The end to another year has nearly arrived. It’s a time to reflect on what lies behind and contemplate the possibilities for 2015. I won’t spend too much time thinking on the past because nothing can be changed. I can learn from mistakes I’ve made, forgive the trespasses of others and make amends for my failures and shortcomings.
I’m writing this just before Christmas and I’ve been seeing posts on Facebook saying “Happy Festivus.” As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not a TV watcher, I had no idea what this holiday was. I Googled it and it turned out to be something that gained popularity through the Seinfeld TV show. Part of the celebration was to air all your grievances. Wow! That ought to make your day! If you are on Facebook very much, you’ll see there are people who carry on this celebration the year ‘round.
While I don’t watch TV, I do keep up with current events through various Internet sources. I found that television has a way of burning unwanted images into my brain; I try to keep that to a minimum. We are bombarded from every side with a lot of negativity; a constant barrage of stories that focus on everything that is wrong with our world. I’m not suggesting we bury our heads in the sand, but we need to have a balance. Fortunately, for most of us who belong to CBA, we have the diversion of bluegrass music and related events to bring us relief from the stresses of life. Many of us have other hobbies that help us find the balance. Within our CBA membership, we have luthiers and other woodworkers, quilters, writers of prose and poetry, dancers, gardeners, fishermen and hunters, etc. I cannot relate to people who have no hobbies.
Of course there are many other ways to find some peace and joy in troubling times. Go out into the world; stop, look and listen for beauty. We are surrounded by it, in a fleeting cloud formation, in a sunrise or sunset, a flower in full bloom…It can be found in the song of a bird, the rain on a tin roof, the laughter of a child, a distant train, or a fog horn along the shore.
Every newscast seems to include some senseless random act of evil or violence and the most horrendous acts are broadcast over and over, and it seems some people just can’t get enough of it. I’ve decided that 2015 is going to be my year for “Random Acts of Kindness.” Who wants to join me?
Kindness is contagious. I would like to see an epidemic. It’s as simple as doing for others what you would like done for you. Many kindnesses can be done with little or no expense to you. It can begin with something as simple as smiling at a stranger, or surrendering a seat or parking spot to another. Try to remember a time when you were helped through a single act of kindness; when someone did something for you without expecting anything in return. Remember how it made you feel?
Kind words whether spoken or written are free and can make a big difference in someone’s life. If you are the praying kind, you can do that for someone at any time and any place. Last Sunday night I sang a song especially for a veteran at the hospital in Livermore and gave him a hug afterwards. He was pleased and I received more joy than he did. Didn’t cost a dime.
When you’ve lived as long as I have, you can look around your house and see a whole bunch of “stuff” that you no longer need. Wouldn’t it be fun to gift-wrap some of those treasures and leave them in a public place like at a bus stop, coffee shop, Laundromat, with a note to the finder, telling them to enjoy the item or pass it on to bless another. You get an opportunity to make someone’s day and to downsize at the same time. You could also do this with a book, leaving a kind message on a bookmark. Maybe you have some CDs that you no longer listen to or would like to “re-gift,” be creative.
Did you know that February 9-15, 2015 is Random Act of Kindness Week? Neither did I. No need to wait. I’d love to hear about the random acts that some of you come up with; you can post them on the message board.
I hope your New Year is one that is filled with all the things that bring you joy. We’ll see you soon. God bless.
