Amazingly, this is one of the hardest things to teach and to learn—kindness to ourselves. Kindness is not the same as self-indulgence or determination. It is the act of treating ourselves in kind ways, with kind thoughts and kind words no matter what mistakes we make or what fears we face. It is not self-improvement or self-image. It is relationship. It is the ability to value intent and to regard with understanding. And it’s the ability to try again when something is important and approach it with encouragement.Harshness cultivates harshness. Kindness cultivates kindness. Be kind in all your relationships. Be kind to the chair, to the car, to the lamp, to the door knob. Be kind to the earth, the wind, the butterfly, the sky. Cultivate kindness in all that you do—and kindness will become you.
Tiger Swallowtail--I loved the way she dove into that blossom.
The butterfly photographs are beautiful as well as your writing.I remember seeing so many butteflies as a child. Are there really less butterflies now or am I just not seeing them?
ReplyDeleteHi Janice,
ReplyDeleteI don't know about current populaton numbers. Tiger Swallowtails are considered strong fliers and move about. How plentiful they are around you will depend on habitat and available flowers. They depend entirely on nectar and have just arrived, staying in our area from April to November. I've been seeing them overhead visiting the dogwood blossoms.
...and thank you!
ReplyDeleteThat was beautiful... on the eyes and the mind...One of the things i constantly tell the teens i work with...'Be gentle on yourself' ... tis one of the easiest, yet hardest lessons... thank you for the reminder
ReplyDelete"Be gentle on yourself' is a perfect way to say it. If we were to encourage our own efforts the same way we might encourage a child we're trying to help, we would all feel more loved and have more love to give.
ReplyDelete