Hello, Friends!
The other day I came across the little poster below that somebody, I think it was my friend Louise, had put on Facebook. Nicely put, and looking pretty, to whoever made it. P.S. - Next time, please sign your name!
I went down the list and asked myself, am I doing any of these things on a consistent basis? I was pleased to find that at least I try to do them, even if I don't accomplish every one of them with every person daily. At least I am getting along better with those that are in my immediate circle, even if I still do get very irritated by others who are not. In those cases, if I can only manage that last suggestion, "Let your words heal and not wound." then I am doing good.
Over the past couple of years, my heart has changed. Maybe because I am almost 54. Maybe because my life has settled down and Cary takes care of me so well that I have less financial worries than I used to. Maybe because I have finally figured out how to go with the flow, and to be okay that things are not always going the way that I want them to. For whatever reason, or for many reasons, I can feel a shift in my thoughts and in my heart. FINALLY. I am sure that many around here are very relieved!
Last week, I was very busy scanning lots of old pictures of friends that I have had for decades who I am now on Facebook with. As I was doing that, I experienced gratitude for everybody in my life; for my family and my friends old and new. In person and cyberspace. I was thinking of how much you all add to my life, and how much I appreciate everybody so much.
Another thing that I realized is that my picture taking is a form of me blessing others. Though they might not see it that way, or even acknowledge my intent, that is still what it is. I share my pictures on here so you can see how pretty Oregon is and what our life is like. I hope that this encourages my blog visitors to take pictures of where you live and share them with us. Some folks are more into writing and others are more into photos, but I try to blend the two together when I can.
I share photos on Facebook to add layers to our many little groups, and so that others may find them easily. It is working! Still, I am also doing that for myself, and using Facebook as a tool to organize my photos into albums. I use it as a "rough-sort" and my blog as a "fine-sort" (using only the best ones, or the ones that tell the story best).
Okay, I know that I am rambling. I just want to throw in one more way to bless others that I have been trying to do more of. That is using snail mail. My friend Lynn sent me a handwritten letter the other day, and I sat down and wrote one to her. My friends Wendy and Patricia I have been sending postcards back and forth. Today, I am mailing out gifts to my friends Sandy and Shelly ... things that have been sitting here a whole year ready to be mailed. Cards are always nice too. I think that I am going to make up some more of those and use them all up, by sending them out little by little.
Phone calls are good too. So are prayers. I just had an insight here ... any form of positive communication is a blessing, isn't it? And remember, the more that you give, the more that you are going to get back. Invest in those you love. Encourage them to encourage others.
Do you have some examples of simple ways to encourage and bless others? Please leave a comment and share them with us!
Peace be with you, my friends.
~ Kathy M.
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4 comments:
I'd like to think that my letter writing helps others.
What a lovely post! Kathy, your warm heart is always on display in your photos and your posts. Your friends and family are lucky to have you snapping away with the camera and recording things as you experience them on your blog.
I'd have to say that I try to encourage others by looking for the good things in life, by offering encouragement and loyalty where I can, and trying to be positive. I am aware of all the negative, and I don't mean to discount it and the effect it has on people, but I try not to dwell on it.
Everyone needs to be encouraged and recognized for the good that they are doing. Your card, front and back, reminds me of the artist who created these wonderful expressions. Your sign is wonderful as I like being treated with a positive response and try to do the same with everyone else. It is a great, fun post today.
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." Aesop (620 BC - 560 BC), The Lion and the mouse.
Wisdom comes with the years, isn't it? "Do the things your hand finds to do", adviced my father to me. That became a way of living for me and I'm sure it really helps.
Thanks for sharing!
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