10 Essential Reasons Why Kindness Matters in the World that is Not Kind

During the time that my father-in-law was so sick with cancer, a couple who go to the same church with us secretly gave me money and told me that it is a little help for his medical needs. He only had one request- do not tell my father-in-law that it was them who gave it. In the world where humanity seems so rare, it was an inexplicable feeling being a bridge to extend kindness.

That experience reminded me of “The Golden Rule” that we were taught as a kid. It was simple, be kind at all times. Treat people the same way you want to be treated. It remains relevant through the passage of time yet is is disheartening how this is slowly fading. People are finding it easier to bully and harder to forgive. The injustice is so imminent and blatant because of the proliferation of social media. Cruel words are hurled mercilessly behind the comfort of the screen. It is easier to jump and to judge people based on several seconds of video. The ‘viral’ thing to do is to judge harshly without knowing all the facts.

However, I do not want to dwell much on how negative the world is coming to be. I believe with the power of kindness and why it matters despite of the fact that we live in the world that is not kind. Before you type a comment and hit enter, think again if you are bringing positivity in the world.

Remember, kindness matters because of these undeniable reasons:

1. Kindness is the best medicine.
Why do you feel good whenever you do something kind to others? There is nothing as rewarding as being kind to others. Dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins are all associated with generosity. Science has so many studies revealing that being kind is actually linked with success resulting to overall decrease in stress.

2. Kindness can change the world.
Leon Logothetis once said, “One act of kindness towards one human being changes the world. Because to change the world all we have to do is change one life,”.

He couldn’t be more right. Majority of the wickedness happens because we jump and join the wagon of bandits instead of being the first person to spark kindness.

I believe that kindness has a domino effect. When we do one act of kindness, it is beyond explanation how far it could reach. So many people became successful because of one person who chose to be kind.

3. Kindness decreases anxiety.
Being kind to others lighten the burden that we carry every day. When we are not worried about something, there is an absence of anxiety and it is easier to have a real human connection.

5. Kindness can save a life.
Think of a scenario where someone is desperately trying to fight depression and we chose to be kind. Kindness can create a spark that might give hope to that person. Sometimes, a little bit of kindness is enough to save somebody from cutting the last line of hope. We are becoming a world of selfish people unmindful of the suffering of others. Kindness is a selfless act and it can create a spiral effect that can save a life.

6. No act of kindness, no matter how small, goes unnoticed.
It is said that no act of kindness, even the smallest one, goes unnoticed. Sometimes, there are no words spoken but the effect is undeniable.

7. Kindness creates a positive atmosphere.
Kindness creates a positive atmosphere which is safer and healthier. A toxic life starts when we surround ourselves with negativity and kindness can change all that. Offering a little help or using words of encouragement makes any place a conducive place to learn and to work.

8. Kindness exudes the sense of belongingness.
Dalai Lama summed it up with these words, “There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness.”

When there is kindness around us, we are immersed into the sense of belongingness.

9. Kindness can bring you inexplicable sense of contentment.
Darwin, who studied human evolution, believed that we are a profoundly social and caring species. He argued that sympathy and caring for others is instinctual.

Kindness brings this enigmatic feeling that eventually leads to contentment. When we know that we did not step on other’s shoes, we have this sense of contentment.

10. Kindness is contagious.
Kindness has the power to be contagious and bring positivity beyond words. We will just never know just how big of an impact a small gesture of kindness can have.

It is indeed a tough world that we live in. Our friends are on Facebook, conversations are through phones and computers, and we don’t know what’s real and what’s fake when people put their charity on Facebook. But, none of these matters. We all have the power to spark kindness no matter what and inspire a better world to live in.

That experience reminded me of “The Golden Rule” that we were taught as a kid. It was simple, be kind at all times. Treat people the same way you want to be treated.
Being kind is FREE and believe me, it makes life lighter and bearable.

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” –Audrey Hepburn-

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Read more on kindness 67 Intentional Acts of Kindness That Are Sure To Spark Joy by Elease of the The Sunny Side Life Style.

Three Days Exploring the Mackinac Island and the Mackinaw City

Traveling to the Upper Michigan where Mackinaw island and Mackinaw City are nestled is a perfect holiday get away to have unlimited fun and discoveries. From riding a ferry, biking, hiking and sight-seeing, the activities varied which made the trip truly unforgettable.

Mackinac Island sits in Lake Huron, between Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas. Mackinac Island State Park, with trails, woods and the limestone Arch Rock formation, covers most of the island. Founded in 1780, Fort Mackinac is a walled cluster of military buildings on a coastal bluff. The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum has local works, including Native American art, maps and 19th-century photos.

We opted to stay in the hotel in St. Ignace where the port going to the island is situated because it offered cheaper prices. It also allowed us to explore different places in Upper Peninsula other than the island.

Mackinac island is nestled in Lake Huron, between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The ride in the ferry itself was an amazing experience which allowed us to gaze at the amazing vista the Mackinaw Bridge and the island offers.

The island is an impeccable location for many romantic movies. It is like being blasted in the past because of the horse and buggy which is the main transportation, mixture of old and new houses, Native American arts, 19th century photos, and structures preserved through the passage of time. Trails, woods and the limestone Arch Rock formation, covers most of the island.

After devouring an entire piece of their famous burger, my husband and I decided to explore the island through biking. That was my first time biking for almost ten miles! It was worth it because riding the bike is the perfect way to enjoy the Victorian image of the island which was preserved by a small population of permanent residents. They lived in cottages which were maintained in their original state.

Now, if you want to indulge yourself in the tranquillity of an island visit, do not stay at the centre of the business and commerce where flock of tourists and the sound of ferry are blasting. A little walk or bike would bring you at some scenic places and you could totally immerse yourself in the peace and quiet of an island getaway.

We visited during the summer for my birthday celebration and it was the perfect time to do all the biking and sightseeing. My favourite part was simply seating at the historic parks where we enjoyed just resting and looking at beautiful sceneries. Flowers were still in full bloom which made our visit more magical.

Biking around the island gave us a glimpse how much of the island was preserved extensively. This explains why the entire island is listed as a National Historic Landmark and is considered the jewel of the Great Lakes.

THE PICTURED ROCKS
The second day was scheduled for hiking at the famous Pictured Rocks. Since our hotel was at St. Ignace, it is a little drive going to Munising where it is located.

It is honestly one of the most beautiful place that I have ever seen in my whole life. Rock formations were preserved and the view from above is incomparable. It is known for an array of multi-coloured Pictured Rocks cliffs. There are also unusual sandstone formations like Miners Castle and Chapel Rock. The hike would bring you to different waterfalls. During our hike, it was a bit raining and a little muddy which makes the trail difficult to traverse. Remnants of shipwrecks dot the shoreline around Au Sable Point’s 19th Century lighthouse.

CASTLE ROCKS, THE DEER RANCH, MACKINAW CITY
We planned the third day to be spent visiting tourist places on the way home. There’s this castle rock which allows you to have a bird’s view of the whole city. It allowed me to conquer my fear of heights! The climb is a little bit steep but we survived it. 

We also had a chance to pet and feed young deer. My husband loved the experience! Then our last destination was the Mackinaw City. As always, finding where to park was a struggle. It is a small village which would be a perfect respite from your island and nature fever. There are many souvenir shops and activities for kids. Now, our trip was concluded with a lunch in a famous Asian restaurant in the city.

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Why We Need to Label Kids Items: Things I Wish Every Parent Knew

AFFILIATE POST FOR MABEL’S LABELS

This article contains links of an affiliate partner. The site author would earn a commission without additional cost to you every time you click on the link or purchase their products.

My work in the preschool has given me a glimpse of the nightmare of every parent- losing valuable items because they are not properly labeled. Once the kids are picked up, I would instantly receive messages asking me if the item that their child was wearing has been seen or left in the classroom. Oftentimes, they are completely lost.

The reason was not because others steal it or somebody has taken it. More often than not, the stuff was brought home on accident by other parents because they are not properly labeled. Sometimes, the kid’s stuff was just buried under the rubble of other lost items.

At the end of the school year, we collected three baskets of different kids’ clothing that include underwear, branded shirts and shorts, and countless hats and mittens.

There are some instances wherein I needed to dig the pile of clothes myself because the item missing is too expensive. While it shouldn’t be part of a teacher’s obligations, circumstances would force you to do it anyways.

I often hear the parents comment under their breath while helping me to scour the entire room to look for the item, “I hope I labeled it.” But, of course, regret comes at the end.

This is the reason why I fully support Mabel’s Labels. The company offers a lot of solutions to the main reason of any parent’s stress.

It does not only offer solution for lost items but provide practical solutions for other problems as well. THE COMPANY OFFERS FREE SHIPPING!

Mabel’s Labels offer variety of products such as:

- Kids safety products perfect for medical alert labels, custom medical tags, contact info labels, and allergy alert label.

-Sports labels which are designed with waterproof materials.

-Multi-use labels perfect for water bottles, lunch boxes, pencils, and other items.

-  Clothing tags that are laundry-safe.

-Tough and waterproof beautiful bag tags.

-Home wall art and trash bin labels

Visit their website to check their products!

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Tomorrow is Another Day

Tomorrow is another day…
…to live
…to believe
…to laugh
…to cry
…to work
…and to love.

After all, that is what life is all about. A process of rediscovering and redefining ourselves. A process of intricately remaking ourselves. A process which entails more than hard work but also commitment.

Yes, tomorrow is another day. I will be back to regular schedule of work and at the same time I will commit myself into another world far from what I used to.

Tomorrow is ANOTHER day…

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Debunking Ten Golden Rules for a Happy and Successful Marriage

Today, we celebrate our fourth year wedding anniversary. The day I married my husband was the best day of my life.

To love and be loved is the most beautiful feeling in the world. After four years of being married, my husband and I never really had any serious arguments. We are one of those couple who had a whirlwind romance and the thought that we immediately jumped into a married life was scary for both our families. However, our wedding is the ultimate proof that time is not the test to gauge a successful union. Despite of the haste of our wedding, I am a happy and contented wife with a husband who showers me with love and kindness every single day.

Just as we have proven that being in a long relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend is not an assurance that you will end up as a married couple, there are other golden rules that we believe are not true at all.

1. Don’t go to sleep without talking about a misunderstanding

Wrong. Forcing somebody to talk at the height of emotion is the worst that you can do in a relationship. Some people are not so good in expressing themselves and forcing them to talk when the emotion is raw elicits more harm than good. It is good however if a couple would have an agreement when everything is smooth sailing that during misunderstanding, when someone is not ready to talk about it yet, silence must be respected. A simple gesture like hugging or holding hands may just be a perfect assurance that love still exists despite of deafening silence. It is true that communication is the key to a successful relationship but it is not only through words but actions. Despite of occasional misunderstanding, my husband and I always fall asleep hugging and holding each other’s hands.

2. Remove TV/Cellphones from the bedroom

Wrong. In a fairy tale love story, a couple might do just that. But, reality speaks that TV or other gadgets such as cellphones is just part of life. You want comfort so you want them in the bedroom. Cuddling together while watching TV may just be the best form of relaxation for a couple. Perhaps, a more realistic solution is just simply turning off and putting down cellphones for a few minutes each night to focus and listen to each other.  We do this during meal time. No cellphones are allowed at the table and we spend the time talking while eating.

3. Pick your battles

When your heart is bursting with pain and all you want to do is lashed out, it is hard to say to pick your battles. Human frailties weaken our will from identifying which battle is worth getting into. We react with our emotions and saying it otherwise is a lie. The best way to deal with fights is making sure that there is an agreement when one is too emotional, the other one will not fight back. When the wife is upset about something, a hug from a husband is enough to pacify anger.

4. Let go of the little things

Wrong. The reason why something becomes big is because it was never discussed when it was little. Accepting the little misgivings does not mean letting go but more so an acknowledgment that there are problems but you are willing to accept it without holding grudges. If your husband or wife always forgets to kiss or hug you before leaving each morning, and you just let it go, it will be a part of your every day life. Discuss little things when both are cool with it and make a compromise.

5. Marriage isn’t about your happiness. While love must be selfless, there’s no denying that you can’t give what you don’t have.  The reason why some marriages fail is because couples fail to acknowledge that their happiness matters, too. They give too much of themselves and ended up completely drained in the process. The thought of happiness must be cultivated by both the wife and husband. Little happiness matters and if pampering yourself once in a while is what it takes, there’s nothing wrong with that.

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6. If you have to criticize, do it lovingly. Love does not seek perfection and it is common to have flaws. I don’t believe in any good that a criticism would do. It simply must not exist in a relationship. Words hurt and may cause an irreparable damage to the confidence of your spouse. I think the right word is not criticizing but simply talking about things that nags you.   

7. Accept that you can’t control your spouse’s actions.

You can’t control your spouse’s actions but tolerating something that you don’t want will eat your sanity every day until you realize that there’s nothing left with you anymore. Talking about it like two grown ups and making an agreement is the key to a happy marriage.

8. Work out your own issues

Wrong. There is no better way to deepen the bond of a couple but to seek each other’s help at times of weakness. Just a simple act of leaning on each other forms a profound connection that only the two of you would understand. A person becomes weak when facing adversities alone but a relationship becomes stronger when the couple understand that whatever happens they will be with each other. Sometimes, we don’t understand why a person acts differently it’s because we are not aware of what he’s going through. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness but an acknowledgment that you have issues that you need to work on and a help may all that you need.

9. Don’t rely on your spouse for your own individual happiness.

Wrong. When you find happiness beyond what your partner can give, then something is wrong. It’s supposed to be a partnership not an individual happiness. You can spend time with your friends and be happy about it but sharing it with your partner may just give you the same amount of happiness. Again, I am a blessed wife for having a husband who does not seek to spend time with others. We do things together because we both enjoy it.

One thing that four years of marriage has taught me is that love must be cultivated in any form. It is a two-way process to continue growing every single day. Put in your heart the vows that were exchanged during the wedding…to love and honor…to cherish…in sickness and in health…

10. Assume the best in other.

There is nothing wrong assuming the best to your spouse. Love does not just befall without reasons. However, assuming the best with your spouse might just create this false expectation. Your partner is as human as you are. If you have flaws, so is your spouse and acceptance is the key.

One thing that four years of marriage has taught me is that love must be cultivated in any form. It is a two-way process to continue growing every single day. Put in your heart the vows that were exchanged during the wedding…

to love and honor…

to cherish…

in sickness and in health…