love of a puppy as it licks your face.

• Finding a sand dollar.

• Seeing your first shooting star.

• Walking and splashing in the puddles after it rains.

This are just a few and I thought I would share them with you as I compile a list. I'd love to hear yours. Please include them in the comments.

A Different Spin on Kindness

I had this in my email and wanted to share about a wonderful way to share with others if you are able! Enjoy ~ Love and Hugs ~ Kat

When I moved into my new house it already had a washing machine in it but I had just bought a new one so I wondered what to do with the machine already in the house. I remembered two girls who regularly knocked at my door for religious reasons. They never had or kept anything they didnt need. If one of them needed something, say a winter coat, they would work for the amount of time it took to make the money they needed for the coat and then return to their religious work. They had just got their own house so I decided to give them all the things I didn't need when I was done unpacking. Whatever they didn't need, they could give to the charity store they helped support. I asked them if they needed a washing machine and they both looked at each other and smiled. It turns out that they had called on a complete stranger the week before, a single mother with a toddler and a new born baby to cope with. She had been washing clothes by hand in the sink when they had called on her. When they got home they discussed the fact that the woman probably needed their washing machine more than they did so they gave it to her. And now it seems their goodness had come to them in return as they would be able to have my washing machine. If I felt good about giving away the things I no longer needed, it came to nothing when I realised that I still had a washing machine and would not have considered giving it away to someone who had more need of it. I was only giving away a spare or only doing what any good person should do, but to give away your possessions to a complete stranger, just because they need them more, is truly amazing! These two girls taught me something about real giving that day.

Age Is Simply A Number

Here is such an inspirational video I had to pass it along. I was smiling the whole time I was watching it. Can't wait to hear your thoughts? Please share!

Lost and Found

Here's a great story that all came to a very happy ending. Enjoy ~ Kat

Yesterday I was asked to deposit some cash in the bank. I went out with the money to deposit and some extra money which was to be used to pay for renovations going on at my house.

The bank was busy when I arrived so I took a token and waited. While I was waiting I noticed an old lady struggling to get a cash-in payee slip. I went over and got the slip for her and then asked her what she needed done so I could help her. I filled in her slip and got a queue token for her.

When my turn came up, I deposited the money and I then waited for the old lady's turn in case she needed help. She had intended to deposit three thousand rupees but when it was almost her turn she realized she had lost the money on the way to the bank! She was so upset she started crying. She tried to call her son but was too upset to find his number on her phone. As someone helped her find the phone number her turn came up.

I went straight to the cash counter with her slip and handed over three thousand from the money that I had for my house renovations. By the time I finished the young man who was helping her had called her son and told me that he was on his way.

A few minutes later her son rushed into the bank along with her taxi driver. The taxi driver had found the money when he went home after dropping the old lady off. Since he knew the family he had rung the old lady's son and arranged to meet him. Then they had both rushed to the bank.

Everybody thanked the taxi driver for his honesty. The old woman and her son hugged me and thanked me too. It gladdened my heart, at a time when my own personal life was sad, to have been able to help another.

They gave me back the money I had deposited for the old lady and tried to give the driver a reward. He refused but the old lady insisted he take it for his family.

When I left to pay for the renovation works, I felt that not only had my home been decorated, but my heart had been decorated as well!