Random blog hopping this evening ( you know where you just hit the 'random' button on your blog search or wikipedia and see where it takes you) and I found the coolest place! Operation Nice. I had been thinking lately about random acts of kindness and just being - nice. That word has earned of a bad reputation as being 'less than'. "He's not my type at all...but I guess he's nice" "It's nice but I don't think I'd order it again."
I am nice. I love the idea of acts of random kindness. I have done a few things here and there over the years but when it comes down to it, I am inconsistantly random - which would be a cool name for a blog if I didn't already have one. I like to think that I'm pretty good at purposed acts of kindness. People I know or people I see often. I'm a romantic. Happily so. I leave notes for my husband, T, in different places; the bathroom mirror, lunches, coat pockets or places that he may not even see for months. It makes me feel GREAT to do this. I also hope it makes him feel good. Tell me you wouldn't enjoy a nice note or a thoughtful gesture.
In short (?), I've been inspired. I'm thinking that I can't possibly look for acts of kindness to perpetrate without focusing on good things. Imagine, you're so busy doing good and delighting in it that you start feeling good. All the time. Pretty soon, before you know it, you're counting your blessings and being happy and affecting the people around you ......why, you could make a difference in someones life. And maybe the world is just a little nicer all the way around.
"It would be nice to feel that we are a better world, a world of more compassion and a world of more humanity, and to believe in the basic goodness of man." -Barbara Walters
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
I can do anything!
I used to say this to my kids and to anyone else that would ask if I could ............(fill in the blank). I have said this often over the years. The kids called me on this once. 'Can you climb the Alps?' "I can do anything." I couldn't, of course, at that point but I told them that I could do it. If it was something I really wanted to accomplish, a little time and knowledge and training, I completely believe I could do it. I still believe this. Whether it is; a complicated work project that I've never done before or fixing a kite. I can do anything. I may not know how to do it, but I can learn. I was reminded of this today when I saw this article on Mark and Angel Hack Life.
"To achieve the impossible, we must first accept the fact that the ‘state of impossible’ is simply a ‘state of mind.’ Nothing is truly impossible. Impossibility only exists when we lack the proper knowledge and experience to comprehend how something can be possible.
If we can find the patience to see the world for what it is – dynamic, flexible, and loaded with untapped potential – and if we can accept the fact that change is an inevitable and brilliant part of life, then we can partake in the thrill of progression, and help shape a world in which the impossible becomes possible."
I also think we have those things or actions that we may say that we want to accomplish; weight loss, go back to school, save money, get out of a toxic relationship, etc. but we don't. Often doing these things requires that we change a habit, sometimes a complete 180 degrees from where we are now. Sometimes the changes we want to make may disrupt the status quo in our relationships. Your change may not only effect you but those around you. I have never liked change for change sake but I always appreciate personal growth. I try to carefully weigh all my conscious changes, but then I'm a people-pleaser and have often talked myself out of personal progression so as not to disrupt others in my life. I have also made some life changing decisions. I think you, yourself, have to weigh the positive and negative in your head and heart. The goal you're shooting for is to not have any regrets. I don't. I have things that, in hind-sight, I may have done differently but I do not regret the outcome. You can open yourself up to possibilites that you never knew existed or you may learn what NOT to do. Either way, you're growing. The only bad experience is the one you can't learn something from.
"To achieve the impossible, we must first accept the fact that the ‘state of impossible’ is simply a ‘state of mind.’ Nothing is truly impossible. Impossibility only exists when we lack the proper knowledge and experience to comprehend how something can be possible.
If we can find the patience to see the world for what it is – dynamic, flexible, and loaded with untapped potential – and if we can accept the fact that change is an inevitable and brilliant part of life, then we can partake in the thrill of progression, and help shape a world in which the impossible becomes possible."
I also think we have those things or actions that we may say that we want to accomplish; weight loss, go back to school, save money, get out of a toxic relationship, etc. but we don't. Often doing these things requires that we change a habit, sometimes a complete 180 degrees from where we are now. Sometimes the changes we want to make may disrupt the status quo in our relationships. Your change may not only effect you but those around you. I have never liked change for change sake but I always appreciate personal growth. I try to carefully weigh all my conscious changes, but then I'm a people-pleaser and have often talked myself out of personal progression so as not to disrupt others in my life. I have also made some life changing decisions. I think you, yourself, have to weigh the positive and negative in your head and heart. The goal you're shooting for is to not have any regrets. I don't. I have things that, in hind-sight, I may have done differently but I do not regret the outcome. You can open yourself up to possibilites that you never knew existed or you may learn what NOT to do. Either way, you're growing. The only bad experience is the one you can't learn something from.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
"The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now." (first post)
Post deleted because it was schlock. I love the quote and so it stays.
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