Dear Reader:

The word “Kudos” stems from Greek origin ( Kudos (IPA pronunciation: [‘kju:dɒs][‘ku:dɒs]), from the Greek κύδος kydos (literally “that which is heard of”) means fame and renown resulting from an act or achievement; by extension is often used as a praising remark. It entered English as British university slang in the early 1800s.

A kudo is glory or praise,  kudos is praises, so when someone says “kudos to you” that basically means “good for you” or “praise you.”

After reading several articles on the term “kudos”….I got an idea for a “Kudos Bowl.” It started with this creative idea of a little gift for someone for going the extra mile for you… on Pinterest.

I set out to the drug store to buy some gum and card stock to make my own signs…. loving the creative thought behind thanking someone for going the “extra mile” for you with “Extra” chewing gum.

Then at Tuesday Morning...at the check-out counter an assortment of  different packaged chocolates and cookies were marked down…so I picked up some of these treats too.

…And that is how my “Kudos Bowl” came about…(This would be a good time to drop by while the bowl is full…because I honestly can not think of anyone I know or even have met who hasn’t or wouldn’t go the extra mile for me…and the same back for you!)

Now let’s flashback to some excerpts from the original article that got me thinking about this project yesterday.

“What Goes Around Comes Around” – William B. Bradshaw (Huff post  Good News)

In a serendipitous discovery yesterday…I located the article cited above that started me on another creative project and path in thinking…

The author, William Bradshaw, was nostalgically remembering the days when people truly cared if you were having a good day or not…they just didn’t mumble it back…as if irritated that you forced them to say something they didn’t want to say.

His memories of a happier time of daily greetings stemmed from his acquaintance of a Yale Divinity School professor by the name of Dr. Robert Calhoun. If you passed him and casually mumbled “Good Day” or “How is your day?” he would let you know exactly how it was.

But he didn’t stop there…he took just as much time listening to you tell about your day….concerns, problems, or congratulatory events and remarked wisely on each moment you shared with him.

The author, having grown up in small towns in the Ozarks… was used to familiar faces greeting and smiling at him as a child and youth. So he decided to bring the “good old days” back.

” I decided that I would make it a habit to try to help people feel better about their day–people I am doing business with or people I meet on the sidewalk, the parking lot, or wherever. I smile and say “good morning” or “good afternoon.”

“It’s amazing how often they have a surprised look on their face and return my smile and cheerful words with a smile and some kind of a friendly greeting of their own.

When I stop at Starbucks or the hardware or grocery story, I ask the checkout clerk something like, “How are things going for you today?” or “You look happy today” or “It’s always refreshing to see your nice smile” or some such greeting.

Most of them seem to appreciate someone who cares and frequently respond with such things as “Thanks for asking” or “How nice of you to say that” or “You’ve just made my day.”

Bradshaw then shared his “kudos” story he witnessed from a friend of his….

A very good friend of mine works in a retail store where the employees are encouraged to access the company’s special computer program to send “kudos” to one another for something a fellow worker has done that is unusually outstanding, helpful, or kind. My friend takes the time to write detailed and thoughtful kudos rather than just a quick “well done,” “great job,” or “thanks for helping.”

She definitely gets those messages across, but in a detailed way that indicates  she really does appreciate what the other person has done and wants him or her to know it. Her fellow workers say they love reading her kudos. What she does reminds me of my professor in divinity school–going that extra mile in taking the time to talk about what’s going on in our lives.

Bradshaw concludes his thoughts on making the world a better place, through greetings and communication with others, by saying:

So here’s my suggestions for helping you feel better and more excited about your life: spend a few minutes each day helping others feel better about their day–a pleasant greeting and a smile; an uplifting e-mail or text message; a quick telephone call of a few caring, happy, or encouraging words; a simple wave or smile to a neighbor leaving or returning home; a short note or card in the mail expressing happiness and good cheer; kudos for fellow workers; and other things that you think of. Why not give it a try? And if this thing could catch on, just think what it could do for our families, neighborhoods, and entire communities! Hey, that sounds good to me!

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Before I conclude today let me take a moment and thank you, dear blog readers, with a “Kudos to You” from me. I wouldn’t be typing away without you…while sharing my small voice in a big universe. YOU make that universe smaller and warmer and supportive for me.

Yesterday I was updating my medicine and realized that I took about 12 pills/capsules/tablets a day. But it is you, the reader, the friend, who makes up that 13th pill. And that is the one that keeps my blood flowing, my heart beating, my creative juices stirring, and my mind counting my blessings each and every day.

So until tomorrow …Let’s pass it on, pay it forward.…send a “Kudos to You” today to someone who makes your life “extra” better…for simply being in it.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

* I send “Kudos” to my recently discovered “green” life that has brought so much happiness with it.

A little state patriotism for the front yard with my favorite color (orange) flag….

And my lovely garden, my serene sanctuary which brings me closer to nature and God.

* And speaking of orange…I sent this picture of the first mushroom in the garden to Eva Cate today….to let her know the first fairy has returned home to the garden for the spring and summer months.

I let her know the orange mushroom quivered when I took the photo…the fairy must have been unpacking….Eva Cate must return to the garden soon to check it out.