Be the change we wish to See … (01/01/12)
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!
2012 is here, and with it, the feeling of another “new beginning” — another “fresh start” to our lives; another day when we all more readily remember that WE TRULY CAN have a “good life” — that WE TRULY CAN come to know real Happiness — that WE TRULY CAN become the person we always wanted to be.
And I think the attached picture represents this sentiment perfectly. We all strive so fervently to be the owl in the picture — we all so desire to have a life filled with pleasure and comfort — we all so yearn to be loved. And this is indeed a great feeling; a feeling that comes regularly to us all more than few times over the course of our lives — a feeling I wish for you all.
Aaaaaaand, there is an experience of Happiness that is much much much more profound — an experience of JOY that makes that owl’s temporary “bliss” look like a cold & rainy Monday. It is the JOY that comes to those of us who have the Courage to dedicate their moments to Caring for others (especially those people we least like) … It is reserved for those of us who choose to set aside our own desires for “happiness” and seek instead to bring Peace to those around us.
It is the perfect Peace known by the person in the photo AT THE OTHER END OF THE HAND.
And that is my wish for each of you — to know this perfect Peace.
And here is some Great News: it is more than possible for you all to know this JOY — today!!! It doesn’t take much to feel it … All that is required is a pause of one second, a conscious decision to do something Kind for another, and then the courage to get up and actually do that thing. It doesn’t even matter if your efforts are “successful” or not — the conscious, selfless doing is in & of itself enough.
Of the thousands of times I have tried this over the past 5+ years, it has worked every time. Though the more difficult deed of Kindness brings the more potent sense of Bliss, even the smallest of selfless acts (e.g. a prolonged, gentle smile given to a stranger) has the most Peace-full effect. Even more amazing, this Truth actually works better during those times when I am feeling the worst.
So why not make Kindness your New Year’s Resolution? Why not resolve to go forth each day — maybe only for five minutes — and be actively Kind to another? Why not dedicate a few moments of each morning to someone other than yourself?
And why not start today — right now? Make a Kind phone call to an estranged friend or family member … Write a Kind letter of apology to someone who you harmed in your past — or a Kind letter of forgiveness to someone who has harmed you … Take a walk around the block and warmly greet every stranger you meet … Bake some cookies for the neighbor you care for the least.
I think you get the concept … After all, it’s not rocket science. And I’m pretty sure it is not only the only way to know real JOY for yourself, it is probably the only way we are going to effectuate real & positive change for our entire world.
The time is now … So let’s go be that gentle hand of Love. The world needs each and every one of us, so let’s go be the change we wish to see!
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