The Mail Project

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons. For more information, you can click here.

For the last couple of weeks, I have felt a strong draw toward the mail, toward the United States Postal Service, towards the human touch. Yesterday, in her "Link Love", Kelly Kilmer posted a link to "More Love Letters" and I felt like it sort of decided me on this path.

One of the first blogs I ever really read regularly was the Hope Revolution blog and then I went on to find blogs that provided a touch of hope through leaving books, notes, etc. for people.

I love the idea that we can do things like this and impact people, even on a small scale, for a moment or two. I like that I can do this for people I know and people I don't know, and also contribute to the USPS that I value so much. There is nothing like getting a letter in the mail.

So, I'm starting with some folks I work with - not in the same site - other people who work in their offices across the country without a peer there to bounce ideas off of, without someone they can just vent to and see their face at the same time. It is hard to do that, sometimes. What I know is that there are so many people (people in my building and elsewhere) who could use a little pick-me-up. I think sending out some "pick-me-ups" will be part of mine.






**Photo titled "Rosy Deliveries" by Craig Daniels (texhzmx on flickr). You can find his photo stream here.

Free Poster from "Kind Over Matter"

If you go over to Kind Over Matter, you can print a "Free Positive Thoughts" poster. I love this idea and printed one to bring to my office.

The Fantastic Secret Agent L

In a story more complicated than I will tell here on the blog, I found a GREAT new blog that just made me smile and I wanted to share it with you here.  I found it on Kavindra's site, A Clear Path to Happy. She mentioned it back in September or so.

The blog is called Secret Agent L and it is a brilliant, funny and inspiring blog where the blogger goes on different secret agent assignments and leaves little gifties for unsuspecting strangers. Kind of like HopeRevolution but different.  Secret Agent L says, "Be Kind. No exceptions."  I love it!

I truly believe that these little kindnesses and these kinds of stories and experiences make the world a better place. Obviously, when something tragic and catestrophic happens, kindness is required. We forget, though, that sometimes it is the small kindness that has the huge impact. The day that someone says something at just the right moment to renew your faith in humanity. Or to give you the strength to get through the day.  I want to make more of those moments happen.

I'm BACK!!! and An Act of Kindness

I have to post from my hand-written journal and I will do so today and tomorrow (to keep my Nablopomo commitment).  I wasn't near a computer and my sidekick didn't have a signal most of the days I was away. 

So- little story about arriving at the airport last night:

Flew into Portland at 9:30pm or so, moving slow - long, emotionally tiring week, was hot (100 degrees) where I was, and hot when I got home.  I went to baggage claim and there was my suitcase just getting ready to go back into the conveyor belt hole which meant I would have to let it go around again and I just didn't think I could wait that long.  I hurried over to the bag, grabbed it up and then went to wait for my ride.  Apparently, I ran out of all ability to disguise my exhaustion because a man walking along with his wife looked at me, smiled and said, "Long trip?"  I nodded and said yes and we continued walking in opposite directions.  I found a seat near the main doors waiting for my ride and a few minutes later, the couple came back towards where I was, and stepping on the escalator, the gentleman said, "Are you all right?  You look exhausted." His wife said, "Do you have someone coming for you?  Do you need a ride?"  I was overwhelmed by their kindness and I assured them that I was all right, just tired (apparently, that was CLEARLY SHOWING) and that I did, in fact, have a ride coming.   The husband reluctantly got on the escalator, but luckily, my ride arrived so they were able to leave me there without concern. What amazing kindness they showed me!  Later, coming out of the parking lot, we waved a car ahead of us out of the parking structure and I saw that it was that couple.  I was struck again with their kindness to a fellow human being who looked in need of a hand.  They earned a lot of good karma points from that small act.

I need to be more kind.  I want to be more kind.   I hope that those two people have many blessings showered on them for being the kind of person who stops to ask a tired traveller if they need some help.  They are great role models for me.

Reading: Confucius

“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” ~Confucius  

Today did not prove to be that much better than yesterday except for my sincere appreciation for the people around me who, rather than letting me exhaust myself dog-paddling for shore, gently pulled me into their boat and rowed me to shore.   I had to just surrender into feeling overwhelmed and less-than-competent and just appreciate the kindness of others.  

As a result of said day, I choose to check in on my reading progress, which I do keep on the sidebar, but don't change regularly.  I have only missed 3 days of reading since my start in January.  I started out strongly, reading all four of the "Twilight" series books in January.    Then, the search for a book that would hold my interest...I think I have to rebuild my "reading patience" - knowing that a book doesn't necessarily grab you right away, but that I have to give it a chance.  I am a "slow to warm" person in real life and I think I am that way with characters in books - I don't want to be hurt by real people or fictional characters. Ha.  

I am nearing the end of "Walking in Circles Before Lying Down" which has been funnier than I thought.  I am also in the middle of Maya Angelou's "Letter to My Daughter", a book of beautiful essays.  You can't read them all at once - they have to be savored.  So, although I am behind in where I would like to be book-count wise and page-count wise, I am happy to be reading daily and enjoying the journey.  Book recommendations welcome here...                        

Human Touch: Buechner

“Compassion is sometimes the fatal capacity for feeling what it is like to live inside somebody else's skin. It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too.” ~Frederick Buechner 

Today was a challenging day - not a bad day...I was mostly still able to smile by the end of almost 12 hours at work... One thing that was really sort of breathtaking and beautiful was that in the midst of this challenging day, no less than 4 people made an effort to show me in different ways that they SEE ME - not manager me, not looking for what I can do for them or give them, but they saw my effort not to give into feeling overwhelmed, saw the human need in me for someone to just say something kind, not ask for more, not say, "I know you're busy, but..."  It is really heartening.  

Kindness: Dalai Lama

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." ~Dalai Lama

I was reminded today that a small, kind word or gesture can make a difference.  Obviously, I know this to be the case, both as a giver and a receiver, but every once in a while, it is good to be reminded...I followed my instincts today and I think it paid off for both of us.

I want so much to be a positive force in the world, in the lives of the people I touch, but sometimes it is so hard.  I get distracted by all the "stuff" that happens in a day, all the ways that I am pulled, the answers I don't have, the time and attention to everything and everyone...and I forget that it is all about people.

 
Anyway, I remember now.  I just keep on truckin', ya know?  Just keep allowing these little pokes to really help me wake up and move me to action.  I think I need to come up with a plan - what are some things I can DO daily to put my intentions into action?  I have to ponder this.  I think of things to do, to say, ways to show people, all the time, but then I get distracted, get busy, forget.  I have to start remembering more. 

Kind Deed or Manipulated?

I know I have been away...I think I have that reaction to Nablopomo - I enjoy it, but it is a lot of pressure to come up with something new every day. This week has been kind of crappy, so I just took a break from the blog.

So, here's a situation that happened yesterday that I was thinking about...

I went to Safeway during my lunch break and as I was approaching the entrance, I saw a man sitting in a wheelchair. He looked to be in his late 40s, just sitting in his wheelchair. He wasn't close to the door - he was over to the side in front of the soda machines there. When I walked by, I expected him to ask me for money or to be selling something (even though he didn't have a table or any items). Sometimes they have had veterans outside of the store selling lapel ribbons or something. He didn't say anything to me as I walked by and I breathed my usual sigh of relief. I know there are people out there - panhandlers - who are just looking to earn a fast buck, but there are also people out there who are so desperate for some drop of kindness and some help that they resort to begging. I have a hard time with that - how do I know which they are? If I'm downtown, I usually can spot the difference, but here in a suburban area...who knows? So, with relief, I entered the building.

When I came out of the store, he was still there, but my guard was down. I had forgotten to buy a drink inside for my lunch and I walked to the vending machine. I tried to go to one that was a little ways away from the guy. As soon as I stopped walking, he said, "I don't suppose you could spare some change? I've been turned down for disability and have refiled, but it takes a long time." I asked him to hold on just a minute and I would see what I could do. I bought my pop - with the only singles I had in my pocket...since when do sodas cost $1.50 from a vending machine for goodness sake? I knew I only had $20 in my pocket. I talked to the guy for a few minutes. I told him not to give up and that my friend had been in a similar situation - applying for disability and getting turned down. This guy was worried he might have to hire a lawyer who will then take 30%, but he had broken his back and was still recovering.

We talked for a few minutes and I tried to be encouraging - he seemed very sad and spoke in a soft voice. I took the $20 out of my pocket and handed it to him. I said, "I hope this helps a little. What's your name?" His name was Steve. I told him my name and I told him to hang in there and not give up. I wished him a good day and looked him in the eye as I shook his hand.

As I walked away, I hoped I did something kind for someone in need. If he was manipulating me, I don't ever need to know. He will know. I shook his hand and treated him with humanity. If he was lying, I hope he never forgets that sometimes people just try to do the right thing.