a little help from our friends!
At the end of my run on Monday, I noticed a woman picking things up, and dropping them back on the beach. The closer I got, I could see that she was picking up large clam shells, pulling them apart, and dropping them again. A sea gull was following close behind her. I said, “Good morning! I was wondering what you were doing.” She was bent over, but smiled at me and said, “I like to give the birds a little help. They have a rough time of it.” and she went back to her work which she was obviously enjoying.
A part of me thought, “Sea gulls seem like the birds that need the least amount of help! and then the thought, “How do I know that the love that this woman is putting into her task, isn’t vitally needed by, not only those birds, but by the entire Universe?!” Can I really say with certainty what is needed; who is playing a large part in helping our world, and who or what action, is a small part, an insignificant part?” I know that her kindness changed my day. It made me smile. It was significant enough to tell Jack about when I got back to our motel… to tell you about now. Our lives matter. Our thoughts and our actions matter….I don’t think that there are degrees of “importance” in our actions when we are living from our hearts.
You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life. ~Albert Camus
What a kind thing to do. Every action has ripples we don’t see.
I am starting a list of things that MIGHT be good in the realm of this world as we know it.
1. Take time to make an extra portion of your lunch or dinner and deliver it to a neighbor who lives alone.
2. When one sends a birthday card, take time to type or pen an enclosed letter that lets the person know you are celebrating their life.
3. Put together a bouquet from the garden or gather some Fall weeds that describe our Father’s hand today and drop it off to someone who wouldn’t expect it.
4. After church, make it a habit to talk with someone about their daily life. It can be a child, man or woman, organist, minister’s wife or husband. Be personal. You never know what you may learn.
5. Thank a store clerk, a technician, a supermarket cashier, a company representative or whomever assists you how you rely on their talents.
Well, it’s a start and worth thinking about.
Thank you Mary for bringing “what’s important” to our attention. In our busy lives, we have a tendency to push these items to the bottom of our priority list.
Mary, maybe it is because there were two posts today, and the other one has more responses, – I am catching up late tonight having spent a happy day with my son, – but all day! I had the image in my mind of the woman opening up the clams as a ‘head start’ to the sea gulls, and all day I thought of those words “what is important” – and I am so utterly convinced that just as God keeps His eye on the sparrow, our smallest actions, infused with our loving intent, carry as much ‘import’ as any CEO delivering his monthly report – blah blah, it is our very touch on this earth to the smallest of creatures, that echoes far and wide. Recently, I just can’t even step on a bug in our house – I carry it outside – we are all so very connected – My day is ending now in the west and it is so enriched by your every post and all the lovely ones that chine in – All Across the Universe! Love to all, and goodnight from Arizona!
WOW…you are GOOD…no GREAT…the way your mind works, the way you write…I can’t wait ’til all your posts are published in a book. I’ll be purchasing many…all as gifts for my friends. Thank you, Mary, for expanding our minds. Kay
Thank you Kay!
Dear Mary,
I know you’ve been thinking of moving to Maine, and I want to let you know that
my husband and I just returned from Harpswell, Maine. We rented a small,
simple cottage mid-week. It was very quiet – the summer people are gone.
There are many small peninsulas, so wherever you are, almost, you can see
the ocean. It’s so beautiful there – not touristy. It’s just south of Brunswick. And
Amtrak is going to extend the Downeaster to Brunswick. Think of the possibilities. Living near a college community with a vibrant arts center and being able to take a train to Boston. I’m just in love with the area. I’m from Maine originally, but Bill’s a New Hampshire native. He’s reluctantly realizing
that I need to get back to my roots.
Becky
Thank you Becky! Jack and I are going to have a good time exploring the beautiful state of Maine. We have our hearts set on Kittery Point, but you never know…