Kindness 2020

There are more words written by a close friend in this post than my own but as you can see they have a story to tell and a purpose.

J writes “I am humbled by the beautiful responses I have received on my latest watercolour painting. I have to admit, I stand back and am amazed that I was able to create it! There is a touching story behind it that I would like to share with you – and a message to keep well, mentally and physically in these strange times. I have someone in my life whose Mother is going through cancer treatments and describes her feelings like this: “My mom views her treatment as kind of a farmyard. When she is in treatments or waiting for results she is in a corral. When she has nothing pending she is out in the yard. She knows after the first fence there is still another fence surrounding her but its far enough away its not scary.” I was asked to do a picture for her, and this is what I came up with. There are 3 fences, all getting smaller and indistinct with suggestions of other adventures in the background. I have two birds: one for her and one for her mother – and the outhouse instead of a farmyard because life can be shitty! It was a pleasure to paint this with my own twist on life – it can be calm, peaceful and pretty even though it feels like your life is out of control. Stay safe, everyone – we will get through this if we be kind and think of each other.

J. Hales

This year, perhaps more than any other year, we need kindness. This year, more than any other time it seems, kindness can seem to be in hiding. There is so much blame being laid out at governments and health regions for doing too much or doing too little. There is so much anger from those who are compliant to those who don’t believe there is any reason to be compliant.

But there is much goodness in the world as well and we need to remember that. We need to focus on what we can do.

It’s a strange time to be sure and the unusual circumstances of the year had clean driven the usual December activities right off my radar. Truthfully, without J’s “gentle push” in the background, I would have probably skipped this year’s In Gratitude of Kindness Advent Calendar.

As the year 2020 winds down, let us take a huge cleansing breath to centre ourselves as we have just witnessed some of the hardest decisions we have had to make during our lifetime. Covid-19 has changed all our lives – but it has unearthed great gifts as well – we need to make time to enjoy each and every moment and person in our lives – and to reach out in expressive ways to remind people how important they are to us.

Time does not stand still, but we have the ability to make the most of what we already have –
and we have so much to be thankful for! 

Let us hope that 2021 is kind to us, full of wonder with new opportunities, beginnings, fresh starts and adventures.  Let us make the time to witness the many treasures and beauty that reveal themselves to us in our daily lives – we just need to be receptive to them.

J. Hales

I think her words do the concept of the calendar & our activities justice. They also highlight what the world needs now. In fact I think they are so well written that they are the star of the show. They are also going to inspire me to get out of my hermit space and shower others with kindness. I will take my copy and make notes about who gets what when. I will bake and make and drop stuff off. I will do a donation on Giving Tuesday (the first day of December) for the whole 25 days because once I commit to doing it I am all in. I just needed the reminder that I can be kind without blowing my bubble.

I encourage you all to think outside your own “box” and see what kindness you can pay forward this advent season. Take this calendar and tweak it; swap days or activities. Find recipients for your deeds; do it on the sly or be upfront. Whatever works for you. Make it your own. Make the world a kinder place to be.

Bernie