. There was this very old man who walked miles collecting cans. One day I asked him if he wanted mine and he gave me his address. A few days later I dropped them off at his tiny rental. We got to talking and became friends and soon IÂ was taking him to the recycling station…
I myself am in a 12 step recovery program, and by the grace of God and the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, today I can say I am sober one more day. I live in a very small community, and do not give it a second thought to help out. On my way to the post…
Pet ownership can teach kids many important values and build positive character traits like giving, empathy and kindness. One of the overlooked opportunities of pet ownership, particularly if it is the right pet, is teaching our children how to care for something dependent on them. Kids can learn the art of kindness and compassion through…
. Last Thursday I had twenty minutes to get from Ogilvie Metra station to Union Station to catch an Amtrak train to Michigan, and I was pulling a large, heavy suitcase. A homeless man overheard me asking the people standing with me at the stoplight whether I was heading in the right direction. While they…
. My husband and I were at the hospital yesterday to meet with the anesthesiologist and a post op class for his upcoming surgery. There was a pretty big gap in time between appointments so we decided to have a bite to eat to at a little restaurant while we waited.
.“Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different; enjoying the pleasant without holding on when it changes (which it will); being with the unpleasant without fearing it will always be this way (which it won’t).” – James Baraz .Over the Easter holidays, I found myself sitting in…
. Saw a great act of kindness and a pleasant surprise on one of my bus runs today. An elderly gent boarded my bus and asked how much a daily ticket was and when I told him he sighed and replied he could only afford a one way ticket. Before I could be ADORK (A…
. Last year, I started a tradition of GIVING – through acts of service or giving gifts of love to others on my birthday. I was inspired by a 30 year old memory of my late grand uncle (he was my mother’s uncle) who had taught me an important lesson about giving when I was…
The most beautiful thing happened today in my presence so I thought I’d tell you all about it. I had a dear old little lady (would have roughly been in her 80’s) come into the shop looking for a beanie to keep her head warm. We have a few different types and after trying a…
. I was having lunch with my husband at a restaurant a few days before Christmas. I noticed the lady bussing tables was elderly, her eyes looked swollen and she was limping. I felt bad for her. She was so polite, making certain everyone had what they needed. I asked our waitress what this lady’s…
. Back near the beginning of the year I was entrusted with honoring a 20 year old Air Force veteran who had committed suicide by journeying to scatter the ashes. My heart broke for his family. It still does. I offered to take him to Mt Bachelor, Oregon. I thought I’d take the lift up, scatter…
. I volunteer at local nursing homes. I have volunteered since I was a teenager as it was expected in our home to volunteer, and watching my mother and grandmother volunteer, it just was something that I enjoyed doing. My mother volunteered almost until her death at 90, even with Alzheimers, we would go to…