Tag Archives: Kindness

Twinkle Lights

17 Dec

During the holiday season, we often see strands of twinkle lights hung over doorways, in shop windows, on cars, and many other places. We might decorate our homes with them and hang them on our Christmas Tree.  They aren’t big, and aren’t loud or dramatic, but wherever they are they cheerfully and quietly add charm and delight. It’s a small thing to hang them up and turn them on, but these tiny little dots of light cheer us as we move through our days. As they extinguish just one small drop of darkness, they may lighten our steps and lift our spirits. We have the same power within us. Every time we do something for someone else out of charity and kindness, we too, extinguish just a small drop of darkness and bring light.  We don’t have to move mountains, feed nations, or cure diseases to make a big impact.  One small act when someone needs it will bring great relief and comfort to those who receive it.  Maybe we just offer a helping hand with a heavy bag of groceries, or open a door for an elderly stranger, maybe we check in on our neighbor to see how they are, or call a loved one we haven’t seen in a while.  Small acts of kindness are powerful, and just like a stone tossed into a pond, may have endless rippling effects for good.  Our lives are busy and it’s easy to get caught up in our daily routine and all the things we have to accomplish.  But if we take a moment, just one small snatch of time, to look around, we will see something we can do that will enhance and improve the experience of someone around us. When we share, when we give and lift others, the whole world is enriched. We have so much to offer and so much to give.  By extending ourselves just a little and touching those around us, we can be like those tiny, beautiful twinkle lights. We have the power to change the world. Sharing with others, and caring about those around us will bring us great joy, and lasting fulfillment.

It’s hard to be around continually grouchy people, and their constant bickering brings us all down. As they bemoan what they don’t have or what they didn’t get or how they weren’t recognized or endless other gripes, those around them may try anything to get away. If we care for them we may try to encourage them to see things in a different light, and we might succeed.  However, our personal happiness is our own responsibility and if we’re determined to be miserable, there is little anyone can do. Life is complicated, and sometimes things will not go our way. Sometimes we’re going to fail, sometimes we’re going to lose, and sometimes we’re not going to get the job. But nothing is permanent and even if we’re struggling now, eventually things will change.  We can trust ourselves to do whatever is needed to change course, and find success.

Nobody gets a perfect life filled with rainbows and roses. We’re all going to suffer at some point.  If we’re enduring an extremely difficult passage, and it seems we’re doomed and there is no hope of rescue, we may struggle to find any light. It may seem as though everyone else has it better than we do, and somehow we’ve been singled out to suffer. Of course, that will never be true. Hard times may come, but no matter what happens, we will get through. No storm can last forever, and eventually the clouds will lift and everything will change. We are strong and capable, and nothing can hold us down forever. By focusing on what is working and keeping our eyes on the road ahead, we can walk through any trouble with confidence and clarity.

Today, remember how valuable and precious you are. There is great strength and wisdom within you and you are a gift to the world. Bring light to those around you, and share who you are.  Nobody could ever replace the blessings you have to offer.  Step forward with confidence.  Every gift is waiting, and every success is possible.  Nothing can keep you from your dreams, and you will prevail.

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The Missing Piece

7 Feb

It’s disappointing to do a jigsaw puzzle and get to the end only to discover we’ve lost a piece. Every piece is in place except one. No matter how many pieces fit into the design the last one missing ruins the picture. There’s a hole glaring at us that can’t be filled. It’s obvious and undeniable. In our lives there may be times when we feel insignificant, or that somehow, we don’t count or don’t matter. It can be hard to feel important, especially if we’re in a group of outspoken and powerful people. If we’re quiet and timid, we may drift into the background and all but disappear. But each of us is unique and offer gifts to the world nobody else can offer. Our lives matter, and are important. Each of us is like a piece of the puzzle. We’re all needed. If even one is missing, there will be a loss. Our voices are critical to the entire piece and even if they’re soft, we need to hear them. The world is huge, and can be overwhelming. There are billions of people, and we might feel there’s no way we could possibly make a difference. But each time we extend ourselves to help someone else, each time we speak up, and each time we step forward, we change the world around us. Like a pebble in a pond, our actions extend far beyond where we are and make the world a better place. Everything we do changes something. We can participate, be confident and share our thoughts and opinions. The world needs our ideas and we are integral to everything that’s happening. We can be confident we matter and remember our importance each day.

Every choice we make has a result. If we are kind and approachable, those around us will be more open and welcoming than if we are rude and aloof. A sealed box hides what’s inside until we open it. If we shut ourselves off from those around us, they will never know who we are or what we can offer. However, if we’re open and receptive to letting others in, we can build a great network of personal connections that can embellish and enhance our lives. We have so much to offer. Allowing others to share it will bring us satisfaction and happiness.

Small gestures of kindness and support can bring great results. A reassuring smile can help someone through a difficult day. If our attitude is one of friendship and understanding, we can bring great benefit to our lives and to those around us. Others will learn they can rely on us when they feel unsure and we’ll build a feeling of companionship and support. We’re all connected more deeply than we realize. We can be the one piece that turns everything around toward a happier and more complete result.

Today if you feel you’re insignificant and don’t count, remember your voice is a piece of the great puzzle. You are important and valued, and we all need you. Nobody can give the gifts you possess. Your voice is important and we want to hear it. You bring a unique and valuable perspective. Speak up and let us know who you are. The whole world is blessed because you are here.

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Three Seconds

7 Jun

Think about the immense nature of time. When we think of how long the universe has been in existence, how long the earth has been here, and we ponder eternity, it’s hard to grasp. Eternity – a concept where time always was, and always will be. Forever both ways is difficult to understand. We have finite minds, and things with beginnings and endings make sense to us. Thinking about things that continue forever is almost impossible to comprehend. And if we ponder time overall, we understand how enormous it is. When we compare that to our lives, we realize that the period of time we spend on earth is really but a moment. Even if our lives are long, they are but a snapshot when compared to the everlasting nature of time itself.

Think of our time here as three seconds. We have three seconds to live this life, make all our decisions, and try to learn as much as we can. Three seconds. It goes by fast. It goes by faster when we’re busy, and we’re all busy. But even as it races by, we have the chance to make an impact. We can change the world in small ways. But we can only do that if we pay attention, and don’t put things off.

Small choices every day have the potential to create big changes. If we want to create those changes, we must be aware of who we are, and learn to share what we can with those around us. If we take the time to notice others, and do our part to impact their lives for good, we can initiate great change. We can move mountains. We are all connected in more ways than we realize. We are all here together.

One way to effect change is to be kind. Kindness has incredible power to make the world better. Lives can be changed through small acts of kindness. Extending the hand of friendship to someone who is lonely, listening to someone who is suffering, helping someone who is lost find their way – all can change the world for good. Just saying hello to someone as you pass them has the ability to lift spirits. We don’t have to win a Nobel prize, we don’t have to climb Mt. Everest, and we don’t have to invent something that revolutionizes the world. If we’re just kind every day to those around us, we can have an enormous impact for good. Others will notice, and some will follow our example. Then, some of those they touch will do the same, and the impact of one small act of kindness will create an expansive ripple effect for good.

We don’t all have big lives. We aren’t all rulers, kings, and leaders. But we all have the ability to change the world. We have three seconds. Use them to be kind. Use them to be caring. Today, use them for good. Make an impact. You have the power to change the world. Use that power today.

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