Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Try a little kindness

Did you notice that the calendar turned to February yesterday? Because I didn't. This is one of the problems that comes with an empty nest. My life is not dictated by my calendar like it was when I had children at home and lived by a more rigid schedule. Anyway, it is now February. You're welcome. I think to have an interesting blog you need to have a mildly interesting life. Things have not been terribly interesting around here lately, mostly because it is too cold to do much more than wrap up in a warm blanket while sipping hot cocoa or warm soup while daydreaming about island breezes and sand between your toes. I think you see where I'm headed with this thought....straight to a post about nothing interesting.

Today Dr. Phil saw his shadow which means six more weeks of winter. I live in the Northeast and didn't need a groundhog to tell me that. We had snow as late as Easter when I lived in this part of the country before so I will consider it a good thing if winter only lasts six more weeks. And I'm wondering if Phil the Groundhog is your facebook friend because he has a fb page and he has friends. Oh and apparently he texts too. I read a quote by Tom Chapin, editor of the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper who said, "Groundhog Day is a lot like a rock concert but the people are better behaved and there's a groundhog involved." Wow. They know how to work the holiday don't they? Did you know that Phil's cousin has made his home in the rock wall of our back garden?


I guess that makes him a rock star too.
So sorry!

In other news, I went to Walmart yesterday. I know. I think I gave you fair warning that life hasn't been too interesting around here lately. Anyway, I was shopping for this and that and I bought a bottle of Febreze. There are 687 scents to choose from because this is America and just one would never do and I finally decided on this one.


Can anyone tell me what exactly is the scent of light?

I read a sweet post on Rebecca's blog today...she talks about kindness which is something I've been thinking about alot lately. As I was navigating the craziness that is Walmart an older gentleman and I came round a corner at the same moment and were both attempting to squeeze thru a narrow space. He flashed me a great big smile and as he backed up his cart he bowed low and said, 'Beauty before age.' It made me smile. It lightened my heart. It brightened my day. A small act of kindness yet here I am writing about it on my blog. Small acts of kindness are just that. They are small. But their ripple effect can be huge.

In this month of hearts and flowers and groundhogs I want to be kind. To brighten a day. To lighten a heart. As Rebecca says, 'it only takes a little effort.'

14 comments:

  1. You're inspiring me. I'm going to try and do random acts of kindness today.

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  2. Oh, I love gentlemenly old men and their flirty ways.

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  3. I love little m oments of kindness like that! I got the blogaversary gift yesterday and blogged about it today!
    Thanks again!

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  4. Really good post Joyce! Even though our lives are boring (yes me too) at the moment, this is something to remember!

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  5. Joyce,

    Love this post and I can only imagine just how high you were flying after that wonderful comment.

    You should stop by my newest blog called ARK which is Acts of Random Kindness for God. Hope to see you there and inspire you with some ideas!

    http://ark4god.blogspot.com

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  6. We have a pretty smart cat -- I wonder if we an teach him to text like Phil???

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  7. It is a great thing...a little kindness...a great big effect.

    Thanks for this post

    Amy

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  8. Sounds like a plan. What a sweet gentleman that man was! It would have made me smile, too.

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  9. I already commented back to you on my blog, but reading about the gentleman again made me smile all over again...his kind comment just keeps on giving.

    Thanks for linking me! I'm glad my story made you smile, too. :)

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  10. Popped over from Carol's blog. I was scrolling down and saw your post about your 'blog in print', I love that idea and have bookmarked the site. Makes me think though, now I need to make my posts a little more 'exciting' or entertaining if I am to want to print them ;)
    I should be getting my PW cookbook tomorrow from Amazon, can't wait.

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  11. Your life as an empty nester sounds alot like mine these days! The only difference is that we've got a little better weather here! I'll be going back to work in a few weeks so at least I'll have more social interaction. I'm looking forward to work actually...that's a first for me!

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  12. Like you, I am amazed at how one simple act of kindness can mean so much to someone! One thing that comes to mind is a smile. I love to smile at someone who looks sad and see what their reaction is. Most times the person will give you a big smile back and hopefully your smile will help change their whole day. Joyce, keep on giving out those random acts of kindness to others and also receiving them from others, as well. Love & blessings from NC!

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  13. Thanks for stopping by my blog! Look forward to getting to know you.

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