I’ve allocated the theme of kindness to this year 2025.
What it can
teach me about what it means to live a good life.
To explore
how kindness can show up each day. To be intentional about it: to start the day
with what can I do to be kind today? Then
review at days end how did kindness show
up today? To record in a journal the day to day significant points.
To start
conversations about it, invite opinions and listen to stories.
To read and
be exposed to teachings on the subject
To express
it in my art, in the choice of music to listen to and play on guitar.
To share it
on the pavement chalk.
To share
the journey with others who care to join me.
To
understand how kindness extends from small acts to addressing the broader
issues of our times. From the personal to community to national and
international? How kindness can extend from people to animals and the natural
world and then to the future. The connection to justice and politics.
Why
kindness?
Have been
thinking about it for some time and see that it is not something treated that
seriously. The typical context is small acts of kindness to strangers and being
something almost childlike. I’m interested in diving a lot deeper and seeing
where it might lead. I’m drawn to it because it is action grounded on compassion
and empathy with the concerns of others at the centre. It is also interesting
to read of the wise people who say the most important thing in life is to be
kind – think Mother Teresa.
Reflections
thus far:
Intentional
kindness can be surprising – it takes me out of my own concerns and towards
those of others.
It is good
for relationships. People like being around kind people.
Joy and
good humour is usually well received.
A small act
of kindness is easily done, the bigger acts take more thought and effort.
Kindness is often limited to personal interactions - I want to explore the broader implications for justice and non-human dimensions.
Candle of Kindness
In the darkness of despair, pain and vulnerability
the fear can be overwhelming.
I’m drawn inwards, my breath audible.
Is this what life will now be like?
I search for a light to illuminate a way forward, an escape.
Maybe it is just a flicker, something, anything.
To give hope that this place is not permanent.
I scan the horizon, turn behind me, waiting.
And there it is just like that
the torch of Kindness lands upon me and points in a direction I can step towards. And I take that first step, not a big one but it is enough.
It is gone just as quickly, but its job is done.
Now the darkness does not weigh so heavy. The veil lifts slightly.
There is hope and I am grateful.
Another candle of kindness will pass my way
and I too, when ready will carry my own candle in the night to find you.
