Carlos Santana’s family has been involved in charitable work for underprivileged children for years and in fact started their own organization called, The Milagro Foundation. What a wonderful way to make a positive difference for these children!

Please keep this in mind the next time you are shopping for shoes!

Stay Happy
Stay Contented
Stay Kind

Lorraine

Sure, my monthly pledge of $10.00 a month may not sound like a lot…but it is. Every little bit helps. It all adds up. It’s like the question my husband asked me last night which goes, “If you were offered a choice between receiving a check for $100,000.00 OR receiving a penny a day doubled each day for 1 month which would you choose? I said the check for $100,000.00. My husband then handed me a calculator and told me to add up what the amount would equal if I were to have gone the other route. I did just that, and was amazed that if I had chosen the other route (for a 31 day month) I would have received $10,737,418.24. Hard to believe.

Goes to show us that every little bit does mean a lot. I hope you will consider pledging a monthly donation to help feed our hungry children here in the U.S.

You can sign the petition or make a donation here: Hunger Hits Home

Thank you!!!

Much Kindness…
Lorraine

Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the U.S. and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.

Please check out the links provided, and perhaps you may wish to donate your hair for Locks of Love!

Stay Happy
Stay Kind…
Lorraine

As I was awaiting my turn, I began chatting with another woman in the waiting room (I’m the type to start a whole conversation with strangers anywhere I go…). As we chatted I was called into the prep room for my injections. The woman to whom I was speaking with stood up and handed the nurse a beautiful basket of fresh flowers. The nurse smiled broadly and exclaimed “Oh how beautiful! Thank you so much!” She then brought them in to show the other nurses and told them that Phyllis had given them to her. The other nurses didn’t know at first that the flowers were meant for them. When they discovered this lovely gift was for them, they were astounded and immediately called Phyllis into the prep room. Hugs went all around along with “Thank you so much Phyllis we never expected this, how thoughtful of you!”, and of course Phyllis was also thanking the nurses for being so kind and good to her. What a wonderful and heartwarming sight for anyone lucky enough to see this (namely – lucky me).

I gave Phyllis a “Be Kind to Humankind Week” pen, and asked her if I could photograph her for a story on my blog.
She was so very kind to me and more than happy to oblige! Above is the photo I took. From left to right is nurse Tina, seated is Phyllis and on the right is nurse Vicki. These nurses are absolutely wonderful and truly enjoy their work, it shows in how well they treat their patients! Sherry, another awesome nurse, was not available at the time. A big thank you to Tina, Vicki and Sherry for making difficult and sometimes scary hospital procedures a lot easier with their genuine kindness. Also, a huge thanks to Phyllis for helping all of us to remember that kindness is golden and its gem is a diamond, the best gift worth giving!

Thanks Maria for being such a positive influence by showing what the power of one person can do to help other people!

Why not seek out your local homeless shelter or food bank, perhaps a local church which assists the homeless. Homelessness affects every state in our nation, so I am sure that if you seek out the less fortunate in your own communities you will find them. Lend a hand, lend an ear, share unwanted blankets, boots and coats. Volunteer one day a month at the food bank. It means so much to those in need, and it will bring you much gratification!

Be kind and be ready because kindness is contagious…kindness is addictive.

Take Love and Loyalty, mix it thoroughly with Faith. Blend it with Tenderness, Kindness and Understanding. Add Friendship and Hope. Sprinkle it with Sunshine. Knead in Laughter. Serve daily with generous helpings!!!

Let’s be pebbles in a pond with our small acts of KINDNESS dropped in one area of a still pond…or one persons life, and watch that act of kindness grow and expand to reach others.

We may not always SEE the results of our good deeds, but you can be sure that you most definitely DID produce a ripple effect in that one persons life with your one small act of kindness.

It truly is amazing what one person can do!!!

Stay Healthy
Stay Happy
Stay KIND!!!!

Lorraine

I happened to be reading an article about anger and anger management. The article struck a cord in me as I had mentioned bullying and anger issues in a previous post. There seems to be a lot of angry people out there these days and I do not remember it being as bad as it is today as far as the slew of different so called “rages” we have going on.

I will be the first to admit that I have an extremely short fuse. It takes an awful lot for me to control my anger, however I manage to do so for the most part. I internalize everything. I have to learn how to control and re-direct my anger into a positive channel.
Actually…back in 1988 that is exactly what I did when I became enraged over Bernard’s senseless death. I then decided to celebrate humanity’s good and kind qualities instead of focusing on the anger I felt….thus the creation of BK2HK in 1988.

While anger is a legitimate response to certain situations and injustices, it all too often leads to a regretful action or reaction if not controlled. I believe one way of diffusing anger is to deal with it quickly and graciously with the person who offended us, before it turns into bitterness and ongoing resentment. It is essential for us to control our anger instead of allowing it to control us.

So with that said….stay healthy, stay contented which leads to inner peace and happiness, control your temper and stay kind.

My Kindest Regards,
Lorraine

People Magazine did a special report on the subject after receiving a tremendous response from its concerned readers in reference to the suicide of Massachusetts resident, 15 year old Phoebe Prince. She was taunted and harassed by fellow students and as a result, hung herself. According to the article, two other teenagers committed suicide in the United States this past October. The numbers for October could be higher, I do not know. I certainly hope not.

How can we put a stop to bullying in schools and in our work force? YES…our adult work force. Adults can be bullies also. It is amazing to me. I would think that it would be foolish to believe that adults can be bullies…however they can be terrible bullies at times. They can make a person’s time at work pure hell. When a reformed teenage bully, Daniel Harrison, was interviewed by People Magazine about “why” he chose to be a bully, he said it made him feel confident and powerful. Adults who are bullies are also seeking to feel confident and powerful when preying on the kinder less aggressive people in their midst. It shows just how insecure these people actually are, but when you find yourself being victimized by them, it is difficult to see their vulnerable side. WE are made to feel vulnerable by them, which is the bullies’ goal.

Ellen DeGeneres stated in the article that “this has to stop.” Easier said than done….however, the Massachusetts school system has taken serious steps to try to alleviate the problem and hopefully prevent any other students from committing suicide.

The high school where Phoebe attended formed an antibullying task force. Antibullying measures are now being passed throughout the U.S. in schools, which is excellent. However, the lessons begin at home.

Parents must display kindness towards others, strangers included. Kids mimic their parent’s actions. If they see their parent being unkind and cruel to others, they will do the same. If they see their parent being kind to others, they will do the same. Promoting kindness is a wonderful thing and a wonderful way to help turn things around, turn negative into positive.

There are many GREAT things that teenagers and adults do in their communities daily to help promote kindness and good works for others, but after reading this article apparently there is still a repulsive amount of aggression and meanness permeating our society. Kindness truly IS contagious and just as the reformed bully in People Magazine, Daniel Harrison turned his life around, others who bully can choose to do the same. DAILY AFFIRMATIONS
Daniel said that he felt confident and powerful when bullying…however after turning his life around and joining forces to stop bullying he stated that, “Now I befriend the people being bullied.” He said, “It’s satisfying to help people out.” Being kind to others promotes the same feelings of confidence and power although 100% more intense. Being kind produces a natural high and I wish those who bully others, both teens AND adults, would witness for themselves how much MORE confident and powerful they will feel by exercising kindness! You will become addicted to being kind…and that is a good thing!

An excellent book for teens to read [and adults] is written by Ben Mikaelsen titled
“Touching Spirit Bear.”

Daniel said that this book is what turned his attitude to gratitude rather than anger. His language-arts teacher Laurie Hogan-McLean assigned Daniel a project which was to write a letter to the author of “Touching Spirit Bear” and how it proved to be an inspiration to him. Daniel wrote to the author and his letter took top state honors in the national Letters About Literature contest! Yay Daniel! Keep the kindness going and I hope this story proved inspiring to my readers!

My Kindness sent 2U…
Lorraine

A special CNN report – “Bullying”

Here are additional links with information which will help to alleviate bullying.
Health Resources and Services Administration
CN Stop Bullying
GLSEN
PACER CENTER