#kindness

A Prisoner of Hope

Offering hope and encouragement for life, writing, and living a thoughtful life.

A Prisoner of Hope

Offering hope and encouragement for life, writing, and living a thoughtful life.

I post every Tuesday.

Advice: Go ahead, make someone's day (and why you should)!

Megan DiMaria

May 4, 2021
2 min

Advice: Go ahead, make someone's day (and why you should)!

It costs nothing to show someone else kindness. We all know the world is harsh, so be kind! We never know what other people are dealing with. On the outside, we all look pulled together and ready to take on the world. But a broken person hides their wounds, carrying them deep inside. You can't look at someone and judge their behavior off the cuff. Often deep, personal issues guide a harsh action or cutting words. We never know what hurts have motivated others. You can't imag

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Why authors (and everyone else) need to be on their best behavior

Megan DiMaria

May 14, 2019
2 min

Why authors (and everyone else) need to be on their best behavior

In today’s world, a careless word or Tweet can circle the globe faster than a shooting star can light up the heavens. We move in a hyper-aware society, and it’s best to err on the side of kindness. As in, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. Just recently, an author awaiting release of her debut novel found out that words put out into the ether can have unforeseen consequences. This author had posted a picture and a comment on Twitter to shame a

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Practice kindness, that forgotten virtue.

Megan DiMaria

Feb 26, 2019
2 min

Practice kindness, that forgotten virtue.

Did you know you have the power to change someone else's reality? Extend yourself and show kindness, either in word or deed. Your consideration can add a bit of brightness to someone's dark day. Life is hard. You don't know what others are experiencing. Many years ago, I worked in a large office. A couple of ladies there always made birthday cakes for co-worker's birthdays. It was their thing, and they enjoyed sharing their creations. One woman, I'll call her Alice, work

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Megan DiMaria

Jan 15, 2019
4 min

Keys to creating a happy marriage

What were you doing 40 years ago last Saturday? I was starting the rest of my life. At the time, I thought I was all grown up. But looking back, I was so young, only 23 years old. I probably wasn’t unusual in not realizing exactly what I was agreeing to when I said, “I do.” Who knows what the future holds? I was in love. Still am. I was seeking a grand adventure. Got that! I was looking for a happily ever after. Got that too. However, since then I’ve realized happily ever aft

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Eight reasons why you should guard your words

Megan DiMaria

Aug 28, 2018
2 min

Eight reasons why you should guard your words

Words have power. They can either wound or heal. Too often we forget about the power of words when we're deep in conversation or making an off-handed comment. Words can be a tremendous blessing, but they can also be a curse. Or at least they can cause pain, create misunderstanding, break a heart, or ruin a relationship. I've regretted careless words that have hurt others, and I also remember careless words tossed my way. You see, once hurtful words land in your heart, they're

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Megan DiMaria

Jan 16, 2018
4 min

Keys to creating a happy marriage

What were you doing 39 years ago last Saturday? I was starting the rest of my life. At the time, I thought I was all grown up. But looking back, I was so young, only 23 years old. I probably wasn’t unusual in not realizing exactly what I was agreeing to when I said, “I do.” Who knows what the future holds? I was in love. Still am. I was seeking a grand adventure. Got that! I was looking for a happily ever after. Got that too. However, since then I’ve realized happily ever aft

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Tips for having a stress-free holiday season

Megan DiMaria

Nov 14, 2017
3 min

Tips for having a stress-free holiday season

Welcome to the 2017 holiday season. It's the most wonderful time of the year. Right? If so, then why are so many of us stressed and exhausted from Thanksgiving until New Years? The gifts, the decorating, the parties, the baking, the special events—the whole shebang can make the holidays feel more like a part-time job than a season of love and joy. It doesn't have to be such a tiring whirlwind. The good news is that you have the choice to join the madness or to step away from

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Megan DiMaria

Oct 17, 2017
2 min

Want to know what your problem is?

I'm one of those folks who seem to be able to strike up unusual conversations with strangers. Today I was thinking about this encounter from a few years ago. Could this snippet end up in a novel? Perhaps. “Want to know what your problem is?” The voice came from my right. I turned to find a pleasant-looking woman smiling at me, waiting for my response to her question. Her voice held both confidence and compassion. Having never been approached by a stranger with such an interes

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When a shared celestial experience eclipses our differences.

Megan DiMaria

Aug 22, 2017
1 min

When a shared celestial experience eclipses our differences.

Did you experience it yesterday? No, I'm not talking about the eclipse—although that was pretty spectacular, wasn't it? I noticed it early in the day. Life was a bit different than it had been for the past year. The peace. The quiet. The kindnesses that were extended. While everyone was gazing up to the heavens, they forgot about the hateful rhetoric being tossed around, particularly on social media. Political differences were mercifully set aside or ignored. No one cared wha

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What's the best way react when you're scrutinized and found lacking?

Megan DiMaria

Aug 1, 2017
2 min

What's the best way react when you're scrutinized and found lacking?

I once read an article about famous Hollywood types who feel compelled throw around their celebrity to get their way. "Do you know who I am?" Apparently that question opens doors, gives them discounts, offers a way out of legal situations, etc. Those people had learned how to get what they want by throwing the weight of their fame in the faces of anyone opposing their desire. That's too bad. I've always been an Acts 10:34 gal, treating everyone equally. After all, if it'

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Prayers for strangers and hurting hearts

Megan DiMaria

May 2, 2017
3 min

Prayers for strangers and hurting hearts

Who else prays for strangers? I can’t be the only one who prays for folks they don’t know. I’m pretty sensitive, and stories I hear prick my heart. I have to respond in the best way I know—prayer. Prayer, the most powerful force, is also the easiest to gift to give. It only takes a few minutes of time and a bit of compassion. I find it an honor to bring a situation into the presence of God. For decades I’ve felt a special nudge to pray for people I barely know or don’t know a

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Megan DiMaria

Mar 14, 2017
1 min

Are you kind to others?

Are you a door holder? Do you notice someone behind you and pause to pass off the door? I know, I know—you’re in a hurry. You’ve got something to do/somewhere to go. We all do. I always do the pause and pass. And when someone does it for me, I’m appreciative. A few days ago, I was going into a store behind a woman and her teen daughter. She slowed to toss something in the trashcan by the door, and I know she saw me. But when she passed through the door, she let it slam in my

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Why you should extend grace and a second chance

Megan DiMaria

Oct 25, 2016
2 min

Why you should extend grace and a second chance

Second chances. There comes a time when we all need one. After all, who’s perfect? Lately I’ve been thinking about second chances in regards to many things—relationships, dreams, challenges. Too often we just give up. We don’t extend grace to others or to ourselves. Many years ago I hosted a play date for my son with a boy from his preschool class. The mom came also and brought her two younger children who were the same age as my younger kids. When we’d rub shoulders picking

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How to make someone else's day (and you should)!

Megan DiMaria

Oct 11, 2016
2 min

How to make someone else's day (and you should)!

It costs nothing to show someone else a kindness. We all know the world is harsh, be kind! We never know what other people are dealing with. On the outside, we all look pulled together and ready to take on the world. But a broken person hides their wounds, carrying them deep inside. You can't look at someone and judge their behavior off the cuff. Often deep, personal issues guide a harsh action or cutting words. We never know what hurts have motivated others. You can't imagi

0 comments

Megan DiMaria

Author/Speaker

A Prisoner of Hope

Offering hope and encouragement for life, writing, and living a thoughtful life.

A Prisoner of Hope

Offering hope and encouragement for life, writing, and living a thoughtful life.

I post every Tuesday.