Quote of the Week - Be Kind Always

Is it just me or do you ever come across people that seem just plain rude for no reason? It is almost a natural reaction to act rude right back to them, because after all, they did it first, right? WRONG.

This week's quote is a good one to keep in your pocket at all times, because I have a feeling you'll need to think back on it often:

"Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. 
Be kind. Always."

I have learned that many times, people who seem rude, or who give me an attitude right off the bat really have something else going on that has nothing to do with me. Maybe they are going through a rocky divorce, or they have to spend all night awake in the hospital with their sick child. Maybe they just got in a fight with their best friend, or a loved one recently passed away. Maybe they are simply having a really awful day. Does this give them a right to take it out on me, on us? No, but it certainly helps put things into perspective. 

Life is not always easy, and it's certainly not always fun. But what a better place this world would be if we could all be kind to one another always. It is all too easy to get wrapped up in our own little world, thinking only of ourselves. But if we take just a second to think of what another person might possibly be going through before shooting back a sassy answer, we could really learn something valuable.

So the next time you have the urge to lash out at someone or give them attitude right back, try and remember that, odds are, they are going through something in their life that is really difficult. Cut them some slack. And share this quote with others, because you never know when you might need someone to be kind to you when you are not able to be so kind yourself.

Have a good quote? Feel free to share it in the comments!

5 Things Puzzles Have Taught Me About Life

Is it just me or are puzzles some of the greatest inventions ever? I am a total puzzle fanatic, and would be perfectly content to just sit in the house all day working on a puzzle. In doing all of these puzzles over the years, I have actually begun to learn little life lessons that I think are worth sharing.

So what have puzzles taught me about life? Bear with me here as I try to make the connection between these things you do in your spare time to your every day life.

1. Patience, Patience, Patience.  Sometimes puzzles, like life, can be really hard, but if you give up, you will never finish! No matter how hard it gets, keep at it. I promise that you will get there eventually.

2. Get a New Perspective. There have been many times when I am working on a puzzle from one angle, getting nowhere, but then I simply move over to the other side of the table and BAM! I am getting pieces left and right. Life can be tricky, and sometimes you feel like you are stuck in a rut. Next time you find yourself in that situation, grab yourself a new perspective and see what happens.

3. Stay Focused On Your Goal. Puzzles typically come with a picture on the box of what the final product will look like. Unfortunately, life does not come with such a “picture” of the end result. However, think about what you want out of certain situations in life, and strive to get there every day. Focus on your final goal and don’t stop until you reach it.

4. Every Little Bit Counts. When you are doing a puzzle, every single piece is important. While it may not seem like it at the time, each small little piece that you add is getting you closer to completing the puzzle. The same goes for life. Sometimes it seems like your baby steps are getting you nowhere, but trust me, those baby steps add up, and someday you will realize that you are finally where you want to be.

5. Don’t Give Up. This one is kind of self-explanatory, so I will be brief and to the point. Don’t give up whatsoever. Don’t give up on the puzzle, and don’t give up on whatever you are going through in life. Things will all fall into place (literally and figuratively) as long as you persevere.

Am I the only one who finds life lessons in the strangest things? Do you have any lessons to add to my list?