As always, thank God it’s Monday, once again. I love every Monday. I constantly look forward to them because they’re my 52 Chances a year, in which I get to share Memories of My Mom with you. Thus, I wish you a happy Monday.
This week celebrates World Kindness Week, which is always the week of November 13th, as that is World Kindness Day. This is another one of those observances (nationally and internationally) that should be practiced and celebrated daily, rather than just once a year or even one week per year.
Kindness is, in part, genetically inherited (perhaps as much as 30 to 60 percent). It is also a learned behavior from our teachings, personal choices, and life experiences. Thus, we are predisposed to being kind but we can also increase our capacity for kindness as we grow and mature.
Kindness is an essential part of civilization, as it bridges the divides of race, religion, gender, and other such differences between people – even political divides. Unfortunately, however, the world has become less kind.
It has especially been found so over this past decade, as wars have broken out in several countries across the “pond” from us and those have inspired violent protests here, in the U.S., by immigrants from each side. Our environments are now causing us to withdraw from each other.
On another note, researchers have found that we are also less likely to show kindness when we’re busy or in a hurry. As we approach the hustle and bustle of the coming holidays, this is especially important to keep in mind.
An ounce of kindness is worth an immeasurable amount of mental and physical health benefits. Thus, it makes you feel good in more ways than one. Whether you’re the giver or the receiver, everyone profits from acts of kindness. Why wouldn’t everyone want to be kind to each other?
FROM MOM’S MEMORIES…
As seen in…
This is not a Cook Book! It’s Gloria Pitzer’s Food for Thought (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; Oct. 1986, p. 30)
MAKING PEOPLE HAPPY
HAVE YOU EVER HAD your day suddenly turn sunshiny because of a cheerful word? Have you ever wondered if this could be the same world because someone had been unexpectedly kind to you. You can make today [that way] for somebody! It’s only a question of a little imagination, a little time and trouble. Think now, ‘What can I do today, to make someone happy?’
Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said?
Does the one whose hopes were fading, now with courage, look ahead?
Do you waste the day or lose it? Was it well or sorely spent?
Did you leave a trail of kindness or a scar of discontent?
As you close your eyes in slumber, do you think that God will say,
‘You have earned one more tomorrow, by the work you did today.’?
Acts of kindness are known to decrease blood pressure and cortisol, which decreases stress, anxiety, and depression. Plus, kindness improves mood, by boosting oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine; which also increases a sense of well-being, self-esteem, and general happiness.
Being kind doesn’t have to cost anything more than the time and effort put into it. Giving compliments or words of appreciation are completely free and take very little time to express, as are being considerate, respectful, and forgiving. These are all simple, quick, and free acts of kindness.
‘No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.’ – Aesop
We should all make an effort to smile and say “hello” to people. Pay somebody a compliment. Open a door for someone. Let someone cut in line ahead of you, at the checkout. Say “thank you” and “I appreciate that [or you]”. Expressing gratitude is another free and simple act of kindness – and who doesn’t appreciate being appreciated?
Being appreciated is emotionally and mentally rewarding. It makes you feel good when you receive positive acknowledgement from others. That, in turn, often inspires a pay-it-forward effect, which also impacts the butterfly effect – as the world is deeply interconnected and such a positive, small act can impact a much larger and more complex system.
By the way, knowing the giver/receiver has very little to no influence on the resulting feel-good mood that comes from such a kind act but it may be a little bit more impactful to strangers than family, friends, co-workers and the like.
‘Happy is the person who has a good supply of the milk of human kindness and knows how to keep it from souring.’ – Gloria Pitzer, This is not a Cook Book! It’s Gloria Pitzer’s Food for Thought (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; Oct. 1986, p. 17)
It also feels good to pay a compliment or give some appreciation. By the way, it’s also National Gratitude Month. Don’t wait for Thanksgiving Day – be grateful for something every day. Not too long ago, I heard about setting a daily gratitude reminder on my phone to remember to take just a minute of time to stop what I’m doing and be grateful for one thing.
Mom kept a daily journal from the time she was a young girl, in which she practiced daily gratitude for something, anything. Even on her worst days, she was still grateful for the learning experience. This attitude of gratitude was instilled in Mom, from a very young age, by her mom, my grandma. That was also how she was raised.
Mom always tried to teach me and my siblings the same gratitude attitude. We passed it on to our children. My oldest daughter passed it on to her son, my grandson and, together, they continue to pass it on to (and through) the youth group at their church, in which they’re involved.
MORE FROM MOM’S MEMORIES…
As seen in…
Gloria Pitzer’s Mixed Blessings – Recipes & Remedies (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; March 1984, p. 81)
CRITICIZE vs. COMPLIMENT
WE ALWAYS EXPECT MORE of others than we want them to expect of us. We’re more often, in our heart of hearts, the victim rather than the cause. We need more than we want to be needed. We criticize more than we compliment.
We jump to conclusions when a particle of truth justifies our discontent was someone we have cared about because it is a bandage for our emotional wounds.
We avoid touching and hugging and pats on the back because we’re afraid of being accused that we’re gushy, or strange – or worse yet – that we might be rejected. We can’t take that risk. Notice how some people become quite stiff when you reach out to hug them or touch them.
They are almost plastic in their refusal to submit to your expression of warmth. And because we are afraid of how others will accept us, we build cocoons in which to reside emotionally rather than risk rejection or confront criticism.
What a shame! We’re missing so much! We entertain false pride at our table of regrets as if it were an honored guest. We could just as easily express genuine human kindness.
But somehow the impersonal dignity of the ‘Divine’ righteousness seems a fair and probably acceptable cop-out for being personally exempt from the involvement with others.
‘Greatness is measured by kindness… real worth is measured by consideration and tolerance of others.’ – B.C. Forbes
MentalHealth.org.uk’s Kindness Matters Guide says, “acts of kindness can make the world a happier place for everyone. They can boost feelings of confidence, being in control, happiness and optimism… encourage others to repeat the good deeds they’ve experienced… contributing to a more positive community.” It takes more than a village, now.
Wikipedia’s interpretation of Robert Fulghum’s All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten says, “[it] explains how the world would be improved if adults adhered to the same basic rules as children, i.e. sharing, being kind to one another, cleaning up after themselves, and living ‘a balanced life’ of work, play, and learning.” It takes commitment.
My mom always encourage kindness whenever and wherever possible. Remember, love is kind and kindness is love. We should give the best of ourselves, without expectations of gratitude, for it is through selfless acts of kindness that we’ll receive our own true gift – one that can’t be bought or even priced.
AGAIN, MORE FROM MOM’S MEMORIES
As seen in…
This is not a Cook Book! It’s Gloria Pitzer’s Food for Thought (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; Oct. 1986, p. 24)
DOING SOMETHING NICE
DON’T EXPECT THE WORLD to think you’re wonderful just because you do something ‘good’ – for someone else! Good people do good things all of the time – everyday, and no one pats them on the back for it. You have to do good – not for what others are going to think of you, but what you’re going to think of yourself!
If you get a kick out of doing something good for somebody… do it! But don’t expect any rewards or special recognition for having gone out of your way. Every once in a while you may be complimented for something good that you’ve done, and that’s very nice.
But most of the time, whatever you do is to make yourself feel better about what has to be done, or what should be done! It’s not a matter of conscience, but of compassion. Either you have it, or you don’t!
“THE LAUGHTER OF HAPPY children, the familiar tread of love [from] approaching feet, a beautiful thought, a pleasant dream, a letter, a kindly greeting, a worthwhile job to do, a joke, a song, a kindness received (and remembered) – these are things which cost us nothing but enrich us beyond all telling!” – Gloria Pitzer, This is not a Cook Book! It’s Gloria Pitzer’s Food for Thought (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; Oct. 1986, p. 41)
LAST THOUGHTS…
Thanks for visiting! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my memories of my mom, her memories, and other related things. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at [email protected]. You can also find me on Facebook: @TheRecipeDetective.
IN CLOSING…
In honor of TODAY, being National Sundae Day, here’s Mom’s copycat recipe for “Simple Chocolate Ice Cream Topping”; as seen in her self-published cookbook, Gloria Pitzer’s Mostly 4-Ingredient Recipes (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; April 1986, p. 6). As always, I’m asking only for proper credit if you care to re-share it.
P.S. Food-for-thought until next Monday…
November observes… Banana Pudding Lovers Month, Family Stories Month, National Fun with Fondue Month, National Inspirational Role Models Month, National Life Writing Month, National Native American Heritage Month, National Novel Writing Month, National Peanut Butter Lovers Month, National Pepper Month, National Pomegranate Month, National Raisin Bread Month, National Roasting Month, Spinach and Squash Month, Sweet Potato Awareness Month (See also February), and National Vegan Month – among other things.
Today is also… Veterans Day.
Tomorrow is… National French Dip Day, National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day, and National Chicken Soup for the Soul Day.
Wednesday, November 13th, is… National Indian Pudding Day.
Thursday, November 14th, is… National Pickle Day and National Spicy Guacamole Day.
[NOTE: This is also the 50th anniversary of Mom’s very first TV appearance, as the Recipe DetectiveTM, which aired on “AM Detroit”; with host, Dennis Wholley, at WXYZ-TV, Channel 7, in Metro Detroit (1974).]
Friday, November 15th, is… National Bundt (Pan) Day, National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day, National Spicy Hermit Cookie Day, National Raisin Bran Cereal Day, and America Recycles Day.
Saturday, November 16th, is… National Fast Food Day, National Button Day, and National Indiana Day.
Sunday, November 17th, is… National Baklava Day and National Homemade Bread Day. Plus, it’s the start of… American Education Week and National Book Award Week (for 2024).
Have a great week and be kind to each other!
…46 down and 6 to go!
