End-of-the-day questions . . . .

Asking ourselves questions and answering them honestly is something we can all do to understand ourselves better, and to help us realize that we can do SOMETHING every day to make the world a better place. But sometimes we get all wrapped up in our own little world.....walking through our day with blinders on. It doesn't take a lot. Asking ourselves these simple questions can help bring awareness as to how we are spending our day. Are we doing what we can to be kind? To forgive? To try a little harder? Below is a quiz from Dr. Leo Buscaglia's book Born for Love that will help point out ways in which you can show more love to others. Remember, you can re-take this quiz any time. This is one quiz you can never fail!

Is anyone a little happier because I came along today?

Yes___ No___

Did I leave any concrete evidence of my kindness, any sign of my love?

Yes___ No___

Did I try to think of someone I know in a more positive light?

Yes___ No___

Did I help someone to feel joy, to laugh, or at least, to smile?

Yes___ No___

Have I attempted to remove a little of that rust that is corroding my relationships?

Yes___ No___

Have I gone through the day without fretting over what I don't have and celebrating the things I do have?

Yes___ No___

Have I forgiven others for being less than perfect?

Yes___ No___

Have I forgiven myself?

Yes___ No___

Have I learned something new about life, living or love?

Yes___ No___

"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 F. Buscaglia

Be someone's highlight . . . .

Shall we make a new rule? How about.....Always try to be a little kinder than is necessary. I promise, it's not that hard. Some people might respond to that saying, "I'm busy. I don't have time to go out of my way", or "It's just the toll booth operator.....I only have 10 seconds with the guy. What kind of difference can I make?" Well, for one, you can plan ahead. If you know you're going to be traveling, and passing through a toll booth, as you hand the guy your $1.25, hand him a package of life savers with a smile and tell him to enjoy. Or be kind to the guy behind you, and pay his way. Five minutes later when he catches up with you, you'll get a nice smile and a wave from him as he thanks you. Now there's a warm fuzzy for you.  There are so many ways in which you can be the highlight of someone's day. 

• If you're headed to the grocery store, call your neighbor to see if they need anything.
• Be extra generous with a tip when you've experience good service.
• If you're making zucchini bread, make an extra batch and share it with someone.
• Put a coin in an expired parking meter.
• Buy donuts for your co-workers.

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."

-Albert Schweitzer

You're it!

Be someone's highlight today!

Happy Friday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Find something nice to say . . . .

Are you ready? Let's try this! Give five heartfelt, honest to goodness compliments today. It costs nothing but a little time, energy, and the desire to make your life and the lives of others better. Compliments are defined as gracious words, given freely, which create happiness for both the giver and the receiver. Who doesn't love a good compliment? It's amazing that such a small, simple skill like giving away compliments can change the way you view yourself and the world around you. 

Each time you give a compliment, you focus completely on the other person. Be sincere. Actively look for positive traits or attributes. It's not that hard! By doing this on a regular basis, i.e. 5 times a day, you begin to see how richly multifaceted people really are. People's positive traits jump out at you. Your thought processes shifts from looking for the worst in people to looking for the best. Being proactive spills over into your life. You see the possibilities, not the obstacles. Compliment giving is a jump-start for looking at the world in a positive, refreshing, stimulating, and creative way. 

Not sure what to say? Give these a try.

From the book:

Find Something Nice to Say 

by Kathy Chamberlin & Debby Hoffman


Photo by Sweet Monday Photography

Happy Friday!

Have a lovely weekend!

Photo via Happy Things

When you give to others, you give to yourself . . . .

When you love others, it is YOU who will have an amazing life. Give love to others through kindness, encouragement, support, gratitude, or any good feeling, and it comes back to you and multiplies itself, bringing love to every other area of your life, including your health, money, happiness, and career. Give negativity to others, through criticism, anger, impatience, or any bad feeling, and you will receive that negativity back - guaranteed! And as the negativity comes back, it multiplies itself, attracting more negativity, which effects the rest of your life.

Trying to change another person is not giving love! Thinking you know what is best for another person is not giving love! Thinking you are right and another person is wrong is not giving love! Criticizing, blaming, complaining, nagging, or finding fault with another person is not giving love! And get this!!!.....looking for the things you love in a relationship more than noticing the negative things, will appear as if something incredible has happened to the other person. . . . all because you chose to focus on their good. How great is THAT? You win! You now get to enjoy the positive about that person! Why would you choose anything different?


You can't receive anything in life unless you give it first! Whatever you give, you receive, so it's not about the other person at all:  it's all about you! 

You have to be happy to receive the happy versions of other people!

Partial text from the book

The Power

Photo by Nicole Hill Gerulat

Graphic by HoneyBoo via etsy

Words can destroy . . . .

Once you have spoken,

even the swiftest horse 

cannot retract your words.

-Chinese proverb

When speaking, speak with vision, clarity, and kindness. Be positive. Instead of concentrating on the problem, look for the solution. Focus on the good, the true, the beautiful. Look for possibilities and see the potential in each person, each situation. Focused for good, your positive energy has great power. Tell the truth. Say what you mean instead of making easy promises that mean nothing. Keep your word. Be kind and generous. Let your language be filled with loving words instead of critical judgement.

What we call each other

ultimately becomes what we think

of each other,

and it matters.

-Jeanne J. Kirkpatrick

Once again,....

From the book

the Art of Encouragement

by Candy Paull

Good book!!

35 Little Acts of Kindness . . . .

One small, thoughtful gesture can make someone else's day. Learning that each of us can make a difference by doing one kind act at a time is a great lesson. The experience of offering a hand, doing a good deed, and feeling the reward of someone else's smile, gratitude and happiness will ensure the kind acts continue. Give 5 minutes of your time and watch the ripple effect.

1. Say "Good morning" to a person standing next to you in the elevator.

2. Pay the toll for the driver behind you.
3. Take a minute to direct someone who is lost, even though you're rushing.
4. Write a letter to a child who could use some extra attention. Kids love getting mail.
5. Offer to pick up groceries for an elderly neighbor, especially in extreme weather.
6. Give a homeless person your doggie bag.
7. Say "I love you" to someone you love.
8. Put a coin in an expired meter.
9. Help a mother carry her baby stroller up the subway stairs, or hold a door open for her.
10. Each time you get a new item of clothing, give away something old.
11. Take someone's shift as the car-pool parent.
12. Bring your assistant coffee.
13. Out of the blue, send flowers to a friend.
14. Say "please" and "thank you"—and really mean it.
15. When you're on a crowded train or bus, offer your seat to an elderly, disabled or pregnant person.
16. Don't interrupt when someone is explaining herself.
17. Let a fellow driver merge into your lane.
18. Offer to baby-sit for a single mom.
19. Put your shopping cart back in its place.
20. Call or write to a teacher who changed your life.
21. Bring a box of doughnuts to share at the office.
22. Forgive someone a debt–and never bring it up again.
23. Listen with all your senses.
24. Write a note to the boss of someone who helps you, and explain how great a job that person is doing.
25. Simply say "I'm sorry" when you're wrong.
26. Throw away your trash—and someone else's—after a movie, picnic or visit to a park.
27. Encourage someone who seems despondent.
28. Volunteer to take care of a friend's dog while he is vacationing.
29. Help a friend pack for a move.
30. Ask someone "How are you really doing?"—and then really listen to her response.
31. Offer change when the person in front of you at the register comes up short.
32. Before a friend moves away, give her your favorite recipe or quote and a photo of the two of you together.
33. Leave a generous tip for a pleasant waiter.
34. At work, offer to transfer a caller who needs help from another department.
35. Pass along a great book you've just finished reading.

A kind and compassionate act is often 

its own reward.
-- William John Bennett


Happy Friday!
Have a lovely weekend!

via Oprah.com

Whether you realize it or not . . . .

Photo by  Petrina Tinslay

via 2C

Just watch . . . .

Happy Friday!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Via Notes from the Universe

Photo via Melanie Acevedo

If we sat down to think about the precious little things in life--those that make our lives more vibrant, connected and inspired--we would find genuine, heartfelt moments that shape our lives and make us who we are. Little things like a job well done, someone being there for you, an honest compliment, taking time to play, and being a good person. The little things really are the cornerstone of a full life.

We can't take the little things for granted. They have built companies, friendships and just about everything of value. No act of generosity, kindness or service is ever wasted, no matter how small. Everything matters. Everything we do helps or hurts, adds up or takes away. We need to count on each other for the little things that make life so big. In the end, it is not the days or the years that we remember, but the moments.

From the book the little things

by Kobi Yamada


Photo by James Christie Photography

What will matter . . . .

Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end.

There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, 

hours or days.

All things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten

will pass to someone else.

Your wealth, fame and temporal power 

will shrivel to irrelevance.

It will not matter what you owned 

or what you were owed.

Your grudges, resentments, frustrations

and jealousies will finally disappear.

So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans 

and to-do lists will expire.

The wins and losses that once seemed so important 

will fade away.

It won't matter where you came from

or what side of the tracks you lived on at the end.

It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant.

Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.

So what will matter?

How will the value of your days be measured?

What will matter is not your success

but your significance.

What will matter is not what you learned

but what you taught.

What will matter is every act of integrity,

compassion, courage, or sacrifice

that enriched, empowered or encouraged others

to emulate your example.

What will matter is not your competence

but your character.

What will matter is not how many people you knew,

but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone.

What will matter is not your memories,

but the memories that live in those who loved you.

What will matter is how long you will be remembered,

by whom and for what.

Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident.

It's not a matter of circumstance, but of choice.

-Unknown

Photo via Google Images

Give good . . . .

Happy Friday!

Have an incredible weekend!

Photo via Google Images