“When I was a boy, and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for helpers. You will always find people who are helping'” ~ Mr. Rogers
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This afternoon, while making myself a bit of lunch, a kitty cat meows by the back door. I scoop up the bundle of him, and we sit outside, enjoying the sunshine. We share a patio chair, a bowl of yogurt with fruit and listen to the birds.
The bulk of my daily conversations with friends and neighbors this week have been swollen with the transitions we're making in our lives. We share glasses of wine, a few tears, promises to stay in touch and excitement over new things to come. Late-night conversations with my children are much the same
How do you keep going when life is glorious and terrible and everywhere in between?
Along with, what I hope are a few words of wisdom, I've been sharing one of the most beautiful thoughts. Between jotting down things I'm grateful for and the sweet interactions I see in my days, my little notebook is filling up rapidly
(And so is my heart)
Photo Credit – Instagram – @cupofjo
A neighbor mows the lawn for another who is out of town
The cutest story of a matchmaking grandson [via The New York Times]
Friends come together to fill a freezer full of meals for someone who hasn't been feeling well
The bus driver who stops and waits for the guy running as fast as he can to catch a ride. The good Samaritan who picks up the books that fell out of his backpack and drives to the next stop to hand-deliver them
Cookie recipes in your inbox – “Couldn't help but think of you!”
The woman who let you pet Petunia the pug while on your evening walk (and didn't laugh when you choked back a tear)
Friends to dangle your feet in a cool swimming pool with
Bouquets of wildflowers from a friend's garden waiting outside your front door
Your mom who knows the perfect wine to pair with anything and always makes everybody's favorite dishes
To the woman in the chocolate aisle: We've never officially met, but if you're reading, I'm sure I looked sad and desperate that afternoon. Thank you for your funny suggestion/reminder/not-so-subtle-hint. “Boy the cherries sure look good today, wouldn't you say?”
The 9-year-old Iowa boy who pets dogs (and has amassed 90K Twitter followers!) [via Talk of Iowa]
Our kitty who sleeps on my pillow. Right before I go turn out the light, he instinctively knows that it's time to find his way to his spot. Being tucked in is the ultimate feeling of comfort and kindness
A friend who realized I was caught in a torrential downpour, came to find me on my walk, brought towels and gave me a ride home
The little boy ahead of me at the pet store who was so excited about getting a pet fish. “His name will be Lime.”
One of our golden retrievers, Sally, seems to have a whole host of irrational fears and tummy troubles when she's upset. Harry is always right there to lick her face and lay right beside her
Guitar serenades from afar
Being kind to yourself and feeling your soul exhale with relief
Sending big hugs to everyone today!
xoxo
(Featured Image Photo Credit: Instagram – @myflowerdiary)
52 Comments
A good friend of mine just lost his father the other day so this post definitely helps. He gives me some good ideas of stuff that I can do for him just to show we are here for him.
I love all the ideas you shared and can’t wait to share it with our friends and family so we can all help others out how may need it. The world would be a better place with a little kindness.
A good reminder that during the pain and different times there is still beauty around us. Comes in many different ways
I really enjoyed reading this post. This is such a great reminder and wonderful ideas of how you can help others. Small gestures really go a long way.
I love that you pointed out some things that most people miss on a daily basis. Like, little kids and their imaginations – because why not name a fish lime!
This is a great collection of humanity. It is so nice when people help each other for no special gain just to be neighborly and friendly and it is so great to witness.
I love the list. I think it’s important to always be kind to others. I always tell my kids this.
We have a stray kitty that comes to the door. We feed him but he won’t let us touch him.
Truth moment, the last few weeks have been tough. I lost 2 of my best friends ever so it’s been difficult finding happiness during this time. Ironically those happy memories often turn into tears as I reminisce of the times we shared. You’re right though there is still joy even in the tough times.
That is one of my favorite quotes from Mr. Rogers, look for the helpers. I try to take time to enjoy the little things when I feel overwhelmed by the negativity.
I live in neighborhood where we really look out for one another. We have mowed lawns and filled freezers when some needs it and done so much more. This is a major blessing in my life and I never take it for granted.
This is such a good list. As scary as today can be, it’s important to focus on the kindness of people around us.
I always think about the positive attributes in life. Sure sometimes things just seem like the pits, but the BIG PICTURE is not – so I try my best to focus on that as much as possible and it seems to work like a charm for me!
Gratitude sure does make things better and brighter. This a very sweet post and love the positivity .
I just lost my Father last week, so I understand all too well about looking for the positives in every day. <3
I love the idea to jot down things you’re grateful for. It must be so lovely to open up the notebook and read through these thoughts!
I absolutely love this so much. I struggle a lot internally most of the time, and especially during times of turmoil, and I really try to focus on the good like you said. Every little thing that I see others doing, that they likely don’t even know I see- it makes my day brighter. Thank you for sharing this!
I really enjoyed this post, it did make me smile today! I love your positive outlook on life and think we could all take a leaf out of that book indeed!
Those are some lovely things which your friends have done for others. The small things can really make a difference to everyone around you x
Things sometimes get tough that’s for sure and we need to look for something good. This post made me feel better about some things going on in my life.
These are great ideas to help others out. It is easy to get busy and forget about what others are going through but we need to help each other and remember to think of others first.
This post has made my week even brighter. We all need to try a little kindness. When next I am having a tough time, I will look out for the helpers.
so important to look out for the little things that make the world wonderful and full of hope x
These are some wonderful moments of togetherness, those small acts of kindness that can mean so much.
It is always good to see the positives in life. Even if times are tough there is always good to be seen.
Yes, little things are the most important in my mind. I love this list, great job!
“His name will be Lime”…I DIE!! That is adorable! Great post!!
Sometimes it is hard to look what is around us instead of just focusing on what is not going right at that moment. It is so important to appreciate what we have.
Lovely post and acts of kindness. Sometimes the little things make all the difference to people. Aww, what a fun name Lime for the fish 🙂
So many little things to be grateful for, it is so important to appreciate everything that is happening and going on around us
I think it is lovely to pay things forward. I always mow my neighbours lawn for her when I do mine and try to help others as much as I can
This was such a lovely post. We should look more around us and see the little things that make this world kind. Thinking of today, I can recall my neighbor helping me figure out the new remote control for the gate and my other neighbor who heard I was coming out of my house and turned back from her way just to say hello.
These are wonderful stories to read, especially more so that since my day has not been very good. Its so important to see the good in others and to find kindness which exists out there.
So many lovely positive things to remember in life on this list. The little things that we often forget that make life really worthwhile! Thank you! 🙂 x
This mantra, this list of small big blessings, is what I’m supposed to repeat to myself all the nights I can’t sleep 🙂
Here I also add the mondays on the sofa because staying home with the one you love is even more exciting than going to a crowded beach 🙂 like today.
I always enjoy reading your posts, they are inspiring to me. I loved reading about the boy! OMG how cute (and smart) is that!!!
I’m definitely bookmarking this post, I think it will be very helpful in the future, as bad moments and periods are quite inevitable. One of my closest friends is going thought a rough period so this posts gives me inspirations and idea to help her feel better.
And the most important tip is to look at the little beautiful things happening around you.
I think for helpers around you is such a lovely advise, sometimes we can get lost in ourselves.
It’s so great you are remembering to be grateful for the things around you Ali. I need a friend to dangle my legs at a pool with at this moment. It’s just so hot out here. I cannot do in life without remembering beautiful things. Its so easy to get caught up in the negativity of things. So seeing connections of love between people always make me smile. And then also I try to find the humor in life as well. Because when we can laugh at the difficult things in life, we make them more bearable. Great post as always!
We indulge ourselves in seeing the negative first when it should be the other way round. I am even so tired of watching the news channel that focus more on the negatives. I also tend to find good and positive things between interactions and enjoy those precious moments.
Alison I always enjoy reading your contents! I really needed to read this today, going through some stuff and it is always good to be reminded of the goodness out there!
This is a lovely post. It’s great to hear about people doing kind, thoughtful things for others. It’s important to think of others as well as ourselves, make the world we live in so much nicer.
I really relish the opportunity to take a step back from life and think about all the little things sometimes 🙂
When our world seems so dark, there is always that small light that we shouldn’t ignore, because it will sparks brightly! Lovely post.
This is just so inspiring! Reading your post is a good way to start the week.
I really love that quote! This is such a positive and heartwarming post.
I and my friends meet up once a month just to share good and bad news about our lives. I think it’s best to have people who are willing to listen to all your stories. They might not give any advice but the fact that they are there to listen makes me happy.
Thank you for the lovely things you mention, the mix seems so personal but so relatable at the same time.
Wonderful post. Sometimes we get caught up in our own lives and complexities that go along with them, that we forget to look out from our own lives to see all of the living and sharing of love that is happening right in front of us.
Your writing feels like a hug from a dear friend, intimate, honest, and full of warmth. Yours was the very first blog I ever signed up for and you’re still my favorite. 🙂
Yes, it’s so important to pay attention to the little rays of light around us. Especially when things are tough! It can be the one thing to hold us over and make it through. <3
It’s hard to get through tough times! But I definitely appreciate your ideas. It’s good to be able to share with others, too!
A very moving and honest post. Life has its highs and lows but we manage with the cards we are dealt with. I love how even in our darkest moments, we still see snippets of love/joy around us to renew our faith and our hope. Thanks for sharing this post. 🙂