Tag: lovingkindness

KindFULLness

Kindness is the biggest small thing we can give. It costs us little and yields large dividends. It impacts people you don’t know and cheers people you love.

Today I started out stressed beyond my skin. It’s all good, just a lot of good at once. As my day went on and I raised my white handkerchief, admitting my need for help, I  noticed how the help flowed in. But what really caught me was how it flowed in with kindness…

We encouraged our daughter to ask for help from a teacher and she happily reported, “She was so nice about it!” I called an administrator about a Hebrew school issue and she agreed with my observation and frustration and said, “Be kind to yourself, you have a lot on your plate and we have dropped the ball. I’ll call you tomorrow and we’ll get back to bouncing.” And at lunch a friend gave me her perspective on a situation that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. She was so simple and kind in her observation. My breathe softened and my thoughts broadened.

All from a little kindness.

“Tis the season”, so they say. “Tis the season” for what? Lets say, “Tis the season for a little kindness.” It is the greatest gift you can give and receive. Give it to the folks in your life who need it most. You know who they are and you know why they need it. And then, stop, drop and give it to yourself.

I promise that you will find it becomes the gift that keeps on giving. And who couldn’t use a present like that?

 

How have you experienced MindFULL kindness this season? Let us know!

Its Greek To Me

Have you ever stopped to think about why certain conversations stick with you?

The other day, I was reflecting on a conversation that was under my skin. What was really bothering me? I couldn’t put my finger on it. Then, as my mind wandered at a stop light, it hit me.

The person had been sarcastic. And I had taken it personally.

Sarcasm has its roots in Greek and it means “to cut or tear flesh”. Ouch.

I suspect that no one really wants to literally cut or tear anothers  flesh. However, that’s what it feels like when we are sarcastic or someone is sarcastic to us. I try not to do it, but honestly, I have – and I feel lousy afterward. In addition, I have wasted energy by holding on to conversations where I’ve asked a question and received a sarcastic response. The under lying reasons for such nasty behavior is ours/theirs to own. Only we can make the choice to ask ourselves the question, “Of all my responses, which one will put more love in the world?”

Or as my dear friend Jill always says, “Be the behavior you want to be remembered for.”

Perhaps the next time we feel like giving someone a sarcastic response, we’ll remember how it feels to be wounded. After all, if sarcasm can metaphorically cut someone, imagine how kind words can heal their wounds.

How do you become more MindFULLY aware of the way you talk with others?

Let us know!