kindness

The Glass of Cherry Jam

It came in a vintage jar, the contents a dark burgundy red, and I could see big chunks of cherry staring back at me from the interior. This wasn’t store-bought but homemade. The woman across the street handed it over with love in her eyes and even though it was a nasty day out with fall trying to make a showing, that glass of cherry jam brought some sunshine into my life.

I took it with gratitude because I know her cherry jam making skills. She does it beautifully and the taste is out of this world! A spoonful on my toast this morning had me singing her praises! She is sweet, well into her 80s but the lady never stops. She is on the go from morning to dusk doing everything necessary to keep herself moving. Working in her garden is something she loves doing, baking is her other love. Her son still comes over for lunch and dinner since he works from home. I don’t know what the deal is with him. He is good-looking, has a great job,has a nice looking sports car but I have never seen him with a woman or a man for that matter.

Who am I to wonder when mine hasn’t called or written in two weeks! I’m a helicopter mom but I’ve retired that helicopter and it is no longer working. I heard from my ex that he has a girlfriend. He went through a breakup three weeks ago and has been down in the dumps ever since but the man in the know, my ex, says that he is up and running again. Yes, girls do have that kind of effect on the young and not so experienced. So, I guess his life is revolving around her now. The good thing, he made it through his probationary period and is now a full-time employee and it is a big deal because that job is hard to come by. It also involves lots of traveling so I HOPE, I cross his mind now and then and he lets me know how he is doing although I am chomping at the bit to ask. I have to be patient but that is hard.

Coming back to that glass jar of jam. The neighborly gesture of caring brought more than just a jar of jam. It was sunshine, love, and caring all wrapped up in that jar of goodness. The fact that she took the time to show she cared mattered to me, and when she handed it over, she said, “Stay off your feet. No cleaning, no bending over, drink lots, and take care of yourself. You know what will happen if you don’t.” I nodded and I’ve been taking her advice although this time around, I do have slight discomfort and it is bugging me. Google says, “It is absolutely normal. You’ve gone through two surgeries, both big ones so give it time, about three weeks, and it will get better.” From Google to God’s ears!

It wasn’t just a glass of cherry jam, it was much much more and she knows it and I know it too. Kindness doesn’t appear everyday but sometimes it shows up in the form of a glass jar of cherry jam when you least expect it.

Have an amazing day.

LABELS

Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

There are good people, bad people, kind people, caring people, cruel people and the list goes on. All just labels? I don’t think so. There are reasons why those labels exist, it is because such people do exist. Just listen to the news of today, the labels we place on people because bullying is seen as a rightful act where some are concerned, and is a norm today. The “ugly people” carry on with their daily bashing of others simply because social media has given them a platform to do so. It is more than cringeworthy and sometimes downright mean and cruel. I don’t need to name names but it is plain to see if you follow the news.

Coming back to being a good person and the question at hand, I think being a “good person” carries a lot of weight. I also believe that a good person acts with moral integrity. It means matching your words with your actions. This is hard to do but a good person has it ingrained within them. Secondly, a good person has empathy. It is not always about them. viewing life from another angle or from another person’s viewpoint is at the core of their being. Finally, I believe that a good person knows how to act with compassion towards others, and takes responsibility for their mistakes and tries to do better the next time around.

Am I good person? I think I am or at least I try to be. I have those core values ingrained within me through practice but as they say, practice makes perfect but it takes time and that is understood as well.

What does it mean to be a good person?
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Beautiful Souls

I’ve mentioned many times that I live in a small village that time forgot. Each day flows seamlessly into the other without much excitement or noise. It is so quiet that you can hear a pin drop all day long!

Just recently I’m realizing that there is more to this village than meets the eye. I had an operation two weeks ago and even though I didn’t tell any of the neighbors except one, word has spread and the kindness that has been shown is unbelievable. They also have a gossip mill going and it seems to be working really well!

Anyway, the neighbor I told about the operation is someone I like and love talking with. I also bring her flowers now and then and her eyes light up each time she gets a bouquet. She is well into her 80s but is very active and loves working in her garden plot every chance she gets. Yes, the same lady who gives me a jar of homemade cherry jam made from cherries she had harvested from her garden each summer. She also brings me a beautifully wrapped bowl of baked cookies at Christmastime and they are delicious. This time around, she called after I got home from the hospital and promised homemade oatmeal cookies. That was a week ago and then nothing. I thought she had forgotten.

Today I got a call from a frazzled person apologizing profusely saying, “I’ve been so busy! I didn’t forget about you. I’m getting on it right now and I will bring it to your back gate!”

ME: ” I wanted those cookies yesterday!”

I was just kidding but the beautiful soul with the kind heart to match put a smile on my face. I will pick up a bouquet of flowers when I can and will watch as her face lights up again.

Just little acts of kindness but you can’t get this kind of caring from big cities. You become invisible there and get swallowed up in the hustle and bustle. Here it is different and I like this cozy atmosphere and the PEOPLE who make it HOME here.

I don’t miss big city life anymore. I love the peace and quiet, the feel that life is moving along perfectly, the fields, and most of all the “beautiful souls” who live here.

Time for oatmeal cookies! Just right with a cup of green tea.

Kindness Abounds!

There have been many instances of kindness but I can’t remember them all! I can speak of one that stood out from the rest simply because I never asked for help but got it anyway. It happened yesterday.

I am home after having gone through a risky operation at the hospital. Thankfully, it went well or so I hope! The wound is healing as it should, fingers and toes crossed! However, I have been feeling a little alone and a tad helpless as well. Recuperation requires that I don’t drive, not carry anything heavy, minimize going up and down the stairs, eat healthy, and take it easy. Let your body rest was the message.

I was wondering what I was going to do about food, ordering in was not an option because I like eating healthy stuff. I was mulling this over when the doorbell rang at around 1:30 in the afternoon. I opened the door to find my girlfriend with two big bags and a small pot of flowers.

She went, “Hi! Delivery service here! I must say you don’t look bad! I expected worse.”

“Like what?”

“Like someone who has just had an operation!”

Anyway, she walks in, gives me a much needed hug, and hands me the flowers and the chocolates! She had two bags filled with groceries. It had everything I needed, fruits, vegetables, salads, meat, chicken, and my favorite Macadamia nuts!

Blinking back tears, I wanted to hug her again! We talked for a while and then she said, “I almost forgot. “Where is Chachi?”

“Under the stairs.”

“I have something for him.” She pulls a cute little mouse from one of the bags.

She puts it in front of him but he had this look which seemed to say, “That’s not going to BUY me! You can take it with you. My mummy is back and she’s staying so all of you can BUGGER OFF!”

Anyway, that tops the list of one of the kindest thing someone has ever done for me. It came at a time when I really needed it.

I was about to end this when I noticed I had a message. It was my neighbor from across the street. She is over 80 but a sweetheart of a lady. Her message, “Call me, I am worried about you. Did everything go alright?”

I called and we talked. Then she said, “I am going to bake you some oatmeal cookies.” I thought that was the sweetest thing when she added more. “If you need grocery shopping done, I can help you with that too. Just give me a list.”

Did she just top the other one? The lady walks with a hunched back but she never fails to bring me her homemade cherry jam from cherries harvested from her garden every summer. This offer of help was very kind but I may or may not take her up on it. It all depends if I can get myself back in shape in the shortest possible time! I HAVE PLANS TO DO JUST THAT.

“Anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.” Misty Copeland

Daily writing prompt

What’s the kindest thing someone has ever done for you?

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Compliments

It has been said that, “compliments are a dime a dozen.” It just means that, “flattery or positive remarks are very common, easily obtained, and therefore hold little special value or sincerity. It also implies that “such praise is unremarkable, abundant, and often dismissable because it is not unique or deeply earned.”

However, some compliments have the power to lift you up, make you feel worthy, and at times more than enough. They are also, “powerful, uplifting words that validate and encourage, often serving as small, heartfelt gifts of kindness.”

My day started out on a rushed note. I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off and I didn’t see it slowing down either! Yesterday, had been a stressful day as well. My ex showed up as he sometimes does. However, this time around he had a big attitude on his shoulders and looking to discard it on someone as quickly as possible. I came into view and was fair game, I suppose. Our meeting didn’t go well and he left after a short time leaving me to feel like I was not enough and somehow sorely lacking. In what? I don’t know, he just makes me feel that way. Needless to say, I was feeling down and I knew it was going to take an uphill battle to get myself back up there again.

Anyway, I woke up to chaos this morning. The three rascals were up early. Moe, Larry and Curly! Just kidding. They were begging for attention and I was ready to escape the mayhem! So, I took off after breakfast to have some time to myself. The sun was shining and it was going to be a beautiful day. I got my shopping done and decided to stop for coffee at my favorite cafe. A great cup of Italian coffee and a bread roll was just the thing to pep things up. Things were starting to look up. Then I headed to the bakery and got two pieces of cheesecake. Yes, THINGS were definitely up and up! It was going to be my treat for later with a nice cup of coffee. The fish store across the street beckoned and I headed there next. They know me well because I’m one of their best customers. I love fish and they have a fresh supply everyday.

The boss wasn’t there but his assistant was. He asked how I was doing and I answered in the affirmative. Just as I was getting ready to pay he said,

“You have beautiful eyes!”

I was not expecting that. I had a bad night so my eyes were definitely reflecting that I thought. Probably, bloodshot as well! He saw the surprise on my face and repeated,

“You do have lovely eyes. They shine!”

Okay guys, those days of “sparkling eyes” are over I thought so this compliment definitely took me by surprise but it landed where it should! My day was definitely starting to look up and in a very nice way, I might add.

I paid, thanked him and left with a smile on my face.

“Sometimes just one little compliment can make someone’s entire day.”

I took my usual walk when I came back home and the sunshine felt just a tad different. It touched my face like a warm caress and the feelings of not being enough the evening before had all but vanished. There are many kinds of compliments, flippant ones with not much thought put into them, ones that put a smile on your face, compliments that make your day and that guy didn’t know it but he had just helped to bring me back up!

“Build someone up. Put their insecurities to sleep. Remind them they’re worthy. Tell them they’re magical. Be light in a too often dim world.” Unknown

If you have a chance today, give out some compliments. You never know how it is going to land and just maybe, it has the power to lighten someone else’s load. A phrase meant to praise can sometimes be a powerful tool. I have to keep that in mind as well.

“YOU are amazing and strong and brave and wonderful-remember THAT today.”

Have an amazing day.

KINDNESS (Archives)

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” Leo Buscaglia

Kindness or being kind is no longer as important as it used to be. We live in a self-obsessed world and when once we used to have close interactions with people, it is now being replaced with chats, text messages or quick hellos and goodbyes. The emoji is front and center when it comes to showing you care and there is one for every emotion you can think of including sadness. We’ve become so impersonal that closeness is a thing of the past and showing emotions much less so. We live in a fast paced world where technology is king and people a commodity like anything else.

Yet, we haven’t changed much or have we? I think we have. People have become much more self-centered and ‘me’ first is often the case. If you hurt someone these days you send an emoji to say you’re sorry. It could be in the form of a one tear- drop emoji or just a kiss emoji and you’ve done your ‘compassion’ and ‘kindness’ part. However, this makes it hard to have a human connection when you come across as a robot. The more we rely on technology to do the human stuff, the less your heart interacts and hardens to a point. Kindness is a very human trait and it can’t be replaced by emojis no matter how cute they are. It is just a stop-gap measure. The warmth of kindness comes from within, deep within your soul and emojis and other futuristic entities masquerading as the real thing can never take the place of human emotions no matter how advanced technology gets and that’s the truth.

Case in point: I was sad the other day and I shared that with a friend. Immediately he sent a kiss emoji and the word ‘sorry.’ That was it, he had done his job on being human or so he thought but I was left feeling like it could have been a little more, how about the human touch, it was sorely missing. A conversation would have been nice or even checking to see if I was ok from time to time but looking at it from his standpoint he had shown his compassion with an emoji and besides anything else would have taken too much time from his day and he had more important things to do.

Helping each other is fast becoming a thing of the past and so are other forms of kindness. We are a ‘me’ society first and foremost and everything else takes a back seat AND we have an app for everything so why even bother with being nice? Do we have an app for kindness as well? I’ll have to check on that because I’ve been showing kindness the old-fashioned way. Smiles, warm hugs, eye contact and a helping hand are still my go-to for kindness and it works just fine from the human angle.

“Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” Unknown

How about sharing a smile? It is known as the universal language of kindness after all. When was the last time you smiled at someone? When did you even look up from your phone, tablet or computer to really look at the world around you? It’s becoming a lost art, this human interaction thing and it’s scary.

“It only takes a split second to smile and forget, yet to someone that needed it, it can last a lifetime.” Steve Maraboli

Here’s a call to bringing kindness back. I’m not talking about the “I care but only for a split second,” or “I see your tears but I can’t give you a hug because I’m too busy,” variety. I’m talking about reaching out and showing you really do care. It is going to take a little bit of your time, effort and patience but the rewards are plentiful. That human touch needs to be put front and center again and let’s just use those cute little emojis ONLY when we have no other choice. Start with a warm smile and the rest takes care of itself.

“Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.” Jackie Chan

Have an amazing day.

YOU ARE ENOUGH

Just three little words but they are a powerhouse that can open up a world of possibilities, if you grasp the concept, that is. There’s no stopping you once you learn that you don’t need outside validation to measure up, love strokes to make you feel worthy and people to shore you up and to give your life importance.

What do those words mean, you ask? According to melissacamarawilkins.com, it means “that you don’t have to strive to become more worthy, more valid, more acceptable, or more loved. You already are all of those things.”

Just some psychological mumbo jumbo? Perhaps. Think of it this way. If you know within that you don’t have to fight to be accepted, prove to someone you are worthy of love and that YOU are all those things already, that’s half the battle won, isn’t it?

“Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth.” Unknown

YOU ARE ENOUGH.

Know that, embrace it and move out into the world. It is not kind, this world of ours. There are those who will pull you down for whatever the reason, those who will bully you if you let them and those who will make you doubt your self-worth. None of that will measure up or bring you down once you know deep within that YOU ARE ENOUGH AS YOU ARE.

YOU ARE ENOUGH.

If someone breaks your heart, don’t go into the doldrums of despair although that is easy enough to do. Perhaps, that person was not the right one for you and there is someone out there who will treasure that broken heart, pick up the pieces, tape them together for you. Even if there isn’t, know that everything happens for a reason even if that reason isn’t clear right now. Accept it, trust in the process and move on, one step at a time. YOU ARE ENOUGH AS YOU ARE.

YOU ARE ENOUGH

There is greatness within you. Look at far you’ve come from the moments or events that have shaped your life and you thought this is it, there is no moving on from here. Whatever “here” was for you at that time but somehow you did. You can weather any storm because the rain doesn’t last forever even though at times it seems never-ending. Know that you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it because you are strong and unbeatable. The spirit within can move mountains if you let it. You just need to change your mindset from one of negativity to positivity. Make loving yourself your ultimate goal. If you don’t, no one will. Be your own best friend, your own cheerleader, and your own champion and hero of your story. You can achieve anything no matter what anyone says. YOU ARE ENOUGH AS YOU ARE.

Sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom to realize you’re done descending, and it’s time to rise. Sometimes it takes being told you’re nothing – being made to feel like you’re nothing – to help you see that you are complete.

YOU. ARE. ENOUGH

Mandy Hale

I wish you all the things that make you enough. Love, dreams, hope, courage, kindness and most of all resilience. YOU, my friend, are enough as you are.

Have an amazing day.

“Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” Unknown

“It only takes a split second to smile and forget, yet to someone that needed it, it can last a lifetime.” Steve Maraboli

“Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.” Jackie Chan