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Dear Subscriber First Name, Recently the weather has seemed to me to be…well, awfully “unkind.” In so many places, in so many ways, for so many living things. And I have noticed lately too that there seems to be an uptick in intentional unkindness in some people’s driving that has left me on the side of the road shaking my head in disbelief. And the way that our political and judicial systems - and the people involved - are acting? Don’t even get me going… Right now, I think a lot of us might feel like we are sitting on the side of the road, our heads in our hands and our hearts in our throats. If there are times that you feel this way, it’s important to know that you are not alone. It is also important to remember that gratefulness is always within your reach. Gratefulness is not positive thinking or optimism. It’s not replacing or bypassing challenging thoughts with upbeat ones. It’s much deeper than that. Gratefulness gives us the bandwidth to look squarely at what is difficult and to know that it is always held in a larger context. It helps us to see more - around and beyond what is painful to also remember what is possible. To also behold what is beautiful. It expands our awareness so that we can hold on to more of what is also true. Gratefulness grants us perspective. And perspective matters more than we can know, especially in moments such as these. In this current climate, I have become a bit obsessed with kindness as a countervailing practice to help me lift my head out of my hands. It’s a great practice to have in times like these. My kindness radar is switched on, and I am more aware of its presence, both subtle and blatant. I am sharing more kind news with those close to me. I am also strengthening my ability to truly “take in” and acknowledge the kind gestures which come my way that I can tend to miss. And I am cultivating more of the courage it can take to be kind; the vulnerability that extending ourselves asks of us. Gratitude, forgiveness, patience, apologizing, gentleness, grace, listening - these are all humble kindnesses we need to be ready to offer when they are what is called for. I will continue to shake my head in disbelief at the injustice, unkindness, and suffering in our world. But gratefulness also reminds me to shake my head in wonder and awe at what is magnificent and miraculous. It is in continuing to remember the extraordinary preciousness of life and brevity of time that I can keep gratefulness alive in my heart and in the world. May the resources below and on my website support you to keep your heart open to kindness and awake to the many wonders awaiting your notice. From my humble heart to yours -
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