Happy Good Neighbor Day: Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Did you know that today is Good Neighbor Day? In 1978, President Jimmy Carter established September 28th as National Good Neighbor Day in order to encourage Americans to establish stronger ties in their communities  Of course, we shouldn’t wait for one day a year to be a good neighbor, but it’s nice to have a reminder.  The old saying goes “Good fences make good neighbors,” but I believe it is good neighbors that make strong communities. I am lucky to have some terrific neighbors. On one side, there is a family of five. We moved in to the neighborhood a Read More

Five Simple Joys I Learned from my Dog

It’s true. My dog only weighs about 20 pounds and has a brain about the size of a small orange (maybe that’s why she’s such a cutie!), but she has taught me many things.  Her name is Lily and she is the best dog ever. I read a quote recently that said “Everyone thinks they have the best dog ever, and they’re right.” So maybe you have the best dog in the world too. Lily enjoys the simple things in life, the simpler the better.. And when I spend time with her, I gain a better appreciation for those things Read More

Happy International Day of Peace

Perhaps you didn’t know that September 21 is the International Day of Peace. It was designated as such by the United Nations in 1981. This year’s theme is “The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace.” In 2015, the UN unanimously adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described the goals: “The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are our shared vision of humanity and a social contract between the world’s leaders and the people…They are a to-do list for people and planet, and a blueprint for success.” These goals are meant to improve the lives of people all around Read More

25 Random Acts of Kindness to Get You Started

We’ve all heard about random acts of kindness. Sometimes all it  takes is a simple smile to turn someone’s day around. One act of kindness can set someone on a completely new path in life. They don’t have to cost much or anything really.  Best of all,  an act of kindness benefits the giver, the receiver, and anyone who witnesses the act. There is a ripple effect that continues on and on.   25 ideas to add more acts of kindness to your daily life. Reach out to an old friend. We all live busy lives these days and it is Read More