Claudia started a meme and CG was gracious enough to invite whoever wanted to participate to join in. Since Sunday is usually my Everyday Kindness update I figured I would.
It is harder than I thought – I felt silly (kind to myself) and I felt full of myself (kind to strangers) BUT then I remembered it’s just about sharing and I did get some great ideas and felt good reading about “the kindness of strangers”
List five kind things you do for yourself.
I write – my blog, my journal, a few forums.
I take photos of everything, everywhere.
I play with Siren as many times a day as I can. He makes me laugh.
I get manicures and pedicures
I finally decided to see a therapist – someone to talk to – just for me, about me.
List five kind things you do for your closest friend, partner or child.
I stopped bitching about doing those household chores that everyone else hates doing – for the most part I don’t mind them. I was standing on a silly principle.
I cat sit, dog sit, reptile sit, baby sit – hah – I put babies last LOL
I keep my opinions to myself when it comes to my son and his wife. If you ask me I’m going to tell you but I do not butt in.
I am much nicer to my daughter-in-law’s family than they deserve because I love her.
I tell all my family that I love them - often.
List five kind things you have done for a stranger.
I put the carts away in the Stop ‘N Shop lot – especially if they’re about to slam into someone’s car.
I always let older folks, folks with small children ahead of me in line.
I vote in EVERY election – to me that’s being kind to America.
I do volunteer work.
I donate what I can to a few charities.
Be Kind Out There.
20 comments:
Ha .. I draw the line at reptile sitting. *shudder*
I also let people with small kids in front of me in line. Kids generally get on my nerves, but making them wait in line will only make things worse. So, really I'm doing it for myself. I'm a bad person. LOL ;-)
A very good list, Dianne. I need to do some volunteer work; I used to and then got out of the habit when my business was going so strong. Now that I don't work as much, I should remedy that.
My daughter and I have done some "pet sitting" from time to time for my son - when he still had his sweet big old lug of a mutt, Andrei, and his cat, Zoey. Older daughter has had Zoey now for about 15 months. Reptile sitting - now that one's one area where I would never be able to oblige!
I missed voting in the primary election back in 2002 because I was temporarily living/working in Harrisburg and that deal came up after the time limitation to file for an absentee ballot, otherwise, I am very faithful at doing my civic duty at the polls. If I don't vote, I have no right whatsoever to bitch then about who ever is in office because I didn't do my part then in the first place. My one vote could have made a difference, ya know.
Very good post!
Nice lists... I think everyone on earth should go to a therapist. Best thing I ever did for myself.
One of the things I learned in therapy was to say "I love you." It wasn't something my family did. In fact the first time I tried it on my mother she replied, "I don't mind you too much." At least she tried. I don't think it's possible to hear those words too often and I think they are probably the most important thing you can say to/do for the people you love.
Very kind of you to share this. :-)
I love your list and such simple things that don't take much time that make all the difference, like an "I love you" or the time to walk in and vote. Reptile sitting would be low on my list, but I would do it a million times for the people I love the most.
One of the best lessons my sister-in-law Suz taught me is to listen without judgment. Just listen. And I have done a lot of therapy over the years and it is truly comforting when you are being heard.
A very good list and and interesting meme... I would do it, but I'm worried I might not be able to come up with five nice things for each category...
...does that make me a bad person? ;)
Jay: I used to date a guy who had all sorts of reptiles and snakes. Freaked me out a bit at the start but then there was Sophia - a snake. She would perk up when I was in the room and would cuddle around my neck. Changed my mind forever.
and you are NOT a bad person, you're just a cynical bastard ;)
kenju: I have the same problem when I'm swamped, that's why I love the little bit I do for my VFW guys, my boys LOL, I can pop in and bring some food and stay as long or little as I want. I've discovered that many large volunteer orgs actually demotivate people with all their red tape.
jeni: I think the pet sitting is more a gift to me. Especially when it's a dog - since I don't have a dog of my own I get to enjoy them thru others.
raven: therapy has been a great experience. I went before but always for or because of someone/something else - this time it is just for me ;)
snoopmurph: I always said I love you - I was the most affectionate child and then I went thru my dark and angry teens. when my son was born I loved to tell him I loved him, he'd just beam. when he became a teen he didn't want any part of mushy stuff and we fell out of the habit BUT then he was at the towers on 9/11 - he left less than 30 minutes before the first plane and I couldn't tell him enough how much I loved him - we got back into the habit and we spread it thru the entire circle of family and friends.
reh: your blog and your responses to my comments are kindness ;)
you always make me smile or think or laugh.
you are certainly not a bad person, perhaps Jay is a bad influence on you LOL ;)
Thanks for dropping by! I see we have a few things in common. :)
I'd like to invite you to join Heads Or Tails which is a meme I made up that is played on Tuesdays.. although I post mine Monday Evenings so the early birds can sign in. You can find details etc on my right sidebar. :)
Great things! Keep on being kind to yourself....that's what counts in order to share it all with the world!
Peace
Really nice lists!
Writing my blog is one of the nicest things anyone can do for themselves. It sure is for me. Never would have thought it!
I try to do all the things you listed for strangers. Would you believe - at the age of 76 I STILL have the impulse to offer and "older" person a seat. Guess Mom got to me with that one.
I enjoyed your list. I had the same uncomfortable feelings doing it, but it made me think!
Hope you're feeling better,
we do skittles ;)
I will check out Heads or Tails - thank you!
thanks odat, I'm still learning kindness to me - Peace
I never would have thought it either bobbie!
and I can see you offering your seat ;)
I am feeling better cg, thanks.
Great list Dianne. It's not easy keeping your opinions to yourself when it comes to a son and his wife - my tongue has a lot of bite marks!
thanks akelamalu! and yes, my tongue is basically shredded ;)
it does get easier w/practice - "detach" says the shrink, "detach"
Well done! YAY!! I am impressed with all the ways you work to make our world a kinder place.
Thanks.
What a nice blog post, dianne! I like the therapist part. I wear the therapy I've done as a badge of honor. Well worth it!
thank you claudia ;) I hope you realize how much your blog theme has inspired me and others.
and you too michael - therapy is definitely worth the work. - although I'll always be twisted eventually I'll understand why!
I have put carts away at the supermarket.
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