Tag: giving

She’s known as the “Witch of Warroad.” Doesn’t sound like a compliment, does it?

It wouldn’t be, unless you’re Loralee Marvin, of Warroad, Minn., who looks forward to Halloween year-round. She says it’s the one time of year a person can dress up and act like a total goofball and no one seems to think anything less of them.

In her town, ... Read More


I was reminded of something so very important this morning. I figured you might need reminding of this too.

You are the light that shines in the darkness of this world.

Every smile you send, every gentle response, every negative word you refuse to let out of your mouth — you are shining a much needed light.

Maybe you’re going through ... Read More


Will someone please remind me of this crazy-hot weather when the snow is swirling and it’s 30 degrees below zero this winter?

Living in the Dakotas creates a sort of seasonal amnesia. When it’s hot, we forget it’s going to get really cold — and when it’s cold, we forget it’s going to get really hot. At least I do.

I prefer ... Read More


Heather Brebaugh is a magnet for kindness. She sees it everywhere she goes, and where she doesn’t see it, she creates it.

She reminds me of something I’ve learned over the years about kindness: it changes our perspective. It helps us get our eyes off of ourselves and our own problems. It moves our brain to a place of compassion for ... Read More


I have a theory: I think our world is like our bodies.

We become healthy with tiny, day-by-day good decisions. Maybe we go for a walk. Or say no to that second piece of pie. Or have a cup of tea instead of another rum and Coke.

Some of those decisions are hard. We have to be intentional about remembering the bigger ... Read More


I interviewed Jason Mraz for “The Kindness Podcast” last week about his new album coming out in June, “Look for the Good.”

When I asked him to share one story of kindness that really affected him, he went back decades, to the beginning of his career. He told me about being a starving musician and about the ... Read More


Sometimes, when I’m feeling down, I sit very still and make a mental list of all the amazing acts of kindness that are happening not despite COVID-19, but because of it.

People are going out of their way to add color to the world. Just look at all the hearts in the windows!

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There are people who would give you the shirt off their backs. I know. I had it happen to me once.

I complimented a man at a conference on his kindness T-shirt and the next day, he handed it to me. I think of him every time I wear it.

Laura Bliss, from Pequot Lakes, Minn., remembers a special woman each time ... Read More


There is a flower arrangement sitting on my kitchen table. It is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen, with red roses along with Stargazer lilies.

Do you want to hear something that will make you groan out loud? Stargazers are my favorite flowers because way back when Saul and I were dating, he brought me Stargazers the first ... Read More


I think we’ve all witnessed people with bad behavior. I’m not talking about personal choices, I’m talking about treating someone poorly.

It turns my stomach to see someone hurting someone else with their words or actions. Many times, there is nothing we can do in the midst of the situation, but as this woman from central Wisconsin demonstrates, there is plenty ... Read More