I like this. DS was my constant home for acceptance for a long time. And I come here when I don't know where else to go, for either joy or pain. I wrote about Kindness yesterday. I had to truly define kindness for myself before I started. What is kindness? I came up with: When you see another living being as exactly as important as your self is, that puts everything clear, and conscious acts from "sameness" begin.. Sending thanks for the first thing I read this morning being uplifting. Sending good thoughts for your healing. Namaste.

I say a lovingkindness meditation regularly, Secouya, for myself and for others. It goes, "May I be filled with lovingkindness, may I be well, may I be peaceful and at ease, may I be happy."

Then when I wish that for someone else, I just change the "I" to a "you":

"May you be filled with lovingkindness, may you be well, may you be peaceful and at ease, may you be happy."

And so on.

My flashbacks repeat my memories of trauma, so I figure repeating this meditation wish for good things plants the seeds of kindness for balancing things out a little.

Kindess back to you today, my friend.

I remind myself as often as I can that repaying anger or replacing anger with kindness is the best way to help not only others but myself...

I am not as evolved as Muji, alas, but I try.

As for kindness received? Every day, my hubby and I are kind to each other. We might *want* to be snappy, but... Take a breath, set that aside, open the ears and give a hug or whatever... It's just a moment. No need to have a lot of moments over essentially nothing that then ends up something for ... what? The fact we had some irritation for a moment and held onto it? No thanks. Grew up like that. Read Marriage for Dummies from the get-go.

Best specific kindness I have received lately, however, came from DS. :-)

Yesterday my shrink told me he cant express how proud of me he is that i am reaching out for help right away with whats going on with my dad and how well i am handling things right now. He said to keep reaching out even if i have to call everyday of the week just keep asking for help.

Replies on my posts have been a fantastic kindness. I like hearing other opinions, but it has been helpful. One of my recent posts, along with the replies I printed out and shared it with my therapist, and we worked from those replies for several sessions. Your responses were what I needed.

Thank you for today's mime post. Kindness is always a win-win. At the store yesterday, they had deeply marked down cooked deli chicken. I picked up one whole one for me versus the 8 piece packages. I then shared where to find them with other shoppers as the location is tricky to see when you enter. At least one lady headed right there. Meanwhile, a neighbor couple offered to come over and clear the weeds and overgrowth from my postage stamp back yard. There was a lot and it is bulk trash week. When I offered them some cash to go out for dinner after all their work, she said no, I like doing this and we're neighbors. There is kindness all over. It starts with each of us, and travels from there. The kindness and thoughtfulness of so many on DS seems to perpetuate more of it. I am always impressed that someone in a really terrible place can also send uplifting replies to others. DS works. Hugs to all.

Wow, how awesome you all are. What great acts of kindness. All this kindness warms my heart. Thank you for all that you are and all that you do.

♥️ to all repliers

Reading all of this is a wonderful way to end my day.

I had a poster made to hang by my classroom that says "In a world where you can be anything.... be kind."

It's all the little gestures, the words spoken at the right times, the presence of just being there in the midst of a struggle... that is what DS folks have added to my life. I am extremely grateful.