We seem to be sitting at the edge of a dark precipice that hides what could be impending doom or, alternatively, the chance to fly. There is a pervading meanness and willful ignorance and selfishness that appear to be in control of our country. The world, especially the enlightened parts of it, are beginning to notice that things are not right here, and I can almost feel a wave of compassion coming toward us as though the world knows we are not in charge of our destiny as a country at this time. I suppose it is going to take a bit of time to begin to eradicate the darkness, and I am constantly reassured that another election cycle will help. But, in the meantime, we cannot allow ourselves to simply rail against the oppressiveness of the situation, allowing our weary cries to echo back from the governmental abyss, which at this moment, we are unable to change. Instead, we can look inward, find that spark of our being that is bright and eternal, and focus on that light rather than the darkness that is trying to vanquish it. There is no religion or political organization or power in this world, on this plane, that is stronger than that little flame that lives inside of us. It is our essential being, and when we look outward using that light as a beacon, we can find that others are doing so also, seeking a community of light. And the way to begin to bring these lights together into a blazing fire of compassion, empathy, and love is through practicing small acts of kindness. When I taught English, I would have my students perform acts of kindness and then have them write about what they did and how it affected the recipient and themselves. I was always surprised by the few that did not want to take part, did not think this was worth the effort, and wanted some other way to fulfill the writing assignment. I always held firm and said it could be as small as paying for someone’s coffee or saying hello to someone who seemed to need a friend. It was the most reluctant among my students who were most surprised by the change such a small act made in the recipient and in themselves. The small act changed them, and they wrote with great detail and thought about the difference giving had made. Some said that they would continue performing small acts of kindness because it felt good to do something for someone else that was not an expectation, but rather, an act of love, what is known as agape love. The lesson was more about the act of kindness than the writing, but these essays were always among the best of each semester. So now, in my best teacher mode, I urge each of you to do one act of unexpected kindness, perhaps even anonymously, and see if it doesn’t create a change in the world, even in the small space in which you live. Each act of kindness, added to the many acts of kindness can help, especially in this time, to bring the light of the spirit into the world. That light can overcome the darkness we are experiencing. Kindness is expressed through the energy of love, and we need to spread more of that around right now, and open our wings and choose to fly into a space of light, peace, compassion, and love.
1 Comment
MBDolan
1/11/2018 05:45:54 am
Powerfully said! I used to have a customer who twice a week paid for a stranger to have a free medium coffee at the cafe. The person who got it was often on the edge of tears as they smiled & took the free coffee.
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Tobie HewittWriter, Creative Mystic, Teacher, Consultant, Public Speaker Archives
March 2019
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