Day (Minus) 1
Preparing for the kindness challenge has led to some interesting insights for me :) At first, I thought "can I really add kindness to my daily grind, for 21 days?" I rush to the subway in the mornings, to get to Penn Station, from where I catch a train to work in New Jersey. In the evenings, I'm at the same frenzied pace, always rushing to get somewhere. Kindness is usually an afterthought, if I'm waiting at the subway stop and see someone asking for money, or if I see an amazing performer. In thinking about infusing kindness into my daily life, I realized I needed to step things up :) I am going to try to be more aware of every interaction and every moment, try to be less rushed, and pro-actively find opportunities for kindness!
I put a box of chocolate truffles in my bag at work yesterday, thinking that I would take them home and eat them. As I got on the train and pulled out my wallet to give my ticket to the conductor (mechanically), I thought, why don't I offer him a chocolate? And so I did :) At first, he didn't hear me. Then, it hit him. He looked back at me in pure amazement (he must have thought I was kidding!) He thanked me, looked dazed but took the chocolate, and went on his way. 20 minutes later as he strolled by and said it was amazing :) It felt great!
Insight: I have shied away from giving things that I consider unhealthy (anything other than fruits/veggies, basically) since want to promote healthy eating habits. But as a result, I have rarely had anything to offer anyone (other than money), since how often do I carry 10 bananas with me? I realized yesterday that the chocolate was just a conduit, for witnessing the beauty of giving and receiving unconditionally. And everyone loves chocolates, so why not? :) I also shared a chocolate with a woman who was asking for money at Penn Station. Her eyes were half-closed as she held her cup out, but the moment I dropped the chocolate in and she saw what it was, she had a huge grin!
Insight 2: I typically see my daily commute to and from New Jersey, as an annoyance. I have to change modes of transport several times and cross through a maze of people at each juncture. Yesterday, I felt gratitude for my journey each day. For it gives me so many "touchpoints" with humanity..the saxophonist with the dark glasses who starts playing at 7am each day, the woman selling fruit outside the station and fellow, weary commuters. I have so many opportunities to connect, interact and give. If I went from home to car to work (and back home), it might lead me to create more separation between myself and the world.
Preparing for the kindness challenge has led to some interesting insights for me :) At first, I thought "can I really add kindness to my daily grind, for 21 days?" I rush to the subway in the mornings, to get to Penn Station, from where I catch a train to work in New Jersey. In the evenings, I'm at the same frenzied pace, always rushing to get somewhere. Kindness is usually an afterthought, if I'm waiting at the subway stop and see someone asking for money, or if I see an amazing performer. In thinking about infusing kindness into my daily life, I realized I needed to step things up :) I am going to try to be more aware of every interaction and every moment, try to be less rushed, and pro-actively find opportunities for kindness!
I put a box of chocolate truffles in my bag at work yesterday, thinking that I would take them home and eat them. As I got on the train and pulled out my wallet to give my ticket to the conductor (mechanically), I thought, why don't I offer him a chocolate? And so I did :) At first, he didn't hear me. Then, it hit him. He looked back at me in pure amazement (he must have thought I was kidding!) He thanked me, looked dazed but took the chocolate, and went on his way. 20 minutes later as he strolled by and said it was amazing :) It felt great!
Insight: I have shied away from giving things that I consider unhealthy (anything other than fruits/veggies, basically) since want to promote healthy eating habits. But as a result, I have rarely had anything to offer anyone (other than money), since how often do I carry 10 bananas with me? I realized yesterday that the chocolate was just a conduit, for witnessing the beauty of giving and receiving unconditionally. And everyone loves chocolates, so why not? :) I also shared a chocolate with a woman who was asking for money at Penn Station. Her eyes were half-closed as she held her cup out, but the moment I dropped the chocolate in and she saw what it was, she had a huge grin!
Insight 2: I typically see my daily commute to and from New Jersey, as an annoyance. I have to change modes of transport several times and cross through a maze of people at each juncture. Yesterday, I felt gratitude for my journey each day. For it gives me so many "touchpoints" with humanity..the saxophonist with the dark glasses who starts playing at 7am each day, the woman selling fruit outside the station and fellow, weary commuters. I have so many opportunities to connect, interact and give. If I went from home to car to work (and back home), it might lead me to create more separation between myself and the world.
