discreet

i've been experiencing a time of great enlightenment. i suppose when you take on the frame of mind that you are a student of life, there's so much to be learned.

we often lose sight of the fact that life is a domino effect. i've been thinking a lot about the concept of "pay it forward". our actions DO effect others, so what kind of effect do you want to have on other people? as i pulled together my questions for living room, i got thinking about kindness. i would not call myself a kind person. i'm not unkind, but its not a word that would spring to mind if i had to describe myself. as i thought about that, i discovered that i WOULD like to be known as a kind person. i would like it if people sincerely said "that lesley... she's a kind girl". so i decided to start small, the key to evolving is to not try and change in one giant leap. today when i was shoveling my driveway, and decided that i would also clear the other half that belonged to my downstairs neighbours. as i sat here writing this entry, i saw thru the window them arriving home. did they notice that i'd shoveled their half? no. thankfully that was not my motivation. lately i've been realizing more and more that much of my head knowledge is just that – head knowledge. i want to throw off the guise of "right living" and actually do it. i want the golden rule to not just be a concept i'm familiar with but be an actual way of life. so... back the the driveway, i decided, that i would shovel their half because i would like it if someone did that for me. people HAVE done that for me before, and i've appreciated it, so i paid it forward.

i don't know at what point something crosses from serving others to being taken advantage of. but i'll take my chances. i will strive to be kind, not out of obligation or so it will reflect well on me, but for the greater good.

if you want to change the world, you have to start with you.
i know i can't cure cancer, but i can sit shiva.

i'd swim across lake michigan
i'd sell my shoes