Dear Reader:

I came across this quote from Henry James and was so happy to “find” it again. I needed to be reminded of the importance of kindness.

Henry James said, “Three things in human life are important.  The first is to be kind.  The second is to be kind.  The third is to be kind.” 

We all like to consider ourselves “kind” people overall…but sometimes, at the end of the day, I see missed opportunities where I could have shown more kindness and didn’t. It is like we do a couple of nice things and figure we are good for the day…but opportunities for kindness are a constant…not a one time deal. For example:

Perhaps it was not stopping to  let a poor car out who was stuck on the wrong side of a busy highway. Normally I would have but I was running late for an appointment and thought that the person behind me could ‘cover it this time’…reassuring myself that I just about ‘always’ let people out …just not today…I was “too busy.”

“Too busy” to be kind. I think there should be some kind of in-grown red flag stitched inside our palms that shoots out when we can’t find time to be kind to our fellowman.

The failure to respond to opportunities of kindness are always my biggest regrets at the end of the day. Reflecting back on some incident during the day…if we start with “I shoulda” we know we missed a kindness opportunity….  After giving it some thought I realize it occurs when I put myself and my needs first over another human being…because of my busyness…putting time over tolerance.

Yet I know what Jesus’ expectations are for kindness. He said it about as plainly and clearly as he could: (The following is an excerpt from David Doane in the form of a response to an article titled (Awakin Reading) “Kindness is Everything.”

Jesus said what you do to the least of people, you do to me.  That’s a powerful and profound statement.  For me, it’s true that kindness includes everything, and it’s based on our being one, which Jesus knew and stated in various ways.  It follows for us to be kind to all things plants, animals, all people, and self.  What we do to any we do to all. 

I looked around the house and chose the three pictures above for the blog because they symbolize three acts of kindness to come. The minute I call Tim and tell him I have the decorations and lights off the tree…the mantle cleared, and a new flag ready to hang on the porch…he will be here.

And quicker than ‘Santa’s wink up the chimney’ Tim will have the tree thrown out, the Christmas flag down with a new one unfurling in the breeze, and the old wreath put away for another Christmas with the mantle restored to normalcy.

As I go to pay him he will shake his head and say he was ‘in the neighborhood anyway and we will catch up ‘later.’  I have never known a time, over the last decade or so, when Tim was too busy to be kind.

Audrey Hepburn, the beautiful (inside and out) actress was once asked about her beauty regime and how she maintained her good looks. Her reply is a “classic” statement that we can all learn from and remember….

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others. 

……………………………….

So until tomorrow…Father, show us that we can never be too busy not to stop and show kindness to our fellowman. After all… we have never had to worry about YOU picking a convenient time to show kindness to us.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

* Joan sent me this link about a new computer bracelet that blew my mind! I emailed her back and told her that the “tatooed” people of the world might be “screwed” with this new device.

> https://www.youtube.com/embed/9J7GpVQCfms

 I love Beethoven’s  “Ode to Joy” in any form or fashion…but accompanied with these beautiful pictures…It took my breath away …a great way to celebrate 2015 – Thank you Joan so much for sharing: It proves once again that God’s World is beyond description and music must be God’s breath upon the world!

 * Thanks for all the prayers for Betsy…didn’t hear anything yesterday so thinking no news is good news right now

* Mandy called to say she thinks everyone had a good start back yesterday…it will take some adjusting but they are off and running!

* Master Rutledge is just getting “too cool” these days.. (a scarf and tie) soon to be “too cold”…like the rest of us Thursday! Our precious boy! Quite dapper!

I do think he should try out for the part of George, Mary’s son on Downton Abbey….I think Rutledge would be making more appearances on the series than the “invisible” child now!