I like this true story ...

[Leah]

True Story .... just thought I would share .....


Say a Kind Word to Someone Else At Least Once a Day

Few kids today are taught the value of empathy. It seems so hard for people to have compassion toward others and to actually understand what they are going through.

I was raised in a very loving family. As a child I was taught to put others before myself. We were always told to go out of our way to make someone else happy. My mom would tell me to say at least one kind word to someone every day. I will admit that it wasn't always very easy to do. But as soon as you see the look of gratitude in that person's eyes you just want to do as much as you possibly can.

I had an experience with a guy that I knew where people were always making fun of him. He was the guy that everyone liked to pick on. Because he was home taught, the only people he knew were the ones that he went to church with. Even there I would see people being mean to him. Every time I saw that happening I knew in my heart that it was wrong. From that moment on I decided I would make an effort to be his friend. I started taking him places with me and introducing him to people. I could tell by just doing that I was making him so happy. And I loved the fact that I was really making a difference in his life. For a while people were giving me a bad time for hanging around him. But it didn't matter to me, because I knew that what I was doing was right.

After a while I realized that he wasn't the kind of person everybody thought he was. And I was lucky to have him as a friend. And to this day we are still really good friends. People have almost completely stopped making fun of him. But the weird thing is that he never changed. What had changed was the hearts of others around him.

From this experience I've learned to be more loving and to show a little more empathy toward other people. What I did for my friend was so easy to do. And at the same time I had a lot of fun. I could only hope that others would start following my example. Before you start judging someone try to find out who he or she really is. You might be surprised. I want to make it a goal for everyone to say a kind word to someone else at least once a day. I can promise you that it will be the best feeling you ever get, knowing that one word could make someone's day a little brighter.



- author unknown -

[isittoolate]

Lovely Leah

and I thought it was you being the kind one, as it sounds like you

But that Arthur Unknown, Boy! He writes a lot of good stuff and he has been doing it for many, many years,

Love
Izzy

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[Leah]

Love the piccy of 'Arthur'..... Izzy   


   My words exactly ..... did anyone get to meet the prolific writer 'Author Unknown' ?   


I did not write it, but it struck a chord with me, as I was taught at a young age, at school, something along those lines. 
And, have suffered ridicule and unpleasantness sometimes, for being just me.  Truly grateful to be me though.

Love, Leah


And I like this also from 'Arthur Unknown'  .....

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary
Because it means you've made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.


~ Author Unknown ~

[Leah]

"Friendship is like a rainbow between two hearts"               ~ Arthur Unknown ~

[changing]

Leah and Izzy-

I am thankful to know you both. Leah, I too thought that it was you who was being a friend to the fellow in the story- it is so like you! How odd that our society and world kep getting more and more complex, and we seem to need more and more, yet are getting and giving less and less of what we really need- the food has less nutrients in it, and the society is less cohesive and supportive of human needs and endeavors. And Izzy, in your subtle way, behind your fierce insight, wacky jokes and disciplined ways , you are also such a gentle and sweet friend, with such deep unerstanding and a compassion that extends beyond superficial condolences, to a caring and respect for the other person, which demands that they do what must be done to save themselves (this is much harder than just saying sorry) I think that  both of you add something good to your respective worlds every day in a conscious way, and I admire and thank you for it.

Love,

Changing

[Hopalong]

Dittos everything, Changing...Leah's kindness and Izzy's too.
I love this about Izz:

a compassion that extends beyond superficial condolences

Plus which, Izz, your little picture attachments bring me joy.
I feel like a kid opening a crackerjack box when I see you've posted.

thank you! xxoo

And thank you, Leah, for the gratitude reminder.

hugs
Hops