A heartfelt smile gives warmth enough for three winters

The world could do with a lot more kindness right now; and we all could benefit from the kindness of others every day.  Giving and receiving is vitally important, it’s part of the energy flow on this planet.  Like breathing, we do it all the time, often without thinking about it.  It makes us happy and gives us purpose.

This quote is a reminder that you don’t have to spend all your hard-earned money to give to others.  You can give away smile, a compliment, a helping hand, or my favourite, a flower from the garden.  The great thing is that both you and the person you are giving to will benefit.  You have nothing to lose and so much to gain!

If you are reading this, you are likely to be one of the fortunate people who can afford to give in material ways such as donating money or goods to charities, or volunteering some of your time.  Traditionally I only support animal and environmental charities to protect myself from “compassion fatigue”.  However when I first learned about Kiva, it was obviously such a great idea that I joined up and contributed to my first loan straight away. 

Today, a woman in Kenya is able to build a classroom to train her students in thanks to an $875 loan that 22 strangers, including myself, contributed to.  There are many more stories like this on the Kiva website and the beauty of it all is that one loan of $25 can keep giving over and over because once it’s paid back you have the opportunity to loan it to another borrower.

What can you do this week to give a little back and generate some kindness?  Feel free to post your ideas in the comments section below.

Here’s a video which should help get you in the mood for kindness and giving: http://bit.ly/vSuXvk

And if you’re looking for ways to do this for free, please use this link to give a free trial loan on Kiva: http://www.kiva.org/invitedby/renee4853

Photo Alpine Ibex (Innsbruck Zoo) © Renee Chamberlin 2013. 

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Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.

 

For the last couple of days, I have been reflecting on the many mentors who have positively influenced different areas of my life.  I am blessed to know so many amazing people who have shaped and guided my career, life, well-being and spirituality; some of them quite deliberately and others by just being great role models.  

I was wondering if these people realise just how important they are in the lives of others and how the effects of their guidance can have a profound impact on a person’s life for many years to come.  

Maybe the only way they will know is if we actually take the time let them know . . .

Mentors are just one of the many blessings we have to be grateful for every single day.  Do you have an amazing role-model who has influenced your life in the most positive way?  Are they aware of how important they are to you?  Why don’t you write them a message of thanks and make their day!  Feel free to write your message in the comments section here and then send them a link to this page.  

Wishing you a week with many blessings J

A huge thank you to all of my teachers, I am lucky to have so many that I can’t name you all here, but a special shout out to Mum and Dad: my first and ultimate mentors.  And to Tabitha, my first work supervisor to whom I owe my strong work ethic and have learned so many valuable lessons from.  In case I haven’t said it earlier, thank you!

Photo Jundah, Qld. © Renee Chamberlin 2013. If you would like to purchase images, click here