Dedicated to Joan Irish from Toronto who I shared a moment with--fall of 1998

Though are time together in Toberymory, Ontario that fall was short, your acts of kindness remain in me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnQ8N1KacJc

A thought on why acts of kindness are important to me and a special quote to share

Back in 1971, at the age of 49, my dad passed away.  I was 16  years young.  My dad could be the life of the party, the swizzle stick that stirred everyone's drink.  The sad thing for me to this day is he died when the 2 of us finally understood each other and became friends.  I believed, and hope to this day, that he knew he did his job as a father and that I would make him proud of who I would become when I became a man.  As a result of his death, I became an angry, brooding teenager who was a handful for my mom.

I was selfish too as I never thought of what the loss of her Walter was doing to her.  During those dark days, words were few in number between us.

One morning as I ate breakfast alone, there was a clipping from a magazine underneath my plate, just sticking out.  The clipping read as follows...I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good thing, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow human being let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.

During our darkest days of mourning my dad's departure, my mom found a way to bring us some Light from Above.

Maybe I was inspired from that moment, that morning, to be a "swizzle stick" like my dad and an "angel" like my mom.

Though I worship in no building, I am blessed this wondrous Sunday morning and know God is with me.



For those of you who have living parents, let them know how much you care and love them for all of you shall never pass this way again.

Please feel free to pass this note on to someone who is estranged from their parents or their children or a loved one or a friend.
Your act of kindness may just make a difference.


"In the end, only kindness matters."
Jewel from her song, "Hands"


Maybe a better world to live in one act at a time?


Make it a great day for yourself and all those you touch,



Greg

A favorite song that says so much about kindness

Better Days by the Goo Goo Dolls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wOLQDAgiy4

An act of kindess on a wet, heavy snow day

The snowplow contractor in my area is only supposed to plow the street which he did.  He saw me struggling with the snow at the bottom of my drive that is left as he plows the street.  He went by me, stopped and put his truck in reverse.  He plowed that mess at the base of the driveway that would have been a heart attack in the making for me to finish.  Before I could get his attention and thank him, he was off.

A new thought on kindness

There are times when I feel stuck in the past ways of loneliness, negativity and doubt.



Often, it is a kind word or gentle reminder from a good friend that helps me remember who I really am.


My heart is open to live in Love.


Thank You for the people You have brought into my life who love, care for and encourage me.


I know that each one is an expression of Your love.


I am part of a living, giving, loving community of people.

A simple thought related to extending kindness

Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up.

An act of kindness-out of the blue

I received this quote today and I could relate to the message. 

Whatever feelings you have within you are attracting your tomorrow.



Worry attracts more worry. Anxiety attracts more anxiety. Unhappiness attracts more unhappiness. Dissatisfaction attracts more dissatisfaction.


AND . . .


Joy attracts more joy. Happiness attracts more happiness. Peace attracts more peace. Gratitude attracts more gratitude. Kindness attracts more kindness. Love attracts more love.


Your job is an inside one. To change your world, all you have to do is change the way you feel inside. How easy is that?

Do it anyway

Whenever you feel that something as simple as a smile or a kind act will go unnoticed, do it anyway. You never know how much it might change someone else's life.

a tribute to my mom

My mom showed me the way on how to give random acts of kindness.  Her actions spoke volumes to me.  Her character has inspired me.  She would leave me little inspirational quotes when I was a brooding teenager.  I find them in my room, in my lunch and on the side door.  At her funeral, I closed my tribute to mom with the following quote:

to laugh often and much,
to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children,
to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends,
to appreciate beauty,
to find the best in others,
to leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child, a garden patch...
to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.    Emerson

My mom touched more people than I will ever know as she was humble and did not want recognition for her acts. 
I am carrying on your work, mom.
Love you,
Greg

This day

A thought on this beautiful Sunday morning, in my own words.

"Embrace this day, realizing it is a PRESENT sent with LOVE from ABOVE."

Greg Popiel 2/10

A Thought to Ponder

Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom.




Theodore Isaac Rubin