What I know for sure . . .

 

Life is full of ups and downs, wins and losses, sweet and sour, dark and light. You don't get to be my age without having learned a few truths. This is some of what I know for sure  . . .

 

Kindness matters.  My mother always said that being kind costs nothing, and she is right.  Being kind to others is a simple thing to do, takes little effort and pays out in huge dividends. There are many ways and places to practice kindness, and the kinder you are, the kinder you will be. 

 

Kindness begins in the home.  When families work together creating a safe and kind environment in the home, it is a virtue which can change the complexion of a whole community. When you teach your children to be kind, you can change the world.  Cultivate kindness with each other, by putting it into practice.  As parents we are our children's greatest example and they will look to us as the lead in everything.  Why do we oftimes treat those that we love worse than others?  Stop it. Be kind.  Let those that you love the most know that you care the most.  That they matter. That they are special.  That they have worth.  Be good to each other.  Build them up instead of down. 

 

The scriptures are filled with instructions on how to be kind, even to our enemies.  They challenge us to be forgiving, to turn the other cheek. Being Kind matters to God. 

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

~Ephesians 4:31-32 

"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil."
~Luke 6:35

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" ~Hebrews 13:2

"A man who is kind benefits himself, but a man who is cruel hurts himself."
~Proverbs 11:17

"Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you."
~Matthew 5: 44

And that is just the tip of the iceberg.  Like I said . . .  being kind matters to God.

 

Be kind to those outside your door.  Practice Random Acts of Kindness.  Try always to take the higher road, the kinder route. The more you do it, the more it will come naturally to you.  Being kind to others has a ripple effect and it spreads. Being kind to others not only makes "Their" day, but it also makes "Yours."  Be polite.  Stand a little taller.  Be helpful when you see others in need of a helping hand.  Reach out in love.  Kindness is a gift that always gives back. 

  

When someone has given you something or done something for you, thank them.  Let them know it was appreciated.  It only takes a few minutes to write a short thank you note, or pick up the phone, shoot someone a text  . . . not much of an effort at all,  and it will mean the world to them.  

Be gracious in defeat.  Never be a sore loser.   Sometimes losing is winning.

 

 Be aware always that we all have battles to fight.  There but for the Grace of God go I.  When people know better, they do better.  You can never know another man's journey unless you have first walked in their shoes. Give others the benefit of the doubt.  How much nicer to think that someone is mean because they don't know any better, than to think that there is pure malice behind it.  Always be kind and stop judging others.  You don't know the battles they are waging.

 

Love your enemies.  Pray for them.  They probably need your love and prayers the most and more than anyone else.  It is hard not to love someone you are praying for. 

In short, just be kind. Love.  Care. Give. Pray.  Help. Reach out. Repeat as often as needed until it becomes as natural to you as breathing.

The end.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *.˛.In a world full of people who couldn't care less,

be someone who couldn't care more. •。★★ 。* 。 

 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Cheesy Turkey Burger Bake.  Simple and delicious!

Have a wonderful Wednesday. Don't forget . . . 

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And I do too!