In light of the fact that we’re one week away from Valentines Day, love is on my mind.
But … not so much the Valentines kind of love. More of a charity kind of love.
You’ll notice what it says on my homepage: Cultivate a good life and record it. That’s going to mean different things to different people. For me it means, in part, that we try to love unconditionally and treat others with kindness. (It also means a hundred other things to me.) Are any of us perfectly loving and perfectly kind? Of course not. But that’s another part of cultivating a good life — to just do our best. Always.
Here are 7 suggestions of what we can strive to do to increase charity in our life. If even just one of these points might prompt you to do something this week, it was worth the quick stop here on my blog today.
1. Tell someone. You likely have someone on your mind that has had a positive affect on your life. Don’t keep that to yourself. Write an email or letter (the old-fashioned kind that actually goes through the mail system is even better!) and tell that person how they have been a blessing to you or your family. Be specific. You have no idea what that will do to brighten their life.
2. Kick gossip to the curb. We’re human. It happens. But we have complete control in stopping it. First of all, don’t be the one that gossips. It doesn’t look good on anyone. Being critical of others does not benefit anyone. Ever. If you’re in a situation when the gossiping begins, find a way to change the topic and focus on something more uplifting. What an admirable quality.
3. Recognize your blessings. Being proactive in actually talking about the tender mercies in your life or writing down the specific blessings you receive will naturally bring about more awareness of how rich your life is. Cultivate a good life … and record it. Your children will be blessed for reading your words at a later time. You will be blessed for reading your own words. Trust me on this one.
4. Cultivate the potential in others. Quick anecdote to illustrate: Several siblings in a family had a natural singing talent. Except for one of the brothers. As a young boy, they went through instructor after instructor but he just didn’t seem to have the gift. It didn’t seem like there was hope. His parents tried one last instructor and when this boy first sung for the instructor, he stopped the boy singing and said, “Where did you get this voice? That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard!” The boy’s confidence soared, he completely blossomed, and he became known for his singing talent with full vibrato at a young age. True story.
5. Study. If you are religious and consider scripture to be a valuable and truthful resource (I certainly do), carve time out of your day to read scriptures on the topic of love, charity, service, etc.
6. Don’t judge. This is especially applicable to those who you do not yet know very well. When we catch ourselves beginning to make assumptions about someone, chances are we do not truly understand what’s really going on. Mother Teresa spoke this profound truth: “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”
7. Stop. If you’re the type that seems to be in go-go-go mode all the time (whether you thrive on that lifestyle or you’re just forced into that kind of schedule right now) … how will you ever be able to truly show charity to those who mean the most to you if you’re always so busy? Stop once in a while. Get on the floor with your kids. Look your husband in the eyes as he talks about his day. Listen to your child’s ramblings about whatever they want to talk about. Be engaged. Nurturing any relationship means carving out time to just BE with that person.
I sooo don’t want any of this to sound preachy. I just have these things on my mind and a blog is for sharing, after all. These are just a few gentle reminders of simple things we can all do, that can in turn make life happier — for you, for me, for those around us, and especially for those we care about the most.
Tags: love
Oh, this doesn’t sound preachy at all, Becky.
Just inspiring. We could all try a little harder, spread a lot more love, and let His love shine through our actions more every day.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Thank you for another wonderful reminder of what is important. Your mentoring is what brings us back day after day. We appreciate and are drawn to the uplifting not the negative. Great reminders and encouragement. Have a great day!
Awesome! This is why I stop by your blog daily!! Thank you so much!!!!!
Amen to that, sister!! Thanks for the insight, and reminder, and inspiration. We strive for this too but sometimes it’s nice to hear someone else’s words
Could not of said it better…thanks for reminding us ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for the reminders – all good stuff.
What wonderful reminders that we all need to hear! Thank you!
Becky,
Thank you for another wonderful post. I actually stopped on Friday for the first time in a long time…left work early and picked up my 2nd son (I have four) from school. The look on his face when he saw that I was picking him up for a little one on one time was wonderful. He was thrilled and must have said to me five times how happy he was. We took a little trip to Barnes & Noble to pick out a few books, have some hot chocolate, a gooey brownie and just relax. I need to stop more often! Thanks for all the wonderful reminders!
Fondly, Lynn
Beautiful. Thank you for those profound reminders–SO not preachy…when it comes from the heart and is done in the service of others–you will be blessed for sharing your faith. And what an amazing platform for opening someone’s eyes in how to show godly love.
Ex. 9:16
Acts 20:27
Rom. 9:17
Love the gossip one especially. It is so hard not to get caught up in it, but once you make a commitment to neither cultivate it or participate in it, well, it gets easier to not become a part of it. Enormous peace comes from ignoring it all.
you’re so right, Chris. I didn’t think reading those weekly magazines hurt anyone, until it happened to a friend of mine who was grieving the very public loss of her fiance. Since then I don’t read them, they aren’t allowed in the house (not even for the crosswords, Grandma!) and you know what, I don’t miss them. Turns out I didn’t need them after all.
Same goes for those programmes on E!, but I do get caught up in one of those every now and again. Whoops.
I think when you can do number three, all the others become so much easier….because you are already aware. Great way to think about love this season! :>
This is a fabulous and inspiring post. You said all the right things that we all need to hear and be reminded of.
A wonderful reminder for the beginning of the week!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by blissmamaof3 and Rebecca Cooper, Becky Higgins. Becky Higgins said: On the blog: 7 tips for starting off the week on a good note. Come on over. http://tinyurl.com/4ofdfyw [...]
Thanks Becky! Love the reminders! WELL SAID!
Thanks for the reminder….it came at the right time!
You speak to me today….. didn’t sound preachy at all… sounded like wonderful reminders and advice from a good friend. Thank you. I needed to read this.
I love this. Thank you!
I am taking your advice today on suggestion number one.
Dear Becky….You have been a blessing to me. I have followed you since your early days with CK, and can say you have had such a positive effect on my life. Thank you for the inspiration, laughs and wonderful ideas.
God bless you and yours………..TerryB.
Not Preachy at all! Just a lot of good reminders. We forget these things when we get to busy!
Like remembering to breathe on one of your previous posts.
Is it ok that I really want hot chocolate now? =)
A favorite person in our lives died suddenly yesterday. I read your words this morning thinking that is so how he lived his life. And you know what? No unfinished business. We all knew he loved us, and I am confident he died knowing how much he was adored … hank you for this.
Wonderful reminders today.. I need to post this on my fridge so the family can read it. thanks xx
“When we catch ourselves beginning to make assumptions about someone, chances are we do not truly understand what’s really going on.”
Incredibly profound. I’ve not heard it put that way. Turning that feeling of judgment that is coming on into an indicator of “you might not know the whole story here.” What a brilliant thought. Thanks for that.
[...] Ways to Increase Charity Seven Ways To Increase Charity… a great article that says it [...]
Someone just sent me this link about a nanny who loved taking pictures of everyday life in the 50s-90s. It’s so fun to see her photos and get an incredible feel of what life was like then. She even took self portraits of herself holding the camera. It just reminded me of Project Life and how someday what looks like common, ordinary moments and objects to us, will be amazing glimses back into our lives. Just thoguht you’d like seeing it too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWEDOnBfDUI&feature=player_embedded
Thank you! I needed to read this today!
I loved this post and shared it with my friends on my Google Reader. Thank you so much.
You inspired me. I just sent a “love” note to our previous primary president. Thanks for being a good example….ALWAYS.
Wow! You’re said it as good or better than some of those preachers on tv!!! (ha.ha. jk)
Thanks, Becky!!!
Great words to ponder and put into practice!!!
Thank you Becky for this post. It is wonderful.
Jen K.
Thank you for this post! I needed it!
Excellent advice
Wonderful!!!
Beautiful post. Thanks for sharing Becky!
Well I do love this post – I wanted to let you know about a potential issue with the cover of your 2011 project life cover. I was very disappointed with my 2010 one and when I emailed about it, I got a quick response from the ziblio folks. What you see on the cover is not what you get as some of the cover goes around for the binding and is is far beyond the green line that is shown. So the light blue circle where you put the date – which I had copied will likely be only 1/2 showing. I am not sure why they cannot show what you get taking into account the binding but that is not your issue. Just wanted to let you and others know about this issue. Barbara
great post Becky!
These are all valuable lessons in life. I hope to always teach my girls how to love others. Judgement is not our duty. Thanks, Becky!!
Could you imagine your life if all those around you followed these guidelines? Including ourselves of course. Thank you for this reminder, I’m going to forward this on to my husband and kids and talk about it tonight at dinner. We do try to live by these, but like everyone, we could use a reminder!
Not preachy one bit. Loved every word, and hope to pass it along in my life.
thanks! what a great Valentine’s day reminder…Karla
Hi Becky,
I had a question and couldn’t figure out any other way to post it…. I bought the project 365 from CK a few years back (love it and your new project life) but the album rings, especially the lower one has pulled away and you cannot turn the pages freely. It acutally is so bad it catches and is ruining the page protectors. Do you or does anyone else know if you can fix this? If not, I really really wanted to keep it in that album, have you heard of anyone replacing the 3 ring structure with a new one, or a way to take it apart and still be able to use it as my cover. Any ideas welcome. Of course I can just buy another scrapbook, but I really wanted to have the cover that has the cute 365 symbol on it.
always great to have reminders. especially the STOP for my family;)
Where’s the “like” button? Oh…this isn’t Facebook! Enjoyed this post…and agree with every word! I especially like what you said about gossip. I don’t typically start it, but have a friend who does quite often…..so next time I’m going to change the subject….tactfully of course!
good things to be reminded of. thank you.
Love this post, Becky. Will be linking back to it when I do my “11 in 11″ update on the 11th… one of my goals this year is to “practice random acts of kindness & senseless acts of beauty.” This relates so well! Thank you for the tips!
It was a good post especially since I have been in a bad mood. Seems like bad stuff keeps happening to me and I just cant seem to get caught up or stay ahead. Its like that saying goes 1 step forward and 12 steps backwards. Was going to do PL but cant afford it and. At the rate I am going, I just don’t want to remember this time period. Kept hoping that 2011 was going to be better than 2010 but SO not looking that way. But when life sucks its hard to count your blessings. And can’t really say if #1 leads me to someone good these days. But maybe someone will come to my rescue. Wish I was as loved, creative & popular as Becky!
Thank you for your post Becky, I’ve found myself checking back to re-read this post already several times. Thank you for such lovely reminders to help us along in our daily lives
Thanks for reminding us that all good things come from above!
Thank you for posting something so honest. I enjoyed it so much and needed the reminders. God Bless you & your family!
Great post Becky—I’m so enjoying your blog and Project Life products—I SO need to be reminded of all of these. OH, how I wish I lived these better—I TRULY want to help my children live these as well—example is the best teacher—thanks for the reminder
Becky,
Thank you for the beautiful message. I believe we can all practice living a life of charity and showing love to others. What a different place our world could be if we practiced this. What a great reminder!
Becky,
I like what you have written in this post, it is a good reminder of the things that we practice in our home and our life. Thank you for the reminder.
I also really appreciated what you said about taking time to study scripture. It is something that both my hubby and I grew up with, and in the busyness of our lives it is the thing that we find the easiest to slide in, and yet it is the most important thing we can do to feed our souls, and center our life. Everything just goes so much better and we are able to handle everything so much better when we remember to take the time to study scripture….so thanks for including it in this list of 7 things to do practice.
Thank you for sharing this post.
very nice pic. looks familiar.
hahahahaha!!! Heather, this looks just like the picture on your blog from 1/30/2011! Come on peeps, give credit where credit is due.
Martha Stewart did it first…Martha Stewart Living Feb. 1996