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200 words, alone, caring, Charity, community, compassion, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, generosity, healing, integrity, kindness, living in the moment, love, peace, smiles
Always be a little kinder than necessary. – J.M. Barrie
I admire many qualities in people, but the greatest quality I’ve witnessed is kindness.
Anyone can be kind, it costs you nothing or very little, and often comes back to you in surprising ways.
When the woman in front of you is short a few cents at the check out, give her your change. Charity is love in action.
When you finally get your coffee after waiting in line forever at the ‘Drive Through,’ pay for the guy behind you too. Generosity is contagious.
When you see a homeless man passed out on the street, make sure he’s ok, call an ambulance if need be and wait with him there. He won’t feel so alone.
When the cashier seems rude, flash her a smile and say thank you when she give you your change. Smiles are gifts.
When a student drops all his books as crowds rush by and further scatter them, help him retrieve them. He’s not alone.
When a woman sits slumped over on the curb and is crying, ask her if there is anything you can do to help. Compassion heals.
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
talktodiana 
Wise words. Sometimes I wonder what makes it so difficult to remember.
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I wonder if it is because it’s all about us. Not trying to be mean here against the human race, but I’ve noticed I show the most kindness when I’m in need of kindness, when I’m going through something difficult.
When things are going along according to plan, all tickitty boo I’m less likely to even notice what’s going on around me.
When I was pregnant, it was as if everyone was pregnant, but I probably just noticed pregnant women because I was pregnant at the time…
Diana xo
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Yes! It’s good to know there are other people out there who are as kind and caring as I try to be. ❤ The feeling of doing something for someone is so good.
At our supermarkets you'll often receive stamps for every ten euros you spend or free toys for kids that sort of thing. With the stamps you can save up for something like plates or towels or books for kids, that kind of thing. If it's something for kids I usually won't be collecting the stamps or the toys, but when the lady at the checkout asks me I always take them anyway. Then I look for someone who has kids with them or looks like they might have kids or grandkids and I give them the stamps or the toys. It's something so tiny but it makes people so happy which then goes on to make me really happy too.
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That’s a great example of what we can do Alicia! Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Diana xo
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Lovely. Such a heartwarming set of ideas. I find myself coming up with “but”… “in case” kinda knee-jerk responses in my head though. Like, when would I actually pay for the person behind me in a coffee shop queue…I’d think they might misunderstand my intentions lol. I feel like we’re so programmed to be cautious over kind these days, especially in London..
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When I have paid for the person behind me, I find myself giggling in anticipation as I watch the person behind me in my rearview mirror – the confusion, the insisting to pay and finally the realization and smile!
Diana xo
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Such a simple but important reminder. These “small” kindnesses can make all the difference. ❤
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I know they have when extended to me!
Diana xo
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For us all 🙂
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It’s true, I always get kind of a high from being nice to a rude cashier. 🙂
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There’s a kind of power in not letting outside circumstances dictate who you are and how you will be, isn’t there?
Diana xo
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Great post–I especially liked the line, “Generosity is contagious.”
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Thanks Sheryl, I’ve seen it catch on hundreds of times! 😉
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True!
I have managed 5/6 of your list. Given change to people both before and after in line and even those who are homeless. Given the old grumpy cashier the wry smile even though he/she doesn’t deserve it and asked a crying woman if she needs help. Never helped a student pick up his/her books however as I figure they need to figure out the rules of life themselves. A lesson taught 🙂
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Hi Torbs! 5 out of 6 ain’t bad! 😉 Good to see you here.
Diana
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On one of my most gloomy days I pulled myself together to go downtown to buy some vegetables to make some soup only to find (because there was only mush where my brain used to reside) I had forgotten my wallet. As I was rummaging at the bottom of my bag to scrape together enough to pay, obviously looking totally distraught, a man dropped a few coins on the counter and walked out, rejecting my protests. That small act of kindness meant so much to me, not only lifting my spirits, but also changing me forever. There are two things now imprinted on my memory. Firstly, that I could ever feel that low and lonely. Yet, remembering now how that felt, I can relate to others when they feel low. Secondly, how much that small act of kindness from a total stranger uplifted my spirits that day.
Thanks for this post as a reminder of my resolution that day, that when I became stronger the paying back of kindness to others would be one of my life aims.
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What a great story Elizabeth – thanks for sharing it!
Diana xo
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Perfect reminders for us all. Be nice to people. It will come back to us tenfold! (ummmm….that’s good OR bad 🙂 ) hugs ♥
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haha so true! If we reap what we sow, I guess that applies to the good and the bad that we do!
Diana xo
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Bless your heart Diana! Such a lovely reminder… every bit helps. Every one matters, and every ‘little thing’ (not so little really) that we do to help contributes to the healing of us all. Hugs to you! xo Gina
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Thanks Gina – I agree!
Diana xo
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Beautifully said, Diana, how easy it can be to get so wrapped up in our own problems that we forget how much these simple gestures can mean. If we all had these thoughts in mind the world would be so entirely different.
It starts with one… 🙂
~Andrea<3
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thanks Andrea, and the truth is even while we are experiencing our own issues, when we take time to be kind, it lessens the severity of our own issues by providing us with the warm and fuzzies! Don’t you think?
Diana xo
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I completely agree – I know when I get stuck in my head/problems it’s like a breath of fresh air to just extend something positive outside of myself. It puts things in perspective and I almost always tend to see that things aren’t as bad as they seem.
Also, it’s a powerful lesson to know that we can choose to stop a cycle of negativity. Just because things aren’t going well for me doesn’t mean I should take it out on anyone else – what good does that do? It’s a really powerful feeling to know that you can take control of your emotional state and react the way you wish others would.
Ghandi said it best -> be the change you wish to see in the world.
Warm and fuzzies are definitely where it’s at, my friend!! 🙂
~A<3
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Well said Andrea – Brava!
Diana xo
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Great advice I always try to be kind and smile and be polite even when my daughter tells me I am rude I don’t intend to be rude but I guess it happens at times. but I do try to be happy and kind
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Joanne, I cannot imagine you being rude!
Diana xo
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Great words of wisdom! If more people were like this everyday, what a better place we could make our world.
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I know! Just imagining it, makes me smile!
Diana xo
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Yes it is these little acts of kindness that can make such a difference. I have been doing much more of this lately – mainly smiling at grumpy people I see in shops or wherever. I love your heart Diana.
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Thank you Jules – I love your heart too!
Diana xo
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Those are beautiful quotes, Diana. Keep spreading the love!
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Will do Denise. Thank you!
Diana xo
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Beautiful and thought provoking! Thanks for reminding us of the beauty of life!
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Thank you for reading this post and leaving such a kind comment Terry!
Diana
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Agree, agree, agree, agree! This world could be so different if everyone would perform one kind act every day, small or large. Great post, Diana!
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Wouldn’t it? Thanks Rose!
Diana xo
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A kind word and a smile can make a huge difference in someone’s day. Nice post, Diana. 🙂
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I know it’s made a difference to me when someone does so! Thanks Jennifer!
Diana xo
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Thank you for the reminder. Sometimes we let the fundamentals slide!!
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So true Ian, I know it’s easy for me to have tunnel vision when I’m caught up in a project. I’m learning more and more to pay attention to what’s going on around me.
Diana
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These are all so true… what is the saying “a little kindness goes a long way” or something like that… much like pay it forward, your kindness will probably be passed on by the person you are kind to… lovely share…
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Thanks bulldog – it does go a long way. Folks pay it forward as you say, but it also comes back to you…
Diana xo
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I so agree with all, with such little gifts you can make someone’s day!
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Thanks Ute – Happy Sunday to you!
Diana xo
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Diana, great minds think alike ~ all such amazing gifts which cost nothing, but are priceless all the same. ♥
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Thank you so much my dear!
Diana xo
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