April 2021
Uncovering Gems
Sometimes you have to sift through the dirt to find the Gems.
One of the pleasures of vacations is to enjoy new experiences. On a recent vacation, my granddaughter requested to experience panning for gems. It seemed crazy to pay for a bag of dirt. However, to see her enjoyment while panning and the excitement expressed on her face when the gems began to appear was well worth the dollars spent. Her excitement was contagious. The dirt washed away, and the gems magically appeared.
Shouldn’t we all look beyond the dirt of life to find the hidden gems, waiting for us to discover? Every life has dirt in the form of suffering, disappointments and missed expectations. The dirt conceals the gems of happiness and peace. Just like my granddaughter, we should all rejoice in removing the dirt to find the true joys of life. At the very least, removing the dirt, should bring appreciative perspective. We should rejoice in removing the dirt so we can live in gratitude for the gems we uncover.
Staying in Touch: Barbara Hirsh can be reached at info@LiveKinder.com I love hearing your kindness stories. Please sign-up for almost weekly kindness message at www.LiveKinder.com or follow LiveKinder on Facebook!
September 2020
Horse Sense
The Macmillan dictionary defines horse sense: “The ability to make sensible decisions and judgements. The less informal word is common sense.”
A heartful example of horse sense is the story of Moonstone (Moonie) and Midnight. My cousin, Elaine, loves animals, which is why she rescued Moonie with her husband, Marshall. They bought Moonie for only $1. The breeder realized Moonie had uveitis, also known as moon blindness. Despite being seen by an ophthalmologist, Moonie became blind within three years.
A few years later their farrier told them about a pony that the owners kept chasing and trying to shoot because they didn’t want to take care of him anymore. They instantly agreed to take the pony, Midnight. It turned out to be the best decision. Midnight was fitted with a bridle with bells so Moonie could follow him. However, Moonie chewed off the bells and they have yet to be found. It became quickly evident that this special relationship did not need bells; they are able to communicate on another level.
Midnight became Moonie’s guide. My aunt would often bring carrots for the horse and pony. Midnight would never eat his half until she brought Moonie to my aunt. Then, they happily ate their carrots together. Moonie and Midnight are never apart. Midnight leads Moonie to his water, hay, and shows him where to run. The friendship and compassion that Midnight and Moonie share is indeed magical. I wish more humans would show this level of compassion. We could all use more horse sense, especially this year.
Staying in Touch: Barbara Hirsh can be reached at info@LiveKinder.com I love hearing your kindness stories. Please sign-up for almost weekly kindness message at www.LiveKinder.com or follow LiveKinder on Facebook!
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What Can You Do?
Are you finding the pandemic new normal difficult? Well, so did Keith Urban, he admitted he did not do well. It was hard for the singer, who loves to perform before large crowds, to suddenly become a couch potato. He was stranded at home with no place to go. What did he do? He complained about all the things he could not do. The problem with complaining, it makes you a victim of your circumstances. It is so easy to do, as it confirms you are right. It provides a perspective that life sucks. But life is a lot more than being right, it is more importantly about being happy. A wise friend advised Keith, after Keith complained about all things he could not do, to find the things he could do instead.
So, in May, Keith was one of the first to perform a drive-in concert for more than 200 medical workers at the Stardust Drive-in movie theater. He admits this was not on his bucket list, but he was grateful he could do it for the frontline workers.
Finding what you can do brings innovative thoughts and old patterns are replaced with new behaviors. It can be a simple act. For example, my friend wanted to go to lunch but I wanted to eat outside which is not enjoyable when it is 90+ with 100% humidity. So, instead we had an enjoyable breakfast in the cool of a hot summer day. Another example, my aerobic swimming class is usually held at a local hotel, but due to Covid, we were banned from the swimming pool. We moved a portion of our class, four of my neighbors, to a neighborhood pool which also decided to ban us. We then decided we could revamp our class to deep water aerobics and meet by our neighborhood dock. We grew to 12 ladies and met every day in July, August, and so far in September. This proved to be one of the many highlights of my summer, right behind the time I spent with my daughter. The neighborhood ladies had a place to meet safely social distancing, talk (politics and Covid discussions were discouraged), and exercise. We so enjoyed each other’s company; we were so happy to be together. We all felt better from the exercise. I am so grateful we found a solution.
The next time you complain, please realize that your complaining is your way of staying stuck in a current pattern. You are declaring that you have a right to be unhappy. I have found that justifications rarely make you happy more than five minutes. The adage, “you may not be able to change what happens to you, but you can change how you respond to it,” has never been truer than in 2020.
If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, Change your attitude. Don’t complain! Maya Angelou
If you would like to hear Keith Urban’s interview in its entirety click here
If you would like to buy Keith Urban’s new album including songs that were influenced by the quarantine. click below:
Staying in Touch: Barbara Hirsh can be reached at info@LiveKinder.com I love hearing your kindness stories. Please sign-up for almost weekly kindness message at www.LiveKinder.com or follow LiveKinder on Facebook!
July 2020
An Antidote to Sadness
During this pandemic with the need to shelter in place, there is only one thing I have missed. Many people have missed eating in restaurants and shopping, but the only thing I have deeply missed is hugs, especially from my mom. It has been over 140 days since I have hugged my 96-year-old mom. Luckily, my mom lives in a downstairs apartment, so I can see her through her window. While I stand outside her window we talk on the phone, it reminds me how you communicate with people in jail. It is not optimal, but it does bring a smile on her face and mine.
So, when one of my loyal readers advised how her art teacher communicated love to her mom in a nursing home, I knew I needed to honor her with a “Caring Heart Award.” Caring Heart Awards are given to everyday people that do acts of kindness. Audrey Bottrell Parks, like me has not been able to give her mom a hug since early March.
Audrey had a choice to be sad about not being able to hug her mom or to do something to make the situation better. She thought about having a concert in the yard, but the residents were not allowed to open their windows. Taking action was her antidote for her sadness.
Audrey decided to paint cheerful pictures on the residents’ windows, to cheer them and to let them know there are people that care. She practiced at home on her sliding glass door to make sure the painting looked good from the outside and inside. She found if she painted thin enough the picture would seem to glow. Audrey and two of her friends painted windows the first day. The teary-eyed staff came to see the windows. The staff explained how difficult it has been for the residents and the staff. She came back numerous days until there were about 100 painted windows for both the residents and the staff, She put a little heart on every window to let them know that they are loved, and they are not forgotten.
“It’s the least I could do to give them something. We all thought it was hard to be stuck at home, but we had our loved ones around us, we could have human contact, we could have hugs, we could go outside in our yard. They didn’t have that,” says Audrey.
Audrey has a Caring Heart. Her friend’s testimonial says in all. “Audrey is caring, comforting, and confirming in how she lives every aspect of her life. When she sent me the pictures of the windows she had painted at her mother’s nursing home, I thought that this was such a visible demonstration of who Audrey is, deeply caring about others, and willing to give of herself, both time and talent, to bring a smile to other peoples’ lives. I knew she would never give herself credit for what she did, so that is why I contacted the TV station to have them tell her story. Her whole motive was not only to cheer up her Mom and the other patients and staff, but to spread good cheer so that others will do the same for others during this time of trial in all of our lives.”
Audrey’s hope is her paintings will inspire others to get creative to cheer up their family members isolated in nursing homes or others having difficulty. She feels what she did is a small thing but if everyone did a small act of kindness what a better world we would have. If you are sad, one antidote, is to act, to do something to make someone else’s life a little happier. Giving others what you need in your own life, you will be doubly blessed. You will bless others, as well as yourself.
Do you know someone that deserves a Caring Heart award?
Staying in Touch: Barbara Hirsh can be reached at info@LiveKinder.com I love hearing your kindness stories. Please sign-up for almost weekly kindness message at www.LiveKinder.com or follow LiveKinder on Facebook!
May 2020
Thank a teacher
One of my readers shared a note she received from her grandson’s eighth grade teacher. She wrote to his teacher letting her know how motivated she kept her grandson. The teacher replied with this message:
“Thank you so much. You have no idea how much your words mean to me. Teaching like this has felt so empty. Being together in that space we created together just can’t be replaced. The disconnect is literally suffocating. I know the kids are feeling drained as well. I just hope and pray we do not have to keep doing this to this extent in August! Thank you for all that you are doing to help us!”
Distance learning is difficult because you just can’t replace that direct feedback and love between teachers and students. The impact being made is hard to see and feel over Zoom.
It warmed my heart to know there are teachers that care about their students first and foremost. Knowing there are teachers that care this much makes the future look brighter.
This is a perfect time to express your gratitude to a teacher or really anyone that you appreciate. Kind words are always welcomed but now we all need them more than ever.
Staying in Touch: Barbara Hirsh can be reached at info@LiveKinder.com I love hearing your kindness stories. Please sign-up for almost weekly kindness message at www.LiveKinder.com or follow LiveKinder on Facebook!
Egg, Potato, or Coffee?
In life, things happen around us, things happened to us but the only thing that truly matters is how we choose to react to it.
From my perspective, I have seen three type of people in this pandemic. The first type are the helpers; essential workers that risk their life when they report to work, from the grocery workers to the health professionals and so many others. To quote Mr. Rogers, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers.’ You will always find people who are helping.” As adults, it is our job to become a helper in whatever capacity we can. I was touched by my friend, Sue, who told her chiropractor to charge her credit card even though she did not feel comfortable in going to his office for her regular treatment. There are so many ways to help.
For the people in quarantine there are two groups of people the ones that are enjoying it and those that are miserable. My friend explained the people that are miserable are those that get their joy from their environment. They are miserable because they are limited to where they can go and whom they can be with. Their joy is dependent on the energy of others. They are bored and concentrate on what they can’t do. The current restrictions intensified their unhappiness that lives within them.
Also, in quarantine are the people that are adopting, of course they are missing their family and friends, but they are finding new ways to connect. They miss the freedom going to the store and restaurants without worries, but the limitations do not define them. They find ways to help celebrate birthdays. They write letters to those they love. When they are bored, they are taking classes, or watching how-to videos, call an old friend, or make cookies for their neighbors. They find love by finding ways to help others. They are exercising instead of complaining about the restrictions at their gym. They are doing projects to improve their landscapes or home interiors. They are being creative in myriad of ways. They look for silver linings. These people have the capability of generating a peaceful persona no matter the circumstances because their peace is internally generated instead of being dependent on the external environment. They hold God in their heart.
What swirls around us is not always our choice, but life is all about adopting and converting the challenges that we experience into something positive.
When adversities come, are you like an egg or potatoes or coffee? When you put an egg in boiling water, (the hot water represents adversity), the egg becomes hardened on the inside, while the potato comes in strong but the challenges becomes too much and ends up soft and mushy. The ground coffee assimilates to the hot water becoming something better. So how have you handled this adverse environment? Has this adversity made you a better person or have you hardened? How have you responded? We all have the capacity to change and to evolve.
Hopefully, the lessons that we have learned about how much we need each other will become the legacy of this pandemic making the world a better place.
Staying in Touch: Barbara Hirsh can be reached at info@LiveKinder.com I love hearing your kindness stories. Please sign-up for almost weekly kindness message at www.LiveKinder.com or follow LiveKinder on Facebook!
April 2020
The Gift of Time
First of all, I have the deepest gratitude for the medical professional workers and other essential workers who every time they open the door to their employment are risking getting infected with COVID-19 and the possibility of death. I can’t imagine how scared they must feel.
Then, there are the people that are bored, which I have trouble understanding, because I have never been bored a single day of my life. I am so grateful for the gift of time, the gift of being home and safe. Having had a job where I never seemed to have enough time, it feels so luxurious to not be rushed to finish anything.
I decided some people concentrate on what they can’t do and what they can’t have while others concentrate on what they do have. There are always people who always find ways to help whether it is sewing masks (I made 26 so far) or picking up a package at Walmart for a friend that can’t drive. My neighbor, Mary, power washed her neighbor’s driveway because Mary needed something to do. Now is a great time to make greeting cards, or to send letters and photos to family members, or find new ways to connect. Now is a great time to try new recipes and make those recipes that you never seem to have enough time to make, for example, homemade olive bread or the apple pancake pictured. I have found reading books about worse times in history aids in putting the pandemic in perspective. I am grateful my husband and I can walk every day in isolation and talk to our neighbors in their driveways from afar. I am grateful that spring is here with its warmth. What a great time to take a University class for free (See www.mooc.org.) What a great time to clean out drawers and reorganize your kitchen. What a great time to find joy in the bluebird singing outside your window. Many of my artist friends are busy creating masterpieces. Please don’t squander this gift of time.
The gift of time is a precious gift don’t waste it on wishing it is different. Wake each morning with a song in your heart and with joy for the day’s possibilities and please pray for those risking their lives to provide essentials for all of us. Please say a prayer for my daughter and nurses everywhere; I will be so appreciative. Above all, please stay safe.
Staying in Touch: Barbara Hirsh can be reached at info@LiveKinder.com I love hearing your kindness stories. Please sign-up for almost weekly kindness message at www.LiveKinder.com or follow LiveKinder on Facebook!
March 2020
Living Joyfully
Living Joyfully
Joy seems to be a step beyond happiness. Happiness is a sort of atmosphere you can live in sometimes when you are lucky. Joy is a light that fills you with hope and faith and love. Adele Rogers St. John’s.
I just love it when you wake up with a song in your heart and a feeling of peace and joy that transcends your body and soul. Living In joy has become essential to me. Of course it is easy when I wake up in my happy place and I see a beautiful view, but no matter where I awake, no matter how I feel, I make a choice as soon as my feet hit the floor to be happy. I try to choose joy every day. Some days are definitely harder and more fleeting. It definitely is a choice. Of course it is difficult to remain there 24/7, but It does get easier.
I define happiness as a result of external circumstances. While internal joy brings internal peace. You could be happy and not be at peace and vice versa you could be at peace and not be happy. However, when you are at peace and are truly happy you are in a state of ecstatic joy. You will feel gratitude surging through your veins and you feel like rejoicing.
Our world has made it difficult to find joy due to modern day stresses and resulting anxiety. People rely on alcohol, drugs, food or even binge watching TV to bring moments of happiness but at the best these activities provide distraction. They may bring fleeting moments of happiness but they do not help us to cultivate internal joy.
The more you trust your true self the less you have to look for what brings you happiness. How do you move to a more joyful life? It’s not hard. You remove the negativity. You stop complaining about the weather. You stop complaining about other people. You stop complaining about food. You change your complaining to gratitude.
The second step is to stop worrying and have faith. Stop worrying about what people will think. Stop worrying about gossip. Stop trying to be perfect. Stop worrying when the second shoe is going to drop. Stop worrying that nothing will work out and have faith that it will all work out.
When you complain, you’re negative past comes into the present. When you worry, you’re negative future comes into the present. Peace in your heart is found when you remove the negativing and live in the joy of the moment.
To live at a place of peace and acceptance can prove to be very challenging so I also needed help from the Holy Spirit through prayer and meditation. This is step three, seek help from the Holy Spirit. After you feel the peace of the Holy Spirit in your heart you will not want to go back. Paul wrote about Joy and Peace as characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit. We all have a choice; we can reject the chaos of the world and choose God’s Peace. I believe peace and joy are gifts from the Holy Spirit available to everyone.
Staying in Touch: Barbara Hirsh can be reached at info@LiveKinder.com I love hearing your kindness stories. Please sign-up for almost weekly kindness message at www.LiveKinder.com or follow LiveKinder on Facebook!
February 2020
Purple Hair
I was with my grandkids and we happened upon a lady with purple hair. Her hair was a vibrant grape color. At that exact moment, I saw another man start snickering and whispering with his kids about her purple hair. I was dismayed, I couldn’t believe in this day and age we are still shocked by unusual hair. I would never color my hair a shocking color but I’m glad we live in country where people can express their personalities.
I am blessed to have a daughter that teachers her girls that they can never call a person “weird.” My granddaughters are respectful of people that are different. So, just as some people see the class as half empty and others see it as half full, I am learning there are people that only see the differences in people and criticize, while others concentrate on seeing the similarities and honoring the differences. Let’s all make a promise never to judge a person as “weird.” Let us look for the similarities instead.
Staying in Touch: Barbara Hirsh can be reached at info@LiveKinder.com I love hearing your kindness stories. Please sign-up for almost weekly kindness message at www.LiveKinder.com or follow LiveKinder on Facebook!
Just For Today
Just for today, stop complaining and instead… Sing a song of praise. Write a letter of encouragement. Find empathy for someone you hate. Stop assuming the worse. Just for today, stop watching TV and instead… Fill out an application to volunteer. Take a walk in the woods. Call on someone who is lonely. Bake cookies for your neighbor. Just for today, stop trying to be perfect and instead… Ask God to lead you. Be vulnerable to the unexpected. Look for a new possibility. Know it is not your job to control others. Just for today, stop looking for what is wrong and instead… Be grateful for what you have. See the good in everyone. Practice Unconditional Love. See love when you see hate. Just for today, stop being insecure and instead… Speak up for the truth. Have hope for the future. See God’s Love in everyone you meet. Trust that others are not out to get you. Just for today, stop being anxious and instead… Believe in the magic of prayer. Know you are God’s Love. Ask for God’s Grace to find peace in your heart Know there is better way to live. Just for today, replace your anger with love. Just for today, be kind to yourself and others. Just for today, know you are loved.
December 2019
The Weary World Rejoices
My mom is almost 96 years old and life is a challenge. She has lost almost all her friends and many family members including her two brothers She ended up in the hospital for 10 days and rehab for 16 days and has returned to her assisted living struggling. I love my mom unconditionally, so I try to call her every day when I am not with her; as phone calls and visits are the only thing she looks forward to. It is difficult to have someone you love so miserable. My mom has been wonderful, caring person and to see her change into someone I don’t recognize is heart-breaking.
I need to have a way to recharge, so I have more love to give her. I needed to find some Christmas cheer. As difficult as it is; I refuse to allow complaining people take my peace away. So, I prayed, and the answer for this month is to watch Hallmark Christmas Movies.
My friends have been telling me for years about how much they enjoy Hallmark movies, especially the Christmas ones. I would watch one or two but not really understand their obsession. Then, my daughter got hooked and even got the app to keep track of the ones she’s seen and know which ones to record. It is tv programming that four generations can watch together. I became hooked and even my husband asks if I want to watch one together, though he won’t admit in public. Some days I’m fine, some days I need one movie, and some days I may need to watch two movies until my inner peace returns. After I watch a Hallmark Christmas movie or two, I am always in a better place than I was before I watched them. I believe they have become so addictive to many because they are an antidote to the hate and anger that permeates the world.
The movies aren’t always realistic, only in the movies will a car have no caked ice and very little snow on it, even when there was a storm that raged for more than a day. They show a world where people have civilized conversations, even when they are being dumped by the person they may or may not love. Anger and aggression are not displayed. Conversations are used to fix problems or to fix misinterpretations of actions. But come to think about It, they are as realistic as Facebook or Instagram accounts that only show the happy faces around the Christmas tree. A slice of life that is heartwarming.
These movies are always predictable. You need 5 to 10 minutes to know the conflict, plot and the conclusion. The Magic of Christmas or sometimes it is referred to as the Miracle of Christmas permeates every movie. The magic or miracle of Christmas is the source of more meaningful lives for those portrayed in the movie. The heroine’s life projection is changed because of Christmas. The characters’ lives change because they just needed Christmas Love to realize what has always been in their heart. The characters learn that when you can surround yourself with happy people, you can bring the love in your heart, into your own life.
After I watch a movie, I feel the peace, hope and joy of Christmas fill my heart. It is my way of remembering the sweetness of Christmas but, in reality, it is the joy of Jesus Christ. Hallmark Christmas Movies have become a way for the weary world to rejoice. Christmas is wonderful time to have Jesus fill your heart with hope, peace and love to find your one Christmas miracle. Thank you, Hallmark, for helping me rejoice this Christmas; your movies have become my anti-depressant, my respite.
Now, I need to call my mom and see if she remembers the Christmas I wanted an Ironing board and iron. What was I thinking?
Staying in Touch: Barbara Hirsh can be reached at info@LiveKinder.com I love hearing your kindness stories. Please sign-up for almost weekly kindness message at www.LiveKinder.com or follow LiveKinder on Facebook!
Forgiveness
What does forgiveness have to do with kindness? Forgiveness of others is one of the kindness things we can do for ourselves. It is the way to move past hurt from the smallest slight to biggest betrayal. When we can move from hurt to forgiveness it is the gift, we give to ourselves. As described by Thomas G. Fiffer, there are 4 types of forgiveness.
- Dismissive forgiveness is the lowest level of forgiveness. Dismissive forgiveness is about a person moving on from a person that has caused damage to their mental peace. The forgiver draws a permanent boundary to the person who hurt and won’t allow them in their life afterwards. For this to be forgiveness, you walk away without carrying the burdens of hatred, resentment, or the need for vindication. Dismissive forgiveness offers the greatest benefit to the forgiver and the least to the forgiven, who is usually cut out or marginalized from the forgiver’s life. This is often used when the forgiver sees no hope of the forgiven to change. Sometimes this is a first step when the forgiven accepts no responsibility in the hurt they caused.
- Conditional Forgiveness – Conditional forgiveness is an act of forgiving the person with some doubt on their future actions. The person who has caused the hurt would be tested for their loyalty often. They must understand the hurt they have caused and be willing to correct their actions. If one can correct their mistakes, then the relationship may return to the state of trust.
- Unconditional forgiveness is a higher level of forgiveness. It can only happen when the relationship is based on trust and love. It involves a lot of compassion to understand what the other person has been through. The grievance is seen as a misjudgment and is independent of the person. It means giving a person a fresh start. Unconditional forgiveness requires a high level of trust—both in the offender not to hurt again and in us not to allow the hurt to continue to hang over the relationship like a dark cloud. It is the most difficult type of forgiveness to practice but can also be the most rewarding. Unconditional forgiveness offers the greatest benefit to both parties, because it has the power to fully restore a broken relationship.
- The fourth level is Grace. Grace is not ours to give but God’s as shown in this example. My friend had worked through her pain and hurt of having a father who did unspeakable acts of emotional and physical abuse. She had reached the level of unconditional forgiveness and looked forward to sharing this with her father. She arranged a fishing day to celebrate her birthday and her healing. Fishing with her father reminded her of happier times of her childhood. She did have some trepidation that her father would argue about his past transgressions, but she knew she had reached a new level of healing and wanted to progress their relationship. Being in the moment, she took a panoramic photo of the beautiful scenery. As her camera landed on her father’s face, she realized that her plan on sharing the gifts she had received from his transgressions no longer mattered. She felt the healing grace of God transcend her and her past grievances had dissolved. She felt God’s healing power filled her with a peace she never experienced, a peace she was searching for.
In the words of Anne Lamott: “I do not understand the mystery of grace—only that it meets us where we are and does not leave us where it found us.” When we strive to forgive and extend love to the person in need of forgiveness, we can experience God’s kindness through his Grace ourselves, that is the power of forgiveness.
Staying in Touch: Barbara Hirsh can be reached at info@LiveKinder.com I love hearing your kindness stories. Please sign-up for almost weekly kindness message at www.LiveKinder.com or follow LiveKinder on Facebook!
Tidings of Comfort and Joy
We sometimes forget at Christmas that the season might not be merry for everyone. This is a letter I sent to a friend who recently lost her mother.
I wanted you to know that I have been thinking of you this Christmas season. Though I don’t know exactly how you feel, I have learned that the first Christmas without a loved one is a difficult time. The holidays can seem more like something to survive than to enjoy. Sadness fills your heart.
Every year after Thanksgiving for many years, we go to Chicago to see Santa and the holiday windows at Marshall Fields, now Macy’s. We have lunch in the famous Walnut room. We buy our Frango mints and do some shopping. We have a wonderful dinner at Chinatown, but the best part of the day is just enjoying being together as a family. The picture is how we wove the memory of Brian into our Christmas tradition. We go to the Christkindlmarket and share a slice or two of poppy seed strudel and hot chocolate. It was what my son, Brian, loved to do and even seven years after his death we are still doing it. It is our way of knowing that he is not forgotten, as we keep his memory alive. It helps me to know that he won’t be forgotten; that his love transcends place and time. It brings me a peace that is hard to describe.
I have learned that people all mourn differently, but what is important is that your loved one is remembered and loved. So today, I prayed a prayer a Thanksgiving for your mom. I am thankful your mom gave you such happy Christmas memories in your heart. I don’t know how to take away your pain, but I do want you to know how much we love you and I know your mom’s love and impact lives on, through you. Wishing you tidings of comfort and joy.
Staying in Touch: Barbara Hirsh can be reached at info@LiveKinder.com I love hearing your kindness stories. Please sign-up for almost weekly kindness message at www.LiveKinder.com or follow LiveKinder on Facebook!