Humble Exchanges



There is a wisdom of the head,

and ... a wisdom of the heart.

Charles Dickens

Wisdom tends to awaken our minds and pierce our hearts with common words.  These common words vibrate within us, resonating with deeper meaning than what may appear on the surface.  The wisdom may even be words we have heard or read previously, but for some reason, this time they strike with certain significance.  The words seem to come alive, filtering emotionally throughout our body.  We receive insight, inspiration, or perhaps comfort. 

We all have friends we turn to when we need courage or understanding.  These friends are not necessarily trained to be therapists, but somehow they always find words to make us feel better.  It is during these humble exchanges, wisdom often appears.

Words awaken our minds and pierce our hearts during humble exchanges with words of diversified origins.   Wisdom is shared in humble exchanges, as well as passed down through history in storytelling, singing, and the written word.  There is something about being out in nature that calms our minds and opens our hearts to bits and pieces of wisdom. There are so many ways for wisdom to slip gentle words within our hearts and mind.

Wisdom can be attributed to Divine Spirit speaking through each and every one of us whether we are aware or not.  Friends may thank us for sharing something with them while quite honestly, we don't even remember saying it.  Or words may suddenly flow out of our mouths and we have no idea where they came from, but the listener is ever so grateful.   

In this way, we are all messengers.  Divine Spirit uses us as vessels to deliver what needs to be heard just as words written upon on a page can jump alive.  So we must open our minds and our hearts to receive humble exchanges that will deepen our insights and experiences.



Rubbing Feet ...

Loneliness is the most terrible poverty.

Mother Teresa

  

There is a young college woman who has grown very dear to my heart.  She is poetic, quick humored, brilliant, compassionate and beautiful ... none of which does she acknowledge.  In spite of her college requirements and athletic commitments, Maddie always seems to find ways to be helping others.  She casually mentioned the other day her latest adventure.  She is volunteering at a shelter for the homeless where there is a foot clinic.  While wearing gloves, she washes and massages these homeless feet.  She commented upon the outward physical and marginal emotional changes generated by her humble actions.


As a child, my father randomly rubbed my feet as he mindlessly watched television. The memory of these occasions gifted me not only with attention and affection, but pure physical relaxation.  As an adult, I loved rubbing the feet of my children from infancy through adulthood.  My foot rubs have extended from my kids to grand kids, to friends and those I have encountered along the way.  


Over the years my career led me to be a director of differing programs: nursery school, day care center, social services, seniors, and eventually an Alzheimer center.   In each setting, I gave foot rubs. No matter what the age, when I looked into the eyes, I would see a lonely 'child' needing human touch.  


Reflexology is the mastering of foot massage, but anyone can rub feet.  There is no training necessary or costly tools. Just find some lotion or oil and a small hand towel. You can begin on your own feet and immediately begin to feel the wonderful results.  There are many unsuspecting folks to choose from, young and old alike, so get busy.  Think of my dear friend Maddie while you bring some needed tenderness into the lives of others.