Wednesday, December 2, 2015

The Year a Simple Act of Daily Gratitude Changed My Life


Here is a lovely book to consider reading! A lovely light summer read for the beach! It is a true story of a transformational change in a man’s life.
365 Thank Yous: The Year a Simple Act of Daily Gratitude Changed My Life

Author John Kralik


This book was written by a man whole life fell apart at every level, his relationships with his children and partner, his work, his health.
Then, while out tramping on New Years’ Day, John was struck by the thought that his life might become at least tolerable if he could be grateful for what he had.  He was inspired by a beautiful, simple note he had received thanking him for a Christmas gift, John set himself the goal of writing 365 thank-you notes in the coming year.

It was transformational.

Note by note, day after day, he handwrote the thank you notes for gifts or kindnesses he’d received, large and small, from loved ones and coworkers, past business associates and current foes, school friends and doctors and handymen and neighbours, and anyone, really, who’d done him a good turn.

Immediately after he’d sent his very first notes, surprising benefits began to come John’s way.  Over the year John was writing his notes, his whole life turned around.



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Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Kindness makes a difference



Kindness is a simple answer in a sometimes difficult and challenging world. I know that to be true. For a long time now it has been my mission to acknowledge and appreciate all people and to encourage others to do the same. When my granddaughter Skylar, was young and we’d go out, we had a contest called “Who can make the most people smile. “ And we continue it today. It makes for a wonderful glorious day. We will be walking in the supermarket and someone will be walking down the aisle with her head down. Skylar walks up to her and gives her a big smile. I watch her walk down the aisle, turn around and smile at Skylar again or perhaps smile at someone else. Kindness is a chain that pulls us all together. Anything that lifts another person is kindness. Every single act of kindness has a ripple effect. In 2002, my dad had a series of strokes and other illness. At that time, I was the facilitator for a large women’s networking organization. One day I asked the ladies if on a personal level they could send their positive energies my dad’s way and maybe go out and do something nice for someone, someone for whom they would not normally think to do something nice.



My dad has been doing nice things for all sorts of people for years, from the street crossing guard, to the waitress in a restaurant, to a friend’s mother. That same day, I made cookies for the janitor at the post office. When I gave him the cookies he actually looked a little embarrassed. “Why, Linda?” he asked. “Because I appreciate you!” I answered. “When I get here at 6am and it is still dark out and it is a little scary, I know you are inside and I feel safe. And when I first moved here and my post office box was always empty, you always cheered me on. And you keep this place spotless.” That evening his wife called me and said that he was overwhelmed. “No one even knows his name never mind bakes him cookies!  -

This story was posted by Linda Burhans on the Kindspring site on the 22 August 2015. To see more stories visit www.kindspring.org/story
Kindness is a simple answer in a sometimes difficult and challenging world. I know that to be true. For a long time now it has been my mission to acknowledge and appreciate all people and to encourage others to do the same. When my granddaughter Skylar, was young and we’d go out, we had a contest called “Who can make the most people smile. “ And we continue it today. It makes for a wonderful glorious day. We will be walking in the supermarket and someone will be walking down the aisle with her head down. Skylar walks up to her and gives her a big smile. I watch her walk down the aisle, turn around and smile at Skylar again or perhaps smile at someone else. Kindness is a chain that pulls us all together. Anything that lifts another person is kindness. Every single act of kindness has a ripple effect. In 2002, my dad had a series of strokes and other illness. At that time, I was the facilitator for a large women’s networking organization. One day I asked the ladies if on a personal level they could send their positive energies my dad’s way and maybe go out and do something nice for someone, someone for whom they would not normally think to do something nice. - See more at: http://www.kindspring.org/story/view.php?sid=92655#sthash.F2VpLQCr.dpuf

Kindness Makes a Difference


--by LindaBurhans, posted Aug 22, 2015 - See more at: http://www.kindspring.org/story/view.php?sid=92655#sthash.F2VpLQCr.dpuf

Kindness Makes a Difference


--by LindaBurhans, posted Aug 22, 2015 - See more at: http://www.kindspring.org/story/view.php?sid=92655#sthash.F2VpLQCr.dpuf

Kindness Makes a Difference


--by LindaBurhans, posted Aug 22, 2015 - See more at: http://www.kindspring.org/story/view.php?sid=92655#sthash.F2VpLQCr.dpuf

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Thursday, June 4, 2015


Source: Collective European (via Facebook)

When we think of Wendy's last posting, recognising that kindness has many elements and as Aldous Huxley says, to transform a person's life "be a little kinder". Think about the elements of kindness, in action, for this man and the outcomes that may arise not only in his life but also within the village, through the kindness of others.

Monday, February 2, 2015

What does kindness look like in my daily life?


Kindness has so many elements and such complexity. I so agree with Aldous Huxley (the great English writer, pioneer in the study of philosophies and development of human potential) and what he has to say about kindness. 

He talked about the questions he would often be asked, people wanted to know what would be the most effective technique for transforming their life. In response to this, he felt it was a little embarrassing for him as he had spent many years researching this field and experimenting with different ideas, he believed his best response was to "just be a little kinder". 

 Some people feel that kindness is just some lightweight topic, or they make swift responses like ' I am a kind person already', but what does this actually look like in action. Most of us know that right from birth, kindness and care are critical. I believe kindness has the power to transform us and it is the starting point from which many positive qualities will flow. An interesting idea for a teaching team to carry out is to ask every teacher to take some time alone and to write down in what ways they enact in their daily lives (work and homelife) the elements listed above.