As I awoke this morning, I could already see a pattern developing: The obligations of the day will likely set the timing of my daily postings. So, I believe, as a part of my morning routine, I can commit to a morning posting much better than an evening posting, which was my initial expectation.
After rising from a slumber upon a bed not my own (offered by some kind individuals who are friends of my fiance, enabling me to circumvent the necessity of an hour's drive back to where I live after visiting her for the weekend), I opened my email to find some more comments concerning my last posting "A Little Late...". Thanks to those individuals who took the time to read through my fatigue-inducing post, especially to one of the authors of the book (Ethics in Psychology and the Mental Health Professions: Standards and Cases, 3rd. Ed., by Gerald Koocher and Patricia Keith-Spiegel) to which I referred in the post (you can see comments below the post to which they refer by clicking upon the "comments" link below the post). It is personally an encouraging act to see that those from higher positions of authority within the field of psychology actually take their strained time to view something as humble as a blog-posting that contains reference to their work. Again, thanks to you who contribute to the dynamic flow of the conversations I wish to bring to the table, so to speak.
My thoughts now continue in the vein I began in the previous paragraph: The peripheral friends of friends, family, or other significant people. All too often, I find myself discounting their value, perhaps even graduating to the level of a "parasitic sucker" as I accept their kindness (eg. sharing the coffee that they made for themselves this morning, sharing their room to allow me rest for the night, taking the time out of their own lives as busy grad students and volunteers in the community, etc.) without thought of their extra-ordinary kindness and how I might return that warm nature back to them. Yet now I find myself being humbled (yet again) in recalling that very recent experience that I had with the sharing of a room, a bed, and a cup of coffee.
Is it not a beautiful thing to witness these acts of kindness by individuals with whom you have no prior engagement? Further, is it not a shame that such acts are not as often recounted in news headlines, radio waves, or the internet? Since I have begun listening to KNX 1070 News Radio (which is an excellent means by which one can be quickly brought up to speed about current events; very helpful, if you ask me), I cannot help but be overwhelmed by waves of anguish and sadness that exist out there in LA county and in the world... I realize this comment is likely a simple addition to the noise of babble about the unfortunate state of affairs the world is in due to natural disasters, terrorist acts, desperate acts, etc.; however, I wish to propose something so simple, that, perhaps, everyone has already considered this, but considered it too elementary to offer in the midst of such confusion. Although, as a person who practices the Christian faith, I am personally taken by paradoxical thoughts, so this may be all the more appropriate. Perhaps by seeking more of those uncelebrated acts of kindness and reporting a greater percentage of those rather than an unbalanced report of mostly negative news, the injection of thoughts and images that relate to kind acts will fill the minds of the public more, creating an overflow of those thoughts into actions. This would not simply be a removal of ALL negative headlines, but it would encompass a positive mindset despite the negative news. Yes, this is certainly an idealistic notion, yet I believe it to be a noble one.
So, this is the concept that I bring for conversation: I am a recipient of kindness. This is a simple idea and I embrace it. I love those people that give me that kindness, and it engenders a flame that begs to be passed to others for shared warmth. I think I will help share that flame today by writing some Thank You notes to friends and family. I am a sucker for letter-writing... I'm picking up my pen now... and I shall share that experience tomorrow :)
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Friends who have viewed your blog site are very impressed with the freshness and insight they see and feel within your thoughts. They comment on their appreciation of your closing each post with a thought/question which invites their responses they find needed in their own lives. They identify with the busy side of life they are engulfed in and are not sure if they could take the time to make these posts of yours which they enjoy reading. Some have offered the reflection of you considering making posts on a less frequent basis – once or twice a week or whatever. They note this may give you time to think of yet another fresh “closing thought provoking question” which they enjoy and find very useful. They also say they feel your kindness in these thoughts which helps them in taking more active roles with their own family and friend relationships. Really interesting with the connections you are making with people you do not know.
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