Life Vest Inside

The Daily Kindness Digest #1598

Kindness Quote

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

Helen Keller

Act of Kindness

Do something special for a neighbor to let them know how much you value their friendship. Friendships are important, and it’s even more important to show how much they mean to us!

Positive Affirmation

Today I will EMBRACE all of the opportunities that are coming my way. Life is full of twists and turns but I will hold on and enjoy the ride!

Kindness Media

This nurse knows how important a good hair day is.

by LifeVestInside

Reflections on Freedom

Thinking about this beautiful topic of FREEDOM, I remembered a poem I wrote several years ago. I’ll never forget the experience. I was overtaken by a feeling of inspiration, hope and incredible love for this world and the people in it. I sat down to write not knowing what would come out and in a few minutes this poem just poured out of me. It was this poem that became the basis for one of Life Vest Inside’s worldwide Dance for Kindness anthems.

I hope you enjoy it and even moreso, I hope to hear your perspectives on it.

FREEDOM TO…
Take a stand you and me
Forget about what the world can’t see

It’s not about right or wrong
But which of us can be strong

To stand for freedom, stand for love
Stand for kindness from above

To open up our hearts today
Put aside the pain of yesterday

The world may have begun to lose the faith in me the faith in you
But I won’t stop standing tall
Shouting loud for all to hear the call
This is the time this is our chance
To make our lives kindness enhanced

Believe in you and if that’s all you do
You’ll see that the light in me is the light in you

We’re all same deep down inside
Who says our differences should make us hide

We may read from different books
Have different looks and opposing outlooks

But we must get back to who we are to see the good near and far
The good in you the good in me
The good in all that can be if only we could take a stand, lend each other a helping hand

We’re all a part of the same book
With every page a special hook
But together we create a story that will resonate and give us long awaited glory

The simple fact that you are here
is proof enough to know you’re dear.

Look inside to who you are
And ask yourself how we got this far
Far away from what we know
the love we had hoped to grow

A world of peace, a world of love a world of kindness from above

They say I’m crazy, I’m too naive
I’m just a kid who still believes

But I promise you if you grab my hand
Trust again and take a stand
You too will see the light
That shines above the darkest night.

It’s not out there it’s not out here
It’s in your heart that you hold dear

Take a stand this is our chance
Unite the world through song and dance
It’s not about you or me
It’s what we have the power to set free

Freedom from anger, freedom from lust freedom from greed and distrust
Freedom from hatred freedom from war
Freedom from hopes of evening the score.

Freedom from fear, freedom from pain freedom from hopelessness and shame

Freedom to love, freedom to trust

Freedom to give, freedom to share
Freedom to hope, freedom to care
Freedom to believe freedom to unite
Freedom to end this tiring fight

Freedom to take your life back
to make it matter
make your own new track

To cut ties that divide
To build tomorrow and know we tried
We gave it our all
We didn’t back down
We didn’t retreat
We didn’t breakdown ;
we didn’t fight for the crown
It doesn’t give us what we need
what we crave is a leader to lead

Let’s start standing for what we know
It’s time to put on our best show

by LifeVestInside

The Kindness Flash #61

This month’s theme: FREEDOM

Articles of the Month

Reflections on Tolerance – “Education is the key to tolerance.”

This is a quote I’ve long loved and find myself turning to more and more often. Each and every person in this world is unique in their own way. A simple glance at our fingers is a reminder that we each possess the ability to leave a mark on this world that is different from anyone else.

If each human being has a distinct fingerprint, it goes to say that we each have different ways of thinking, processing, connecting and experiencing the world.

Tolerance is more than putting up with things – it’s a moral virtue – When tolerance is placed within the moral domain relating to fairness, justice and respect and avoiding causing harm to others, it can only be viewed as a positive moral virtue.

Being tolerant – It isn’t simple to be a tolerant person. It is okay to stick to your own values; but it makes sense to evaluate your values, especially if they are having an effect on others.

“Tolerance is the mindful capacity to love, respect, and accept the differences that make people unique.”

Byron R. Pulsifer

“Cultural differences should not separate us from each other, but rather cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit all of humanity.”

Robert Alan

“People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

Nelson Mandela

Act of Kindness

When you don’t agree with another person’s opinion, focus on respecting their right to think for themselves and to believe as they choose. Just as we would never want that right taken away from us, we have a responsibility to extend that same courtesy to other people and treat others with respect, even when we disagree with them.

Question of the Month

How can we be tolerant of those who are intolerant of us? Share here or in the comments below.

Kindness Media

Photo of the Month

How does this photo represent tolerance? Share your thoughts.

Songs of the Month

A song about acceptance, tolerance, and celebrating differences.

This song is urging people to love one another, and questioning why so much hate exists in the world, this song remains relevant more than one decade later, a pertinent reminder that we should extend love to people of all races and religions.

This song about equality is an anthem that has inspired so many to fight for peace and love. Lennon sings about his belief that we are all one people and that we do not have to be divided by borders or religions.

Videos of the Month

Cole Blakeway, a messy ten-year-old, teaches us the value of celebrating differences as he describes his beautiful friendship with Steven, a 44-year-old man with Autism.

An inspiring video about love and tolerance

A deaf girl comes across a boy who is paralyzed from the waist-down, but neither of them know about each other’s differences.

Books of the Month

Far from the Tree – Laurie Calkhoven – Far from the Tree explores how people who love each other must struggle to accept each other—a theme in every family’s life.

Living The Five Skills of Tolerance – Scott Warrick – This book does not focus on what makes us all different. It focuses on what we all have in common and how we all need to treat each other on an individual basis as human beings. The Five Skills of Tolerance form the roadmap that helps US ALL evolve into 21st century human beings and build a better world.

The Psychology of Tolerance in Times of Uncertainty – Malgorzata Kossowska – This unique book lays out the motivational basis for tolerance, the most important underlying factor that shapes people’s social attitudes and determines our ability to get along with others.

One of These Is Not Like the Others – Barney Saltzberg – Even though one of these is not like the others, that’s just fine with these friends…because it’s how they rock and roll. Cute illustrations show friend groups with one different-looking friend.

We’re Different, We’re the Same – Bobbi Kates – Noses look different but they’re the same, too, because they breathe and sniff. Sesame Street characters show kids that no matter how things look on the outside, we’re also the same on the inside.

Just Like Brothers – Elizabeth Baguley – Lush illustrations and lyrical text tell the redemptive story of two different creatures who come together in friendship despite warnings from their parents. Because sometimes people judge negatively when someone is different.

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by LifeVestInside

The Daily Kindness Digest #1597

Kindness Quote

“Being good is commendable, but only when it is combined with doing good is it useful. ”

Stephen King

Act of Kindness

If you see someone who looks lost, either at your job or school or university or just anyone on the street, offer help! I can’t tell you how many times I was lost in my life but too shy to ask for help.

Positive Affirmation

I use my conscious intention to manifest my dreams!

Kindness Media

An inspiring talk about not living a materialistic life and not taking things for granted.

by LifeVestInside

The Daily Kindness Digest #1596

Motivation Monday's

Life Vest Inside has had the very good fortune of finding writers willing to share their Kindness Stories with us. One of our special recurring writers is David Jablinowitz, Op-Ed Editor at Jerusalem Post, who is famous for his “bus stories.”

Extra Little Service of Kindness

A first responder on a motorcycle pulls up with great urgency to the entrance of a supermarket. I thought that there was an emergency inside the store – a pretty logical conclusion. But then I saw him take out a shopping list. I had to investigate further.

He had just been at an apartment where an elderly man required medical attention. His condition was stabilized, the first responder tells me. The older man has a part-time caregiver who came over to monitor the situation, along with one of the man’s children. But before leaving the apartment, the first responder checked the man’s refrigerator and noticed that it was nearly empty.

So in consultation with the caregiver, he quickly wrote up the shopping list and rushed over to the supermarket. I helped the first responder get some of the necessary items. My job was fruits and vegetables.

But I asked the first responder why he even thought of checking the refrigerator. He replied that he does it on a regular basis. And what’s more, when he tells the various supermarkets what his mission is, they invariably give him a discount. He takes the phone number of the people for whom he is purchasing the items to tell them afterward what to expect to pay. And then the store also agrees to do the delivery for no charge no matter how small the grocery bill is.

“What a complex operation,” I say to the first responder.

He replies: “It’s just an extra little service I offer. It’s part of the medical attention I like to provide. If they eat better and take care of themselves, they’ll hopefully stay healthier.”

~ David Jablinowitz

The Daily Kindness Digest #1591

Motivation Monday's

Love Is In The Air

Sidewalk bench: taxi driver is talking to an elderly woman. Taxi is parked nearby. They’re reading a newspaper and discussing current affairs.

I inquire: the woman, an 80-year-old widow, is waiting for her date: an 82-year-old widower.

Taxi driver had driven the woman to the meeting point. Her date was late. In fairness to the widower, he had called to say he was slightly delayed.

Taxi driver told the woman he would stay with her until her date arrived. Another taxi pulls up. It’s the widower. He apologizes: “I’m not as fast as I used to be,” he explains.

The two taxi drivers talk to each other. They come up with a plan. They ask the man and woman about lunch. “We didn’t make any plans,” says the woman. “It’s on us,” says one of the drivers.

“There’s many ways to fight. Some people fight by making sure people are fed...”

by LifeVestInside

The Daily Kindness Digest #1586

Motivation Monday's

Be Nice!

I walked into the office this morning a bit late. Sorry. But there was a good reason. Well actually, one reason wasn’t so great; a large amount of traffic at the entrance to Jerusalem.

(Side note: a passenger said to me – “Hey, the Jews have been praying for a long time to enter Jerusalem; our misfortune is that they all decided to enter at the same time that you’re trying to get to work.”)

The really good reason for my delay into the office this morning was that at a street corner near The Jerusalem Post building, a class of third-graders was gathered, wishing passersby: “Good morning; everything is for the good.”

The teacher explained to me that this is something she has done over the years in the winter, and in particular when wintry weather is in the forecast. Today was sunny and not so chilly and it was a perfect chance for “troubled people walking by to be encouraged by these beautiful children who don’t yet have the worries of adulthood,” said the teacher.

With the teacher’s permission, I approached one of the children and asked: “If I could send a message from you to the whole world, what would it be?”

The child smiled, at first was shy, but then said to me: “Tell everyone in the world to be nice to one another.”

OK, ya hear that world?! That’s the message to all of you: “Be nice!”

~ David Jablinowitz

Kindness Quote

“The world changes according to the way people see it, and if you can alter, even by a millimeter, the way people look at reality, then you can change the world.”

James Baldwin

Act of Kindness

Spend some time sharing your knowledge and skills with someone who needs it or is interested in it, be it driving, playing an instrument, using a certain computer program, photography or cooking.