Sowing Kindness by Showing Kindness

“ … all kindness begins with the sown seed.”  Mary Oliver from her poem, “What I Have Learned So Far.”

In last week’s PeerRx blog, I encouraged our community to accept the 21-day “Kindness Challenge” by doing an intentional act of kindness daily for 21 days.  My own experience thus far has been quite eye-opening.  Though I did some things I may have done anyway, I was much more present and aware than normal, and perhaps because of this, it seemed my kindness showed up differently;

·       For the man at the gym who hadn’t been there for a while, so I inquired about his absence and learned he’d had an MI (minimal risk factors) and had been rehabbing.  That day was the first back at the gym in 2 months for him.

·       For the elder who was having trouble navigating some stairs and for whom I stopped and helped.

·       For the woman whose dog had broken from the leash and needed help getting her leashed again.

·       For my friend who needed some support and encouragement from me as he prepared for an important meeting that had some “behind the scenes dynamics.”

We all could likely create such lists if we stopped to think about it.  What has stood out for me so far is the deeper understanding that ultimately, kindness is an action, not simply an intention.  And it is that action that integrates the abstract concept of “being kind” with “doing kindnesses.”   

One of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver, appears to have internalized this “lesson” in the poem below.  As you continue (or start) your own 21-day “Kindness Challenge,” perhaps her words will provide a different perspective as to how you might approach it.  This week, may you too be “ignited” as you spread the light of kindness. 

What I Have Learned So Far

Meditation is old and honorable, so why should I
not sit, every morning of my life, on the hillside,
looking into the shining world? Because, properly
attended to, delight, as well as havoc, is suggestion.
Can one be passionate about the just, the
ideal, the sublime, and the holy, and yet commit
to no labor in its cause? I don't think so.

All summations have a beginning, all effect has a
story, all kindness begins with the sown seed.
Thought buds toward radiance. The gospel of
light is the crossroads - of indolence, or action.

Be ignited, or be gone.

Mary Oliver