Monthly Archives: April 2012

K is for Kindness

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Kindness

1. The quality of being friendly, generous, charitable, considerate, warmhearted, tender, humane, and sympathetic.
2. A kind act.

I like how the definition is part state of being and part action.

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

It’s difficult for me to separate kindness from compassion, they are so closely, directly linked for me, and as such, kindness is one of my core values. I could say as the Dalai Lama does, that it is my religion.

I am really good at being kind to others, but not so great at doing the same for myself. And it is so important to be kind and gentle with ourselves, to have this foundation from which we can love and serve others.

Take a good look at yourself in the mirror. Allow yourself to soften, to smile, to feel your full measure of love, surrender to it. Be kind.

You, yourself, as much as anybody else in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. ~Buddha

Gratitude Friday

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This post is a mashup of The Little Bliss List and Joy Jam, and as such is meant to celebrate: the little things that brought me hope and happiness this week, the sweet stuff of life, those small gifts that brought me joy this week. By sharing them, I not only make public my gratitude, but maybe also help you notice your own good stuff and send some positive energy out into the world.

1. Lilacs. They are blooming, and I cut some yesterday to bring in to the house. They are my favorite flowers, but they come and go so quickly.

2. Dexter and Sam. I spent a lot of extra time with them this week, we took lots of walks, cuddled, and hung out in the back yard. They make me so happy.

3. Eric. He was gone a lot this week, and missing him so much made me appreciate him that much more. I sincerely do not know what I would do without him.

4. Blogging from the Heart. Today is the last day of class. I will attempt a longer post, a review, a thank you at some later date, but for now I will simply say this class was amazing, and I am so grateful, for it and for Susannah Conway and all that she does. Luckily, her Unravelling class starts on Monday, so we’ll only be apart over the weekend.

5. Fearless Creativity, a writing and meditation retreat at Shambhala Mountain Center led by Susan Piver. I am headed there today, am so excited about it. I won’t be back until Monday. I have some posts set to release so that I don’t miss anything, but I will be otherwise absent. I will return with lots to share, I’m sure.