Category Archives: Kindness

Kindness, Life

Rainbows

Life can afford us many surprises, and I was fortunate to see this double rainbow. I hope this photo and the following lyrics bring a smile to your face. This is one of my favorite songs, the Rainbow Connection and was sung by Kermit the Frog and the Muppets.

“Someday we’ll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me
La lala la lala la la la lala la la

Why are there so many
Songs about rainbows
And what’s on the other side
Rainbows are visions
They’re only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide
So we’ve been told and some chose to
Believe it
But I know they’re wrong wait and see

Someday we’ll find it
The Rainbow Connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me

Who said that every wish
Would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star
Somebody thought of that
And someone believed it
And look what it’s done so far
What’s so amazing
That keeps us star gazing
What so we think we might see

Someday we’ll find it
That Rainbow Connection
The lovers the dreamers and me

Have you been fast asleep
And have you heard voices,
I’ve heard them calling my name
Is this the sweet sound that calls
The young sailors
The voice might be one and the same
I’ve heard it too many times to ignore it
It’s something that I’m supposed to be”

Butterflies, Kindness, Life, Nature

Some Inspiration for 2024

Nicole Altneu

On this special day I take the opportunity to wish you many blessings, good health, and peace in the year.  I also shall share this poem by Emily Dickinson, one of my favorite poets.  It is part of the collection of 1,775 poems that were not published until after her death in 1186.

“If I can stop one heart from breaking

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.”

Animals, Kindness

The Holidays

It is almost the end of the year — and for many it is a season of reflection, joy, sadness, cooking, making snow people, wearing sweaters, shopping and spending moments with loved ones. As we speed through the minutes and hours into tomorrow may we take a moment to be grateful for all of our blessings. May we take time to honor those animals, friends, relatives, or strangers who are no longer with us. And may we take time to enjoy the food we eat (that someone probably grew on her or his farm) and may we thank those, even strangers or pets, who show us kindness. You see, kindness does not cost anything and yet it gives us so much. A simple act of kindness has the power to bring the giver joy and good feelings, AND it brings the same to the receiver. So, at this time, I ask you to see if you can share some kindness today, no matter how big or how small. Thank you. May you have many blessings and peace in your heart.

Bees, Butterflies, Kindness, Leadership

Gratitude

We are about to enter into one of my favorite times of the year –the holiday season which encompasses Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas.  I realize that life is far from perfect and there are so many humans and animals that are suffering.  With that said, may we try to treat one another with kindness.  May we have gratitude for all of our blessings, and may we protect this world with all of its beauty.

Here is a photo of a monarch butterfly and a honeybee which unexpectedly came before me while I was walking in a nature preserve.  I was and am in such admiration of their magnificence and strength.  Most butterflies only live 2-6 weeks, and the ones which migrate from Mexico to North America can live from August or September to April.  Bees live 5- 7 weeks and are incredibly valuable to the planet.  One out of every three bites you put in your mouth was pollinated by honeybees. 

Remember, life is short and precious.  Live it mindfully and share your love with others.

Animals, Carbon Footprint Reduction, Children, Climate Change, Kindness, Leadership, Life, Uncategorized

Hope

I hope you all had a nice summer and enjoyed some time with your loved ones. There is so much hard news out there and devastating forest fires in Canada, the United States, Greece, Spain, Croatia and Vietnam. People and animals have lost their homes, and many died from smoke inhalation. And yet, I remain hopeful that we can turn this situation around. There are so many people working to mitigate climate change and make sure that the Earth’s temperatures stop rising and start to decline. So, this is message which is meant to be encouraging in its nature. In the words of so many, we can do this. We each, individually, and collectively, can make a difference to help our fellow humans, and the precious animals of the world. Please reduce your carbon footprints, eat less meat, consume less, and take a walk in a forest or swim in the ocean. I have said it previously, each minute counts. Each one of us matters, and we can positively impact the future.

Animals, Kindness

Happy Holidays!

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There are numerous holidays at this special time of year and I would like to give thanks to you for reading my blog and being part of my life. Let us all rejoice in good health and many blessings, and may we remember to care for one another, and the world we live in.

Climate Change, Kindness, Leadership

Helping Hands

As the death toll climbs from Hurricane Ian we are reminded, yet again, of the increasing severity of climate change. We must continue to reduce our carbon footprints, and positively impact our world. I am heartened by all of the people volunteering to help those who have lost their homes and rebuild communities in Florida and Puerto Rico.

I am also buoyed by friends, colleagues, and others who are planting trees and working to increase biodiversity across the world. We know that we must continue to join together so that we have a livable planet.

Butterflies, Kindness

Hope for Our World

Monarch Butterfly

I just read an interesting article written by Margaret Renki, an author who recently wrote a book entitled, “Graceland, at Last: Notes on Hope and Heartache from the American South”.   In the article she spoke about Eastern monarch butterflies, those beautiful creatures who manage to fly nearly 3,000 of miles from the United States to Mexico but whose population is down by 88%.  She was trying to save some caterpillars (who would become butterflies) she brought home from a garden center and I admit, part of me was looking for some inspiration in her words.  While I did not find a flowery quote, I found some solace knowing that someone else out there besides me is also trying to help the natural world.  Thank you, Margaret Renki.