Although I am raising funds for Quaker Social Action, readers of this blog will know that I have found that by acting kindly I have often experienced happiness myself. I also hope that kindness will have an impact on others. Action for Happiness is a movement that aims to ‘help people take action for a happier and […]
Over the past few weeks I have witnessed many acts of kindness, and I have carried out a number myself. However I am aware that although I am a vegetarian I do not often go out of my way to show kindness to animals, birds, ants, reptiles … I have tried encouraging birds to our […]
Although I am enjoying carrying out acts of kindness it is a challenge finding ones that are ‘different’, and so I am seeking inspiration from a number of sources. These include hearing of kind acts undertaken by others, and being on the receiving end of kindness myself. So here are 15 more, and if you […]
There is some evidence that happiness is associated with altruism such as being kind to others. Something that helps me feel happier and more positive is gratitude. This may be concerned with something specific that has happened or, for example, being grateful for having a particular friend, or being part of my Quaker community. And earlier […]
It is a little while since I reported on my acts of kindness. I’ve been away for a couple of weeks and enjoyed many things including a warm welcome from Friends in Dorset when we attended meeting. The photo is from the special garden of the beautiful and historic Quaker Meeting House in Bridport, Dorset, […]
So the UK election is over. After a busy time leafleting, telling at a polling station, and calling up folk to try to get the vote out, followed by a late late night, I’m reflecting on what has happened. I was inspired during the campaign by the ‘hope not fear’ message, and I hope that […]
It is nearly a year since MP Jo Cox was murdered, just before the EU referendum. In a recent interview Brendan Cox, Jo’s widower, was pleased that political parties had agreed to suspend electioneering for an hour in her memory, and gave news of Great Get Together events planned for Saturday 17 June. Then came the attack […]
My acts of kindness continue and I have been wondering how many are directed towards people, known or unknown; how many focus on animals, or on the earth; and how many have essentially been for myself? As I look back, this is what I have found. Out of the 40 acts of kindness logged so […]
Over the past few weeks I’ve been on the receiving end of many acts of kindness. For example, receiving a wedding anniversary card from the Quaker Registering Officer – he still remembers after 12 years; being treated to a coffee by a friend; being given a delicious yogurt when I had forgotten to bring a […]
This post starts with an example of something really easy to do – donate to a charity shop. We have lots to choose from locally and it is possible to choose, for example, between animal charities or ones focused towards people. What I find more challenging is deciding what to ‘let go’, and ensuring that […]