Monday, December 26, 2022

Kindness 2022

I chose the word, kindness, for 2022, kindness as kindling for a practice. What I have learned is that kindness is doable. One doesn't have to be an activist on a street corner to be kind. Quiet actions are valuable and kindness is a place to begin. Kindness is extended and received. 

I kept a fuss-free imperfect journal, making an entry for each month. In September, Norah picked out this birthday card for me. She thought I would like dogs in pink tutus. She was right. What Grammy wouldn't love this card on her 71st birthday? Right after she brought it home, she showed it to me and signed it while we were on FaceTime. I love that her Mom let her choose the card and share it immediately. 

Extending kindness to those near and dear is natural and easy. Extending a smile or thank you to a stranger or a grocery checker becomes a habit. Donating food to the hungry feels good. When I reframe, I am able to think kindly about the driver who pulls into a parking stall just ahead of me. Perhaps that person carries a heavy load. Perhaps they need to get to work on time or home to a sick child or family member. As a wise friend once said, "There is no need to send my angst into the world." Being kind to myself is also part of the practice. 

For me, the challenge is to extend kindness to an acquaintance who is annoying or irritating for some reason. Let's say, they don't recycle or they litter their yards with eyesores, or their political opinion is different from mine, or they monopolize a conversation with trivia, or, or, or.  Here, as the saying goes, is "the rub" that creates a blister. However practicing kindness or trying to reframe a behavior makes me feel better. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I fail. Kindness is a practice, a process. I hope I don't sound like goody-two shoes here. I am far from perfect. I make mistakes but for me it's worth the effort. As I mull over a word for the new year I will carry kindness with me. Onward we go. 

This is the poem I sent with our holiday greeting cards. Now I send it out to you.


Kindness *


Outside my window

junco shelters in the birch.

Around her, bark flutters

like a string of prayer flags.


The gale peels away

layers of roughness,

years of care that

protected the heart.


A flag frays, then falls,

a postcard of kindness

sent to a neighbor

just down the street.


What if we squared our shoulders,

bent our hearts to generous care?

What if we spoke nothing

but kindness to the prevailing wind?


*Copyright Jane A. Wolfe


Birch comes from Burg and means the tree whose bark is written upon.





7 comments:

  1. Even though we've never met in person, I always think of you as a kind person, Jane. You are kind and gentle in your writing and I can see that it is a mindset. Your poem is lovely and I thank you for sharing it with us (more kindness)!

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  2. Such a beautiful post, Jane. I love the way you embraced and celebrated KINDNESS this year -- going even deeper with the experience. I love the poem. It is evocative and flows so beautifully. Thank you for sharing it with us. (And those pink tutus are so wonderful.) XO

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  3. What a beautiful poem and a lovely reflection! I have loved reading how you've endeavored to make kindness a practice in your life. I've been actively trying to remember that kindness costs me nothing and yet can do so much when it's given to someone else. I think if we all showed more kindness to each other, the world would be a much better place.

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  4. Beautiful poem, Jane! And I agree with Bonny... I think that your kindness runs deep and the blessing is that you share your kindness with us with every post you share here!

    I wish you an extra special New Year! XO

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  5. As a reader your blog exudes kindness - I love that word and how you've honed it as your own over the year. Love the poem!!!

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  6. What a wonderful way to leave your word. Thanks you for your thoughtful post Jane

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  7. Your poem is lovely ... I read a book about kindness that framed it as a muscle - a practice we need to exercise even when it's hard, and maybe most especially then? It does seem like kindness is often going against the grain (and that last verse says all of that so beautifully). Thank you for modeling a kindness attitude!

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