It’s there all the time if I look. I do sometimes. I’d like to more. I see the bigger kindnesses. A fellow train passenger offering me a lift in her car when the trains stopped running, for example. But then there’s the dance of subtle kindness that happens with loved ones in particular: it all adds up but is at the same time immeasurable.

The complexity of my thinking
Wanting it to be over
Experiencing an imaginary future
Inhabiting the past
Zoning out
Going down a thought rabbit hole
Not noticing

Any of the above! 😁

I would like that those whom I’m close to, my loved ones, to find solace, wisdom, skill or just plain old warm, fuzzy feelings in some part of how we connected together in this life.

Nothing really. Except maybe that I’m here writing this in this moment… or maybe I’m not…

It’s infrequent! What springs to mind is being caught by the exquisite beauty of nature eg the vista of mountain ridges suddenly emerging out of a forest or the unexpected drama of a jaw dropping sunrise.

How i act generally shows either respect or disrespect. I f I act with integrity and from a “do no harm” outlook in everything I do then to a large extent the respect for others automatically flows. I will engage with others where my actions come from the right place, I will be fair, treat the person as my equal, listen, honour my commitments etc. And starting with the “I” and working to the “you” means it is mutual.

For me it starts with love, love for this miraculous thing that is ourself. This is something that does not come easily to me. I tend to hold back from the tenderness that is in that love. But today may I and all experience an appreciation and love of this wondrous gift. I think that leads to an appreciation of all lfe.

That’s one thing we share in common: challenges. Over the years various challenges, including health related and bereavements, have taught me a lot more self compassion. I’m softer on myself rather than harder. And then my stance with other people is also softer. And that gives me the gift of a closer and more real connection with others and with me also.

One where everyone has accepted what we need to do collectively to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Anything that dissolves me, takes me out of my body. For example a long hike to a peak and then gazing upon the beauty of the mountains, valleys, ridges bathed in sky.

So many of my discoveries were in childhood. Things like discovering language, walking, social connection etc. But aside from those obvious ones ( et’s be grateful for those too) I think the desire for integrity is still a big one for me, that and the closeness of family.

Resistance to the pain in my back. My struggle against it takes me out of appreciating what’s around me.

I’m breathing, I’m upright, I live another day.

Ability to talk more. I talk less. But there’s a balance. An over – talker is exhausting. Also an obvious difference is gender: women and men have different topics of conversation and emotional expression.

I really appreciate you sharing this perspective Samuel. Thank you.

It’s a long time since I saw that movie, Verena. You’ve prompted me to watch again. Thanks.

Ann I love that you do braille transcription. Wonderful.

A good question strikes at the right time. I too have been wondering this. Thanks Jazzmina for this and to all those who replied.

Very sorry for your loss Debra. Thank you reminding us of this deep truth.