Thanks and Appreciation
In having to write an essay as homework for my writing course last week which was to write about someone whom I had loved/love or who had/has a significant effect on my life. It got me thinking about a particular friend I had many years ago who was kindness itself. I then thought about all the other people who have been and still are in my life that have showed some form of kindness and this blog, this month, is to show them my appreciation. When reading this blog you might recognise yourself amongst these very special people.
I have had many people help me in my thirty years of working as a healer and spiritual teacher. Some have provided transport, some opened up their homes to me, some gave me space within their families, some I drank wine with and others I laughed with, some I shopped with and some I did all sorts of things with. Each person had such generosity of heart and they gave openly, expecting nothing in return. These were people who lived their beliefs of Ahimsa (being kind to self and to others), they lived their spirituality, they walked their talk and I feel honoured to have been the recipient of their many kindnesses. There are also those I wish to thank who have touched my life with their kindnesses, they did not always believe in the same things I did, sometimes they didn’t believe in anything other than showing kindness, but they embraced me and others with kindness, being generous with what they had, being generous with their kind words and acts.
There are many I met just for a moment who touched my heart before leaving in the midst of a crowd. The smile from an ‘alien’ standing in the other queue at passport control, the one that was afraid but smiled anyway. The chatty woman at the bus stop, leaning on her two sticks but her merry conversation belied what might have been her pain and/or discomfort. The people who pass by my garden and compliment me about what I have created, they don’t need to, but they stop and spend a little of their precious time in making me feel good about my creation. All who spare a smile in my direction and sometimes a ‘Hello’ too.
There are my friends, those people who are always there for me when I need them. Always at the end of a telephone. Those who are willing to share their deepest secrets and feelings with me and to whom I can share mine. Those that have been with me through troubled times but also through good times too. Always finding time when I need them to. There are those who I don’t see or hear from, sometimes for years, but they are always there, willing to share, always encouraging. When I do hear from one of them, I feel we spoke together only yesterday and my heart feels uplifted.
I am not going to name you, you know who you are. I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness, your love, your support. I might not have shown appreciation at the time, being so busy with my planetary work, but on looking back and seeing just what you did, fills my heart with gratitude.
So many of you have walked with me on this incredible journey through my life. Some walked with me for just an hour, or for a day, some for a weekend or a few days at a workshop. Others have walked with me for many years, sharing our joys and sorrows, sharing encouragement, ideas and laughter. Every one of you means so much to me. So, no matter where you are living, South Africa, Austria, Germany, the UK, the US, and other places in the world, know that I am sitting here appreciating your existence, thankful for all the kindnesses you have shown to me and to others. There are many of you and I am so thankful that I found you. You don’t have to be spiritual to be kind, you only need an open heart, and generosity of spirit.
My homework from my writing course was certainly a very deep process for me but I feel very joyful in being able to show my appreciation and thanks. This weeks homework from the course is actually more difficult. To write about a transitional moment in my life - there have been so many it is hard to choose only one, but I’m up for the challenge!
Ahimsa - be kind to yourself and be kind to others. Much love Patricia
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