Speak Kind Words Saturday

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!

Resources

Speak Kind Words
speakkindwords.com

Our “From the Mouths of Babes” blog post
From the Mouths of Babes

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.

Forgive Your Foe Friday

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.

Resources

Anger Coach – Anger Management Services
angercoach.com

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

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.

Willing To Lend A Hand Wednesday

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.

Touch A Heart Tuesday

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.

Offer Your Suggestions: Send your ideas to lorraine@bekindweek.org

Motorist Consideration Monday

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.

Resources:

Road Trip America – 70 Rules To Live By
roadtripamerica.com

MADD – Mothers Against Drunk Driving
madd.com

Alcohol Alert
alcoholalert.com

Suggestions:

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.

Sacrifice Our Wants For Others Needs Sunday

Sacrifice Our Wants For Others Needs Sunday is a wonderful chance to do something for somebody else in need. Let your desires come second on this day and give a little something to someone in need.

Suggestions:

Visit an elderly relative in a nursing home.
Take your elderly family member out on a day trip.
Spend the afternoon with your children doing something fun together.
Visit sick children in the hospital.
Mow a needy neighbor’s lawn.
Instead of spending your money on something you don’t necessarily need, donate it.
Offer to walk the neighbors dog if he or she is unable to.
Cook a meal for a sick friend/neighbor.
Offer to pet sit for a neighbor going away.

Smiles are free

We are all growing older each day. Why not grow old gracefully? Instead of frown wrinkles, lets work on smile wrinkles instead!! When we’re 75 the lines in our face will show the route to our hearts. So be quick with a smile for those you meet!! After all…smiles are free!

Cleaning for a Reason

If you know any woman currently undergoing Chemo for Breast cancer, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning – 1 time per month for 4 months while she is in treatment.

All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service.

Please pass this information on to bless a woman going through Breast Cancer treatment. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women. It’s our job to pass the word and let them know that there are people out there that care. Be a blessing to someone and pass this information along.

Visit cleaningforareason.org

Doctors Without Borders

Below is a letter of thanks my husband and I received from Ms. Sophie Delaunay, Executive Director, MSF-USA thanking us for our monetary donation for Doctors without Borders, who are currently helping out in Haiti. Please check this out. It is a wonderful way to help out knowing your dollars are going to help these physicians and their efforts to aid the victims in Haiti. Thank you. Lorraine

“Thanks to your support and the dedication of our staff and volunteers, MSF was able to react immediately and effectively to the January 12 earthquake in Haiti. Here are some first-hand accounts of our response to the profound medical needs of the Haitian people.”
Sophie Delaunay, Executive Director, MSF-USA

Video: Facing an “Unprecedented Challenge” in Haiti

Op-Ed: “Trying to Save Lives in Port-au-Prince”

Video: The Construction of an Inflatable Hospital

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent international medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural and man-made disasters, or exclusion from health care in nearly 60 countries. New York office: 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY, 10001