Come On Folks…..please don’t make me pull my hair out of my head and beg you!!!!!!!!
August 25th kicks off the official start of “Be Kind to Humankind Week” (BK2HK) beginning August 25th and ending August 31st. Of course, we here at Be Kind to Humankind (BK2HK) implore you to practice kindness 365 days of the year———-NOT JUST AUGUST 25th through the 31st!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This particular week of kindness and practicing kind deeds was created because this is the week 22 years ago that 22 year old Bernard D. died because nobody WANTED TO BE BOTHERED!!! Read BK2HK’s “ABOUT” link for details.
Let’s get BOTHERED together! Let’s practice kindness towards each other every single day….a smile to a stranger, a kind word, encouragement, a coffee and breakfast sandwich brought out to a homeless person laying on the side walk, a cold drink offered to a laborer working in the hottest of the days heat, take a look around you to SEE who can use a hand, open a door for another person, help a disabled person out to their car with their groceries………….this one hits home for me. I just had knee surgery for the 3rd time on the same knee and I needed provisions from my local grocery store. I am on crutches. I had a very small bag in tow, however it was very heavy. I had one hell of a time trying to maneuver my crutches around to hold myself up and carry that heavy bag. I prayed somebody would STOP-LOOK-and take the initiative to offer a helping hand…just to get me to my car. NO ONE offered. HOWEVER———————-I STILL CONTINUE to believe in people. I have believed in people for 22 years now-and I’ll be damned if i will give up on them now! In addition..a week before my surgery I had a fellow motorist …an older man no less—with age comes wisdom? One would think anyhow….(driving a brand new BMW convertible with specialty made plates) purposely throw a cup of liquid out at me while I was driving behind him…seems I got too close to his bumper simply because traffic was backed up and a mess due to an ambulance going by–he apparently did not appreciate me being close to his nice shiny new car. What a pity—to throw his cup of liquid onto my car-hitting the front hood-which then splashed onto my windshield while I was driving. I DID report him to the police as I memorized his license number. Road rage s*cks!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Check out Motorist Consideration Monday to be reminded about how to behave on our roadways!
There is a book out which was written years ago —(God Bless author Robert Fulghum) titled “All I really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten”. It is an excellent read. As adults we tend to FORGET the basic GOLDEN RULE which we learned in kindergarten. Sad but true. Let us remember that GOLDEN RULE….shall we???? Let us all start to practice kindness TODAY and continue to practice it everyday!!
Summer is here. Barbecues, parties, celebrations, family gatherings, graduation parties, proms….the list of fun is endless. However, the fun can end in a second if anyone carelessly gets behind the wheel while intoxicated. Please do not drink and drive. Buckle up, be aware of pedestrians on the side of dark roadways (even very late at night), and please enjoy the sunny summer…but keep it safe for others and yourself.
Posted: April 9th, 2010 | Filed under:Thoughts, Tips
Spring has arrived!! For many of us it has been a long and weary winter. Spring is here with summer near so lets SPRING into action and give some thought and consideration as to how we can make our little corner of the world a better, nicer, kinder, more pleasant place to be!
Do you have an extra 1 or 2 hours a month to donate time and energy to a favorite charity? If so…DO IT! Volunteering is so rewarding! I am going to look into an organization in my area called “Interfaith Neighbors”. They have a variety of volunteer positions which gear themselves to helping the community, particularly the children in the community, shut-ins and the elderly.
Remember that if you do not have time to volunteer you can do a little something every single day to lighten somebody’s emotional load. Share a smile with a stranger, allow someone driving to come out in front of you in heavy traffic, hold open the door for others, let another person with fewer groceries go in front of you in line, share a compliment and continue to use your imagination on how you can brighten someones day! All of the kindness you share with others will bounce right back-atcha…so be prepared to be bombarded with good things!!!
We all seem to completely forget that what we say has terrific influence on everyone around us. The spoken word is extremely powerful. It can make us, break us, hurt others or heal others. Think before you speak. Literally bite your tongue if necessary. Once blurted out, you cannot take your words back. Watch what you say. Try not to curse and use foul language. And speak kind words to others!
Suggestions
Be aware of not only what you say but how you say it.
A kind word is never wasted.
Bite your tongue before you allow an unkind comment to flow out
Try not to curse and use foul language
If you haven’t got anything good to say about someone, don’t say anything at all.
Do not gossip.
Try to find enough forgiveness in your heart to alleviate the anger, confusion or hatred you may be feeling towards other people or even towards yourself. Anger is dangerous and can lead us to make foolish mistakes. We have seen too many crimes committed by the lack of control of anger. Give it your best effort to try and forgive. For your sake, and for the sake of others. We’ve got to be free from unforgiveness.
Suggestions
Learn to forgive and don’t hold a grudge.
Be the first to make the move towards reconciliation.
Try looking into insightful books on the topic of forgiving.
Put yourself in the offenders shoes.
Thoughtful Thursday is the perfect time to be mindful of those around you, at home, work and in public, who may have thoughts, concerns, or needs which you may not be aware of. Try a little harder to break free of your own busy world and try to be more aware of other people’s feelings! It’s a wonderful thing when you can be more thoughtful and considerate towards others. It is quite a gratifying experience.
Suggestions
Pick up the phone and say hello to a friend who’s in need of a little conversation.
Invite a friend/relative over for lunch.
Get involved in volunteer work in your community.
Hold doors for people behind you.
Give up your seat on a bus/train to a person who could use it more.
Allow a person with fewer groceries than yourself to cut in front of you on line.
Try to be more conscientious of others feelings.
Send a person who is depressed a little note to lift their spirits.
Please do not forget to say “Please, Thank You, Excuse me”, ect.
Offer someone your time, help, or advice today. It does not have to be anything grand or large, although we would not discourage that, even the smallest bit of help to someone is great!
Resources
Lend A Hand – Ordinary People Making Extraordinary Differences hearttouch.org
Suggestions
Take the initiative to go out and help a sick person.
Offer to help a friend move, or at least pack for the move.
Take an elderly person out food shopping or to the doctor’s office if needed.
Offer to pick up groceries for a homebound person.
Take care of a neighbors animals when they are away.
Volunteer for community projects.
Give someone a ride.
Take the opportunity to show your love towards others. Just like the old 60′s tune goes “Put a little love in your heart”, and this stands very true even to this day. After all, love is eternal and a little bit of love goes a long way.
Resources
The Heart Touch Project – Health Care Compassion hearttouch.org
Suggestions
Tell those that you love, “I love you”.
Mail an uplifting card to someone down in the dumps.
Show your care and interest in a person who’s pouring out their guts to you.
Be a good listener. Don’t jump to offer advice- just listen.
Make a pot of homemade chicken soup for someone who is too sick to cook.
Don’t hesitate to offer a compliment.
Write a letter to a special someone.
Give a call to an elderly relative to just say “Hi”.
Volunteer at a hospital or nursing home.
Motorist Consideration Monday is your time to practice patience and consideration towards others while traveling. This includes all forms of travel, whether it be by car, bike, public transportation, or even walking.
Don’t drive aggressively by tailgating and bullying people on the road.
Don’t carry over your personal anger into “road rage”.
No drinking and driving.
Allow a fellow motorist to come out in front of you in a line of heavy traffic.
Always yield to pedestrians.
Don’t Speed. Highways are not raceways!
Be cautious of emergency vehicles. No rubbernecking!
Always use child safety seats for any child being driven in your car.
Always use seat belts. In most states it is the law.
Slow down in bad weather.
