Thank you, my friends | Filed under Friends
In the quest to create a gentler, more loving world, kindness is the easiest tool we can use. Though it is easy to overlook opportunities to be kind, our lives are replete with situations in which we can be helpful, considerate, thoughtful, and friendly to family,friends and associates, as well as strangers. The touching, selfless acts of kindness that have the most profoundly uplifting effects are often the simplest: a word of praise, a gentle touch, a helping hand, a gesture of courtesy, or a smile. Such small kindnesses represent an unconditional, unrestricted form of love that we are free to give or withhold at will. When you give the gift of kindness, whether in the form of assistance, concern, or friendliness, your actions create a beacon of happiness and hope that warms people’s hearts.
The components of kindness are compassion, respect, and generosity. Put simply, kindness is the conscious act of engaging others in a positive way without asking whether those individuals deserve to be treated kindly. All living beings thrive on kindness. A single, sincere compliment can turn a person’s entire world around. Holding a door or helping celebrate a birthday can inspire others to practice politeness and make already kind individuals feel good about their efforts. Smiling at people you meet-even those who make you feel like frowning-can turn a dreary encounter into a delightful one, for both of you. Every kind act has a positive influence on the individual who has performed said act as well as on the recipient, regardless of whether the act is acknowledged. Kindness brings about more kindness and slowly but surely takes a positive toll on humanity.
Weaving the thread of kindness into your everyday life can be as easy as choosing to offer a hearty “Good morning” and “Good night” or “Happy Birthday” to your coworkers or neighbors, a stranger on the street, or the grocery store clerk or that blog acquaintance. When you commit a kind act, you are momentarily disconnected from your ego and bonded with the individual who has benefited from your kindness. Being fully present in each moment of your life facilitates kindness as it increases your awareness of the people around you. You’ll discover that each act of kindness you engage in makes the world, in some small way, a better place.
Yesterday on my special day many of you full of kindness made my day one I will never forget. It was your actions and your part in my day and in my life that I fill not forget and I will strive to give to others just as you gave to me. I do want to thank some who took special time and made certain others knew about my day which brought so many my way. Thank you for the Special Recognition on my Birthday Deni, Karen, Monica, Peter, The Complimenting Commenter and last but by no means least Walker. Please oh please let me not have forgot someone who placed a special post on their site about me…..If I did it was not my intention and I will spend the next year kissing up.:heart:
So as I start my Dirty Thirty’s it is is my wish that we all be connected by our hearts, our love, our hope, and our humanity. Just know I am glad am connected with you!
Do you know who sent well wishes my way, and I left out—–the one who shares my day. Yes You Brian, before you become 50 maybe you will forgive me, please…oh please…… Yes yesterday was his special day as well.
June 16th, 2006 at 2:03 pm
Happy Birthday sweet friend and here’s a toast to kindness..
Kindness is the special art of living with a loving heart!
Blessings!
June 16th, 2006 at 3:20 pm
What a beautiful post, Vicki. I sure hope you had a special day !
*HUGS*
June 16th, 2006 at 3:33 pm
i hope you enjoyed the day. and that you will have a lovely weekend as well.
June 16th, 2006 at 4:04 pm
As a new guy, I have to say, I like your thinking. Kindness almost always costs nothing but even when it does, it becomes that much more special to give. It often gives me more than I gave, like this post just did.
It’s a good thing.
June 16th, 2006 at 5:53 pm
A belated Happy Birthday Vickie! I hope it was the best ever. Have an excellent weekend!
(the new site looks great!)
June 16th, 2006 at 6:40 pm
Ms V. What an awesome post! I apologize for not getting to your place yesterday, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I have no doubts that you will make your 50s your best decade yet! Hope your celebration lasts all weekend!
:bananadance::bananadance:
June 16th, 2006 at 8:01 pm
The 50s are a good time. You are that much closer to being able to retire! Old is a state of mind to avoid while getting older is a good thing. The alternative isn’t good.
As I have gotten older I have gained more of an appreciation for friends and family. They are even more important if you suffer a major loss as I did last summer. Stay in contact with those you have known and seek new ones.
June 16th, 2006 at 8:35 pm
Ms.Vickie~~I hope you had a wonderful birthday! I’m so sorry I missed it.
Kindness~~ what a lovely gift. By giving it to others we give to ourselves. You are right on about acknowledging people we cross paths with each day~~ whether with a smiling hello or a surprise compliment~~ you never know how much you may touch someones lonely heart.
Keep on smiling Ms. Vickie.
June 16th, 2006 at 9:07 pm
No forgiveness is needed my dear! We will have to have that joint celebration some day.
June 17th, 2006 at 12:43 am
Words of wisdom from someone so young.
You never have to thank friends for remembering you.
Just sit back and reap the love.
Just wish they don’t remember the pokes jabs and teasing they recieved all year from you.
Naw a true friend won’t hold that against you.
We’ll just get even later
I hope you had a great time
June 17th, 2006 at 1:16 am
:bananadance:A belated happy birthday. Here at advice of Peter. I’m glad he sent me. What a wonderful post.
June 17th, 2006 at 7:29 am
Thirty is nice. And it sounds like you have started off well.
Again, have a happy birthday and a happy year:!:
Cas
June 17th, 2006 at 9:01 am
Look at that, I am still 29, that makes you only a year older than me at dirty thirty. ROTF!!!
I plan on being 29, well, forever.
If anyone deserves kindness it is you since you spread kindness around so generously and cheerfully. What goes around comes around, for you, it’s your kindness.
Back atcha!!! I wish all the kindness in the world for you.
Glad you had a wonderful birthday.
June 17th, 2006 at 10:44 am
I am so glad you had a lovely day and I enjoyed talking with you yesterday, as always. Even if I did blubber. Thank you for your shoulder and your words of encouragement. Love you!
June 17th, 2006 at 11:26 am
Darn, I’m late again! Happy Birth Day Girl! Hope all is going good for you! Have a great weekend!
June 17th, 2006 at 6:40 pm
Kindness, as you say, reaps benefits for all. If only you knew just as easy it is to be kind and love YOU. I learn something new from you all the time. You have a special place in my heart!