Everyone of us has a temper that can be aroused from time to time!

Sometimes, it is probably justified.

The big danger, however, is that we may say something in anger that we will always regret.

Once the words are out, all the apologies in the world can’t bring them back.

I have a simple solution.

When someone says or does something that makes you angry, COUNT TO 10 before responding.

This gives you an opportunity to get control of yourself and avoid using words you’ll regret!

The words we use throughout our lives either enhance or destroy our relationships with loved ones, friends and co-workers.

Choose your words carefully.

If not today, when?

This July, despite chemotherapy treatments, doctors told the 45-year-old father he had only a few months to live.

Gjoraas decided to spend what precious time he has left at home with his wife and three kids.

One thing Gjoraas was determined to take care of before time ran out was to make sure the family home got painted blue—a color his wife loves—even if he wasn’t there to do it himself.

Gjoraas turned to his friend Doug Rinken. “I just asked him if next summer, which I probably won’t be here for, if he can paint it for my wife.”

Rinken did better than that.

The following Saturday, a painting crew comprised of Gjoraas’ former coworkers arrived armed with donated brushes, sprayers, drop cloths, and paint.

Five hours later, the facade of the once brown house was light blue. (Readers Digest)

Sometimes, “It takes a village!”

As I walked through the parking lot, all I could think about was the dire diagnosis I had handed my patient Jimmy: pancreatic cancer.

Just then, I noticed an elderly gentleman handing tools to someone working under his stalled car.

That someone was Jimmy. “Jimmy, what are you doing?” I yelled out. Jimmy dusted off his pants.

“My cancer didn’t tell me not to help others, Doc,” he said, before waving at the old man to start the car. The engine roared to life.

The old man thanked Jimmy and drove off. Then Jimmy got into his car and took off as well. 

Take-home this message: Kindness has no limits and no restrictions. (Mohammed Basha, Gainesville, Florida.)

Even confronted with a fatal diagnosis, some people still think of helping others!

How about you?

If not today, when?

I saw a dress in a consignment shop that I knew my granddaughter would love.

But money was tight, so I asked the store owner if she could hold it for me. 

“May I buy the dress for you?” asked another customer. “Thank you, but I can’t accept such a gracious gift,” I said.

Then she told me why it was so important for her to help me.

She’d been homeless for three years, she said, and had it not been for the kindness of strangers, she would not have been able to survive.

“I’m no longer homeless, and my situation has improved,” she said.

“I promised myself that I would repay the kindness so many had shown me.” 

She paid for the dress, and the only payment she would accept in return was a heartfelt hug. (Stacy Lee, Columbia, Maryland)

It is in giving that we receive!

If not today, when?

Leaving a store, I returned to my car only to find that I’d locked my keys and cell phone inside.

A teenager riding his bike saw me kick a tire and say a few choice words. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

I explained my situation.

“But even if I could call my wife,” I said, “she can’t bring me her car key, since this is our only car.”

 He handed me his cell phone. “Call your wife and tell her I’m coming to get her key.”

“That’s seven miles round trip.” He said, “Don’t worry about it.”

An hour later, he returned with the key.

I offered him some money, but he refused. “Let’s just say I needed the exercise,” he said.

Then, like a cowboy in the movies, he rode off into the sunset. (Clarence W. Stephens, Nicholasville, Kentucky.)

Random acts of kindness bring us hope for mankind!

If not today, when?

Chuck Feeney made his money in the duty-free shopping business, building a nest egg of $8 billion over the course of his life.

The Irish-American is known for his frugality and humility. Despite his riches, he does not own a car. He rents a small apartment. He flies economy class, and he owns only one pair of shoes.

The co-founder of the Duty-Free Shoppers Group managed to keep his charitable activities hidden from the public for 15 years, until his identity was revealed to the public in 1997 when he sold his shares in the company.

He continued to keep a low profile until 2005, when the opportunity came along to do some good with the publicity.

The New Jersey-born businessman decided to cooperate in journalist Conor O’Cleary’s writing of his biography, with an eye toward promoting ‘giving while living’ to other wealthy people.

In 2007, former Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern, launched the book, “The Billionaire Who Wasn’t”, at Trinity College Dublin. (Goodnewsnetwork.com)

Think about GIVING WHILE LIVING!

If not today, when?

Every evening in Durham, England, these four young people sing uplifting songs for their neighbors in lockdown during Covid-19.

No one asked them to do it. They’re not being paid to do it.

They just do it!

They are the embodiment of the phrase, “It’s better to give than to receive.”

When is the last time you went out of your way to spread some kindness to others?

The great irony of doing something for the benefit of others is that we realize the following benefits:

1. We feel we’re doing something worthwhile!
2. We feel better about ourselves!
3. We have a higher sense of self esteem which equips us for life’s challenges ahead!

Any little act of kindness makes the world a happier and safer place for everyone!

How about setting a daily goal of performing some small act of kindness before you put your head on the pillow tonight?

If not today, when?

A homeless lady tells her story:

“I spent my life moving from foster care to foster care, dealing with child abuse and things like that,” Williams told CNN. “In the end, nobody wanted me, and I stayed in the system until my senior year [of high school].”

Williams was also hampered by a learning disability that made finding jobs more difficult. But even so, she never stopped trying.

Whether it was luck or fate that led her to the parking lot of an East Nashville, Tennessee Kroger grocery store, Williams’ life was about to change for the better.

By day, she became a store regular, striking up conversations and making friends, even when she couldn’t afford to buy food.

At night, she slept in the Kroger parking lot.

The store manager heard about her and hired her.

She received a promotion one month later! (GoodNewsNetwork.Org)

It doesn’t happen overnight.

There are three ways to evaluate another person:

1. What do they say?
2. What do they do?
3. Do their actions match their words?

Looking at yourself, do you tell the truth? Or, have you lied so often that you don’t know what the truth is?

So, once you’re caught in a lie, it is difficult or almost impossible to establish trust.

What about your actions? They speak very loudly.

Do you say one thing, but do the opposite? You cannot do that!

There is an old saying, “Actions speak louder that words.”

In order to be trusted, you must be believable.

This means that your words and your actions must not contradict each other.

Do what you say you’re going to do.

And remember that you only have one chance to make a first impression.

Make it truthfully!

If not today, when?

Two in five Americans report that they feel their social relationships are not meaningful.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 25% of Americans live by themselves!

Many countries are having the same experience while others do not.

South Africa reports an average of 10% of its citizens are lonely which is the lowest percentage found.

And, the percentage of lonely people is growing and is now considered an epidemic!

I guess we could always keep in touch with technology.

We must make the time to show our love and concern for others possibly using Zoom or Facetime.

Even a knock at the door with an outside visit would be much appreciated.

I know you’re busy, but you better not be too busy for KINDNESS!

We live in an UNKIND world!

Only you and I can make it better.

If not today, when?