A Few Reminders That Are Worth Sharing

Hello, and happy day to you!

I finished up the last of my blue ghost tours recently and have had some time to reflect. I have a few takeaways I’d like to share with you.

First of all, there are many kind people in the world who you might never meet if you are not willing to talk to strangers. As someone once said, “There are no strangers here–just friends you’ve never met.” Can it be awkward? Absolutely. Is it always smooth and comfortable? Absolutely not. But is it worth doing? Absolutely. You never know until you open your mouth and try. That stranger may be a kindred spirit and someone you’ll become close friends with once you realize you have _____ in common. It’s difficult to learn this by never taking a chance, by never talking to someone we don’t know, by being too caught up in our own tasks to take time to offer a kind word.

Speaking of kind words, you never know the impact you may have on someone’s life, positive or negative. Words matter. Why not use them for good by spreading kindness. Another quote: “Kindness costs nothing. Spread it like confetti everywhere you go.” It’s so easy to give a compliment, let someone ahead of you in line, offer a piece of joy.

I was talking with my friend Phyllis recently and she reminded me of this simple fact.

We can’t always know the impact our words or actions have and sure, sometimes it feels like we’re talking to ourselves or banging our heads against the wall, but just maybe, something you said or did changed someone’s mind, changed someone’s life, made a difference that you’ll never be privy to.

It’s worth trying, again, and again, and again. This is especially true for those of us who deeply care about the Earth and have dedicated our lives to making things better for the plants and animals who share our Planet with us. Sometimes it is so depressing– all of the terrible things humans are doing to the Earth, the death and destruction we are causing… It often feels like we’re climbing Mt. Everest, alone, with a 100 pound pack on our back, and it’s windy, rainy, slippery and foggy. Will we ever get there? It’s worth remembering, one step at a time, one step at a time. Keep going and keep trying and keep working to make a difference.

And lastly, the benefits of unplugging and stepping away from our hectic life to just BE, are priceless. Watching the blue ghost fireflies in the dark, quiet forest reminds me of this fact each May. We live in a time when we jump to answer every text, respond to every email, read every new bit of news and “keep up” with what’s going on in every corner of the world. Rush, rush. We are constantly obsessed with accomplishment, lists and action. There’s great power in leaving your phone behind, taking a walk, sitting for a quiet moment in nature and just observing what’s going on around you. It’s healing. It’s peaceful. It’s a powerful medicine that’s aways available and best of all, totally FREE. Take advantage of it!!