Be kind to yourself
Posted by jennifer gibson on Saturday, August 16, 2014
Not everyone is open to be being completely honest or forthright about their innermost thoughts or feelings. It's not easy to reveal that side to others. That's what friends and family are for, to lend an ear or hug when they need it most. It's better than shrouding yourself in darkness which can trigger a downfall that's hard to come back from. Give yourself a break and treat your body and mind to the kindness it deserves.
In this day and age, we are under an enormous amount of stress and bombarded with negative energy and electronic technology that is having an impact on us. Not only are we worried about our health, our homes, jobs, financial well being and our family, we feel the need to stay on top of the news around the world which can be heartbreaking to witness. It can difficult at times to see so much of our food being modified, more and more animals becoming extinct, ongoing conflict overseas, and deadly viruses spreading rapidly between countries. It's a lot to process.
While we try to pitch in with donations and give a helping hand when we can, we still wonder if it's enough. We often ask ourselves "Will it make a difference?" I ask myself that question all the time. I donate when I can. It may not be much but it's the least I can do. I rescue animals all the time. They seem to show up our doorstep when they are in distress and they have turned into wonderful pets. Being kind and generous is a part of who we are.
When I'm on the streets in a big city like Toronto, I try to donate money, food or a cup of coffee to the homeless, especially on the bitterly cold days during the winter. A simple gesture like that can make a difference in their day or even their life. I do it because that could easily be me on the streets begging for help.
Even though our lives can be extremely overwhelming at times, take a moment to do some good, either for yourself or for someone else. It's the little things that count. Surround yourself with positive thoughts, it's like a warm hug for your soul.
I'm always asking myself "What kind of legacy am I leaving behind?" I do stop and wonder "Did I make things better or worse?" I'm not sure. Why? Because I'm not the easiest person to deal with or even live with. Growing up with a severe hearing loss changed me in many, many ways. In some aspects, dealing with a lot of the crap and negativity associated with it did make me stronger. In other ways, it destroyed me, particularly the kind, loving and naive child in me. And that has an impact on what I do and say on a daily basis. I do my best to be a more considerate person which is not at all easy. There are days when I wish I was a kinder and more compassionate soul, unfortunately my past makes that difficult to do at times. Everyday I try my best to leave behind better memories of myself. I just hope it's enough.
