“Three things in human life are important.
The first is to be kind.
The second is to be kind.
The third is to be kind.”
Henry James
Valentine’s Day is a day to show kindness to others. Wouldn’t it be grand if the world’s politician’s and business leaders took being kind to heart, every day of the year, not just on February 14. Imagine a world where there was no war, crime, hunger or pollution.
“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” Booker Washington
Where meanness was wiped out and replaced with kindness and respect to others. So lets all take one step towards that. If everyone makes an effort to show at least one act of kindness every day, it will create a ripple effect. So why not start today?
Model Kindness for Children
If you have children, get them in on the act. Remember children learn more by your acts than your words alone. So let them see you being kind to others. There are so many ways that don’t cost a thing but a moment of your time. A smile, a warm greeting, shoveling the walk for a neighbor or letting someone know your thinking about them. “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” Showing kindness has a ripple effect. Princess Diana said:
Making their own Valentine’s Day Cards“Perhaps we’re too embarrassed to change or too frightened of the consequences of showing that we actually care. But why not risk it anyway? Begin today. Carry out a random act of seemingly senseless kindness, with no expectation or reward or punishment. Safe in the knowledge that one day, someone somewhere might do the same for you.”’
“Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.” James Barrie
So send some kindness out this Valentine’s Day, you never know what will grow. Let me know what you think - and send me pictures of your kids creations, I’d love to see them.
Schools and businesses all over the nation are closed today in observance of Martin Luther King Jr., Day. I agree he should be honored. He was a leader in the civil rights movement and I believe he would be proud of the progress we as a nation have made. But my question is, “Since education is so important for the advancement of anyone, wouldn’t he have wanted children to remain in school rather than just to have a day off?” There are other holidays that schools aren’t closed. What warrants taking a day off? I found this on one website for Martin Luther King, Jr.:
If every student looked at it that way, I wouldn’t have a problem yet that isn’t the case. Perhaps if students were at school, they can learn more about the man and what he stood for. Or maybe classes could volunteer to help those in need in their communities on that day. It could be a yearly, ongoing effort to instill in students an understanding of tolerance, to value the diversity in others and to find non-violent ways to resolve conflicts.
Coretta Scott King wrote this on the King Center website regarding young children: