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A few years ago, I discovered with wonder a new form of magic: expressing appreciation to others for something they had done. And modern life offers us a thousand different opportunities to manifest that magic.
A small example: I live in a community that makes a special effort to decorate public places. Multicolored flowers are planted everywhere, and it’s done with consummate art. What a joy to see the face of a town worker or gardener in the municipality light up when I congratulate him on what he and his colleagues are doing. And I’m back with more! Because wherever you turn, your gaze falls on flowers or greenery arranged with impeccable taste. It has become almost a new sport for me.
Thank You for...
Why not thank that cashier for her radiant smile, or the bus driver for his dexterity in driving his huge machine… and be greeted by a “Gee, nobody ever told me that” or similar comment that underlines how much we take for granted what very often involves an immense personal investment in effort, patience, intelligence, sometimes courage, endurance and so many other qualities.
Yes, we did express it briefly for caregivers and other helpers during the period of confinement, and it was great, but the personal touch of your smile, the sincerity of your tone of voice, the deep unexpressed gratitude you feel deep in your heart…. All of that can only come out of personal contact. Not only will these mini good deeds that you sow like the little white stones of Hansel and Gretel illuminate the day, and why not the week or even the life of the person you are addressing, but it will also bring you a gentle and deep joy that will enrich you just as much.
And why not be imaginative, use striking images that the people involved may remember for years to come? “I’ll give you the Michelin Restaurant Guide top rating ” or “I’ll tell all my friends to come and buy your pies” (notice to readers who might visit me in Veyrier, where we have a fabulous baker!)
This practice can transform the life of a family or couple that gets into rut, or even develops cracks, a workplace worn out by stress, boredom or routine and so many other situations.
So – the ball is in your court…
To Express Kindness...
The following is an excerpt from a blessing in 365 Blessings to Heal Myself and the World:
I bless myself in my ability to stay open to the innumerable opportunities in my life to express loving-kindness: giving up my seat or carrying the bag of an elderly citizen, saying a kind word of appreciation to the supermarket cashier for her smile, exchanging a few words with a homeless beggar rather than just anonymously giving some change and hurrying on – and the thousand other opportunities with which my life is graced.
I bless myself in my ability to see that every act of kindness is also a gift to myself, broadening my heart’s outreach, often softening the use of my time, awakening my awareness, filling me with quiet joy and above all teaching me to see myself in my sister or brother. For truly we shall love our neighbors only as we recognize them to be the reflected image of who we are.
I bless myself in my ability to express my innate loving-kindness to all nature: to avoid walking on the ant or the fly on the ground, to spare swatting the mosquito whose strident buzz drives me crazy, to gently raise the bended daffodil and to take the time to support it with a small stick, to dig a grave for the fallen sparrow because for me it is meaningful, to donate generously to a specific activity aimed at supporting some urgent or important environmental issue, to talk to a caged dog that seems so desperate for a kind word.
To just let the innate kindness of my heart arise and shine.
©2020 by Pierre Pradervand. All Rights Reserved.
Reprinted with permission of the author
and taken from the author's blog.
Book by this Author
365 Blessings to Heal Myself and the World: Really Living One’s Spirituality in Everyday Life
by Pierre Pradervand.
Can you imagine what it would feel like to never feel any resentment for any wrong done to you, gossip or lie disseminated about you? To respond with full awareness to all situations and people rather than react from your gut? What freedom that would entail! Well, this is just one of the gifts the practice of blessing from the heart, i.e. sending out focused love energy, will do for you. This book, from the bestselling author of The Gentle Art of Blessing, will help you learn to bless all situations and people as you go through the day and add overwhelming joy and presence to your existence.
For more info and/or to order this book, click here.
About The Author
Pierre Pradervand is the author of The Gentle Art of Blessing. He has worked, travelled and lived in over 40 countries on five continents, and has been leading workshops and teaching the art of blessing for many years, with remarkable responses and transformational results. For 20 years Pierre has been practising blessing and collecting testimonies of blessing as a tool for healing the heart, mind, body and soul. Visit the website at https://gentleartofblessing.org
