2 MINUTES 42 SECONDS

"How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these."

~ George Washington Carver

Kindness has no age.  It has no limits.  It doesn't say "You must be this tall to ride me," or "You must be 21 to enjoy me," or "You must be 60 to order me."  A newborn can feel it and a 100 year old can feel it.  Obviously, none of us are the same, but we all have kindness in common.  We can all appreciate it and we can all practice it - no matter your age, race, religion or economic status.  

Next time you see a 5-year-old standing on their tippy toes trying to reach something, remember this.  Next time you see a 85-year-old struggling to walk up the steps, remember this.  Next time you see a 32-year-old struggling to carry their groceries from the car, remember this.  Remember this:  Kindness doesn't age.


Today's Starfish

Today, I called my 93-year-old great aunt who was just put in a nursing home.  We only talked for 2 minutes and 42 seconds, but I got to hear the joy in her voice after she realized it was me on the phone.  She sounded just like my grandma used to sound.  We talked about the food, her new room, and the people who work there and she told me she loves me and she hopes to hear my voice more often.  I know it made her evening to hear from me and I plan on calling her more often!

Let Kindness Prevail!

"The answer is we love back. We live back. We deepen our commitments to all the unnumbered acts of kindness that make America an unrendable fabric. We respond by showing that we will play harder, and longer. We will serve more meals, play more games, eat more food, listen to more jazz, go to more movies, give more hugs, and say more “thank yous” and “I love yous” than ever before."
- Michael Johnston, Democratic state senator from Denver


It's been really hard to make sense of the world around us.  Bad things happen everyday but lately, it has seemed to sink in a little bit deeper how fragile life and love are.  The Colorado wildfires, the boating accidents and drownings, the eight-year-old and ten-year-old girls who have been missing for 10 days in Evansdale, Iowa, and finally, the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado. 

So now, more than ever, it is important to fight back with kindness.  Fight evil with good.  Fight negative with positive.  Fight hate with love.  Be kind, be good, be positive and most importantly, love.  No one knows when their last day will be, so love while you can.

Life is fragile. It should not ever be taken for granted. Live every second to the fullest and fulfill your dreams. If you love someone, tell them. Do good. Be kind. Don't fret over the small details in life and stop worrying about what everyone around you is thinking about you. Be you and live your life with the purpose God had in mind when He made you.

Today's Starfish

Today, I wanted to do a totally random act of kindness for a stranger.  This is a repeat starfish, but it is too good not to do again!  I went to Starbucks this afternoon and got myself a Cool Lime Refresher and paid for the car behind me.  I hope I warmed the heart of that person and showed her that there is still good in the upside down world we live in.

My challenge for you - put being kind first in your life this week, especially now, when people are scared, nervous and don't want to leave the safety of their homes. Do a random act of kindness and show a questioning citizen that there really are good people left in the world.

And read this article - it gives a good perspective of what happened in Aurora.
http://blogs.denverpost.com/opinion/2012/07/20/face-hate-displayed-aurora-theater-shootings-love/21847/?utm_medium=facebook

What can do you with HALF a year?

"Don't be yourself - be someone a little nicer."
-Mignon McLaughlin

~Starfish was on vacation in CA last week - but we are back in action today~


I was just looking at this blog and realized this is my 26th starfish post!  That is half a year that I have been doing something POSITIVE for someone else on Monday.  And what a difference it has made in my life!  A look back on my first post which discusses what my Starfish blog is really about:

"One small act of kindness could do something as large as save a life. I have decided to dedicate every Monday as a day where I will do something kind for someone else. Someone I am close to, an aquaintenancence, or a totally random stranger. I want to make a difference in someone's day. People don't look forward to Mondays - everyone could use a little light to begin their week. I, for one, dread Mondays like the plague. What a ridiculous way to spend one-seventh of your life! I am going to change the way I feel about Mondays and strive to welcome every Monday with the same excitement as I do a Friday."

Sure, Mondays are not PERFECT - no day is perfect.  Who WANTS to go to work after a great weekend?  But this blog has given me something to look forward to.  It has become a part of my Monday routine, and it still warms my heart every time.

I have loved all the feedback I have gotten on this blog -

• all the "likes" on facebook
• the comments left on my blog
• the co-workers who ask about my starfish every Monday
• the I-can't-wait-to-read-about-your-starfish texts I get from my friends
• the emails and messages
• hearing from people I haven't heard from in a long time who are now following my blog
• the starfish "stuff" - picture, REAL starfish, notepads with starfish on them, pinky ring
• hearing about how my blog has inspired someone else to be kind

Starfish have become a part of me!  Thank you all for reading my blog, liking my posts, commenting and keeping me going!  I love hearing from you and I love to know if you have been keeping up with the starfish!  Don't be shy :)  and remember, I am always open to hear new ideas for the weekly starfish!


Today's Starfish

As most of you know, it has been HOT here in Iowa.  Hopefully, you've all been keeping cool and staying hydrated :)  For today's starfish, I left a couple dollars and a note on a vending machine at the mall.  Whoever was going to be next for a nice, cold drink was in for a surprise when they got to the machine and saw their drink had been paid for.

 

a friend in need....

"The most important things in life aren't things."

True or False?

Everyone knows the "correct" answer to that question, yes?  But if you were actually faced with that situation, where you had to choose just a few of the most important THINGS in your life, what would you choose?  How would you choose?  What if.... all of the sudden.... everything you owned was no longer there?

"The will of God will never take you to

where the grace of God will not protect you..."

Above is a quote I posted on my best friend's facebook wall when she and her family had to evacuate their home in Colorado Springs due to the horrendous wildfire.  I will never forget the frantic phone call I received from Devon after she left her childhood home for the last time.  One hour, 2 cars to load.  And that is it.

When I lived in CO Springs, Devon's family took me in as one of their own.  I lived in the basement of their beautiful home and became an addition to their family.  The Clarkson's showed me love, compassion and kindness.  They served the Lord in that home - it was the gathering place for many and everyone who set foot in that house was welcomed with loving, open arms.

No one was harmed in the fire, and Cato and Danger made it out safely as well :)

Even though the Clarkson's lost their home and their possessions, they still have so much left. 

Faith. Hope. Love. Family. Friends. Memories.

The most important things in life are not things.  The most important things will never burn.

There have been around 350 homes that have burned down in Colorado Springs.  Can you even imagine?


Today's Starfish

My heart has broken a million times for my dear friend and her family.  I decided to put together a cheer package for Devon.  She will receive it tomorrow (and she has strict orders not to read this blog until she has opened her package!!!)  I have included some of her favorite candy, lip gloss, fake eyelashes, perfume, necessities, a couple gift cards and a Willow Tree angel called Sisters by Heart.  Because she is my sister by heart. 

Please keep my friends and the citizens of Colorado Springs in your thoughts and prayers.