“Kindness changes the world one heart at a time.” ~ Mary Davis
Good morning, dear friends. I do hope everyone enjoyed a lovely and peaceful Fourth of July. But most of all, I hope this finds you well.
“People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” ~ Nelson Mandela
In thinking of a topic for this post, my mind wandered to the many celebrations of our freedom held this weekend. I thought, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all across our beautiful country we could celebrate America as a nation known for its generosity, kindness, love, and respect shown to all.” “From the mountains to the prairies and to the oceans.”
Honestly, I don’t have my head in the sand. I am just weary, as I know you are also, of the hate and meanness in our world. It is everywhere, but if we could clean up our own back yard we would set an example for others. Our nation and her citizens are still trying to heal from past wounds. It takes effort and attention to close a wound. It will not heal itself. America has, however, always extended its hand to our neighbors, spoken out for those without a voice, and offered hope to the forgotten. But, what has happened to us? Hateful speech, vulgar language, and dreadful behavior are things that have become all too commonplace in our country. And, often, our neighbors and the downtrodden of this world no longer seem to matter. I do know our country cannot save the entire world. However, there is an old saying ~ “If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.” Have we?
“Before the seed there comes the thought of bloom.” ~ E. B. White
To me, E.B. White is correct. Perhaps, we need to imagine our country in “bloom,” before we “sow the seeds.” But, we must do something and soon. Because “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.” ~ His Holiness, the Dalai Lama
Dear friends, know I am wishing you and yours a beautiful and peaceful day. Do continue to take care with regard to the Coronavirus.
And…
May you find love and kindness along your path.
“Keep your eyes lifted high upon the sun ~ and you will see the best light in everyone.” ~ Tess Guinery
Amour,
Sandra
Images: via tumblr
A tough topic, beautifully written. I feel your heart in every word.
Sending heart hugs,
Brenda xox
Thank you, Brenda, for your kind words and especially your “heart hugs.” Have a lovely day, dear friend. ❤
{Sigh}. I am weary, Sandra, of all the hate. I honestly feel social media has a significant role in planting seeds of hate, like weeds. Not only do we need to actively nurture love and compassion, but we need to actively pull the weeds of, shutdown – daily – the vitriol so rampant in our social streaming. Have a peaceful day, my friend.
I agree, Rita. That is why I try so hard to post beauty on my blog and on FB. I keep hoping the good will spread like a wildfire. Have a wonderful day and week ahead. Stay well.
A wonderfully written thoughtful post.
Thanks, Penny. Have a lovely day and week ahead.
Good morning, Sandra! You have such a kind and thoughtful heart, and it always shows in your posts, especially this particular one. I hope you have a blessed Sunday and a beautiful week ahead, sweet friend!
Thank you, Shannon. Wishing you and your family a wonderful day and week ahead. Stay well, my friend.
I agree, I also am weary of the vitriol and negativity. May we live by the golden rule of loving our neighbor as ourselves. May we keep our thoughts positive and see the good in people not the bad and may we treat all people with respect and kindness.
The PBS Capitol Fourth was good last night. There was an atmosphere of working together to heal our nation evident in things that were said and songs that were sung.
Jesse Colin Young/Little Kids Rock singing “Get Together” on CNN’s Fourth in America is definitely my feel good song of the week – wish I could find it on Youtube!
Sandra, the more people in the world who think like you, the better.
Thanks for sharing.
Hello Elen and thanks so much for your visit. Thank you so much for your kind words. Have a lovely day and week ahead.
Dear Bonnie, I do agree with you. I missed the Capitol Fourth last night. I am glad it was good and there was a positive message sent out. We have much to do in our land, but I remain hopeful the good will win. Have a wonderful week, Bonnie. ❤
What a lovely and uplifting post. We can all do better. And we must if we are to survive. So well stated, Sandra.
Thank you, Jeanie. Hope you and Rick have had a lovely day and that your week ahead will be great!
Dear friend, after a few days with many things that have not allowed me to write and deal with my blogs and my friends, I enter your publication and I can only agree with everything you write. As we say in Spain, perhaps also in other places: “you can say louder but not clearer” everything you write. Totally in accordance with his feelings about what is thought and lived today. If there is no change towards good customs and tempers calm down in a short time, we will have a society impossible to live. This is not only in your country, in Spain it is already the limit of what is allowed and, in general, also in other countries.
Beautiful very beautiful your publication … I send you a big hug and I hope that from now on you can follow my publications happily.
Dolores
Dear Dolores, it is so good to see you. I do well understand things that get in the way of other things we want to do. Such has also been the case with me.
I want to thank you not only for your visit but for your kind and thoughtful words. I continue to try and stay hopeful that we will once again see a kinder world.
Thank you also, for your hugs and I send them to you as well. Dolores, reading your blog is always inspiring and a happy time for me. Blessings, my friend.❤
Sandra, I always appreciate your positive and thoughtful messages. We could all use more beauty in this hateful world that we are living in. I agree with Rita, social media has given rise to a platform of spewing vitriol. I began a presence on Instagram several years ago because people shared pretty images. Now people think they can say anything because they are hidden behind a screen. I am so tired and weary of it all. But, I know they are lovely people in this world like you and that encourages me. Keep writing and sharing my friend♥️
Dear Pam, thank you for your kind words. I try and remain hopeful that we will one day soon ‘right the ship.’ Until then, you are right that we must encourage one another. I try to do that daily with my Facebook postings and on this blog as well. It is my hope that if those of us who do try and inspire others toward the good, could band together and spread love like wildfires. Wouldn’t it be a beautiful blaze? Happy July days, dear friend.❤
Kindness is so easy to extend and makes such a difference in people’s lives. Your words are what the world needs just now.
Dear Lorrie, thank you so much for your visit and your kind and encouraging words. They are appreciated more than you can imagine. Wishing you a lovely day.❤