The Daily Kindness Digest #1241
Kindness Quote
“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”
Albert Einstein
Act of Kindness
Stop by your local police or fire department to drop off some deliciously baked homemade cookies. Thank them for all the work they do for your community.
Positive Affirmation
Today I recognize my talents and express gratitude in the form of sharing.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1240
Kindness Quote
“Feeling gratitude, and not expressing it, is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
William Arthur Ward
Act of Kindness
Visit your old school and pop in on a former teacher that impacted your life. Let them know how they’ve positively influenced you for the better and remind them how awesome they are.
Positive Affirmation
Today I show gratitude in action.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1239
Kindness Quote
“We don’t remember days … we remember moments.”
Cesare Pavese
Act of Kindness
Plan a spa day for you and your spouse, partner, or friend.
Positive Affirmation
Today I am creative. I create moments of happiness for myself and others.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1238
Kindness Quote
“Always kiss your children goodnight—even if they’re already asleep.”
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
Act of Kindness
While tucking your children in bed tonight, spend a few extra minutes to tell them that you love them and, more important, point out something that makes them unique and wonderful.
Positive Affirmation
Today I will celebrate all of the positive aspects of my life. I will let my family and friends know how much I love them and will embrace challenges that come my way.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1237
Kindness Quote
“It is not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.”
Roy Disney
Act of Kindness
Next time you’re faced with the choice to purchase an item that may have been stolen or pirated, overcome your inclination. No one will know the internal struggle you faced, but you will, and you’ll have grown because of it.
Positive Affirmation
Today I will make a definitive decision about something I have been undecided about for a while. Making this decision will help me move forward.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1236
Kindness Quote
“You are worth more than the value you have placed on yourself.”
The Amity Affliction
Act of Kindness
Treat yourself to an extra-long hot shower or bubble bath. Enjoy that slice of cake that you pass by every day. Splurge on an item you have been saving up for.
Positive Affirmation
Today I will treat myself to something nice. I work very hard, and I deserve to reward myself every once in a while. Everyone needs positive reinforcement in their lives!
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1235
Kindness Quote
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”
William James
Act of Kindness
Out for dinner? Pull out the chair for your guest. Date or not, it simply shows a bit of extra thought and concern.
Positive Affirmation
Today I remind myself that to the world I may just be one person, but to one person I may be the world. I matter, I’m important and I’m making a difference in someone else’s life.
Kindness Media
The Kindness Flash #49
This month’s theme: COURTESY
Reflections
Thoughts from Our Founder – Courtesy stems from mindfulness. Only through being mindful can we more readily take advantage of the endless opportunities to engage others courteously. The true test of courtesy is how we connect and engage when we don’t necessarily get the response we are looking for or when things don’t go exactly as planned. Read More >>
Articles of the Month
The spirit of work: How courtesy, respect and thoughtfulness create the foundation for all other work success – To establish a healthy, successful workplace climate there needs to be inner motivational intent to do good and to be good. Energy follows intent. Without real intent, strategies become empty shells.
Courtesy and Acts of Kindness – Any society that is populated by courteous people offers a higher quality lifestyle than one where people are rude and inconsiderate. It’s always good to follow the basic guidelines for social or business etiquette, but you can take a step farther by doing acts of kindness.
“Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart.”
Henry Clay
“We must be as courteous to a man as we are to a picture, which we are willing to give the advantage of a good light.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Act of Kindness
Be mindful. Over this month, train your eyes to behave courteously. We communicate a great deal through our eyes and when we are mindful of the attitude we portray to the person standing opposite us simply through our eyes, we can more readily ensure that we are communicating feelings of warmth, kindness and acceptance. Here are some ways you can train your eyes in kindness: Look people in the eye when speaking with them, smile with your eyes, mindfully make the choice to give off feelings of warmth and compassion when looking at people. You never know what might be going on in the other person’s life, your kind eyes can light them from the inside out!
Question of the Month
In what ways could you be more intentionally courteous toward others? Share here or in the comments below.
Kindness Media
Photo of the Month
How does this picture connect with this month’s theme of courtesy? Share your thoughts.
Songs of the Month
With his peppy beats, Bruno Mars turns his crooning style to discussing kindness and being a good friend. Always good for a pick-me-up and a reminder to be helpful.
This country song offers the reminder that kindness helps us see past our prejudices and biases.
Videos of the Month
The bottom line of manners is RESPECT.
Everyone wants to sparkle and stand-out with confidence and charisma. Our desire for connection has become far too dependent on technology and less so on relationships, built upon manners, social synchronization and trust.
Books of the Month
An Uncommon History of Common Courtesy: How Manners Shaped the World – Bethanne Patrick – With engaging and artfully presented text, including sidebars on media mavens throughout history, social gaffes, and archaic manners, this book is as entertaining as it is informative. Readers delve into cultural similarities and differences through lively passages, colorful photography, and sidebars on unique history.
Emily Post’s Etiquette – Lizzie Post – This edition tackles classic etiquette and manners advice with an eye toward diversity and the contemporary sensibility that etiquette is defined by consideration, respect, and honesty.
A Book of Courtesy: The Art of Living with Yourself and Others – Sister Mary Mercedes O.P. – As the world becomes increasingly indifferent to social rules, the sense of etiquette that we once took for granted is fast disappearing. A Book of Courtesy provides a charming, beneficial antidote to this dilemma, restoring the Golden Rule to its rightful place of honor and proving that good etiquette never goes out of style.
Freda Says Please – Stuart J. Murphy – This is one book in a great series that teaches kids the importance of character and values.
Dude, That’s Rude! – Pamela Espeland – Full-color cartoons and kid-friendly text teach the basics of polite behavior in all kinds of situations—at home, at school, in the bathroom, on the phone, at the mall, and more.
Mary Louise Loses Her Manners – Diane Cuneo – A humorous and entertaining book illustrating that by ignoring the importance of manners we can literally lose them. A perfect example that practice makes perfect!
Reflections on Courtesy
Courtesy stems from mindfulness. Only through being mindful can we more readily take advantage of the endless opportunities to engage others courteously. The true test of courtesy is how we connect and engage when we don’t necessarily get the response we are looking for or when things don’t go exactly as planned.
Throughout our lives we will come across different types of people, experiencing different types of hardships and personal struggles. Oftentimes outside circumstances influence a person’s attitude, mood and the way they choose to engage with others. Coming off a rough day can leave people with a less heightened sensitivity for being courteous. While we aren’t excusing the lack of courtesy regardless of the circumstance, our job isn’t to change others, but rather to look inward and analyze our own actions and responses.
We can’t control how others treat us but we can control our reactions and how we respond when others choose to forgo courtesy or are blinded by outside factors. While courtesy stems from mindfulness, it is based, as is all internal work, on empathy. Courtesy can only exist when we remove ourselves from being overly judgemental.
The next time you are confronted with a lack of courtesy, give two doses of courtesy in return; one for yourself and for the person standing opposite you who is likely in need of a double portion. But remember to keep yourself in check, courtesy without humility is like a body without a soul – it’s useless.
The Daily Kindness Digest #1234
Kindness Quote
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
Desmond Tutu
Act of Kindness
Create kindness cards that your family or friends can use when they need a little bit of kindness in their day!
Positive Affirmation
Everyday I make a difference! It can be something small, or something HUGE! I will make change!
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1233
Kindness Quote
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
Benjamin Franklin
Act of Kindness
Donate old textbooks.
Positive Affirmation
Today I will LEARN something new! Expanding my knowledge and interests may lead me down a path I would have never found otherwise.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1232
Kindness Quote
“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”
Henry Adams
Act of Kindness
Send a letter of appreciation to your child’s teacher or one of your former teachers.
Positive Affirmation
Today I am grateful. I appreciate who people are more than what they do for me.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1231
Kindness Quote
“The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.”
Vince Lombardi
Act of Kindness
Bring reusable bags with you to the grocery store.
Positive Affirmation
Today I am resourceful. I use all the skills and connections in my storehouse to bring about change.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1230
Kindness Quote
“The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.”
James Allen
Act of Kindness
Use your indoor voice.
Positive Affirmation
Today I will be CALM. I will replace my anger with understanding and compassion.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1229
Kindness Quote
“Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself.”
Harvey Fierstein
Act of Kindness
List five positive character traits you possess. Think of small, tangible ways you take them to the next level.
Positive Affirmation
Today I reflect on all I have instead of all I want. Surprisingly, the list is longer that we initially think.
Kindness Media
The Daily Kindness Digest #1228
Kindness Quote
“If you are losing your leisure, look out! You may be losing your soul.”
Logan Pearsall Smith
Act of Kindness
On your day off, take the time to kick-start your morning with a nutritious breakfast. You deserve a little pampering. There’s a reason they call it the most important meal of the day.
Positive Affirmation
Today I will take the time to sit in silence and give my mind a chance to relax. I work so hard everyday, rest is essential!