The Power of Kindness

11th February

saying peace

And you, Helen.

And you, Helen, what should I give you?

So many things I would give you

Had I an infinite great store

Offered me and I stood before

To choose. I would give you youth,

All kinds of loveliness and truth,

A clear eye as good as mine,

Lands, waters, flowers, wine,

As many children as your heart

Might wish for, a far better art

Than mine can be, all you have lost

Upon the travelling waters tossed,

Or given to me. If I could choose

Freely in that great treasure-house

Anything from any shelf,

I would give you back yourself,

And power to discriminate

What you want and want it not too late,

Many fair days free from care

And heart to enjoy both foul and fair,

And myself, too, if I could find

Where it lay hidden and it proved kind.

Edward Thomas

showing peace

With help from some surprising footage, Derek Silvers explains how movements really get started. (Hint: it takes two.)

doing peace

The theme today is peace, friends and family

Following on from yesterday's offering we are showing a short video to make the point that we need to be aware of the impact we have on others and what magic happens when we choose to let others know that we are interested in them. Look at how your own relationships improve when you become curious about what others think; what they do and who they are.

Try this:

Reflect on the poem and the TED video and list all the emotions and thoughts that the recipients of attention (Helen in the poem and the first person to get up and dance in the video) would feel on receiving the poem or the public display of support.
Make a list of feelings and thoughts that might go through the mind of someone who doesn't feel listened to or acknowledged.
What advice would you give to someone who is so absorbed with themselves that they are unaware of the impact that their words and actions have on other people?
Choose one person (at least) that you are going to make an effort to acknowledge and support them today. It could be a parent, a sibling, a friend or colleague. Do anything from send them a text message to saying how much you appreciate them or make a meal for them. You could sit and just ask questions about them or sit in silence with them. You choose based on what they need. Be clear what you are going to do and then just do it.

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