Posts Tagged ‘Kindness’
Getting Lost and Being Here
Tuesday, May 28th, 2019
I have no sense of direction. Turn me around and I get lost easily. Even with GPS on my phone, I can still get lost. I rely on the kindness of others to help me find my way.
On a recent trip to downtown Manhattan for a meeting, I got off at a subway stop that was apparently a good 10-minute walk to the place I needed to go. As I walked in circles trying to find my way, I finally asked someone walking their dog for directions. They pointed me in the right direction, and I headed off to my meeting. When the meeting was over, I was told there was an easier way for me to get back to mid-town. I began following their directions and found myself lost again. Frustrated by my lack of knowing how to get where I wanted to go, I paused to take a deep breath. I looked up and there was a huge sign, “Here.” That’s all I needed to know. That’s the place I needed to be – here.
Rather than rush to a subway, I stood at the corner taking in everything. I walked for a bit and came upon a café. I stopped and enjoyed some food and wandered some more. There was no place to rush to. All I needed was to be here.
All we have is this moment – here. While I will always rely on the kindness of others to help me find my way, I will rely on my ability to get lost, to be found, and to savor being here, wherever that may be.
Share the Good Stuff Now
Tuesday, June 18th, 2013
“Throw the flowers while they are alive” my friend would say. This quote has stuck with me for more than twenty years. It means we ought to say the loving thoughts, compliments, and kind words to people while they are living. I do my best to live this way as I compliment people daily, sometimes even strangers on the street. I can be found sharing kindness with the coffee vendor that serves me daily or even high-five a young boy who just graduated kindergarten.
I personally had people “throw flowers to me” after I shared with students my decision to step away as co-teacher of the Path of the White Mesa. I knew it was time to make space for a new path and expand my wild cosmic heart. After sharing about my heart-centered journey, I invited students to listen to their heart and where they are called to more deeply lead, serve, and love.
After sharing my gratitude with the students I had taught for more than six years, I received many responses filled with overwhelming appreciation and love. I hadn’t realized the impact I had with the participants and how much my presence meant to them. As students began sending their reflections and gratitude to me, I felt like it was hearing my eulogy while I was still alive.
I am sharing some responses as a way to spread light, joy, and the impact of sharing kindness.
We all matter. Every one of us matters. Make sure the people in your life know just how blessed you feel.
I thank you always for sharing you and your gifts with us. May this new journey surround you in only love and light. You are a beautiful shining light.
The light has formed you, the light has carried you, through light you witness darkness, through light you know love. It is time to spread your wings and fly so that all of us who remain earth bound can see where you lead us.
I have so deeply loved our circles in Goshen of which you were such an important part. Another part of me is so glad for you in making this bold change and creating a new space for your own expansion. I am grateful to have had you in my circle for these past six years.
I’m going to miss you at the White Mesa gatherings. I love your smile, fantastic sense of humour, and the way you spoke and taught during the white Mesa gatherings.
You are the light that shuts out the dark. You are the essence of love and the hope we all hold on to. Continue being who you are. Your journey is perfect. Just as planned. Beauty, in every aspect of the word.
Thank you for all the work, play, stories, laughter, and energy that you shared with me and the White Mesa circle over the years. You were the one that always made space and took everyone in! And thanks especially for your big smile and bright eyes. I hope to see that smile again soon!
I admire your courage to go off on your new path and honor your knowing that this is the time. One of the statements I will remember you saying is, “Do it afraid!”
I will miss your hugs and your affectionate welcomes every time I came for the White Mesa weekend. I send you many blessings and may your new journey be splendid in beauty, more growth and great prosperity. I love you and you will be always in my heart as a sister and teacher. Thank you for all you have given me these past years. I will miss your laughter.
I will miss your soothing yet steady presence. You have added the feminine heart to the white Mesa teachings and grounded our work with love, patience ….. In the most sacred container.
I know that you will forge a light path that is very sacred and powerful by creating a space where each person will have their own unique experience of the Divine. I am looking forward to being a part of it.
Thank you for always holding space. I would look up and know how grounded and present you were with each of us. I am grateful I had the chance to be in circle with you — and I know we will be in circle again.
I wish you only love and light on your continued heart journey. Thank you for your amazing hugs, contagious laughter, and your smiles. I will miss hearing your meditations and channeled messages. Yet, I carry your wisdom with me.
You will be missed. I know you are following your path and where it leads you. You have always led with your heart as our teacher and I am filled with immense gratitude.
Keep drumming, divine one. The world needs to keep hearing your rhythm.
Breathing Kindness
Tuesday, April 9th, 2013
You are invited to gently close your eyes and soften your body.
Allow your spine to be long and tall.
Allow your shoulders to drop away from your ears.
How does it feel to realign your body into deep comfort?
Notice your breathing.
With great mindfulness, breathe in through your nose and out
through your mouth.
Breathe in light and kindness. And breathe out more kindness…
Allow each breath to bring you deeper into kindness.
Attune to kindness and notice how you feel.
How does your body feel in kindness?
What thoughts arise in kindness?
How are you transmitting kindness?
What is your message of kindness? Just listen.
Take a deeper breath in and out – kindness.
Open your eyes and see the world with kind eyes.
See the world with kindness – what’s possible?
How kind of you to gift yourself more kindness.
Create kindness with every interaction.
“Human-Kind”
Wednesday, October 6th, 2010
“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” ~Lao Tzu
As I was listening to the reports of the tragic suicide of Tyler Clementi, I was saddened by the disregard for basic humanity and dignity. I recently wrote a blog about Tolerance and the cost of intolerance. The tragic wave of suicides among young people who have been targeted because of their sexuality has prompted many news stories. This offers all of us an opportunity to reach out to young people as well as look more deeply at our “us vs. them” mentality.
In his book, Us and Them: Understanding Your Tribal Mind, David Berreby explains why people are wedded to the notion that they belong to differing tribe-like categories. David Berreby describes how each person creates his own mind map, identifies others with similar mind maps and ostracizes all those who are different. Based in solid scientific research, David Berreby exposes new discoveries about the mind and brain. It’s a book about looking at “human-kind” thinking.
What is your “human-kind thinking?”
Mary Anne
Be Kind
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
A few years ago I heard the story about a 3rd grade teacher who only uses one rule in her classroom: Be Kind. At the start of every year, she posts this at the front of the room. When students get loud, push each other, or are not listening, she refers to this one rule—Be Kind. By keeping it simple, the students know what is expected without having to remember a long list of rules. She lets her students know how ‘to be’ with just two words.
I began my own list recently of creating two word expressions that speak to my expectations of how I want to be in the world.
Smile Often.
Be Generous.
Love More.
Write Letters.
Take Pictures.
Show Gratitude.
Meditate Daily.
Create Community.
Speak Truthfully.
Express Vulnerability.
Think Bolder.
Live Purposefully.
Do Afraid.
Forgive Enemies.
Trust Divinity.
Take Naps.
Be Silly.
What are your two words you want to live by? Create a list and see what feels really important in your life.
Be Kind.
Mary Anne
This is dedicated to wonderful 3rd grade teacher, Cindy. Thank you!