Most of you have heard the phrase in today’s picture-post, and it is true. No act of kindness ever goes to waste. It may not be received or even used in the way we had intended or hoped. But our responsibility is on the giving end of things. You know, the end that gives freely, without expectation. Because if you give with expectation, whether it is to your sibling, your fellow human being, your synagogue, your club, whatever, then that’s some kind of contractual interaction, and often has little to do with kindness. You are giving in these situations fully expecting to get something back. But that’s not actually what I wanted to talk about…
I just got back from a few days of much needed, and overdue, rest, fun, laughter and downtime. It seems to me that in all of our rushing about, multitasking, doing good for others, leading the way forward, authentic listening, and being there, we tend to take very little time for and care of ourselves. We don’t spend enough time turned off, or in the current vernacular, unplugged. We are always on. Always doing, and planning, and stretching (or being stretched), and fixing and striving.
Please, remember to be kind to yourself in the midst of everything else that you have on your plate. All of the things that I have listed above are certainly worthwhile and noble tasks, but you must replenish yourself. Whatever or wherever your well is, you must return to it to be re-filled. Over and over again.
As you stretch yourself to do more, keep in mind that you cannot properly share, be it leadership or love… you cannot truly and properly continue to share what you do not possess.
Be kind to you. It will not be wasted…
~ martina
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