I learned a lot about kindness from my grandparents. Grandpa Graham was the sweetest man. Chickadees would land on his arms and shoulders while he was outside in his gardens. Here is a lens about kindness, in honor of my grandfather.
Please rate this lens. And, if you have suggestions for improvements, please let me know. Thank you.
A Good Lesson
I have had my grandfather's advice to me validated many times, but here is one example.I was having lunch with a friend in a small diner when she told me she was thinking about not leaving a tip because the waitress was not being very friendly. I then told her what I happened to know about the waitress. I knew her story because she had been befriended by my father and a group of his friends who would come in for morning coffee every weekday. Her husband had just died of a sudden heart attack and, if that wasn't enough, she was taking care of his mother who was very sick and dying of cancer. And, here she was still working every day. My friend was shocked to hear this and we left a good tip. You see, you just never know.
Insightful Quotes on Kindness & Compassion
- "The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth. The trite subjects of human efforts, possessions, outward success, luxury have always seemed to me contemptible."
Albert Einstein - "Sometimes when we are generous in small, barely detectable ways it can change someone else's life forever."
Margaret Cho - "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."
The Dalai Lama - "Compassion is the keen awareness of the interdependence of all things."
Thomas Merton - "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."
Philo of Alexandria
(I guess my grandfather had read about Philo!)
"Caring" From Our Friends at Flickr
Here is a selection of photos labeled "caring" from our friends at Flickr.
by Velvet G
by Rune T
by Tariq's Fantasy World
by Candy
Can Kindness Change the World?
- The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation
- This is an awesome site with many features. You can sign up for a monthly newsletter on kindness, get material for the classroom, create you own kindness website for free using a special template, send an e-card with an inspiring quote and much more. This site is run by a non-profit, non-denominational organization and in their words: "The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation inspires people to practice kindness and to pass it on to others."
- Kindness to Ourselves & Others
- A wonderful teaching on the Buddhists' view of suffering, compassion and kindness.
- Voices of Compassion
- This takes you to a site which tells you all about a collection of music entitled "Compassion", a live recording made at the time of the last Summer Solstice of the Millennium by the Drepung Loseling Monks, the Abbey of Gethsemani Schola and the musicians of Millenia Music. It was recorded in the Star Chamber of Mammoth Cave, at the Abbey of Gethsemani and the Furnace Mountain Zen Temple.
"'Compassion' is at once both a prayer and an extraordinary aural celebration of brotherhood and world peace. It has the power to bring feelings of hope and human compassion to all who listen."
--Bruce Lundvall President, Capitol Records - The Kindness Campaign -- Spread Kindness, It's Contagious
- In Asheville, North Carolina: An example of what one community is doing to encourage and spread acts of kindness.
- Make A Difference Day
- Did you know that the 4th Saturday of every October is "Make a Difference Day"? This special day is based on the idea of helping others. Visit this site to learn more about it.
- Visionaries
- Visionaries makes documentary films about individuals and groups around the world who are helping others. Their byline is "Changing the World One Story at a Time".
Writings on Kindness at Work
The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World With Kindness
Just out in September and written by 2 advertising execs who created the highly successful AFLC campaign, this little book could make a huge difference in how we conduct business. I hope it becomes an inspiration to many, many people.
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Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 07/04/2009) 
List Price: $17.95
"Kindness" From Our Friends at Flickr
Two critters in love. by mofo
give some..., by mofo
Hug, by valentiatrim
by arimoore
by Broken Lens
Movies About Kindness
Sugihara - Conspiracy of Kindness
Check the link below for a wonderful website devoted to this beautiful documentary film about a man who showed his kindness by saving Jewish people from the Nazis. It is offered here on Amazon for a very good deal.
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 07/04/2009)
Pay It Forward
A popular movie from 2000 based on a fictional story about a boy who tries to change the world by helping 3 people and asking them to pass it on and continue the chain.
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 07/04/2009)
A Supreme Kindness During WWII
- Sugihara: Conspiracy of Kindness
- This is the site for a documentary film about Chiune Sugihara, and how he saved the lives of Jewish people during World War II. A companion to the PBS documentary "Sugihara: Conspiracy of Kindness", this site has an interactive timeline examining Sugihara's travels and key historical events that influenced his life; video clips; transcripts; a lesson plan for the classroom; and more.
Just viewing the trailer for the film is inspiring. See the above Amazon link for a good deal on this film.
Writings on Kindness & Compassion
The Force of Kindness: Change Your Life with Love and Compassion (Book & CD)
"Distill the great spiritual teachings from around the world down to their most basic principles, and one thread emerges to unite them all: kindness. ... Sharon Salzberg, one of the nation's most respected Buddhist authors and meditation teachers, offers practical instruction on how we can cultivate this essential trait within ourselves. ... She reveals that kindness is not the sweet, naïve sentiment that many of us assume it is, but rather an immensely powerful force that can transform individual lives and ripple out..."
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Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/04/2009)
Field Notes on the Compassionate Life: A Search for the Soul of Kindness
"Marc Ian Barasch's Fieldnotes on the Compassionate Life is an excellent and penetrating book. His argument for compassion is balanced yet persuasive, and long overdue. This book ought to be a compulsory read for all."
-- Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
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Amazon Price: $24.95 (as of 07/04/2009)
A Short Course in Kindness: A Little Book on the Importance of Love and the Relative Unimportance of Just About Everything Else
Highly recommended with 5 stars: "This book points out the difference between just being nice, which many people are at times, and being truly kind. Kindness is a way of life, a way of being."
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Awakening Loving-Kindness (Shambhala Pocket Classics)
Another 5-star book: "This tiny book has had a huge impact on my life. While I have often been glibly advised to live with kindness, or by the golden rule, I have never seen such clarity on HOW to live with kindness and compassion toward others, and especially toward self."
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Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 07/04/2009)
The Ultimate Quote From Anne Frank
Don't forget Anne Frank and her stunning comment in her diary while hiding during the holocaust. ""In spite of everything," Anne says, "I still believe that people are truly good at heart....that this cruelty too will end..." She was only 13 years old. Have you Read Her Diary?
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
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Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 07/04/2009)
List Price: $5.99
Anne Frank Remembered
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Amazon Price: $14.00 (as of 07/04/2009)
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From the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam
- Anne Frank Museum, Amsterdam - the official Anne Frank House website
- From the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam, here is the official site on Anne Frank, her Diary and the "Secret Annex" where she and her family hid. They have the most complete and current information with unique photos and film images.
Helping Others
Sometimes a picture can be even more inspiring than words.
Roller Skating by supermans_boots
Helping Hand by robertgrovephotography
Helping Sorta by Hemicuda82
![Little Girls by [ CK ]](http://static.flickr.com/30/44524559_da2ec7f9e7_s.jpg)
Little Girls by [ CK ]
New Friends by interplast
Tips for Being of Help
- Helping Others
- "All the time, every moment of the day, we're in the world and either making it better or making it worse. Because we're all inter-connected, our thoughts spread out and affect everything around us."
This site assists in learning basic counseling to help you understand how to be a good friend, help people in need and spread your positive thoughts.
Teach By Example
On my way to work I saw this bumper sticker:In Everything You Say or Do
Think of How it Affects Others Too
Teach by Example
More Inspiration
- For a Better life
- Kindness by Naomi Shihab Nye
- This link will take you to a very interesting and thought-provoking poem on the journey toward a person's understanding of kindness. Garrison Keillor chose this poem to be used in the July 23 issue of The Writer's Almanac, which he writes for National Public Radio. You can have this delivered to your inbox every day if you are interested in writng and poetry.
Writings on the Kindness of Animals
The Compassion of Animals: True Stories of Animal Courage and Kindness
"Kristin von Kreisler makes a strong case for a 'controversial premise'-that animals demonstrate genuine acts of compassion toward others every day. This book will remove the 'controversial' from the premise!"
- Paul G. Irwin, president of The Humane Society of the United States
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Amazon Price: (as of 07/04/2009)
The Compassion of Dogs: True Stories of Animal Courage and Kindness
Another book on the compassion of animals: "The Compassion of Dogs is a fabulous collection of true and moving stories that illustrate how dogs display their wide range of emotions familiar to any pet owner-compassion, courage, intuition, and loyalty. Inside, you'll meet canine caregivers, therapists, and heroes, as well as medics, September 11 saviors, and countless other very special dog friends."
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How Kind!
I had to include this delightful five star rated book for children ages 3-5 about a group of farm animals and how one hen's act of kindness goes full-circle.
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Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 07/04/2009)
Individuals Taking Action
- Ryan's Well Foundation
- Visit this inspirational site to learn about the influence of one young child. When Canadian Ryan Hreljacs was 6 years old, his teacher talked of people in Africa having to walk miles for fresh water. Wanting to make a difference, Ryan proceeded to do chores to earn money to be used to build a well for an African community. His effort has grown so much that to date 210 wells have been built. This is Ryan's official website.
- The Ladybug Foundation
- This is an amazing story. Hannah Taylor is 12 years old now. At the age of 5 she was inspired to learn more about homeless people. To date, she has raised over one million dollars to help homeless people across Canada. Here is a quote from her "So many people have already helped me make the Ladybug Foundation. We will all need to work together forever to help our homeless people. I will keep teaching people about what the homeless need and I believe we can make a difference. We all need to care about each other and share a little of what we have."
Can you be TOO nice?
I think that there is a difference between being nice and being kind. Sometimes being nice is about wanting approval or being afraid of conflict. On the inside you may be worrying about what others think of you or you may hesitate to "hurt other's feelings". We all know that sometimes the kindest thing we can do is to speak the truth. There are fine lines here, though, aren't there?One of my bosses years ago called me into her office to berate me. "You're too nice. You're too nice and everybody likes you!" I was bewildered. I didn't know how to respond, so I said nothing, which frustrated her even further. I never was clear about her motivation. At the time I wondered if it was jealousy. I saw her a few years later, after we were no longer working together, and she haltingly apologized to me. But, perhaps her comment held a grain of truth. Sometimes being TOO nice is not helping you any and may not be helping the greater good either.
This would be a great late-night debate wouldn't it?
Sometimes..."You Gotta Be Cruel to Be Kind"
Remember this song? Do you agree with the person Nick Lowe is singing about?Cruel to Be Kind
Oh, I can't take another heartache,
Though you say you're my friend, I'm at my wits' end!
You say your love is bona fide,
But that don't coincide with the things that you do
And when I ask you to be nice, you say
You've gotta be
Cruel to be kind in the right measure,
Cruel to be kind it's a very good sign,
Cruel to be kind means that I love you,
Baby, you've gotta be cruel to be kind.
Well I do my best to understand dear,
But you still mystify, and I want to know why.
I pick myself up off the ground
To have you knock me back down again and again!
And when I ask you to explain, you say
You've gotta be
Cruel to be kind in the right measure,
Cruel to be kind it's a very good sign,
Cruel to be kind means that I love you,
Baby, you've gotta be cruel to be kind.
Writings About the Price of Being "Too" Nice
The Disease To Please
"It is the first book to treat people-pleasing as a serious psychological syndrome, and it breaks new ground in its approach to offer a cure."
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Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 07/04/2009)
Peace At Any Price: How To Overcome The Please Disease
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Amazon Price: $11.66 (as of 07/04/2009)
Workshops at Omega Institute
- Omega Institute Workshops
- Here is another workshop at Omega focusing on kindness.
The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY is the nation's largest holistic learning center (2 hrs. from NYC) and offers many workshops, retreats, and wellness vacations in a wonderful setting.
Check out the many other options at Omega, too, by looking at the workshop section. They hold workshops there from Spring until late Fall every year and have travel options as well.
One by One
I am pleased that many of you are interested in this topic and that it has offered inspiration. As we all age and think about what we have done with our lives, is it really what we have done for ourselves that fills us with a sense of peace? What, indeed, does that leave behind once we are gone? That which truly endures, I feel, is the influence we have had on others. Doesn't that get passed along from generation to generation? And, doesn't it affect the whole of humanity? It spreads. I am sure of it. Can we "change the world"? I think we can. One by one. What Do You Think?
- "I truly enjoy your Squidoo lens on the 'Power of Kindness'. I think this is just what the world needs today." Chris Yeo
Guest Book & Reader Feedback
Please feel free to include your own thoughts here.
shevans wrote...
This is a great lens straight from the heart and very meaningful.
Posted May 11, 2009
spirituality wrote...
Great lens. Please submit this to my Spiritual growth and awareness headquarters. http://www.squidoo.com/groups/spiritual-growth
Posted February 10, 2009
seedplanter wrote...
What a blessing your grandpa is. Oh, that we would all have someone like that in our lives. I received that same message as I grew up - that you never know what someone is going through. It's easier to lash out at someone rude, but if we knew their struggles and disappointments, it would make a difference. Your kindness lens is beautiful. I'm lensrolling it to one of my lenses, "The Gift of Kindness." It's a perfect fit. Thank you.
Five *****'s and a fave for a lens I'll not soon forget.
Posted January 16, 2009
poutine wrote...
I enjoy your quotes about kindness.
Your grandpa seems like a lovely person.
Posted December 10, 2008
RufusQuail wrote...
Kindness feels good. Maybe the rest of the world will catch on. I lensrolled this to my Courtesy is Contagious lens. Thanks. 5*
Posted August 09, 2008
