Path to Joy 9: Kindness
You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. – John Bunyan On an end-of-summer evening beside the Allegheny River, as twilight settled over yachts docked at the Fox Chapel marina, I chatted with members of Rotary International, an organization I thought focused on business development. Turns out the profits Rotary members seek come from bridging cultures and connecting continents. They champion peace, fight illiteracy and poverty, help people get access to clean water and sanitation, and fight disease. Rotary’s newest cause is to protect our planet and its resources. Wow! How exhilarating to meet people who prioritize the 9th Path to Joy, Benevolence: good will, good wishes and wanting good for others. An old saying advises, “Everything that goes around, comes around.” The Bible’s Galatians 6:7 adds, “What a man sows, that he will also reap.” The Mayo Clinic finds that sowing benevolence does reap a joyful harvest. They report, “Kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy and compassion, and improve mood. It can decrease blood pressure and cortisol, a hormone directly correlated with stress levels. People who give of themselves in a balanced way also tend to be healthier and live longer.” Read more. Everyday Health lists seven ways being kind improves health and well-being, by: Reducing anxiety and depression Improving heart health Managing diabetes Read more Succeed and Soar’s Original Path to Joy #9 post stated, “Benevolence is good will, good wishes and wanting good for others. Beneficence is the joy of putting those intentions into action.” How? In “Practicing the Art of Benevolence,” Purposeful Habits suggests, “Never hold back in a moment when you can show kindness.” And remember, When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed. – Maya Angelou Succeed and Soar! Gifts from One Big-Hearted, Benevolent Gift of a Man Length: 2 Minutes 35 Seconds Shop Sandra’s Succeed & Soar Art on Hooded Sweatshirts As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, greeting cards and more With autumn’s arrive, snuggle up artfully. These fine quality hoodies are: : 75% cotton, 25% polyester blend Five sizes [Small, Medium, Large, X Large, 2X Large, 3X Large] Two Art Locations [Full Chest or chest patch] Double-opening waist pouch Colors: White, Heather, Charcoal, Black, Navy Machine washable Price $48 NOTE: Sometimes art size must be adjusted for whole image to fit on item. Use CUSTOMIZE. tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Over 60 background colors can be chosen [shades of yellows, blues, greens, grays and more]. Purchase this Hooded Sweatshirt View All Hoodies Thanks for shopping!
Einstein #5: Embracing Widening Circles
Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty. – Albert Einstein Imagine freeing ourselves as Einstein recommends. I was searching for information about embracing all of creation when these words from Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov presented, “Love all God’s creation, both the whole and every grain of sand. Love every leaf, every ray of light. Love the animals, love the plants, love each separate thing. If thou love each thing thou wilt perceive the mystery of God in all.” The novel’s 41st Chapter contains thought-provoking conversations about Prayer, Love, Contact with Other Worlds and Hell Fire. True, the world contains enmity, ill will, animosity, indifference, apathy and hatred, the shadows that ensnarl and shrivel human potential. On the bright side, imagine lives liberated and blossoming in widening circles of affection, friendship, tenderness and love … one person and a step at a time. Choices. Here are more for the coming week. Tomorrow, Sunday is National Sticky Bun Day Wednesday is Tortilla Chip Day and Thursday celebrates Pistachio Nuts. Best of all, Friday, Feb 26 is “Tell A Fairy Tale” day. Here are Fairy Tales from Around The World, including “The Golem of Prague” read by Leonard Nimoy [Star Trek’s Mister Spock.] Enjoy! ***** The largest, edible pancake weighed over three tons and measured 49 feet across. The highest toss of a pancake is 31 feet above the ground. The Opus Restaurant in Manchester, England sells single pancakes for $200. They’re served with a jelly named Dom Perignon and are made with Madagascan vanilla pods and 23-carat, edible gold leaf. Read more Pancake Surprises.