This early Sunday morning, my dad I were moving the very large aerator into a truck. These things are about 400 pounds and extremely heavy. We had everything set up - a large rope to pull the aerator across the tracks set up to get the darn thing into the truck.

We were about to get started when a neighbor walked by with his dog. He immediately saw what we were attempting to do and offered to help out. With his help, we were able to get the aerator into the truck quickly with no strain on ourselves.

That's what I like to call neighborly kindness! 

I work near the Flower Mart in San Francisco. The Flower Mart is several flower vendors who work with florists in the city. They have a restaurant and it's fun to eat there and then browse around the shops seeing all the bright fun colored flowers of each season.

Today I had lunch with a coworker who is recently back from maternity leave. As we walked back toward the office, I spotted some dark pink and light pink bunches of peonies. Peonies are slowly becoming my favorite flower (gerber daisies being the first). Since peonies are not available at all times of the year, I was excited to see them.

I decided - what the heck! I'm going to buy these for myself! I know have a lovely bouquet of hot pink peonies on my desk here. Photos to come!

I totally think you have to act kindly toward yourself at all times. That can mean...eating healthy, exercising, taking days off to mentally focus on things, mini treats like massages. And it can very well mean buying yourself a bouquet of flowers that brighten your desk or room or office. Making yourself smile is a big way of acting kindly!

One of my very favorite sites is Flickr. I love seeing friend's images. I love seeing photography and being inspired to be a better photographer. All of my favorites images are fun and cheeful.

Lately I've been in the spirit of making mosiacs by searching under certain words or following a set of mosaic memes.

Below is a mosiac I "crafted" by searching under "random acts of kindness" and "kindness." I'm pretty excited at how it looks!

These are all random photographers who happened to catch words of kindness around them wherever they may be.

Good to know that others are documenting kindness and putting it out there for everyone to see.

Now I'll be on the look out with my camera to see if I can witness and capture any of my own kindness signs.

Emma inspires both young and old! Here's a fan letter from the amazing Dakota who donated her lovely locks to Locks of Love. Way to go Dakota!!
 

Hi Emma,

I was inspired to give my hair to Locks of Love
because I realized so many people that had lost their
hair through chemotherapy and had hard times.    I
wanted to cut my hair short, but realized that if I
grew it out a couple of more inches, someone could be
blessed by it.

-Dakota, 9 Years Old

before

after

This story came via Emma's friend, Sonia. Have kleenex at the ready.

The Goodness of their Heart.
Many of you may know that my niece Angelina was born with severe heart abnormalities.  She has had 2 heart surgeries in her short 1 year of life.  Her heart issues are due to a chromosomal disorder called DiGeorge Syndrome.  There is a conference in Troy Michigan in July where the leading doctors and researchers attend and my niece would have the opportunity to get consultations from these great doctors. Unfortunately my brother and sister-in-law just recently found out about the conference and are not financially able to fund the trip.
 
So the families put their heads together and have planned several fundraisers in order to be able to take Angelina to Troy.  Our first fundraiser was a Car Wash at our local Home Depot where Angelina’s uncle Hector works.  If you have any questions about whether there is good in the world I can tell you for myself I saw greatness at the Home Depot.  Not only from their staff and Angelina’s family & friends, but from  a ton of people who heard through flyers,  Home Depot store announcements, signs, e-mails and word of mouth.  Our crew did not stop washing cars from 8 am to 3:30 and we washed the last car at 5pm.  The local Starbucks where Angelina’s future auntie works donated coffee and baked goods to sell.  Some people just quickly stopped to donate and our car washes were by donation only. We averaged 10-20 dollars per car. If I had any doubts in the goodness in people they were gone within these 8 hours.  We almost made all the money to fund the trip too!  Please spread the word about this goodness.  I truly believe good deeds breed good deeds.

If you want to learn more about Angelina, DiGeorge or to see photos from the car wash go to her blog at
http://angelheart2.blogspot.com