A Peace Offering…

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compassion, doves, giving, help, helping hands, love, peace, peaceful living, spiritual art, spirituality, symbols of peace, think love, white dove

The World we “appear” to live in. It is not peaceful, but it is not getting worse. It has always been a violent Earth. People have been killing each other since the beginning of humankind. The big difference is that with the advent of the Internet and cell phones, we are exposed to every horrific thing that happens around the globe. Every thing big or small. We are spared nothing horrific. 1 person beheaded….130 killed by a terrorist. A woman doused in acid. Gay men hung in public. We hear about it all in gruesome detail. 100 years ago, we only knew what happened in our own little village. It seemed more peaceful back then. But it wasn’t. There have been wars and rumors of wars from the beginning. The Crusades…The Holocaust….The Spanish Inquisition….And the list goes on. Many thousands killed regularly. Native Americans wiped out in the name of progress. African American Lynchings. LGBT killings. Our history is riddled with hate crimes and atrocities. And so it continues today. All I can do in my own little world is make a decision to be kinder. To be more tolerant. To be more compassionate. To not allow the news reports to scare me into a frozen emotional state. To live my life the way I desire for others to live theirs. In your daily rush, take a moment each day to pick someone to be extra kind to. Online or in person. Just be nice each day. When that becomes a habit, add more nice gestures. Change truly does begin with us…

On The Rocks…

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http://fineartamerica.com/featured/on-the-rocks-teddy-bear-art-by-william-patrick-and-sharon-cummings-sharon-cummings.html

This time of year when I am busy working like one of Santa’s elves and hustling about trying to get my Holiday shopping done, it is easy to forget that so many people in our world, country, state, city and neighborhood will not be having a “merry” Christmas.  For many just getting to their next meal is a blessing.  However, every year the Universe sends me a reminder to be giving.  To show compassion and love.  There is always a homeless person I encounter each year whose eyes speak to me in a way I cannot adequately explain.  I almost feel as if it is God looking back at me saying, “I have given so much to you, will you give something back?”  I always give large bills even though they are asking only for spare change.  I also make a point to touch them by gently squeezing their hands and making eye contact.  I speak to them.  There is something so humbling in seeing their eyes light up and the sheer gratitude they exude. Some say….”oh they will just go and buy booze with that money.”  That may be true, but one thing I am very certain about is that God did not place me on this earth to judge others and to determine my generosity based on what the recipient might or might not do with my compassion.  I am simply called to be so…..