Light and Blooms

Great Moments in Kindness from History   1967   Cicely Saunders, MD, founds the modern hospice movement in London in an effort to provide comfort to people during their final days. "I once asked a man who was dying what he needed above all in those who were caring for him.  He said, "For someone to look as if they are trying to understand me."  Dr. Saunders said, explaining the movements mission, "I never forgot that he did not ask for success, but only that someone should care enough to try."     (June 22, 1918–July 14, 2005)       Moments in Kindness Observed Today   I had to dig a little deeper today to find some kindness around me. It seems that arrogance, selfishness and apathy dominate some lives when they bump up against another.   Yesterday I experienced three people doing what one might consider less than the American dream job, yet, they were pleasant and joyful. And kind.   Today I experienced folks that by the

Kindness Moments from History       1950 Having committed herself to a vocation as a nun, Mother Teresa has divined a "call within a call" to devote herself to the world's most destitute. Refusing to be daunted by the enormity of world poverty, she chips away at her goal, insisting, "I never look at the masses as my responsibility, I look at the individual. I can only love one person at a time." She gets Vatican approval for the Missionaries of Charity, formed with just 11 other women, which by the 1990's will blossom into over a million workers carrying out her mission in orphanages, hospices, and charity centers worldwide.   A sacrifice to be real must cost, must hurt, must empty ourselves. The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, the fruit of service is peace. Mother Teresa       Moments of Kindness Observed Today   I r

Moments of Kindness from History     1947 Former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who believes that "the basis of all good human behavior is kindness" is elected as head of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and begins what will become her most powerful legacy-drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, based on the principle that the "lack of standards for human rights the world over is one of the greatest causes of friction among the nations."   “No matter how plain a woman may be,  if truth and honesty are written across her face,  she will be beautiful.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt     Moments of Kindness- Observed Today   I am reading a book called "7" by Jen Hatmaker. She is a woman that has discovered the joy of looking outside herself and knowing that each of her actions affects another. The book is written from her experience of taking 7 months and redefining the necessities in her life and taking action

Kindness in History       1896 After risking her life to personally usher  dozens of slaves to freedom and safety. Harriet Tubman pours her meager earnings into buying a home for poor elderly African Americans in Auburn, NY, where she ministered to the needy in the final years of her life. “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you  the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars  to change the world.” ― Harriet Tubman CURRENT KINDNESS OBSERVED We participated in a pot luck dinner last evening at church. Nothing fancy. No "theme", no fancy dishes,  not even printed paper products. Just white on white; white paper plates on white plastic table covers. But what I witnessed amongst the group was a kindness that does not take much effort or time, but is much appreciated by those that receive the kindness. You see, this is a congregation of folks that have  passed the ag

      GREAT MOMENTS IN KINDNESS I recently came across an article in the Good Housekeeping Magazine dated July 2012.   The article was chronicling kindness moments in history.   I decided to highlight one a day from history and  observe a kindness in my own life each day to chronicle alongside it.   1881 At age 60, Clara Barton heads the American Red Cross. Its mission is to aid victims of war and natural disasters. Since then, as one of the world's leading relief organizations, the Red Cross has ministered to millions of tsunami, hurricane, and tornado victims, and it supplies about 40 percent of the nations blood. Current Kindness Observed I am reading through the book All That is Bitter & Sweet by Ashley Judd.  She is writing of her discovery of the purpose of her life  to bring meaning  to her personal struggles,  the recourses she has,  and the help she can give.  While we cannot always do what others can,  we