Tag Archives: Kindness

My Principal Encounter

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For as long as I can remember, my motto has been to be kind. One of my favorite stories is when I was working at Monroe Elementary as the head custodian. Our school was going to have a Parent-Teacher Conference, which takes time setting up desks and chairs. The conference started at 3:30 p.m. On the same day, we had an assembly that started at 2:30 p.m. It was impossible for me to get ready for the conference. I was frustrated, so I did what I thought would send a message to the secretary and principal for planning things so close together. I went home. My standard quitting time was 2:30 p.m. anyway. The next day, the principal confronted me about leaving before setting up for the conference. Rather than getting upset, I apologized for leaving early. I also agreed I was wrong. I let the air out of her sails when she was ready for a conflict. It is much better to be as kind as possible even when you feel you are right. I like to remember that the smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.

Words of Wisdom For My Grandchildren

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    The older I get the more I reflect on my life and realize life is fragile and very short. When I was young, I wanted to to be old. From the time I was 25 and older, I wished I was young again. Now that I am getting close to retirement, I find it easy to wish I could retire. I would like to encourage everyone to enjoy the journey of life and don’t wish your life away.

    Always try to look at life with a positive outlook. Life can be really hard with many curve balls thrown our way. When I see someone frowning this reminds me to smile. When I am having a really hard day, I try to do something nice for someone. Doing random acts of kindness is a huge way to boost your spirit as well as helping boost the attitudes of others.

    Don’t worry if someone is not doing things the way you think something should be done. We are all trying to figure things out on this planet. There are many choices we make that are not right or wrong. What you think is a bad choice someone else might think is a good one. I think fish is usually disgusting to eat, and for someone else this is their favorite dish.

   Positive affirmations work! When I am feeling sick, in my mind I will say “I feel great!” Sometimes I will say affirmations as much as 100 time over and over in my mind. I usually start feeling better. Another affirmation that helps boost my spirit is “I am in the right place at the right time and good things are happening to me.” The power of positive thinking is amazing.

    Remember the world does not revolve around you. If is is to be it is up to me, this is one of my favorite sayings. Always ask yourself; what can I do to lighten the load of others? If you want to have a friend be a friend to others. If someone is asking you how you are doing, try to remember they want you to ask how they are doing as well.

    There are many different philosophies and religions in the world and we can learn from all of them. Don’t ever make people feel bad about their point of view. My way is right and your way is wrong will not help you make friends and influence people in a positive way.

    Don’t take life too seriously. Laughter is medicine for your soul. Always be appreciative of the small acts of kindness others give you. Saying thank you and I love you to the people in your life everyday will improve relationships. Saying I am sorry will make relationships stronger. 

    The way we dress and the way we talk is a direct refection of who we are as a person and the people we attract into our lives. If we speak kindly of others we will attract kind people into our lives. If you like wearing clothes that reflect professional people, like suits and dresses you will attract that kind of person. If you like wearing more relaxed fitting clothes you will attract more laid back people.

    Even when people are unkind, especially family, give them kindness and love in return. Everyone can have a bad day, bad week and even a bad year. Your words will have a lasting effect, so choose your words wisely. When you are in the heat of the moment, remember the words you say can’t be taken back. Before you speak take a break, then talk when your emotions have cooled down.

    Always love your parents no matter what! Your parents love you and want what is best for you, even when you don’t think this is true. Spend time with your parents, call them, drop in to say hello, bring them dinner, invite them over to your house. When your parents are gone, you will wish you did more things for them and with them.  At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how much money we made or how popular we were. It matters how we treated others. Be kind to everyone and always love your family. 

Small Things Matter

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Small things matter.png

Several years ago when I was in 3rd grade I bought a yellow football. I was so excited to take it to school and play with it at recess. I don’t remember the details, but the ball ended up on the school roof, I was devastated! After school, I talked to the custodian. He brushed me off by saying he couldn’t get my ball down at that moment. I asked him later, and he told me he couldn’t find my football, I was pretty disappointed.

Whenever I was let down by adults when I was a kid, I vowed to do things differently when I got older. I have had many chances to show children that they do matter regardless of how big or small the problem. I have had this chance more often since I became an elementary custodian almost 25 years ago.

One of these moments came the other day when a second grade student came to me crying. She told me that she lost one of the lenses from her glasses in an air vent outside. This situation came at a really bad time. We had just received 5 inches of snow and I was tired of shoveling snow. The last thing I wanted to do was go looking for a lens from a pair of glasses. After much searching, I found the lens giving it to the girl waiting above. She was so thrilled to have the lens to her glasses back.

This made me realize we each have things that matter to us. They might not mean a thing to others but they matter to us. Small random acts of kindness make a difference in the lives of everyone, we have a connection with. When a student asks me to get their shoe off the roof, or they have a ball that needs to be blown up, I help them with a smile. The children at my school know that I care, and their concerns matter.

Learn to Appreciate

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IMG_20151016_161510297Once upon a time, there was a man who was very helpful, kindhearted, and generous. He was a man who will help someone without asking anything to pay him back. He will help someone because he wants to and he loves to. One day while walking on a dusty road, this man saw a purse, so he picked it up, and noticed that the purse was empty. Suddenly a woman with a policeman shows up, and gets him arrested.

The woman kept on asking where did he hide her money but the man replied, “It was empty when I found it, Ma’am.” The woman yelled at him, “Please give it back, It’s for my son’s school fees.” The man noticed that the woman really felt sad, so he handed her all his money. He could see that the woman was a single mother. The man said, “Take these, sorry for the inconvenience.” The woman left, and the policeman held the man for further questioning.

The woman was very happy but when she counted her money later on, it was doubled, she was shocked. One day while the woman was going to pay her son’s school fees, she noticed that some skinny man was walking behind her. She thought that he may rob her, so she approached a policeman standing nearby. He was the same policeman, who she took along to inquire about her purse. The woman told him about the man following her, but suddenly they saw that the man collapse. They ran towards  him, and saw that he was the same man whom they arrested few days back for stealing a purse.

He looked very weak and woman was confused. The policeman said to the woman, “He didn’t return your money, he gave you his money that day. He wasn’t the thief but hearing about you son’s school fees, he felt sad and gave you his money.” Later, they helped man stand up, and man told the woman, “Please go ahead and pay your son’s school fees, I saw you, and followed you to be sure that no one steals your son’s school fees.” The woman was speechless.

Moral: Life gives you strange experiences, sometime it shocks you and sometimes it may surprise you. We end up making wrong judgments or mistakes in our anger, desperation and frustration. However, when you get a second chance, correct your mistakes, and return the favor. Be Kind and Generous. Learn to Appreciate what you are given.

Submitted By: Ida, United States