Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Small

small
smôl/
adjective
  1. 1.
    of a size that is less than normal or usual.


A favorite quote of mine by Mother Teresa:  

“We can do no great things; 

only small things with great love.




I have it paraphrased in my kitchen this month:



And it being the Month of Lu-uv, I thought I would talk about this quote.  What small things can we do with great love?  Here is a list I came up with:

Smile  (Hey sounds like small)
Be kind 
Wave
Send a card to someone 
Call someone
Send flowers
Compliment
Hug
Text
Pray for someone
Help with homework
Open a door for someone
Make cookies
Encourage 
Give a gift
Foot rub
Remember someone's birthday
Listen
Help others with responsibilities

And the list goes on.  



Some more ideas from a prophet of God:

"Mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again.”  (Howard W. Hunter)


From the scriptures:

 "...but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass;"  ( Alma 37:6)
  

Finally, a favorite video of mine that shows Love so beautifully demonstrated by many "small" things done with Great AND Christlike love.


Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Kindness

kind·ness
ˈkīn(d)nəs/
noun
  1. the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.




I thought it would be appropriate to do the word on "kindness" this week as it is Random Acts of Kindness Week.

Now I look at this week and say as you probably do,

"Shouldn't we focus on being kind all the time, and not just this week?


And then I say:  "Self, it's just a good time to refocus on how we can be a little more kinder to others"


 And then I say:  "Okay"
Image result for talking to yourself ecard



So how can I be just a little kinder.  Well lately, for me, it seems like I need to follow promptings.  I need to stop suppressing my generous thoughts ( quote by Camilla Kimball) There are times I get a thought in my head that I should do this, or a person pops into my head ( not the person, just the thought of the person;) to help or visit someone.  Simple, simple little things, but I'm constantly second guessing myself.

 Self:  You should say Hi this person on facebook" or or call them and so forth.  


 Self:  "I haven't talk to them forever, they'll think I'm weird...or they may not like me anymore, or I might say the wrong thing..."  And so it goes in that vicious cycle.

Lately , I have tried to do small little things that I think of, no matter what.    

Simple Simple example:  I was in the Target parking lot, walking in to the store, when I see some lady unloading her cart, and kiddos into the car.  The cart starts going AWOL.   Should I stop it?  I 'd have to go a little out of my way, and she might think I'm a weirdo (No, not that!).  Well, I put on my flimsy make-believe cape and stopped the cart and then put the cart away.  Guess what?  She was grateful AND how easy was it for me?  Why do I question?

Another example:  Last Saturday, Marc and I went up to Salt Lake with a group called Legacy Initiative, and handed out burritos, hygiene items and other items to the homeless population.  It was in the middle of the day, unlike our previous outreach (see "Outreach" post).  Although some people were obviously  in need and homeless,  others it was hard to know whether they needed help or not. 

 We asked.  We did not ask if they were homeless, but if they were hungry.   Perhaps some of the people we asked didn't need it, perhaps some were even a little offended.  However, to many of the ones we asked, we were able to help.

Self:  "Brenda, be kind"  
Self:  "But what if...."  
Self:  "Stop suppressing a generous thought!"  
Self:  "Okay". 

 I'm learning.







Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Outreach


Verb:

Reach further than


Last Saturday my alarm went off at 3 a.m.  Although I have been up at that time, it was never with the goal of being totally awake.  And if you know me at all, mornings and I are not on the best of terms.  We tolerate each other ( I mean do I have a choice?) But neither of us have made an attempt to strengthen the relationship.

So why 3 in the morning?  Marc, Alyssa and I did a homeless outreach.  Each year in January, groups are asked to go out and count the homeless population and conduct a survey.  It is federally mandated 3 days in January and at 4 in the manana.
We were part of that effort.

We found some homeless spots.  Places where the homeless were obviously living, and in one case, one was hiding and clearly did not want anything to do with us.  We did find one lady who was homeless and was very kind.

The experience left me philosophical.  Do those homeless persons not want help or is it they don't trust humankind?  I could not answer that question, but why would they trust us?  Strangers invading their space in the wee hours of the morning offering our "help".

Who knows how many times they have been harassed, kicked out and/or treated without the dignity and respect EVERY human deserves.  


Now I know this Outreach is done each year with intentions of helping and understanding the needs of the homeless community, and I am sure it does provide helpful information. 

 The experience just left me with a lot of questions of how we can help them and to reach further (outreach) in order to break through the barriers created between them and society.