Observing the breeze blowing gently through the trees, Savoring the delicate taste of a morning cup and curling up with a diverting novel in hand.

Far from being an extravagance, as these acts of self-kindness have sometimes been treated, they are in fact the fundamental building blocks of strong mental health.

In a world that is increasingly time-pressured, it is easier than ever to overlook your personal feelings and needs.

But according to psychologists, the art of self-kindness is not something that should be optional.

Whether it be in the realms of the physical, emotional, spiritual, or indeed professional, being conscious and sensitive towards yourself, is key preparation for everything that life throws at us.

“It can change your life massively,” says Juandri Buitendag, a counselling psychologist.

“The world has changed and there are many things to deal with.”

“Therefore, self-care, self-kindness and empathy is so important.” (www.positive.news)

If not today, when?

Struggling Italian towns are selling off abandoned homes at bargain prices in a bid to reverse a trend of depopulation.

The picturesque town of Salemi in Sicily is the latest to offer up dilapidated properties for less than the cost of an espresso.

Over the next month, a few dozen crumbling dwellings will go up for auction with a starting price of €1, or little over a dollar.

The town’s mayor, Domenico Venuti, hopes the scheme will breathe new life into Salemi, which saw its population shrink considerably when at least 4,000 residents fled following the terrible earthquake of 1968 that rocked Sicily’s Belice Valley.

“Before launching the scheme we first had to recover the old parts of Salemi where the houses are located, upgrading infrastructures and services from roads to electric grids and sewage pipes.

“Now the town is ready for the next step.”

(CNN)

Sicily is an island just off the toe of the boot of Italy.

A flight attendant was furloughed in September.

Before disembarking from her last flight, flight attendant Breaunna Ross shared a message of kindness to her passengers.

“With so much happening in the world, you never know how small actions can impact the next person.”

The 29-year-old told those on board an American Airlines flight from Jacksonville, Florida, to her home in Dallas on Sept. 27.

“Please be kind to one another.”

“Practice compassion with everyone.”

“Live with acceptance of yourself and others.”

“And until I see you guys in the friendly skies again, please take care of yourself and your health.” (today.com)

May God bless you, Breaunna. You put the wellbeing of strangers ahead of your own!

May we all aspire to follow her example!

If not today, when?

It’s been exactly four years since Shannon Benjamin planted a filing cabinet on the curb outside her house in Bay City, Michigan.

She filled it with food, hoping that people passing by and in need would feel free to help themselves.

Now, there are food-filled filing cabinets all over town.

The need in Bay City, as in so many towns across the country, is so great that even the big food pantries are registering unprecedented demand.

Also, on any given Monday, a caravan of cars begins to form downtown. The drivers pull their cars into the parking lot of the local Salvation Army.

These drivers offer a weekly grocery pick-up for essential workers who are employed, but struggling to get by.

Does your city have pity?

If not today, when?

It seems the American medical community has a lot more to learn about women’s health.

For the average woman, the gender bias in medicine means that she may be prescribed a drug that causes unrecognized side effects because it was primarily studied in men.

It means that she’s more likely to have a poorly understood condition, one that disproportionately affects women and has been neglected by researchers.

It means that she’s likely to face a longer diagnostic delay compared to her male counterpart, especially for rare or difficult-to-diagnose diseases.

Health care providers are quicker to conclude that her mysterious symptoms are “just stress” instead of doing a more thorough workup. DOING HARM, Maya Dusenbery)

How unfair!

Why is it that women have to face various types of discrimination not experienced by men?

Let’s face it. Life as a female is much more difficult.

Because of their challenges, they should be honored and appreciated every day in every way!

If not today, when?

… yearning to breathe free!

Yes, I voted early, but I’m casting another vote TODAY!

I’m voting for you, my fellow Americans.

We are the most diverse country on earth and it is our diversity that is our miracle!

All of you and your ancestors before you brought great wisdom from many different cultures.

And your wisdom and unique perspectives enrich this MIXING BOWL we call America!

We need each of you and the contribution you make to our society.

I see your KINDNESS everywhere in the midst of this terrible pandemic.

I have great faith in you and the manner in which you go about living your lives.

And I am so impressed with today’s young people who will guide us into our tomorrows.

As the song says, “Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow. You’re only a day away!”

Man shelters 300 dogs from Hurricane Delta: ‘What’s beautiful is to see them happy.’

Ricardo Pimentel’s social media post went viral, leading to a fundraising boost for Tierra de Animales shelter, which he founded nearly a decade ago.

As the dangerous Hurricane Delta closed in on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, he opened his home — to about 300 dogs.

There were plenty of other critters too.

Dozens of cats were harbored in his son’s room.

His daughter’s room served as a refuge for chicks, bunnies and even a hedgehog.

A patio became a haven for a flock of sheep.

Not surprisingly, the house smelled terrible, he says. But it was worth it.

All the animals survived the storm! (today.com)

This a story of a man saving dogs. During the pandemic, however, dogs have been saving us.

Millions of lonely people have adopted a dog while being sequestered at home.

Love goes both ways!

One teenager in Portland, Oregon, is helping high-risk senior citizens around his state to get groceries amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Neel Jain, 16, said the idea came to him when he offered to buy groceries for his grandmother.

“She has asthma and she’s in the at-risk category, and I was glad to help her shop,” he told TODAY Parents. “But then I realized that there are many other people in the community who don’t have that family support.”

In mid-April, Jain launched PDX Concierge, a shopping and delivery service operated by high school students on a completely volunteer basis. Now, seniors in seven cities in Oregon can reach out to the group for free grocery delivery.

Regina Brody, 73, said the PDX Concierge service has been extremely helpful while she and her husband quarantine in an effort to stay safe from the virus. (today.com)

There is nothing like SPONTANEOUS KINDNESS!

If not today, when?

Two countries are now at war over a territorial dispute.

One of the countries has armed drones that are killing young men hiding in their trenches.

Bulldozers are clearing the land for new cemeteries.

We all know how this war will end.

After enough young men are dead or maimed on both sides, they will seek a peace agreement.

Humankind seems to continually ignore the lessons of the past.

I think most wars are driven by the needs of the male ego that must be satisfied.

And this is going on while the citizens of both countries are suffering from Covid-19 and rampant unemployment.

Should not the focus be on the needs of the poorest of the poor? They live each day in peril.

Everything comes down to priorities. Choose the right ones for your life!

If not today, when?

You only have one chance to make a first impression. Make it count!

Here are tips on getting a new relationship off to a great start:

Eye Contact is extremely important. If you don’t establish eye contact immediately, you may send the unintended message that you’re not interested in the other person.

Speak clearly and not too fast. Sometimes, fast talking is a sign of nervousness on your part. Relax and put the other person at ease.

Be a good listener. There are many distractions in today’s society. Many of these distractions, especially cell phones, can cause us to be poor listeners.

Ask questions about the other person. There are two big dividends: 1. You may find that the two of you have something or a friend in common. 2. People love to talk about themselves. So, when you ask about them, they are flattered that you are interested in their story.

If not today, when?