There are many kind, compassionate people in my life. I’ve always admired them, but never thought to emulate them.

Years ago, in fact, right after the Northridge earthquake, I met Leslie who would become my first real girl friend, (in the platonic sense), my dance buddy, and, in some ways, the first in a series of women who would teach me to be softer. I used to admire the way she could meet people I’d known for years and learn more about them in an evening than I had in the time we’d shared. She was one of the many people who would subsequently come into my life and be a living, breathing example of how kindness and compassion work better than strength and selfishness. But it took me years to actually realize the lesson was there, much less learn it.

In fact, it wasn’t until this morning that I realized how much that lesson had trickled into my life, quietly and subtly. It wasn’t until I realized that for the last couple of years, friends are no longer afraid to share what’s in their heart with me. I consider it an incredible honor to be entrusted with something rare, something delicate, even something which is painful. Though to them, it might not mean a lot (and I have no way of knowing), to me, it is an enormous affirmation that, while I’m not as kind as I’d like to be, I’m kinder than I used to be.

Life is an Evolution

Most of us don’t remain the same throughout our lives: we learn, we grow, we change, in short, we evolve. Often it seems like we don’t even have a choice in the matter! If we don’t learn something the first time, the lesson returns, at first overtly, but if we continue to resist, it will return in subtle, nearly undetectable ways. The consequences for failing to learn will become increasingly painful until, unless we’re a masochist, we learn the lesson out of a sense of self-preservation. I guarantee, those are the ones we won’t forget any time soon! Pain keeps a memory alive better than anything I know except maybe love. Is it any wonder that people carry heartbreak to unbelievable lengths?

Once we’ve had a few of those excruciatingly painful lessons, even the threat of such pain is enough to entice us to master later lessons with less repetition. Even so, we still forget and need the occasional reminder, like a flick of the tip of the whip, rather than the entire length leaving a painful welt on our back. It’s the Universe’s way of saying “Just wait until your father gets home!”

I know I go on about lessons rather frequently, but not only are they part of our evolution, but they build brain cells, keep us healthier and above all, keep life interesting! I think my own version of hell would be a place where I couldn’t write and had nothing else to learn.

WARNING! Topic change ahead! I read an interesting article today, and wanted to share it. It has to do with writing and health benefits. Who knew?
Here’s the link: http://mic.com/articles/98348/science-shows-writers-have-a-serious-advantage-over-the-rest-of-us

More work by this talented young writer, Rachel Grate, can be found at austenfeminist.wordpress.com

Which brings up another good lesson. I need to start interacting more with fellow bloggers and writers. In that vein, linking to and commenting on their posts will be integral to my plan. In the case of Ms. Grate, I was unable to find a place to leave a comment, so the link will have to do.

Before I wander into yet another mind twist, let me share my gratitudes and close. There may be another post tonight since I missed doing one yesterday and I really want to keep this going!
1. I am grateful that I found the courage to write, even when it isn’t as steady as I’d like. Sitting down at the computer and spilling my thoughts is incredibly cathartic.
2. I am grateful for the opportunities my writing has given me to open my mind, find new people with shared interests and diverse ideas, and give support to those who embark upon this difficult but rewarding path.
3. I am grateful for the times when I recognize progress in some of my more difficult lessons.
4. I am grateful for the people who show me through acts rather than words that I am evolving as a Human and as a Divine Being.
5. I am grateful for abundance: kindness, compassion, prolific writing, lessons, evolution, happiness, harmony, peace, health and prosperity.

Namaste