Beautiful

Beautiful faces are they that wear

The light of a pleasant spirit there;

Beautiful hands are they that do

Deeds that are noble, good and true;

Beautiful feet are they that go

Swiftly to lighten another's woe.

-McGuffey's Second Reader

Make good by doing good! All it takes is one random act of kindness...

- a genuine smile and thank you to the store clerk,
- restraining your temper towards the guy who cuts you off on the road,
- give a larger than normal tip to a server,
- picking up that piece of litter you see on the sidewalk and throwing it away,
- hugging your kids / spouse and telling them you love them,
- checking up on an elderly neighbor,
- bringing a small gift to a co-worker who is down,
- acknowledging the existence and appreciation of that stranger on the elevator with you,
- encouraging others with a heartfelt word or two,
- seeing and appreciating the beauty that is in those not traditionally beautiful,
- feeling love for someone seemingly unlovable...

You can't possibly know what kind of day or life the other person is having. You can only know how your life has been so far and remember how you could have used a stranger's random act of kindness on your not-so-good days. So why not be the changer and not the victim of circumstances?

Have you ever noticed that cranky or victim-oriented people tend to attract other cranky and dastardly folks? Have you ever met someone who seems to always meet nice people and get free stuff / great service everywhere he/she goes? However, it's not a matter of getting things or respect from people, it's a matter of giving love and respect to others. People are inherently good, and once you start to realize that... it's easier to see and expect good people and actions all around you.

Here are just a handful of links you can do today:

http://www.doonenicething.com/
http://grapevine.fellowshipchurch.com/changeyourcity
hthttp://www.uniteforsight.org
http://www.autism-society.org
http://www.missionfish.org/

Love,
Ann