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November's Last Quick Pick: Lessons in Thankfulness

11/29/2014

I thought, (I know that can be dangerous) anyway, I thought it appropriate, for this the last Quick Pick of November, to look back at Kindness and Gratitude posts.
See, every once in awhile, my thinking is not so bad (geeze) *rolling eyes*

Gratitude Changes Everything

To start us off, Vidya Sury over at the blog of the same name talks to us about how gratitude changes things. It's a heartwarming and completely captivating story. I beg of you, please stop and visit Vidya and her Gratitude post Gratitude Changes Everything! There's a bonus waiting there for you, find out what that's all about by stopping over.

From Our Family to Yours

11/27/2014

I am...

I'm so thankful you stopped by today.
I'm off sharing this day with my family & friends,
Stuffing my face with food and remembering all
I have to be thankful for!
So, for your reading pleasure,
I'm sharing a past post on being
Thankful!
Enjoy!!

What KINDNESS Look Like

11/12/2014

Yesterday, we talked about what kindness is; discovering how simple kindness can be.

Today, I'd like to share with you what kindness LOOKS like!

It looks like 200 ideas are being held captive within 6 amazing posts! Won't you read them and set KINDNESS FREE by trying a few of the ideas?!?

Make Our World a Better Place: 44 Random Acts of Kindness

"If you have ever experienced a random act of kindness, you know what joy a simple act can produce. This month, encourage your family to spread that kindness to the people who cross your paths during the holiday season..."

29 Ways to Carry Out Random Acts of Kindness Every Day

"The time has come when we cannot just rely on others to make the world a better place – each one of us has to do our bit. It is therefore time for people..."

Read more ...

You're on your way!
Don't stop now!
I know you're getting a lot of
GREAT IDEAS!!

19 Heartwarming Random Acts of Kindness | Pleated-Jeans ...

"I was going to say the exact same thing: since when is it considered a 'random' act of kindness to return somebody their own property. Returning a wallet ..."

Read more ...

60 Random Acts of Kindness for Kids - Feels Like Home

"A few weeks ago, I got 2 new tattoos on my wrists – live fully with my little blog birdie and love fully with a cross. I get strange looks from people who ask about them; the connection..."

Read more ...

25 random acts of kindness that will restore your faith in...

"There are moments when we feel just like giving up on the world, on all the bad things that happen daily, but every once in a while we witness a random act of kindness that makes us believe that maybe there's still a hope in ..."

Read more ...

23 Random Acts of Birthday Kindness

"I was so moved by the original Random Acts of Kindness that started this project that I knew I had to try my hand at my own list of 23 acts in honor of my birthday. So I did just that, over the course of the week that my birthday fell on. What a better way to celebrate than by giving back a little to others?..."

WOW! 200 Ideas for YOU to Share

Pick one or Pick them all! I'd love to hear how you're choosing to create KINDNESS!!

Learning to Walk (and Blog) by Faith,

What is Kindness?

11/11/2014

Ours can be a cruel world. Bullying, terrorists, grumbling, abuse, violence, and so much more invades our lives on a regular basis. The news channels replay terrible things over and over again; All of these things can leave us numb and calloused to what may be going on around us.

Don't give up!

There's hope!
There's a way to stop the numbness!
There's a way to change the world!
It's a small thing. Simple really.

As simple as... A banana?
YEP! A Banana! Just ask Melinda Fargo over at HERMELNESS SPEAKS

I was rushing through the door one day this week when he kindly put my lunch together for me without being asked and thrust it at me as I waved him a hurried goodbye. Later, at work (still rushing around), I rummaged through my packed lunch for a mid-morning snack so I could fuel a frenetic day without falling over…and I found my son had packed me a banana inscribed with the word ‘Smile.’

It stopped me in my tracks. I was stopped and smiling.

It was an unexpected, silly, but just-what-the-doctor-ordered little moment of kindness…and it was all for me. Just me.

See, kindness is as simple as a banana! Who knew, right?! RIGHT!

Or

Maybe it's as easy as...being challenged to do it!

Hmm... Those were pretty simple things! I'm feeling inspired and challenged! YOU?

Maaaybeee, it's as simple as knowing it's been modeled for us.

By whom, you ask?

By God!

The key ingredient in kindness is love. Paul said that "love is kind" (I Corinthians 13:4). This must be true since love by definition must seek the good will of another. Kindness is the expression of that good will. This is true whether we speak of the kindness of God toward man (Titus 3:4) or that of man toward man (Romans 12:10; II Peter 1:7).

Kindness is always manifested without respect of persons. The Christian is not kind to some and not to others. He is certainly not kind on the basis of racial, social or ethnic considerations (James 2:1-9). We should show kindness in the same way in which the Father has shown His kindness toward us--to all men even the unthankful and evil (cf. Luke 6:35). When we withhold kindness from some men we become evil (James 2:4). (emphasis my own)
Source: Teaching Values:Kindness by Jeff Asher

You see, kindness doesn't have to be BIG & SPECTACULAR!
It can be SMALL & QUIET

The wonderful thing about World Kindness Week is that an act of kindness doesn’t need to be anything fancy! Just a little something out of the ordinary, to let someone know you’re thinking about them.

Source:The Neighborhood

World Kindness Week Begins Here at Home

11/10/2014

November 10th begins
World Kindness Week!

Have you ever thought about what being kind actually means? What it looks like?

What you could do to be more kind?

Yeah, me too!!

That's why Kindness is the topic of choice for this entire week here at the
Essence of a Family Home.

I'm
challenging you to pay close attention this week for all the times you're kind.
Jot 'em down somewhere, because at the end of this week, I'm going to need you to share, or my last post for this week will be empty!

OH NO! NOT EMPTY!!

Being kind is a worldwide movement!
Look

About the World Kindness Movement

The idea behind the World Kindness Movement (WKM) crystallised at a conference in Tokyo in 1997 when the Small Kindness Movement of Japan brought together like-minded kindness movements from around the world. The WKM was officially launched in Singapore on 18 November 2000 at the 3rd WKM Conference. The mission of the WKM is to inspire individuals towards greater kindness and to connect nations to create a kinder world. The WKM encourages individuals of other nations to set up their own kindness movements. It is also seeking other kindness movements to join the WKM.

Source: World Kindness Movement

So get out there
and

Dear Santa Where is Christmas

11/7/2014

Can you believe there are only 47 days till Christmas? *what? *

Where did this year go and why is this crazy blogging lady talking about it now?

Well to answer your first question: We can't stop the old clock from moving forward so we may as well prepare for where it's heading.

And... As for your second question: I'm talking to you about it now because, well, that will be answered in just a short time
*sigh*

Flashback

The Sears catalog is here!! It's FINALLY here!
Toys, Toys, Toys!! Hooray Christmas is coming!! I CAN'T WAIT!
I'm going to go write my letter to Santa right now!!
Today we're going to go cut down our tree! I get to use the saw and cut it down.
THAT ONE! THAT ONE! THAT ONE! PICK THAT ONE!!
Why? <whining> Why do we have to let the tree rest? It didn't do anything to be tired!
Our youth group is going Christmas caroling tonight! It's one of my favorite things!
We're gonna sing about baby Jesus being born.
I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!

Back to the Present

Do you remember how you used to feel about Christmas?

It can be difficult, difficult to remember it's not about the craziness this world has made it to be.

As adults, we tend to meet Christmas with a bit of drudgery.

Gone is the anticipation, the excitement, the joy.

We simply feel the stress.

Stress to get all our shopping finished, to figure out what time we need to be at the in-laws, to figure out what we're going to bring as our carry-in dish, and to begin cringing at the thought of the bills come January. Christmas certainly can lose its charm.

Where are you Christmas? *Oh! I love that song from How the Grinch Stole Christmas*

Simple Things

Dear Santa Letters

Dear Santa

If you've ever heard that song, then you may have realized; Finding Christmas is about simple things.

Love in your heart and your mind...simple things

Today begins Dear Santa Letter Week and I had a great idea.

Grab a pencil, pen, heck! Grab a crayon, grab your child (ren) and write letters to Santa!

Don't think about it! Just do it!

Try to recall how you felt when you wrote your letter to Santa as a child.

The awe, the wonder. (That's right, close your eyes.... Remember)

Money didn't matter! You didn't doubt! You believed and because you believed you put EVERYTHING on that list! EVERYTHING you wanted, EVERYTHING you dreamed about and EVERYTHING you desired!

You can do this! It's a very simple way to bring joy back to Christmas.

It's a TERRIFIC way to create memories with your child (ren) and start a new tradition.

Something happens to your heart. Something happens to your mind.

Suddenly you're giddy again; anticipatory; excited!

Almost There

When you've written all your letters... SEND THEM!

That's right, the crazy blogging lady said, SEND THEM! SEND THOSE LETTERS TO SANTA!

Santa's Address:
Santa Clause
325 S Santa Claus Ln
North Pole, AK 99705
OR
Email Santa: Santa Claus

Christmas is coming!

Start rediscovering the joy, excitement, and anticipation of participating in Dear Santa Letter Week!

Learning to Walk (and Blog) by Faith,

Mmmmm Peanut Butter

11/6/2014

I have two words for you

PEANUT BUTTER

That's right, Peanut Butter!

Why am I giving you those two words?

Well, because

November is National Peanut Butter Lovers Month!

I LOVE Peanut Butter!

There are so many things to do with peanut butter!

I thought I'd share a few of the ways I LOVE to use Peanut Butter

Mmmm, don't all of those things look fabulous?

Do you LOVE peanut butter?

Tell me what YOU LOVE about peanut butter and your favorite way to eat it?

Learning to Walk (and Blog) by Faith,

From Lucky to Thankful

11/5/2014

Hello.

I'm so glad you decided to drop in.

Friends never need an invitation to stop by, do they?

Isn't it wonderful?

To know that you are always welcome somewhere

To know you don't have to DO anything.

AND...

On the other side of that,

To know you're accepted

Just the way you are.

If your friend stops by and you're still in your jammies and the house is a mess

You haven't combed your hair or brushed your teeth

They don't care.

You're not judged because they love YOU just the way you are.

To know you don't have to DO anything

They just want to spend time with you.

Feels good, doesn't it?

Knowing that makes me think about how lucky I am

Lucky to have people who love me just the way I am

I'm not lucky

How about if we change it

Instead of the word lucky

What if we use the word Thankful instead

Suddenly, the phrase means something more

Luck implies something unintentional, something by chance or by our own design

Thankful implies viewing something as a gift and shows appreciation

I'm not lucky, I'm THANKFUL

Thankful for people in my life who love me just the way I am

There are so many times we use the word 'lucky'

When instead we should be using the word thankful.

Let me try again

I am thankful for people who love me just as I am

See?

That sounds completely different doesn't it?

Try it

Try replacing the word LUCKY with the word Thankful

Does it make a difference in how you 'see' whatever or whoever you're applying it to?

Does it make that something or someone seem more valuable?

Where have you been using 'lucky'?

Try changing lucky to thankful

Did it make a difference?

Think of something you say you are lucky to have

Change lucky to thankful

then

Finish this sentence and share it in a comment below

I'm Thankful for _____________________!

Learning to Walk (and Blog) by Faith,

8 Thankful Inspirations

11/4/2014

Every day I see this cute little poster that says:

(I actually used that cute little saying in another one of my posts about shutting the door on conflict, did you read that one?)

I've been thinking about that little poster all day and with a bum ankle I've had lots of time to think ☺

Being laid up can make a person feel sorry for themselves and can make them a bit grumbly (Whaaat?!! Ok, Ok, you're right! I'm talking about me! How'd ya figure that out so fast?)

There are so many reasons to NOT be thankful. Not enough money, not the right job, not the right....anything! Life can suck the life right out of us!

It's true! Attitude IS something so little but it CAN make a difference.

Make a difference in our lives!

I'm here to challenge you to think differently! To be different through November! (of Course it might catch on and YOU might just go beyond November....eek, gasp, oh the horror!)

How about a little help to jump start that ol' Attitude of Gratitude?

Yep, I'm going to do the start up work and then let you finish up! NO, you won't be alone because I'm going to walk right along beside you! YEP! I won't ask you to do something I, myself, am not willing to do!

You and me....thankful together!

NOVEMBER

N- Name it! Putting a name to what you're thankful for puts it in the forefront of your thinking. (extra encouragement here)
O-Open Mindedness! Opening our minds to seeing things to be thankful for even when we don't feel like it (more encouragement here)
V- Value Thankfulness! We tend to use and seek things we value (how bout here)
E- Enjoy Blessings! Blessings arrive every day, big and small, we simply need to recognize them (yep, here too)
M- My Mission! Make thankfulness your mission during each new day (Oh and here)
B- Be Thankful! God's directions in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says to be thankful no matter what circumstances you may be facing (how bout here)
E- Earnestly Seek! Be intentional in your seeking of things to be thankful for (here too)
R-Real Thankfulness! True thankfulness can benefit more than our thoughts, it can change our lives (finally here)

Change is never easy and changing our minds is no exception!

I'm thankful for YOU!

YOU CAN DO IT!

Learning to Walk (and Blog) by Faith,

30 Days in November to Celebrate

11/3/2014

I love to celebrate! EVERYTHING & ANYTHING!
I look for things to celebrate.
Low and behold, this year, I joined a classroom where the teacher I work with has a list of fun, weird, and real days of celebrations.

I thought it might be fun if I shared with you a few of my favorites.

One for every day of the month of November.

That way YOU can celebrate too - At any time, for any reason!!
While most of them are national (US) there are international ones too; don't hesitate to celebrate them anyway! I know I will be!

Oh! I almost forgot; Some of these would make GREAT blogging post ideas!!

Ooooohhhh BONUS!!

November

1st
National Author’s Day
National Family Caregiver’s Day
World Vegan Day

3rd
Cliché Day
Fill Our Staplers Day
Traffic Directors Day

5th
Gunpowder Day
Stress Awareness Day

7th
National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day

9th
International Tongue Twister Day
World Freedom Day

11th
National Young Reader’s Day
Origami Day

13th
World Kindness Day

15th
I love to Write Day
National Day of Play

17th
Homemade Bread Day

19th
Have a Bad Day Day
International Men’s Day
National Educational Support Professionals Day

21st
World Hello Day
World Television Day

23rd
National Image Consultant Day
Mother Goose Day

25th
International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women Day
International Hat Day

27th
National Day of Listening
Thanksgiving

29th
Square Dance Day

2nd
All Saints Day
Cookie Monster Day
Zero Tasking Day

4th
National Chicken Lady Day
Use Your Common Sense Day
Election Day

6th
National Men Make Dinner Day
National Nachos Day
Saxophone Day

8th
Abet & Aid Punsters Day
Cook Something Bold & Pungent Day

10th
Sesame Street Day
World Orphans Day

12th
World Architecture Day

14th
International Girl’s Day
Loosen up, Lighten Up Day
National American Teddy Bear Day
National Spicy Guacamole Day
National Pickle Day

16th
International Day of Tolerance
National Button Day

18th
European Antibiotic Awareness Day
National Entrepreneur Day
Mickey Mouse Day

20th
Name you PC day
National Peanut Butter Fudge Day
Universal Children’s Day
Use Less Stuff Day

22nd
Family Volunteer Day
International Aura Awareness Day

24th
Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day

26th
Tie One on Day

28th
Black Friday
Buy Nothing Day
Flossing Day
Maize Day

30th
Stay Home Because You're Well Day

What would YOU add to the list? Are there any fun, weird, or real celebrations you celebrate or know of that might be fun for others too? Would love for you to SHARE them with me!!

Thank you to Brownielocks.com, Mikekerr.com, Holidayinsights.com, & Daysoftheyear.com for having and sharing their lists of days!

Learning to Walk (and Blog) by Faith,

Robyn

Hi! I'm a 40 something-ish, working, Christian wife & mom with a passion for faith, reading, writing, frugality, simplicity, diy-ing, compassion, and love.

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