52 Ways to Joy - The Everyday Hero

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.”

- Quote by Mr. Fred Rogers

Fred Rogers, a wise man. (And his mother!)

Today our country once again mourns victims of a senseless act of violence.

As I sat down to write this weekly post celebrating the small joys in our lives, it was with deep sadness. At first I considered letting the blog stay dark today in honor of the victims.

But we are not a society built on fear. We are strong and will never be kept down by the cowardly deeds of those who seek to do us harm.

We are a nation of people that rise against violence to reach out to those in need. The first responders, the bystanders, the runners - all became the everyday hero by helping those in crisis.

Today as I search for joy in a life that can seem uncertain and confusing in days like these, I pray for peace and for everyone to reach down and find your inner hero. Whether it's to give blood for those in need or simply to calm the fears of a child...say the extra kind word, do the extra kind deed.

At the end of the day, it's our hearts and good souls that bind us together. We will never be defined by the violence of a few. Click to Tweet.

Today's blog is dedicated to Boston, to the marathon runners, the bystanders and the first responders. I offer up my prayers for the souls lost and well-wishes for those injured. (And of course, I offer up a pox on the scum responsible, may they rot in camel dung for eternity.)

 *52 Ways to Joy is a weekly post to celebrate the simple ways to bring joy into your life and those around you. It's about the small moments that makes memories and give us all a sense of contentment in the crazy world we live in. If you're joining me here for the first time, by clicking on the label  "52WTJ" you can read the previous posts!

** Because I love my readers and am grateful you choose to spend some time with me each week, all comments from April 1 to April 30th are automatically entered into my monthly drawing for a 3 pack of mini travel-sized handmade soaps. Details and the scents for the month can be found on the "contest rules" page.

52 Ways to Joy - Say the Nice Word

"It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice." ~ John Templeton

I can't speak for everywhere in this world, but I can tell you that in my little corner of the universe and the places I've traveled lately - people are rude.

And as if most of us don't have enough insecurities all on our own - those around us are often willing (and able!) to tell us all about our flaws. Isn't that nice of them?

I don't know about you, but I think a nice word might go a long way toward spreading a little bit of joy quicker than pointing out a flaw or a mistake.

 It's way too easy to get caught up in the negative world of pointing out what's wrong - maybe if we all take a minute or two to find something nice to say instead, we can spread a little less hatred and a little more love.

My mother always said "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything." I think that's line one in the "mom manual."

But how often do I think about it and choose the other direction? Too often.

Or how often does the thought to say something nice cross my mind? Not often enough.

This weekend a friend and I discussed this very thing. Why do people feel that they can only elevate themselves by putting others down? Why as a society do we find it so much more difficult to point out an attribute? Does it diminish our own smile if we comment on the smile of another?

Over the past year I'm not ashamed to admit I've seen a few more gray streaks, okay, a LOT more gray streaks, running through my hair. I've also been "blessed" with an unruly head of hair that seems to have a mind of it's own on most days. To say it's hard to control would be an understatement. My hairdresser does wonders in suggesting hairstyles that control it and also go a long way toward keeping me in style. My hair lately has been a sensitive subject for me.

This weekend at a conference, I was sitting with a woman I admire (actually the woman giving the workshop) and the first thing she said to me? "You have great hair!"

One nice thought.

It doesn't even matter if she lied. She seemed sincere to me and in the second it took to say the words, my day was better and it cost her nothing. It didn't make her hair any less fabulous.

The power of a nice word.

Your mission this week is find the nice words to say before you point out the flaw. Make someone's day. Spread the joy one nice word at a time!

 *52 Ways to Joy is a weekly post to celebrate the simple ways to bring joy into your life and those around you. It's about the small moments that makes memories and give us all a sense of contentment in the crazy world we live in. If you're joining me here for the first time, by clicking on the label  "52WTJ" you can read the previous posts!

** Because I love my readers and am grateful you choose to spend some time with me each week, all comments from March 1 to March 31 are automatically entered into my monthly drawing for a 3 pack of mini travel-sized handmade soaps. Details and the scents for the month can be found on the "contest rules" page.