~ Kristi

I believe in the concept of spreading good if you want good to return to you. We create our own realities. True, there’s no numbered list of every good thing you do, and a “pending” good thing coming your way for every act of kindess you perform. However, people will remember the kindness, or lack thereof, that you exhibit. And when people are in a position to help you out, they will remember how you made them feel in the past.

Selfishness is a natural thing for the human race, but I think that using it in a way to better the world is a noble goal.

It is one thing to say it, yet quite another to feel it.

Your trip to Peru sounds wonderful. I know it will hold lots of growth opportunities for you to experience yourself as perhaps you never had before. And I like too that you mention the intangible, as that is sometimes, in fact most times more valuable to give to another than a material item.

@CG WALTERS – Thank you CG and thank you for your visit!

Personal actions do lead to global results – I truly believe that, as I know that our collective consciousness can shift immensely towards the more enlightened way through the “good” acts of a few much more than be upset through the “bad” acts of many.

In my own life, I share your interest in giving the intangible. For example, one of my dreams has been to experience Peru. I will be realizing that in 2009 and giving of myself to a local community as part of spiritual endeavours. As you say, we have choices about how to spend our time, exert our energy. We can share what we have materially and of ourselves in ways that cannot be measured.

I like how you said that it really does come down to being as that is what I have figured it out to be too. Consciousness and being that is. We have to be conscious of our actions and words first, which then puts us in whatever state of being we want – which are of course are usually the highest states of our existence.

I really like your idea too about your kids. I know some of us forget what it was like being a kid and being told “certain” things by our parents in “certain” ways – but I think when most of us really take ourselves back we can remember how some of the things they said or did made us feel – I am talking of course about those not so “happy” and “feel good” moments.

It is not about discipling or not discipling, just about being more conscious about what we say and more importantly why we say what we say.

So many times as parents we get caught up in this “parent” role that society has instilled in us of how to raise the “right” kids, when sometimes they just need another compassionate human being around them and what better person to be a kind compassionate human being to us then our parents.

Anyhow it is going to be a fantastic new year and I look forward to sharing our experiences :)

Yes, it is true that many of us think of applying kindness to others like in an external way. We forget that kindness can be practiced to the ones around us. It’s really about our state of being. For one, I’m hoping to be more patient with my kids, even though it means having to repeat myself daily with them.

You’ve started the year with an inspiring post. Great!! I’m looking forward to reading more of your insights and experiences. Have an Awesome 2009!

Sincerely,
Evelyn

You also hit on such a good point – we get too busy with life. But then this makes one think about the fact of what then is life about really?

Is it chasing jobs and paying off mortgages and driving kids around from one sport to the next while neglecting ourselves and others OR is it about attaining a balance of being for the larger reason that comes from our heart and spirit for self and others?

It really makes one think about what really is life all about? What are our priorities and why?

As for your mission work help for Haiti – that is wonderful to hear Lance! I know some of the schools in our area also help to build schools in Haiti and support orphanages. I have seen some of the videos of our students going down there and it is amazing to see what the human spirit can do – it is amazing how we really can move mountains in others lives by expanding our own love!

Lance – thank you for sharing your story and I am as always moved by your words deeply.

Kindness is so easy, and can also be so elusive. Is it because we get so caught up in our own lives, that we ignore those around us? And the thing is – how good, deep in your soul good, being kind feels! I really think that being kind is the way we were meant to be – we are designed to be kind souls. It just feels like when I’m at my kindest – that’s also when I feel most connected to my soul.

Your story of visiting Cuba and sharing with the people – what a wonderful thing to do Evita. It reminds me of some mission work we support going on in Haiti. And the stories of a grateful people are so moving. And really do tug at your heartstrings. So, hearing of your beautiful gifts of kindness – this evokes those same feelings. Your actions, Evita, have a lasting impact. On the people in Cuba. On you. On your readers here. On me. Today, you have truly reminded me of the real beauty of kindness.

You have given me more renewed hope in our world today, Evita. And you’ve given me a gift – kindness – that I’m going out to continue giving away to others I cross paths with!

You are a light in my world..

Thank you and you are welcome!

It is interesting what you focused on, as when I was writing that part, it is a part of my life that I have to honestly tell you I have been working on and it has been getting easier and easier for me, but there are so many other factors to that too. Anyhow I also realize and it is complete truth as you say that mastering this completely is tough if not impossible for the average person. It is one thing at least for people who are involved in self-growth but yet another for the average person who has no interest in this whatsoever and does not even understand their amazing human potential.

Anyhow the bottom line is that our actions and words do carry a lot of weight and I think one big thing I would invite people to do in as part of this new year, is ask themselves in the form of personal reflections why they feel the need to say or do something that will be picked up as negative or hurtful to another, or if not possible before than reflect on it after the fact to try to see their own personal cycle or pattern and try to break it.

There really is no need for most of the stuff that comes out of so many of us. But I do not want to dwell more on that – let us think of all the wonderful things we can do to fill more moments with kindness such that there will be no more space for anything of the opposite nature.