Were They Out There?

Were they out there?

I stared out the window, not thinking or caring about all the traffic rushing up and down the street.  I couldn't see anything, but I felt . . . something.  It was weird to think of a person stalking you, wanting to hurt you, or kill you for no reason other than that they didn't like you.  It was crazy.

I felt more than just fear.  I was filled with curiosity and anger and other hateful emotions.  The idea of prey and hunter intrigued me.  What would they do if I became the stalker?  If I tried to turn the tables on that creep?

Not that I would do anything like that, I thought regretfully.

I couldn't be expected not to fight back, could I?

Yes, they were watching.  I could feel it.  They were close and getting closer.  I would be forced to confront them soon.

Thought of the Day - 4/1/14

You can never go to far for the ones you love.

Thought of the Day - 3/31/14

BE the change you want to see. Love fearlessly and without limits. No act of love or kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. The best part of life is not just surviving, but thriving with passion, compassion, humor, generosity, and kindness, and using these tools to improve the lives of those around you. Smile, and help others smile too.
~~ Marc and Angel from marcandangel.com ~~

Thought of the Day - 3/30/14

Death is a real challenge of life. It tells us not to waste time. It tells us to make time right now to tell each other that we love each other. It tells us to stop texting and tweeting every second and actually open the floodgates to real, long, heartfelt conversations with the people we love. Relationships flourish when two people are able to share their innermost feelings and thoughts about themselves and each other. To be fully heard by someone, in raw form, and be adored anyhow, is what true love is. Making time for these deep connections and conversations is worth it.
~~ Marc and Angel from marcandangel.com ~~ 

Thought of the Day - 3/29/14

Your life is a reflection of what you believe. If you really believe something or someone can stop you, it can and it will. But you already know that. What you may not know is that what you tell yourself about yourself, about your life, about your limitations, you will believe. What you believe is the foundation of what you do and don't do.
~~ Iyanla Vanzant ~~

Thought of the Day - 3/28/14

Thanks Redhead Riter for sharing.

Thought of the Day - 3/25/14

Anxiety

Late at night is when I think
And try to I clear my head
I often stay awake all night
Just laying in my bed

As soon as I get comfy
Thoughts start racing in
I start to question everything
and regret my every sin

At first the thoughts are gentle
Like what will I do tomorrow
But as time crawls by; they escalate
Till I'm drowning in my sorrow

I think of all my failures
Every detail of what I did wrong
After hours of reliving pain
I convince myself I don't belong

I suddenly feel isolated
and like the silence will never end
I feel like I will never escape
There's too much I just can't mend

I feel overpowered and worthless
Like I'll never do anything right
I hide till the world fades away
And I'm awoken by the light

I realize a new day has come
It's time to put on a brave face
I put those negative thoughts away
Until I return to this place

Thought of the Day - 3/24/14

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

Thought of the Day - 3/23/14

Courage.
Kindness.
Friendship.
Character.
These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.
~~ R.J. Palacio ~~ 

Thought of the Day - 3/22/14

People shouldn't have to earn kindness. They should have to earn cruelty.
~~ Maggie Stiefvater ~~ 

Thought of the Day - 3/21/14

Three things in human life are important:
the first is to be kind,
the second is to be kind,
and the third is to be kind.
~~ Henry James ~~ 

Thought of the Day - 3/20/14

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.
~~ Plato ~~ 

Thought of the Day - 3/19/14

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

~~ Kent Keith, The Silent Revolution: Dynamic Leadership in the Student Council ~~ 

Thought of the Day - 3/18/14

A little thought and a little kindness are worth more than a great deal of money.
~~ John Ruskin ~~

Don't Lose Your Temper

Humans have many emotions. Anger is one of them. It is a completely normal human behavior. When you repeatedly lose your temper it affects your relationships.  If you continually lose your temper, then it becomes necessary to control it.

Problems That Arise When Constantly Losing Your Temper

• Anger makes you unhappy.
• The relationships with others is strained, sometimes damaged.
• Anger leads to more stress.
• You make more mistakes when you are angry because anger makes it harder to process information.

 Tips to Control Anger

(1.) Remove yourself, if possible, by walking away.

(2.) Give yourself time by reciting the alphabet or singing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (in your head) before reacting.

(3.) Stop doing what you were doing.  Change seats, walk around, do a little stretching, think of something happy, etc.

(4.) Do some physically exerting activity, like walking, swimming, etc.

(5.) Soothe yourself by listening to your favorite music, breathing deeply, or doing yoga.

(6.) Distract yourself by reading a book of your choice or pray.

(7.) Defuse the anger by using humor.

(8.) Think carefully before you say anything.  It is better not say any anything than to say something regretful.

(9.) Pacify yourself by having your children or pets nearby.  Both are known to soothe.

(10.) Avoid placing blame.

(11.) Avoid holding a grudge.  Forgive the other person.  It is unrealistic to expect everyone to behave exactly as you want.

(12.) Avoid revenge.  It causes negative energy and more problems, possibly legally.

(13.) Most of all, forgive yourself by having a piece of chocolate or talking to a friend.

Try your best to control your anger so you can have healthy relationships with everyone.

Thought of the Day - 3/17/14

A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.
~~ William Ward ~~

Thought of the Day - 3/16/14

For in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet, we all breathe the same air, we all cherish our children's futures, and we are all mortal.

~~ John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963 ~~

Thought of the Day - 3/15/14

Thought of the Day - 3/14/14

Kindness is the language the deaf can hear and the blind can see
~~ Mark Twain ~~

Thought of the Day - 3/13/14

Thought of the Day - 3/12/14

Thought of the Day - 3/11/14

Thought of the Day - 3/10/14

Whatever you do, do with kindness.
Whatever you say, say with kindness.
Wherever you go, radiate kindness.
~~ Jonathan Lockwood Huie ~~

Thought of the Day - 3/9/14

Kindness is better than piety.
~~ Yiddish Proverb ~~

Thought of the Day - 3/8/14

Be kind whenever possible and  it is always possible.
~~ Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama ~~

Thought of the Day - 3/7/14

People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
~~ Maya Angelou ~~

Thought of the Day - 3/6/14

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.
~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~~

Thought of the Day - 3/5/14

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.
~~ Oscar Wilde ~~

Thought of the Day - 3/4/14

Wherever there is a human being,  there is an opportunity for a kindness.

Thought of the Day - 3/3/14

There is only one time that is important . . . NOW.  It is the most important time because it is the only time that we have any power.
~~ Leo Tolstoy ~~

Thought of the Day - 3/2/14

There are ways of communicating that go beyond words.

 

Thought of the Day - 3/1/14

National Random Acts of Kindness Day

Today is National Random Acts of Kindness Day.

It is not a holiday, but rather a national day where the entire country is challenged to do something kind for a friend, family member, or stranger for no reason at all. Random Acts of Kindness Day is an opportunity to do something kind for someone else, to appreciate fellow citizens and for community building – it’s NOT about fundraising or giving money – just a day to celebrate kindness.

Simple acts of kindness are endless.  Check out last week's three articles labeled Little Acts of Kindness, parts one, two, and three.  For more ideas, check out The Kindness Wall at Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.

Kindness can mean different things to different people; usually kindness means:

• the quality or state of being kind.
• a kind act or kind deed.

I have a challenge posted on Facebook this week for Random Acts of Kindness Week.  If you participate by doing a random act of kindness -- big or small -- please post in the comments section here or at All Things Cherished on Facebook.  Everyone who competes will be entered into a drawing to receive a small gift from my "gift cupboard."

Various articles and posts on kindness:
Random Acts of Kindness Across America
Can We Teach Kindness?
RAK Week Lessons and Projects
Volunteerism... A Way of Life Resources
National Random Acts of Kindness Day


I hope you  join me this week in celebrating Random Acts of Kindness Week and start today by helping others.

What It Means To Me

I may not post things that mean something to everyone,
but I do post things that may mean something to someone.

Little Acts of Kindness - Part Three

Let's continue making others happy by giving of ourselves.

41. Introduce yourself to your neighbors.  You might make a new friend.
42. Compliment a stranger.
43. Adopt a pet from the pound.
44. Send a paper greeting card -- thinking of you, thanks, get well, etc, -- to a friend, family member, colleague, whomever.
45. Let the person behind you in line go first.
46. Call your parents and tell them you love them.
47. Make duplicates of your photos and send photos to the people who are in the images.
48. Take the shopping cart back to the front of the store.
49. Send a care package to a soldier.
50. Compliment a well-behaved child.
51. Bake a cake or cookies for no reason at all.
52. Leave nice comments on blogs, Twitter, and Facebook.
53. Be on time.  Don't make others wait on you.
54. Offer a ride to someone who is "car-less."
55. Donate your old clothes and other items to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or other charity.
56. Share your talents.  Offer to teach a class to your friends or at your local craft store.
58. Donate craft supplies and office supplies to your local elementary school, daycare, or preschool.
59. Become a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters or other similar agency.
60. Don't spread gossip.

I hope these sixty acts of kindness will give you some inspiration for today, for Random Acts of Kindness Week, and beyond.

Thought of the Day - 2/11/14

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.
~~ Alice Walker ~~

Little Acts of Kindness - Part Two

21. Let a fellow driver merge into your lane.
22. Offer to babysit for a single mother or father.
23. Put your shopping cart back in its place.
24.  Write to a teacher who changed your life.
25. Tell a colleague they did a good job.
26. Simply say "I'm sorry" when you are wrong.
27. Throw away your trash and someone else's after a movie, picnic, etc.
28. Forgive someone a debt and never talk about it again.
29. Take care of a friend's pet while they vacationing.
30. Bake cookies or cake for the local police station or fire station.
31. Visit a senior citizen center and spend time with some of the residents.
32. Read a book to a preschool group at the local library.
33. Play football or other games with the kids in the neighborhood.
34. Ask someone "How are you really doing?" and then truly listen to her response.
35. Leave a generous tip for a pleasant waiter.
36. Help a friend pack for a move.
37. Pass along a great book you've just finished reading.
38. Have your children make/draw pictures and send to local nursing home.
39. Frame a favorite photo and give to your friend or sibling.
40. Call an "old" friend and take the time to catch up on all the family news.

This is a continuation of ideas for the upcoming Random Acts of Kindness Week.  

To Greatness

Break the Soda Habit

Do you spend most days with a can of soda by your side? You might want to break that habit. Turns out, ALL  soda -- even diet -- is bad for you.  New research suggests it's especially harmful to women. Here are six reasons to give up soft drinks for good.

1. Soda makes you fat. Both regular and diet soft drinks are tied to obesity. In one study, people who drank diet sodas had a 70% greater increase in waist circumference over a few years compared to those who skipped soft drinks.

2. Soda boosts your risk of serious disease. The extra belly fat that often comes with a soft drink habit is linked to heart disease and type 2 diabetes. A recent study in the Journal of Internal Medicine also tied a daily diet soda habit to a higher stroke risk.

3. Regular soft drinks may cause cancer. New research from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health finds drinking two or more regular soft drinks per week may almost double your risk of pancreatic cancer. Researchers speculate that the sugar overload from regular soda triggers insulin production that fuels cancer cell growth.

4. It's bad for your teeth. The big culprit is soda's high acid content: phosphoric, malic, citric, and tartaric acid strip tooth enamel. Citrus-flavored soft drinks are the worst -- they dissolve enamel up to five times more than colas.

5. It's bad for your bones. The same acids that are bad for your teeth also coax calcium from your bones. That goes for regular and diet caffeinated soda. 

6. It's bad, even if you don't gain weight. New research from the American Heart Association finds that women are more vulnerable than men to the harmful effects of drinking two or more sugar-sweetened drinks per day. Soda-sipping women are likely to have a larger waist size, higher "bad" LDL cholesterol, higher levels of triglycerides, higher blood sugar, and lower "good" HDL cholesterol -- even if they don't put on a pound.

Little Acts of Kindness

One small thoughtful gesture can make someone else's day . . .
 
1.  Smile.  Smiles are contagious.
2.  Pick up the newspaper off the ground for an elderly neighbor.
3.  Pay the toll for the driver behind you.
4.  Take a moment to direct someone who is lost.
5.  Pay for coffee for the person behind you in line.
6.  Help carry groceries for the elderly, disabled, or pregnant person in line behind you.
7.  Write a letter to a child who could use some extra attention. Kids love getting mail.
8.  Offer to pick up groceries for an elderly neighbor. 
9.  Drive the car pool, even if its not your turn.
10. Give a homeless person your "doggie bag."
11. Take a neighbor's dog for a walk.
12. Put coins in an expired meter.
13. Help a mother carry her baby stroller up the stairs.
14. Hold the door open for people behind you.
15. Each time you get a new item of clothing, give away something old.
16. Drive a friend to church.
17. Send a card to a friend. Most people still like getting mail.
18. Say "please" and "thank you" and truly mean it.
19. When you're on a crowded train or bus, offer your seat to an elderly, disabled, or pregnant person.
20. Take your neighbor's mail to the post office.

The week of February 16, 2014, is Random Acts of Kindness Week.  Throughout the coming week, I'll be sharing many ideas that you can do to make things a little easier, a little nicer, a little happier for all of those people around us.