Kindness Says Thank You

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“It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” … Ralph Waldo Emerson

***

Thank You

Kindness says Thank You

Brother Lawrence, a 17th century monk, wrote that if we practice a habit of silently repeating Thank You Father, “it becomes deeply rooted in us, second nature“. He continues , “by saying these three simple words we derive enormous benefit“.

Brother Lawrence speaks of an ongoing conversation with God, a deeply intimate relationship where only he and God exist in the world. What world could be better for living life unaffected by outside circumstances? But my intent here is not to get religious. God’s love is given freely to each of us, and all of us, and I have no intention or desire to tell you how to live in that Love.

I yearn for simplicity, and hope to find it by transforming a clutter of thoughts into a simple guide for living the rest of my life. Please bear with me. My mind has always found purpose in wandering curiously. Such is the mystery of life.

Thank You Father.

Perhaps a good way to begin is to assemble my thoughts with a thankful heart and present them to the world. I, of course, in no way presume that the world is even remotely interested in what I have to say. Nonetheless, I’m sure all of you are acquainted with the benefits of releasing your heart’s desires and regrets, and I hope that a few of you may fuel curiosity in your own lives while reading these pages.

I Thank You sincerely for your time. Our modern lives are too often hectic, demanding, at times chaotic moments that we never seem to have enough of. We must use them wisely, “Be Mindful” as Thich Nhat Hanh teaches, because our perceived lack of quantity can quickly become a very real lack of quality.

Though Brother Lawrence speaks of shifting focus from himself to God, I believe his simple method has incredible value for all of us in our busy, everyday world. If we can shift our focus from ourselves to everyone we come in contact with, and say Thank You Ma’am, or Thank You Sir, we too derive enormous benefit.

It is simple, it takes only  a moment, and the opportunities are endless.

It is kindness in action, and while kindness inwardly benefits the giver, the ripple effect of compassion for others is boundless. The world is blessed with acts of kindness that have their origin in two simple words, Thank You.

Detach. Be an observer of your own life, and see yourself seeking out, and eagerly setting in motion opportunities for kindness. Share your gratitude as the beauty of kindness grows, and your chances to touch the lives of others unfold more and more every day.

In a difficult world kindness has great power. It is not simply a tool for transformation, it is a way of life.

A life of simply repeating two words, every chance you get.

Kindness says Thank You.

You are kindness.

Thank You Father.

How To Be Kind To Unkind People

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“I have learned silence from the talkative, tolerance from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet strangely, I am ungrateful to these teachers.” … Kahlil Gibran

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old mirror

Reflect your inner beauty

True kindness asks for nothing in return. It is not meant to teach lessons, and we certainly have no right to decide who is deserving and who isn’t.

Kindness is not what you give, how much you give, or who you give it to. It is who you are. A truly good person who gives freely and unconditionally.

Many people think that to be naive or weak. Well, we live in a complicated world, one that believes in return on investment, one that is never satisfied, one that always has conditions.

The simplicity of selfless giving gets lost because it asks for nothing, requires nothing in return. Not a good business plan.

But that’s the beauty of kindness. It’s not a business, it is remembering who we are.

There are countless people in the world who at times act in unkind ways. Perhaps we meet them on a bad day. Perhaps their lives are in turmoil, and they could really use some compassion. Perhaps we see them when we look in the mirror.

Kindness should never act with conditions. Kindness should never ask, “Are you deserving of my kindness?”

Kindness reflects the inner beauty, and mindful compassion that will always lead a person to a life of kind acts.

It is who you are.

Share your loving kindness with others.

A Smile That Today Is Part Of Who I Am

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“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power.
They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues.
They are messengers of overwhelming grief… and unspeakable love.”
… Washington Irving

***

Metro_Boulevard_Puerto_Aereo_01The skies were dark. A brisk wind hinted of the freezing rain and thundering gusts that were gathering. I quickened my pace along the Boulevard Puerto Aereo.

Mexico City had not been kind to me, though the tempting tacos were indeed delicious concoctions of sassy jalapeños, mysterious meats, and age old recipes.

There’s a special place in my heart for a smiling Señora and her street corner taco stand. I figured a savory stall in the Metro would be no different.

I’ve been wrong before.

I just wanted to board my flight, and arrive without incident in Ecuador.

In my rush to outwit life I carefully jumped across a gutter swollen with filth, and eyed the terminal entrance. It was close.

An obscure shadow among the colors and chaos of La Ciudad, I was drawn toward an island of quiet despair amidst the clouds of belching cars, and menacing thunder and lightning. A woman with a young child sat shivering in the gutter.

She said nothing, her tattered dress turning dark with the initial assault of rushing waters rising fast. She had no delicious tacos to sell. She held her cupped hand high.

There were many people along the boulevard that day. Who can know how many saw this woman and her child. Most were no doubt just like me, in a hurry to leave somewhere behind in the hope that somewhere new might be better, or at least different.

She was in no hurry.  She had nowhere to go.

As the tearful mother held her hand high, I made a choice to pass her by, finding my rush to evade the impending storm and catch my flight, of much more importance.

It was a pleasant flight, smiles and friendly conversation, and as I looked east out the window, the Andes Mountains were nothing short of majestic. Far from the muffled roar of jet engines there was stillness in the muted peaks that rose far above the clouds. No color, no chaos. I could only imagine fertile valleys, and bustling markets, and the lives that fill them with smiles and sadness.

Thirty five years later I still see the suffering in the poor woman’s eyes, and still feel the regret of not sharing what I could with her and her child. It would have required very little to brighten her day. Thankfully, I am truly blessed with the love she shared with me. There was no judgement, no reproach, no anger; just her sorrow laden smile through which she gave freely everything she could, a smile that today is part of who I am.

As I embrace my good fortune, I hope that everyone with whom I have crossed paths has found reason to be grateful. For those who haven’t, perhaps someday we will meet again, and I can offer a more enlightened recognition of your beauty. For those I have yet to meet, know that your beauty precedes you, and the pleasure of your acquaintance will be mine.

It’s a good idea to pay attention when the Universe is speaking, and it is the goal of this sometimes selfless soul, to listen well, and to graciously act upon the Universal wisdom given freely to all.

Give without measure, knowing that your life is not about you, it is about how you touch the lives of others.

It is about kindness.