Purple Berries
Kindness of the Soul April 28, 2010
It’s the kindness that does it. It could be in a split second. It could be in a lifelong friendship. It could be through a smile. Or a look. Or a hug. Or an emotion that radiates even through an e.mail. But it’s a kindness that just shines through, straight from the very core of a person’s soul.
I believe we all possess that kindness – we just don’t all display at all times. Maybe we keep it in reserve for those special people that we feel deserve it the most. Maybe we only let it loose on special occasions. Or maybe it’s just a sporadic release that lets it hang out. Who knows how each of us operates.
What I do know is that I love the warmth I feel when I’m touched by it. Sometimes you feel it for a split second. A quick smile from a stranger on the street. Or a few minutes. A kind exchange with the nurse at the doctor’s office. Or you realize it’s there to stay. A new friendship with an amazingly kind soul. Whatever it is, that warmth has changed you and added to the kindness of your own soul. You now have more kindness to you. Thanks to that other warm, warm soul.
I’ve been blessed with many wonderful friends. Some I’ve kept for long periods of time, some for short periods, some I can tell will be here for life… some have been around forever, some have come to a point where the friendship has run its course, some have just joined the party and plan to be here till the end… either way, they’ve come for a purpose and I’m grateful for the kindness their souls have all brought. I love them all and have such appreciation and gratitude for the good times and lessons learned.
Like I said in the beginning, what makes that friendship special at that moment in time is what radiates from within: the kindness of the soul.
My Photography: Playing in the Rain April 27, 2010
I couldn’t help but capture the fun of my kids splashing in a huge puddle in their rain boots. I almost ran in myself… 🙂
Playing in the Rain
Good News: There’s Always Plenty April 22, 2010
I was trying to find articles with GOOD NEWS to share. Man, that is hard sometimes. The media loves to focus on negativity. It’s a real downer. Yes, there are tragedies that stand out. Tragedies that break your heart, rip it to pieces, anger you to shreds… but there is so much more love and happiness out there that for some reason we as humans just don’t seem to focus on.
So I decided “You know what, dude?” I can think of plenty of good news, all on my own, to share with the world.”
All over the world today, there were tons and tons of healthy, beautiful bouncing babies born. New little souls to give more life to this wonderful planet. Parents and families were joyous and celebratory at this momentous addition to the clan.
All over the world, sick or terminal patients lived another day. They were given one more day with their loved ones, one more day to right their wrongs, tie up their loose ends, spend time with those they choose to, and enjoy each moment that they have. They are using each breath wisely and judiciously, appreciating it for the valuable treasure it truly is.
All over the globe, children laughed and played. That sound, that glorious sound of a child laughter, like the peal of bell, beautiful joyous contagious music, the most sincere of laughs and the most happy of giggles. The universal sound of happiness and freedom that requires not a common language to be understood.
All over the earth, people hugged one another. Whether it was in triumph, in greeting, in love, in sympathy, in friendship, whatever the motivator, there were hugs. Gentle ones, tender ones, tiny ones, big bear ones… HUGS. Glorious, affectionate, loving hugs.
Everywhere, someone avoided a car accident. Better yet, someone survived some kind of accident. Or a fire. Or a tragedy.
Everywhere, people made up. A fight ended. A friendship rekindled. A relationship reunited. Peace was made.
Everywhere, someone’s life was saved. By EMS workers. By a stranger. By a doctor. By a mother or father. By a teacher. By a waiter or waitress. By an enemy. By the person least expected.
All over the planet today, someone smiled and it made someone smile back. It spread like wildfire. From him to her to her to him. Some because they enjoyed it, some because they were confused, some because they just felt like it. But a smile is a smile and it’s contagious nonetheless. So smiles were bountiful all over the world.
What other wonderful news can you share?
With a Smile April 16, 2010
I’ve been pretty quiet for a week. I apologize. I’ve had a cold and I’ve been tired. Not the best of excuses but at least nothing terrible. Just quiet and a bit on the busy side.
I wanted to thank the good people of the world. I truly mean that. Thank you, good people of the world.
The people that truly are good – that live their own lives every day with the intent to do good, with the intent to be a good soul, with the intent to bring good to the world. To do their own job the way it should be done, not with malice or mischief, but with kindness, compassion and a smile. Not to be a floor mat to walk over, but to be gentle and loving and to be a person worth respecting.
This week I’ve run into so many examples of that. Kind, good people that do jobs that most people associate with crummy people… jobs that you come to expect negativity from – but I’ve run into people behind those jobs that are truly good souls. People who radiate a kind and vibrant energy that reminds you good people DO exist.
So thank you good people of the world… for living life to the fullest capacity of your soul… and doing it with a smile.
XOXO
Did I Swallow It? April 8, 2010
My kindergartener recently got his first pair of loose teeth. Last night as I was helping him make sure he brushed his teeth properly, I apparently brushed a little too enthusiastically and knocked a tooth out. 😦 OOPS!!!!! He insisted I did not but cried and said I hurt him and had a bloody mouth. 😦 BAD MOMMY!!!!! I immediately saw the visible space in his gums and knew it was gone so I made him spit out into the sink – but saw no tooth. We did it repeatedly and STILL found NO TOOTH. In all the commotion, it appears little man swallowed his own tiny little baby tooth, poor monkey. Oh my goodness, I felt like a toad.
Well, quick thinking mama that I can be at times, I immediately said “Man, that tooth fairy was FAST! She came and grabbed your tooth just like that – fast as lightning – and we didn’t even see her!” And he stopped sobbing and very pensively stared at the hole in his gums. He asked if she would come back to leave him his gift that night and I said “Of course, when you’re sleeping.” I gave him construction paper and markers to leave a note for her when she visited.
He wrote: “Tooth Fairy: Did you tak my tooth out or did I swolow it?” He also drew a boy holding a tooth and a mouth with a gap in the lower front teeth. He lovingly placed it under his pillow and fell asleep faster than ever to enable her visit.
❤ ❤ ❤
Of course the Tooth Fairy responded she grabbed it fast as lightning and left him the appropriate amount of compensation for such a precious first baby tooth.
On a side note, on warm nights, like last night, our son usually sleeps in a t-shirt and his boxer briefs. Last night, he insisted on his pajama pants. His reasoning: It was not proper for a girl like the Tooth Fairy to see him in his underwear. ❤ 😀
Quote to Share April 7, 2010
Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.
— John Ruskin
Lifting Me Up 