Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Taking it Up an Octave

Not a half-step. Not even a key change. Taking it up an octave is a BIG change. It requires stretching my comfort zone. I've been pondering this concept this week and today I choose to step up my kindness and sensitivity.

Two elderly ladies I encountered yesterday prompted my focus on kindness. Both were lonely and and in need of someone to take a moment to listen. That's all it took really... a few minutes. I thought about my mom and my grandmother and how many times they've listened to me, even when what I had to say was probably unimportant. I'm thankful for the many people who take time to be kind to them as I'm not physically present with them on a daily basis. I want to take it up an octave today.

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. - Mother Teresa

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. - Mark Twain

To cultivate kindness is a valuable part of the business of life. - Samuel Johnson

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. - Aesop

Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair, but manifestations of strength and resolution. - Kahlil Gibran

The ideas that have lighted my way have been kindness, beauty and truth. - Albert Einstein

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. - James Matthew Barrie

Hitting the high notes while dancing in the daffodils - I'm going to see how that Works for me on Wednesday!

9 comments:

sara said...

those are great quotes and so true.

My ADHD Me said...

This is SO true.
I really believe that being kind is one of the most important things a person can be.
Maybe that's why I like you so much!

Merrie said...

I love it! So true that a kind word can wash away a world of hurts.
We never know when that one word will bring healing to the broken.
Thanks for reminding us. I, for one, sure needed it today when I want to say lots of UNkind things!

Anonymous said...

This is so profound. Just days ago I found myself talking to my mom and thinking that perhaps I was talking too much that day because I was/am lonely. I realized the number of times that I have listened to strangers in stores talk, that they too may be lonely and in need of a listening ear. Or....maybe they are just gab bags and I can't tell the difference..LOL! This post spoke to my heart, Thanks!

Theresa

Heidi said...

I agree. You spoke it well here and I love the quotes.

Mocha with Linda said...

Great reminders.

Kelly said...

Amen!

Sandy @ The Scoop on Balance said...

Love it!!!!

Sandy

Greg C said...

I'm with you on this. Time to step it up a notch.