Tag: kindness

Mister Rogers is the neighbor we still need

Mister Rogers is the neighbor we still need
I cried seeing the trailer for Won’t You Be My Neighbor? in the theater a couple of months ago, so I knew I’d be emotional when I saw the documentary. I had no idea what I was in for though. I loved Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood when I was a kid. To say he was my one... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
June 14, 2018 at 2:33 pm • 

My memories of Orbit Skate Center will roll with me forever

My memories of Orbit Skate Center will roll with me forever
When I learned in February that Orbit Skate Center would close permanently on March 31, I knew I had to lace up a pair of rental roller skates and roll around their rink one last time. I learned to roller skate on my sidewalk with my BFF Mary when I was five. My first pair of skates... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
March 31, 2018 at 5:24 pm • 

Once upon a time, flying United really was flying the friendly skies

Once upon a time, flying United really was flying the friendly skies
Like the entire country, I’ve been riveted to and horrified by the story of Dr. David Dao being assaulted and dragged off a United Airlines flight between O’Hare and Louisville for the grievous offense of being unwilling to give up his seat on an overbooked United flight. Today we learned that Dr. Dao has a... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
April 13, 2017 at 3:57 pm • 
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I thought I was practicing mindfulness, but I wasn't mindful enough

I thought I was practicing mindfulness, but I wasn't mindful enough
As I do about once every few months, earlier this week, I ventured out to drop off a bag of non-perishable groceries and personal care items to the local food pantry at my township office. I had a number of errands to run before a doctor’s appointment and was focussed on checking off items on... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
April 1, 2017 at 3:08 pm • 

Practice self kindness by taking a smartphone detox

Practice self kindness by taking a smartphone detox
Fellow ChicagoNow bloggers Beth, writer of Ups and Downs of a Yoga Mom, Nina, writer of You Know Neen, and Megan, writer of Stable Mable, and I are joining forces this week to practice self kindness with a smartphone detox. Popsugar‘s smartphone detox, which is the detox plan we are following, is a simple weeklong exercise... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
January 8, 2017 at 10:32 am • 

100+ Acts of Self Kindness

100+ Acts of Self Kindness
Step two in spreading kindness throughout the world in 2017 is performing one act of self kindness (aka self care) each week. Yesterday we discussed acts of kindness that we can perform for others. Today it’s time to focus on ourselves. Before we get into the list of possible acts of self kindness, let me tell... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
January 6, 2017 at 11:07 am • 
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100+ acts of kindness for others, animals, and the planet

100+ acts of kindness for others, animals, and the planet
Step one in spreading kindness throughout the world in 2017 is performing one act of kindness each week for another person or people, animal, or the planet. The list of possible acts of kindness is endless, but to get you started, I’ve listed 100 of my favorite acts of kindness below. I’d love to hear... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
January 3, 2017 at 4:39 pm • 

2017 is the Year of Kindness

2017 is the Year of Kindness
After a tumultuous 2016, it’s time to get back to basics. And, in my opinion, nothing is more basic than kindness. Kindness to others. Kindness to ourselves. Kindness to our pets. Kindness to our planet. I am making a new personal commitment to kindness and I invite you to join me. Can you imagine the... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
January 2, 2017 at 2:07 pm • 

My top 10 favorite experiences of 2016

#1 The year began with the Totally Fabulous Jessica party thrown by Tim and <a href="http://www.norpieswalltowall.com">Michael</a>. Yes, it was simply a party to celebrate ME! Joining in on the fun were Christopher, Wendy and Geoff, and <a href="http://www.chicagonow.com/organizing-with-erin">Erin</a>. Thank you all for spending an evening honoring me! Y'all have no idea how the memory of this evening carried me through some dark moments this year.
As 2016 quickly draws to a close, I need to stop and reflect upon the joy I felt this year. In fact, especially this year. By just about every measure, 2016 was a difficult year for many people. Generation X lost many of our pop culture idols; a presidential election went wonky at the last... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
December 31, 2016 at 3:13 pm • 
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Full Moon Restaurant: Where everyone receives a free Thanksgiving dinner

Full Moon Restaurant: Where everyone receives a free Thanksgiving dinner
Do you dine at the Full Moon Restaurant? I first discovered the Full Moon as a first year student at Lake Forest College in 1989 when an upperclassman friend introduced me to this wonderful 24-hour truck stop just north of campus. Since that time, the Full Moon has been my second favorite restaurant. Second only... Read more »
By Jessica Gardner,
November 25, 2015 at 3:17 pm • 
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    Jessica Gardner

    A native of Chicago's Northwest Suburbs and resident of the North Shore, Little Merry Sunshine comes by her name honestly. The story goes that as a child, she was always so happy that she even slept with a smile on her face. Her mom nicknamed her Little Merry Sunshine. It stuck, along with her insatiable desire to focus on the good in the world and to leave it a little better than she found it. She does this by sharing her passions and dreams, what inspires her, and maybe you too, and furthering the discussion about how we can listen to our better angels. You can reach her at LittleMerrySunshineCN[at]WowWay[dot]com.

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