January 1, 2012.
First post of the 2012 year.
New years resolution? Not me. I take time on my birthday each year to go off by myself and think about the year and my personal goals, where I missed the mark and how I can improve.
I would like to share that opportunities arise each day to improve and make changes in ones life. Why do we wait for one day a year to create change?
Everything is attached to a cycle. Daily routines, weekly events or changes that happen each month. Even season by season we feel the shift.
I’m going for kindness. For the month of December I traveled with my family to Seattle, Amsterdam and Israel. Being away from home I was aware of people that showed kindness, even the smallest gesture. Living on Maui we are in contact daily with people visiting. I say show kindness.
When was the last time someone showed a kind gesture to you?
Well, as you say, on Maui we receive kindness on a daily basis. Yesterday Shane slept at his studio so I could have our home in solitude on my birthday – which coincides with New Year’s Eve. What a step outside of the mainstream flow of expectations that was!
Glad you are home and so happy the trip was as rich and inspiring as we hoped. The food pics were amazing and yes, to be in the place of so much history must be somewhat indescribable! Happy New Year!
Thank you Roxanne. I’m learning more each day. I feel so new to blogging. Writing and sharing my thoughts in this manner is different for me…but I’m happy for the opportunity to share. Happy birthday again.
That’s one of the reasons I love living on Maui, kindness, is actually a daily occurrence for me. I get it and give it daily! It’s so contagious.
It can be the smallest or simplest thing…like helping someone pick something up, letting them go ahead of me in line, just saying hello with a smile, asking how they are…and then really listening..I love Maui for this.
Mahalo Nui Loa Sarah. I read your posts about how you care for your family and remember how I took care of my family when our children were young. Enjoy them now…it’s all a balance sprinkled with some kindness. Aloha.
Lovely post Dania! This is my first (of many) visits to your blog! Am thrilled to read more of your manaʻo. As for acts of kindness, last night we ate at Koho’s and my daughter ate all of her great-grandmother’s soup. We decided to order a second cup since she seemed to like it so much (and as a picky eater, once you find something she likes, you just go for it.) Well a really nice waitress picked up on that and immediately got us a second cup on the house. It was such a simple gesture, and so sweet. We were immediately struck by her kindness.
What a great endeavor for this year. Best of luck to you!
I’m honored. Thank you for reading and adding your experience of kindness. It’s comes in all forms we just need to pay attention. Here’s to a healthy 2012.
Interesting that you wrote this post. For Christmas this year, a group of our friends got together and decided to give gifts of service, rather than fall into the mindless trap of buying a gift for all of our friends.
We drew names out of a hat and were challenged to give of our time, efforts, talents, etc. to bless the friend’s family that we chose.
Many gave gifts of babysitting, car washing, home cleaning, meal cooking, and even haircuts. We were so blessed with a beach day/evening for 8 with a gourmet meal on the sand at sunset with our closest friends.
Never going to forget this gift or the giver. Such an inspiring reminder to GIVE and how life becomes so much richer when we do.
Thank you Paul.
Being Jewish frees me from the Christmas pressure. All year long I try to be thoughtful. I LOVED reading your story of how gave meaningful gifts. I hope your children were watching. Looking forward to seeing you in 2012.
That last time a stranger offered a kind gesture was on a whale watch yesterday! I was walking through the galley with my baby attached to my chest (using a baby bjorn), and the boat was rocked by a wave. A gentlemen pushed my back to keep me from falling to the side. I was in little danger of falling over, but it definitely was appreciated since I’d have smacked against a wall.
Aloha is alive and well on Maui. Let’s hope it’s contagious.
Thank you for sharing your story on kindness. Hope to meet IRL one day. #HNY2012
Tender, genuine loving kindness is a gift. Thank you, Dania, for being one of the kindest I know. Happy New Year!
Sara. I’m so grateful for our mutual friendship. Here’s to a great 2012.
Dania, so glad you’re home. I like to take the time of the New Year to reflect on what I’ve done right and what I can learn from the past year. It’s a transition that makes me feel hopeful. I’d like to inspire others and be kind in whatever ways I can do that. Resolution is just a word. It’s a constant, conscious effort to make positive change within ourselves.
Marilyn,
Thank you for sharing. I just looked at photos of when we first met. So glad our paths have crossed in life.
Hi Dania, I enjoyed your pics from Israel from your travels. Like your message on more continuous reflections and changes.
Thank you Pete. I’m new to blogging and really enjoying penning my thoughts. Our trip to Israel was amazing on so many levels. The food, culture, seeing family was all great. Experiencing the differences between America and another culture was the most provoking.
Short, sweet, and classic. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I’m not crazy about resolutions either. Each day is a new chance to start over. Yesterday ended at midnight.
Courtney.
Mahalo for your comments. Each day we begin a new. Follow me on twitter @daniakatz or @daniaediblehi – hope to meet IRL this year.
Yes, gestures of kindness, I like this. Can you imagine if everyone decided to just be nice? We might be living in a very peaceful, happy world!
I’m hopeful and going to practice kindness.
GREAT post Dania! Actually my first post of 2012 is related to yours
Kindness is something everyone can and should offer….Happy New Year to you and our family.
Mahalo Lena. Being away from home, in a different country speaking a different language you are very aware of any touch of kindness from someone you don’t know. It was a good experience for me and especially for our kids.