Thursday, August 5

Thoughtful Thursday!


Today I'm going to try to do thoughtful things over and above what I might normally do.

The world seems to be getting a little meaner all the time, or maybe I'm just getting more sensitive in my middle-age! Haha!

Regardless, being nice is contagious. I'll often give a big, dorky smile to someone who looks like they're about to bite someone's head off, and seriously, 90% of the time their face breaks into a beautiful smile! I never stop being amazed at how different that one little act makes people look!

So here's some words from people much wiser than me...enjoy them and maybe smile, or commit some random act of kindness for a grumpy person today!

Scott Adams:
Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.

Aesop:
No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

James M. Barrie:
Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.

William John Bennet:
A kind and compassionate act is often its own reward.

Henry Burton:
Have you had a kindness shown? Pass it on; 'twas not given for thee alone, pass it on; Let it travel down the years, let it wipe another's tears, till in heaven the deed appears, pass it on.

Miguel de Cervantes:
Great persons are able to do great kindnesses.

Barbara De Angelis:
Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.

Ralph Waldo Emerson:
Life is not so short but that there is always time enough for courtesy.

Goethe:
Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together.

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch:
If someone is too tired to give you a smile, leave one of your own, because no one needs a smile as much as those who have none to give.

Eric Hoffer:
Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.

Washington Irving:
A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles.

Samuel Johnson:
Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross:
I have never met a person whose greatest need was anything other than real, unconditional love. You can find it in a simple act of kindness toward someone who needs help. There is no mistaking love. You feel it in your heart. It is the common fiber of life, the flame that heals our soul, energizes our spirit and supplies passion to our lives. It is our connection to God and to each other.

Harold Kushner:
When you carry out acts of kindness you get a wonderful feeling inside. It is as though something inside your body responds and says, yes, this is how I ought to feel.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:
Give what you have. To some one, it may be better than you dare to think.

Lao-Tse:
Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profundity.
Kindness in giving creates love.

Blaise Pascal:
Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.

Plato:
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

Albert Schweitzer:
Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.

Seneca:
Wherever there is a human being there is an opportunity for kindness.

Mother Teresa:
Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.

William Wordsworth:
The best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless unremembered acts of kindness and of love.

12 comments:

Myrna R. said...

These are great quotes. And you're right, kindness is contagious. You seem to do it effortlessly, some of us have to work at it. For today, I will be aware of the opportunities to be kind. I hope it becomes a habit.

Karen Mortensen said...

I love all of these quotes. This is something we all need to be reminded of. Well, maybe except you. Thanks for being so kind to me.

Team Chastain said...

Hey Myrna, I seriously doubt you have to work at being kind. You've certainly always showed kindness to me! ♥

Karen...my California sister. ♥ Trust me, I have to work at being kind lots of days. We all get the grumpies! LOL -- Love ya!

Yenta Mary said...

"I have never met a person whose greatest need was anything other than real, unconditional love." That really sums it all up, doesn't it??? If we were loved and accepted for who we are -- loved because of our quirks, rather than despite them -- we'd all feel so much more confidence, be able to give so much more kindness. Without this, it's so easy to get caught up in negative emotions that are then toxic to all ....

Team Chastain said...

You're so right, Mary...and even a step further, if we could learn to love ourselves the way you said (because of, instead of despite) wow...
I was thinking about this tonight, so you and I must have been in tune with one another at some level. :)
I want to learn to stop pointing out my faults to myself and others. I think we all just want to feel the freedom to be who we are, and it be totally OK.

Trudy said...

This is a wonderful thing to do. Great quotes. I see you have Ruffles and Stuff in your sidebar. I do, too. I hope she comes back soon.

Found you on Follow Friday at Never Grow Old.

I am 45. I used to be a court stenographer. Have been a stay-at-home mom for the past 18 years. I have five children ages 22, 17, 9, 7 and 2, whom I homeschool. The oldest is finishing her last year of college. I am also a seamstress, artist, hula hooping mama and model wanna be. I will say that I have so much going on that my house would not make it in a magazine, but we're having fun, enjoying life and each other. My daughters also have their own blogs which are posted in my sidebar. The 17 year old has a fashion blog, and the 9 year old has a sewing and crafting blog.

Trudy
www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com
www.artisticcreationswithtrudy.blogspot.com

Corine Moore said...

I have heard it said that there are two great forces working in the world... one is love, and the other it's opposite. I think love can heal and mend just about anything. :)

Thank you so much for the wonderful quotes!!!! Corine :D

Boom said...

I so agree. The same person who holds the door open for you at the "quick shop" will run you down a few seconds later in their SUV.
My fav Oscar Wilde said, "Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go."
Happy Friday!

Deb Chitwood said...

I’m your newest follower from Friday Follow Over 40! I love your blog – and what a great list of quotes! There can never be enough random acts of kindness. Thanks for spreading some light today!

http://RaisingFigureSkaters.com

Traci said...

What a gorgeous collection of kindness and beauty. I came over to share an award with you and I am so glad that I did. I really like your blog and I love this post.

Come by when you can...
http://38andgrowing.blogspot.com/2010/08/turning-page-part-2.html

:-)
Traci

Ruby said...

GREAT words to live by...Am now following you...glad I discovered your blog via The Lady Bloggers Tea!

Team Chastain said...

Hello Trudy, Terry, Corine, Boom, Deb, Traci, and Ruby (whew! I'm out of breath now! LOL) So nice to have new people drop by my blog, and I love finding new blogs to read and enjoy as well. The Lady Bloggers is such a great internet neighborhood. ♥