First things first: Happy Solstice!
I always take time on the Winter Solstice to take stock of the past year and plan for the one ahead. I always make a list of things I no longer need, or no longer want in my life, and throw that list into the fire to be gone from my life forever. Then I make a list of all the things I want to replace those things in the coming year. I usually hang that list on my fridge so I’ll be reminded of them often and do whatever I can to bring them into being.
It’s been a rough year for most of us. I’d hoped to have sold my building by now and be on the road permanently, but it hasn’t happened yet (though I’ve got a couple good prospects). Business has slowed due to Covid-19, and my finances have certainly been impacted. But on the bright side, I’ve learned to live more frugally and I’ve got extra down time to do things I love or just kick back and do little or nothing if I want.
This past week I’ve been watching a lot of old movies, from Harold and Maude, to Home for the Holidays. Last night I watched New in Town. I love this movie mainly because of the midwestern accents/phrases. (You betcha!). I use to live in Madison, WI, and whenever I see this film, I am reminded of that midwestern accent and that midwestern hospitality. I’m not sure why it hit me so hard last night–maybe this year of being so isolated from human contact. Maybe just stress from all that’s happened this year? But when they made tapioca I found myself with tears streaming down my cheeks. I wasn’t crying out of sadness. I rarely cry now when I’m sad. I was crying out of being so touched by human kindness. It seems there is often so little of it left in the world these days, so when I see it, it makes me cry.
One thing I’ve vowed to have plenty of this coming year is human kindness–on whatever level I can find it, from whomever is offering it. I think the best way to get some is to give some. My grandmother once told me “If everyone would sweep their front steps, the world would be clean tomorrow.” I believe if everyone would just perform one act of kindness today, the entire world could feel loved tomorrow.
So, maybe you’d like to join me. Do one kind thing for someone today. Start with someone you love. That’s the easiest. Then do it each day until you are well practiced and eventually we can be kind even to those who are not so easy to be kind to! And if you can’t think of something kind to say, maybe just bring someone some tapioca.