On Giving (and Receiving)

I've been taking a Practice of Kindness class on-line and it is a wonderful experience.  

The first week, we were to do something kind for ourselves. I found that I do that.  A LOT.  But I don't normally completely receive my own kindness.  I don't FEEL it, take it in.  So the gift I gave myself was to really take in the kindnesses I do for myself.  In fact, I became more aware of the kindness of others and the kindness of Life.

I give myself an A+ for Week One.

For the second week, we were assigned the task of thinking of people who have been kind to us and we were to do something kind for them.  I had someone in mind.  I wanted to send him a card made with one of my photos.  I found that I am doing so many kind acts for my parents that I had no energy left to get the right photo printed, write the note, and get it sent.

I flunked Week Two.

Except I didn't, because I do kindnesses every day.

Just not the one that I had intended to do...

We are now in Week Three.  I can't remember the assignment.  I'm tired.  Oh, yeah.  We are to do an act of kindness for a good friend.  Still working on that.

This afternoon, I will be receiving a wonderful gift of kindness from one of my massage therapist friends.  She offered me a free massage because she knows that I am doing so much right now.  When she offered it, the floodgates opened up and I bawled like a baby.  Her thoughtfulness was so touching and beautiful.

I just picked some vegetables from my garden for her (hoping that she likes such things).

Now, as an act of kindness for myself, I'll quit grading myself in this class!

My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.
Dalai Lama

One of my favorite quotes:

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle. - (Plato?)

To Infinity and Beyond!

I hadn't seen her for... two years? Three? We never call. We RARELY email. But, for some reason, a couple of weeks ago, we set up a time for me to go to her house for tea. Being with her is as comfortable as the big, soft sofa that I plopped myself into at her house. Effortless. Soothing. Familiar. Real. Free.

Then, today, in the mail, I got these from her:


Now, how fun is THAT??? Valentines and fruity teas. (I drank the Blueberry right away, because it's a blueberry kind of day.)

And I quickly regressed back to grade school and memories of white paper bags with red construction paper hearts. The valentines my classmates would deliver. And candy hearts with weird sayings on them. I like the pinks and yellows best. The greens... not so much.

Love you, Diane. You rule! Be my icon(???) Be Good. So Fine.