's motd Wed July 28, 2010

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A.O.K.

Wednesday, 28 July 2010

So how'd you wake up feeling this morning? Were you filled with the kind of high hopes we talked about in yesterday's message? I'm telling you, being positive is the best remedy for just about anything that ails you! And today, I'm sorta gonna continue the theme from yesterday's message.

So you're looking at the title of today's message and I'll just bet you're getting the wrong idea on what it's all about. So what do I mean by "A.O.K."? Well, today, A.O.K. stands for Acts Of Kindness.A couple of weeks ago during one of my motivation classes at Slimmons, I asked everyone to write down three acts of kindness they'd done so far in the month of July. And I have to tell you, after reading some of their responses, it was obvious that I was surrounded by some pretty wonderful people.One lady wrote telling about her neighbor who'd recently undergone hip replacement so was very limited with her physical ability due to the operation. But this nice lady from class, to help out, went over and mowed her neighbor's lawn so her yard would look neat and beautiful. How nice! Hey, we all know how hot it's been all round the country lately but, there she was, in spite of the heat, doing an unselfish act of kindness for her neighbor.

There was also a gentleman in class who lives near his parents who're both in their 80s. Every week, he goes to visit and cooks a healthy meal for the two of them. How kind and special is that, huh? I mean, years ago, his parents were taking good care of him and making sure he was getting enough to eat. Now, all of these years later, the tables have been turned and he does the same for them. How wonderful! Then there's this lady who teaches nursing. Some of her students couldn't afford the nurse's uniforms they needed. So do you know what she did? Well, she actually purchased them herself for those students who couldn't afford to buy their own uniforms. Can you imagine how her students must have felt? I can just see their faces light up as they opened the boxes containing those special gifts from their teacher.Talk about your acts of kindness! Weren't those all great ones? Now I want you to remember, not everyone is as fortunate as you and me. And the people who aren't so fortunate need those acts of kindness more than you know.

As I reminded you earlier, yesterday, we talked about the importance of high hopes. Today, we're talking about the hope you can give others. That's what being kind does, it offers a person hope. And you should try to perform at least one act of kindness every day.

Think about how many people you can make happy with your own acts of kindness. Some of them haven't felt hopeful for years or even decades. Reach out your hand and offer some help, some hope, through your acts of kindness. And what a great feeling you'll have from helping others. Acts of kindness give you a tingly feeling all over. And I'll tell you something else, one day you'll need an act of kindness from someone. (Remember, what goes around comes around.)Now, I'm gonna tell you about one more "tiny" act of kindness that was so sweet. This lady was in her living room and on the floor, she spotted a little ladybug flipped over on its back. She took a small piece of cardboard, placed it against the ladybug, gently flipping the little bug right-side up. The ladybug began walking then flew right out the window to freedom! See, I told you, it was a tiny act of kindness.Please, be kind to all of God's creatures, great and small. I promise, you'll feel AOK for all the acts of kindness you do for others...everyday.Love,