Living Expression

 Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.  Be the living expression of God's kindness:  kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.

Mother Teresa


We are never really certain as to what we can personally do to make our family, community, country and world a safer and kinder place to be.  If we would begin simply, I believe a wave of kindness would ripple across the world.  Begin with what we have ... our very own presence.

Today I watched a video with Susan Surrandon and Ekhart Tolle discussing  acting and the attraction it holds.  Their conversation reflected how movie goers love the absolute attention between the actors, how carefully the characters both physically and mentally listen to each other.  The viewers are mesmerized by the charismatic attraction between the stars.

Human expression is vital to development.  We all crave to be heard, really understood, and identified like we have never been before.  We long to be 'seen'  for our personal goodness and unique contribution to the world.  We have an eagerness to give, but a desire to have it reflected back to us.

Simple kindness extended to those we know and do not know can change the lives of many, costing us nothing but awareness and willingness.  Let whatever we revere as holy to shine in our hearts so brightly, our faces will glow with loving kindness.  Let us turn this expression towards the world every day in hopes of generating a wave of kindness across our world.  Let us live our expression!

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. 

We Have Forgotten ...

If we have no peace,

it is because we have forgotten

that we belong to each other.

Mother Teresa

Greater Than ...

"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat."  Mother Teresa

Friend of Silence

                                            

"We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness.  God is the friend of silence.  See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence;  see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence ... We need silence to be able to touch souls."  Mother Teresa