My theme for this week of Advent is "Striving to find unity and peace with all the people of the world". One way I do that is to try to be in harmony with the people I interact with (especially those who irritate me), and one way I do that is to work at being a kinder person.
St. Nicholas Day is a perfect time to think about kindness, and ways to be kinder. Kindness is simple, honest, peaceful, and joyful, and it leads to generosity, patience, integrity, and unity. When I commit to being kind, I give my life greater meaning and depth. This week I intend to-
Agenda Today:
1. Advent Prayer
2. Kindness meditation
3. Random Acts of Kindness
4. Make sparkly candle holders
1. Advent Prayer:
O Saint of love,
be a guide for us in our lives, we pray,
that we may create joy for each other,
as you have done for so many.
From St. Nikola an der Donau, Austria
2. Kindness Meditation:
This week I'll try to spend a few minutes each morning in quiet meditation and re-affirm my intention to be kind today, to others and to myself.
I really like this Kindness Guided Meditation for children, by Alessandrina Dorer, at the Epic Self site.
3. Random Acts of Kindness:
4. Make small gifts:
Today is a good day to start to stockpile small gifts to give to neighbors and friends, and to use as stocking stuffers. This year, I found this idea for sparkly candle holders from Earnest Home Co.
Supplies: Glass votive holders, spray adhesive, glitter, votive candles
1- Spray the inside of candle holder with spray adhesive.
2- Sprinkle in some glitter and shake it around until the surface is completely covered.
3- Add a votive candle, and your done!
- Practice holding my tongue (including inside-my-head-talk); less snapping at people!
- Try to follow through with any strong, generous impulse that comes into my heart- if it is mostly reasonable.
- When I am impatient, cruel, or clumsy, just take a breathe, accept myself as I am, apologize, and gather my resolve to begin again.
1. Advent Prayer
2. Kindness meditation
3. Random Acts of Kindness
4. Make sparkly candle holders
1. Advent Prayer:
O Saint of love,
be a guide for us in our lives, we pray,
that we may create joy for each other,
as you have done for so many.
From St. Nikola an der Donau, Austria
This week I'll try to spend a few minutes each morning in quiet meditation and re-affirm my intention to be kind today, to others and to myself.
I really like this Kindness Guided Meditation for children, by Alessandrina Dorer, at the Epic Self site.
3. Random Acts of Kindness:
Intentions are nice, but I also need to plan concrete actions. Each day I will brainstorm new ways to be kind; when I challenge my creative juices, it becomes a fun exercise.
This page has a good list of Random Acts of Kindness, and I enjoy this Random Acts of Christmas Kindness Advent Calendar. Some ideas include leaving dollars in the toy section of the Dollar Store and taking a coffee to your teacher.
This page has a good list of Random Acts of Kindness, and I enjoy this Random Acts of Christmas Kindness Advent Calendar. Some ideas include leaving dollars in the toy section of the Dollar Store and taking a coffee to your teacher.
4. Make small gifts:Today is a good day to start to stockpile small gifts to give to neighbors and friends, and to use as stocking stuffers. This year, I found this idea for sparkly candle holders from Earnest Home Co.
1- Spray the inside of candle holder with spray adhesive.
2- Sprinkle in some glitter and shake it around until the surface is completely covered.
3- Add a votive candle, and your done!
No comments:
Post a Comment