A while back, some readers may remember that I’d set some goals, quests as I called them. One of them was to be kind every day, I’d altered it to simplify the concept from perform a random act of kindness every day. I really wanted it to become ingrained in me to be aware of others and their needs even if they are not expressed.
Tuesday evening, my mother texted me to tell me she’d been reading my blog. Thanks to mothers, many of us have a following of at least one. She said “I just read your blog, it made me so proud and kind of weepy. I’m so proud of the man you have become even if we don’t always agree”. That made me happy. Even at 63 I still need to hear things like that from my mother, I guess.
After a bit of good-natured snark, I told her that I’m proud of the mother she’s always been, even if we don’t always agree. She responded with “that makes me smile”. With my father’s health issues, trips to the hospital and hospice care, my mom hasn’t had a lot to smile about lately, I’m glad I could do it with a simple and honest exchange.
For my quest, this is a perfect example of what I was hoping for. I didn’t plan it; I didn’t have to “perform” anything, I didn’t know the exchange would even occur. What I learned from my guide (my Arhat), was that if it comes from the heart and it’s genuine…my response was definitely from the heart and very genuine and completely honest, it’s meaningful. I guess I continue to learn.
We must all continue to learn, for most of us, our quest for enlightenment is quixotic but like the old Don, we must continue. Yesterday was just one step in front of the last.