I just returned from another Order of Mercy clean up in our neighborhood.  And today as I was participating in the contemplative practice of picking up trash I was moved by the deeper lesson of how easy it is to give.  There is so much fear in the world today...a lot of bracing, tightness and restriction...people struggling with not having enough time, finances, resources etc.  What does it mean to have enough?  When we look for places to give and to help the resources of Grace, Spirit and Love find a way to enter in to move through us. When people hold back from giving to one another it creates more tightness and fear.  There are so many simple ways to give: picking up trash, checking on a neighbor, voting (always but especially this week), praying, meditating, cleaning up our own homes (internal and external), helping in causes that mean something, taking time each day for stillness and quiet and grateful reflection of the abundance we do have.  As we enter into this new week where we will elect a new president I am feeling a renewed sense of hope in people around me.  It is a perfect time to honestly reflect on how we have been living...have we been living for ourselves more than others, have we been caring about the greater good in how we live and spend our time and resources?  Recently our Master Teacher, Father Peter Bowes, posted in his own blog a story of basic loving kindness.  I have posted it here below for you to enjoy.  To read more of his personal blogs go to: www.TheMysticalPath.blogspot.com. 
Blessings to you in this day ~ Rev Cynthia

Simple Act of Kindness

I was at a cellphone store and the simple act of kindness of one of their agents impressed me so much because she was so thoughtful, faithful and helpful above and beyond anything really required. She was paid the same no matter who she was serving and she expressed a deep concern for everyone who entered the store. She was vigilant to the nuances of each person's needs and would come to each person with the answer and the help each one came for. In a way, customer service was exemplified in this simple person's commitment to be caring and supportive. She was just doing her job, but it was much more than that. Few might have noticed, but I watched as she kept her consciousness of each need and each situation and as each person was greeted as they entered, they were brought into her energy, her desire to fulfill the wishes of each one. She actually nurtured each person that entered. She didn't have to. She could have been as jaded as many people are who have to greet people and answer their questions. But she looked at each person and went out of her way, taking more time than most people in their impatience and intolerance would have been able to stand. This is an example of loving one's neighbor in the most simple way. It is not religious and has no over-arching self-righteousness in it. It was simple as a child and it was a light in the otherwise opaque landscape of most people's dull lives. Thank God some people get how to care for other people and get a kick out of being conscious of people.