Tag: kindness

Just One Drop

The robins have returned unaware of the snow dump and deep freeze that would welcome them back to Wisconsin. I watched one perched high on a tree. It seemed he was trying to catch a bit of sun that was beginning to break the darkness. Feathers puffed, I wondered if we shared the same bewilderment of a world gone mad. I took birdseed and water to their haunts, hoping to help them ward off the bitterness, and realizing I was helping myself as well. 

What can be done when leaders and echo chambers continually batter us with ignorance and beat the drums of war? What can be done? One drop of kindness in whatever way means a lot.

The doubt maker is busy spinning dark thoughts and doom. But the sun has already begun to warm the air and the birds are flocking to grab whatever nourishment they can, as they sing… Yes, they still sing in spite of it all. 

Vermonters are picking up where Minnesotans left off as the resistance to the inhumanity of ICE is growing. A video of a person solo dancing in front of a line of ICE showed the dancer testing ICE’s inability to join in or at least to laugh. They couldn’t do either. Whatever you do, do not surrender your ability to be joyful. 

Grateful for the good news that the majority of people are opposing the grotesque display of military might and loss of life extending from Palestine and now into Lebanon and Iran. 

Every awakening is cause to celebrate. It is in those drops of clarity that the river of kindness will again flow into peace. 

The sun will warm us once again and while we still breathe, we have choice. 

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Persistence

The day began with an unexpected twist. A chick was left unattended and even though the night had not been cold, the mother’s warmth was lacking and the chick was barely alive. I’ve seen this before and knew the warmth of my hands would be enough to rejuvenate the little one. Soon enough the feet began to move and the chirps became stronger. When I attempted to return the chick, the dubious mother was wary. I placed the chick at a safe distance for her to hopefully recognize him and sheltered both of them from the other chickens, not knowing what might transpire. At last glance, the mom was still sitting on her nest and the chick had found a way to nestle in beside her. Persistence is a gift.

Knowing what you need is also a gift. The chick needed warmth, water, a bit of food, to be cared for and it chirped and gathered strength to find its way. And apparently, I needed to be observant and to recognize what I could do for the little guy and what was not in my domain. 

I can’t say what will be the chick’s future. I don’t know whether it will continue to thrive. But I do know that what we shared in a brief moment of time was precious. 

It has become cliche to say, “Small acts of kindness matter”, but it’s true. And the act of giving kindness is never solely for the recipient. The giver reaps equal reward.

There’s a movement afoot to end the need for charity. Think of that. To live in a world where the systems of oppression no longer hold us hostage, and kindness rules.

I believe that world is not only possible, but here for those who choose it.  

 

Day 1.

Day 2. And the colorings and the yellow feet tell me he is a rooster.